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Post by Bonobo on Mar 25, 2018 20:58:32 GMT 1
Yes! This one is challenging. Check your intelligence and imagination! To have a snake in one`s pocket. I think it means that you have a hidden bad intention. People may think you have a good intention, since it appears (by your actions) that you do, but really you have an selfish/evil one! Sorry, no. Wanna try one more time?   |
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Post by jeanne on Mar 25, 2018 21:12:55 GMT 1
I think it means that you have a hidden bad intention. People may think you have a good intention, since it appears (by your actions) that you do, but really you have an selfish/evil one! Sorry, no. Wanna try one more time? I'm sorry, but I am so horrified by the thought of having a snake in my pocket that it is creating a mental block and I cannot think or imagine any more on the subject!  ...Why don't you just tell me? |
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Post by Bonobo on Mar 25, 2018 21:39:26 GMT 1
Sorry, no. Wanna try one more time? I'm sorry, but I am so horrified by the thought of having a snake in my pocket that it is creating a mental block and I cannot think or imagine any more on the subject! ...Why don't you just tell me? I can`t. I always encourage my students to do their best in independent logical creative thinking. I offer them hints until they make a correct guess. Only the laziest and most stubborn ones refuse to cooperate.  Now, then. What are pockets for? What is the main objective behind their existence? What are they usually associated with? Simply speaking, what do most people keep in a standard pocket? |
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Post by jeanne on Mar 26, 2018 0:46:09 GMT 1
...Why don't you just tell me? Ok, so they usually keep money in their pocket. Does it mean they are broke? They do not have any money, just the nasty snake which symbolizes the absence of money? |
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Post by Bonobo on Mar 26, 2018 7:32:09 GMT 1
...Why don't you just tell me? Ok, so they usually keep money in their pocket. Does it mean they are broke? They do not have any money, just the nasty snake which symbolizes the absence of money? Warm ,warmer..... Yes, money! No, money is together with a snake inside. Now, what is the result of keeping a snake in a pocket where your money rests? |
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Post by jeanne on Mar 26, 2018 13:07:20 GMT 1
Warm ,warmer..... Yes, money! No, money is together with a snake inside. Now, what is the result of keeping a snake in a pocket where your money rests? You must be stingy, or as we say "tight-fisted." When you put your hand in your pocket to be generous with your money, you get bitten by a snake, so you don't take any money out...and end up not being generous, or at least not wanting to spend your money...? |
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Post by Bonobo on Mar 26, 2018 20:43:28 GMT 1
Warm ,warmer..... Yes, money! No, money is together with a snake inside. Now, what is the result of keeping a snake in a pocket where your money rests? You must be stingy, or as we say "tight-fisted." When you put your hand in your pocket to be generous with your money, you get bitten by a snake, so you don't take any money out...and end up not being generous, or at least not wanting to spend your money...?  Have a shot, or two, it`s on me!  |
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Post by jeanne on Mar 26, 2018 21:46:26 GMT 1
Have a shot, or two, it`s on me! Why thank you!...I'm happy to see that you do not have a snake in your pocket!!  (...too bad I don't drink...) |
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Post by Bonobo on Mar 29, 2018 17:37:48 GMT 1
Have a shot, or two, it`s on me! Why thank you!...I'm happy to see that you do not have a snake in your pocket!! (...too bad I don't drink...) When it comes to shooting, snakes prefer to find a safer hiding place than a pocket. |
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Post by Bonobo on Apr 7, 2018 0:12:14 GMT 1
What do you call "a circus on wheels" here?
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Post by jeanne on Apr 7, 2018 2:39:26 GMT 1
What do you call "a circus on wheels" here? What is this game...reverse idioms?? Maybe a "three-ring circus"? |
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Post by Bonobo on Apr 22, 2018 5:48:29 GMT 1
What do you call "a circus on wheels" here? What is this game...reverse idioms?? Maybe a "three-ring circus"? If you mean:
three-ring circus
nounNorth Americaninformal
noun: three-ring circus; plural noun: three-ring circuses
a disorganized or frenetic scene or spectacle.
"his attempt at a dignified resignation turned into a three-ring circus"then not exactly. Polish circus on wheels can be quite organised. It has another feature: What?  |
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Post by jeanne on Apr 22, 2018 12:23:50 GMT 1
If you mean:
three-ring circus
nounNorth Americaninformal
noun: three-ring circus; plural noun: three-ring circuses
a disorganized or frenetic scene or spectacle.
"his attempt at a dignified resignation turned into a three-ring circus"then not exactly. Polish circus on wheels can be quite organised. It has another feature: What? Hmmm...well..since all circuses used to be "on wheels" because they traveled by wagons, and all (or most) were comprised of animals, and since you posted a photo of animals, I'm going to guess that "a circus on wheels" means that in a certain circumstance there are many/varied animals. |
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Post by Bonