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Post by jeanne on Dec 2, 2019 23:25:35 GMT 1
To hug someone, wrap arms around someone/something? Sorry, no, it means to get desperate over a situation or sb`s behaviour, e.g., mother breaks her arms over her unruly son etc. The coach breaks his arms over lousy national team footballers who lose with a playground team from the outback.  You'll have to explain to me what breaking one's arms over something means. I can see that it means being distraught over something, but why is it called breaking one's arms? |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 3, 2019 22:15:01 GMT 1
You'll have to explain to me what breaking one's arms over something means. I can see that it means being distraught over something, but why is it called breaking one's arms? When you explain why beating about the bush means discussing a matter without coming to the point, I will explain breaking one`s arms. Deal? hahaha |
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Post by jeanne on Dec 4, 2019 0:07:48 GMT 1
You'll have to explain to me what breaking one's arms over something means. I can see that it means being distraught over something, but why is it called breaking one's arms? When you explain why beating about the bush means discussing a matter without coming to the point, I will explain breaking one`s arms. Deal? hahaha Very simple. When hunting, someone who is not serious about it, or isn't focused on what they are supposed to be doing, might "beat around the bush," hoping they will find some game there instead of having to work for it... Accordingly, if you are "beating around the bush" in a discussion/conversation, you really don't want to be serious about the subject and confront it...it's a kind of avoidance tactic in both scenarios. Okay, your turn...  |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 4, 2019 22:24:02 GMT 1
Wow, that hunting is quite new to me. Are you sure you didn`t invent it and that I can use it for future references???  As for breaking arms People keep their arms straightened most of the time. When they bend them like in the meme above, they sort of "break them" in the elbows. It is a sign of despair or the state of being distraught, copied from the gestures of religious people who once raised their arms to Heaven, deploring it to deal with their pitiful plight. The raised arms were never straight, usually bent in elbows. |
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Post by jeanne on Dec 5, 2019 1:13:27 GMT 1
Wow, that hunting is quite new to me. Are you sure you didn`t invent it and that I can use it for future references??? I didn't exactly "invent" that explanation, but I did just use my common sense. When else would people beat around a bush except when they are looking for something that might be hiding there...? But no, you should probably not use it as the authoritative definition! I was actually just trying to come up with an answer so that you would explain to me about breaking arms. That makes sense...I think...are you sure you didn't make it up? When I envision people imploring Heaven, I usually picture them with arms held out straight and upward! Are you using my tactic against me? |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 5, 2019 21:52:24 GMT 1
That makes sense...I think...are you sure you didn't make it up? When I envision people imploring Heaven, I usually picture them with arms held out straight and upward! Are you using my tactic against me? Oh, yes, I knew I was making a mistake - not deplore but implore, of course. I was too quick. Arms held out straight must be American tradition. In Poland we bend our arms when calling on Heaven to send down a hand. Simple. |
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Post by naukowiec on Dec 6, 2019 23:01:51 GMT 1
To be anxiously and restlessly on the run, overactive. Yep to look for the wind in the field That seems like it could be the equivalent of 'looking for a needle in a haystack'. Searching for something that's impossible to find. it means to get desperate over a situation or sb`s behaviour, e.g., mother breaks her arms over her unruly son etc. Aha, I can see it now. Similar to wringing one's hands maybe..... |
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Post by naukowiec on Dec 6, 2019 23:58:14 GMT 1
To frock up like a rat for the opening of a canal
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 7, 2019 21:50:46 GMT 1
To frock up like a rat for the opening of a canal It is the same as to dress up like a caretaker for Corpus Christi Day. hahaha To put on extremely and surprisingly elegant garb. That seems like it could be the equivalent of 'looking for a needle in a haystack'. Searching for something that's impossible to find. Similar but not the same. The needle idiom suggests the needle is there in the haystack and finding it is still possible despite difficulties, while the wind idiom suggests the wind is long gone and it is not possible to find it. What about " soap and plum jam" ? It is used in reference to some facilities regularly visited by people. |
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Post by naukowiec on Dec 8, 2019 9:14:05 GMT 1
To put on extremely and surprisingly elegant garb. I thought it meant to be overdressed, wearing clothes inappropraite for the occasion. In the UK we would say something along the lines of 'to be done up like a dog's dinner'. The needle idiom suggests the needle is there in the haystack Yes, I take your point. I should've just stuck with searching for something that's impossible to find. I'll have to think about this. It's not used in reference to toilets is it? |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 8, 2019 9:59:59 GMT 1
I thought it meant to be overdressed, wearing clothes inappropraite for the occasion. In the UK we would say something along the lines of 'to be done up like a dog's dinner'. It's not used in reference to toilets is it? Exactly, I thought I was suggesting it when I wrote: extremely elegant garb. Going to extremes is usually considered inappropriate behaviour, isn`t it? No, it isn`t about toilets but small shops. |
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Post by naukowiec on Dec 8, 2019 11:26:35 GMT 1
I thought I was suggesting it when I wrote: extremely elegant garb. I misunderstood you then. Wearing elegant garb is fine for a posh occasion , but would be ridiculous if you were going hiking for example. it isn`t about toilets but small shops. I don't have much idea about this. Is it just to do with shops that we would say, sell everything but the kitchen sink? These shops sell everything from soap to plum jam? I don't think it's right though. |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 8, 2019 18:07:46 GMT 1
Is it just to do with shops that we would say, sell everything but the kitchen sink? These shops sell everything from soap to plum jam? I don't think it's right though. Yes, exactly. The phrase is sometimes extended with schwarz at the beginning which probably means black shoe polish. to wash sb`s head off/away. |
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Post by naukowiec on Dec 8, 2019 23:54:28 GMT 1
to wash sb`s head off/away. To give someone a piece of one's mind, bawl somebody out? |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 10, 2019 20:41:52 GMT 1
To give someone a piece of one's mind, bawl somebody out? Sorry, no. It means to rebuke sb, tell them off - zmyć komuś głowę. tree hollow. Apart from a house for squirrels, what other meaning has it got ? |
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Post by naukowiec on Dec 11, 2019 19:51:46 GMT 1
It means to rebuke sb, tell them off Ok thanks what other meaning has it got ? Car thieves hiding place where stolen cars are stored and dismantled? |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 11, 2019 21:22:19 GMT 1
Car thieves hiding place where stolen cars are stored and dismantled? Yes!! Twice a month I can read about dziupla being raided by the police somewhere in Poland. Don`t they ever learn they won`t hide for ever?? to have money like ice. |
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Post by naukowiec on Dec 11, 2019 21:43:39 GMT 1
To have loads of money, as plentiful as ice? We would say 'to have money to burn'. |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 11, 2019 21:51:54 GMT 1
To have loads of money, as plentiful as ice? We would say 'to have money to burn'. Yes! And wow, this is the first idiom that I learnt from a small pocket book of idioms a few decades ago when I decided to study English at uni - I have remembered it till today. A few years ago I tried to find out if it was still used but my search proved it wasn`t. And now you are mentioning it. What`s the matter with it? |
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Post by naukowiec on Dec 11, 2019 22:02:58 GMT 1
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 15, 2019 0:48:44 GMT 1
Do you mean 'to have money to burn?' It is still used, though probably not by younger adults Yes. I forgot hundreds of idioms which I learnt in the past but still remember that one. to get hedgehoggy |
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Post by jeanne on Dec 17, 2019 1:52:47 GMT 1
Do you mean 'to have money to burn?' It is still used, though probably not by younger adults Yes. I forgot hundreds of idioms which I learnt in the past but still remember that one. to get hedgehoggyThis is just a guess...to try to hide from someone, or a confrontation, or an unpleasant situation? I know hedgehogs roll up in a ball to protect themselves from something they fear. |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 17, 2019 20:36:43 GMT 1
This is just a guess...to try to hide from someone, or a confrontation, or an unpleasant situation? I know hedgehogs roll up in a ball to protect themselves from something they fear. Yes! But the phrase also implies aggressive defence, this hedgehog is ready to use its spikes if necessary! to mousie around |
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Post by jeanne on Dec 17, 2019 22:49:26 GMT 1
This is just a guess...to try to hide from someone, or a confrontation, or an unpleasant situation? I know hedgehogs roll up in a ball to protect themselves from something they fear. Yes! But the phrase also implies aggressive defence, this hedgehog is ready to use its spikes if necessary! to mousie aroundSince mice are so quiet and sneaky, does this mean someone is sneaking around and doesn't want anyone to see what they are doing? |
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Post by naukowiec on Dec 17, 2019 23:25:22 GMT 1
My guess is that it means to play or fool around, not take things too seriously? |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 18, 2019 12:51:13 GMT 1
My guess is that it means to play or fool around, not take things too seriously? Nope, it means to scavenge for food like mice do - checking every nook and cranny with their whiskers. Since mice are so quiet and sneaky, does this mean someone is sneaking around and doesn't want anyone to see what they are doing? Yes! But sneaking is only for food. to go catty |
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Post by naukowiec on Dec 18, 2019 20:18:24 GMT 1
it means to scavenge for food like mice do I wouldn't have got that one. Unless it means to be spiteful I have no idea. It's probably something to do with furry female mammals but not sure what. |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 18, 2019 22:43:53 GMT 1
It's probably something to do with furry female mammals but not sure what. Yes, exactly, with furry female mammals of feline family. Come on, what do furry female mammals of feline family do? |
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Post by jeanne on Dec 18, 2019 23:23:15 GMT 1
It's probably something to do with furry female mammals but not sure what. Yes, exactly, with furry female mammals of feline family. Come on, what do furry female mammals of feline family do? I'm not a cat person, so I don't know what furry female mammals of the feline family do, however, when Americans call a girl/woman "catty," it means they are criticizing another person and/or talking about them behind their back... |
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Post by Bonobo on Dec 19, 2019 21:58:04 GMT 1
I'm not a cat person, so I don't know what furry female mammals of the feline family do, however, when Americans call a girl/woman "catty," it means they are criticizing another person and/or talking about them behind their back... Nope. The one special thing that female cats do is to bear baby kittens. Go catty means have ones. You can also say so about other pets and even farm animals like pigs. Funny. to get swiny |
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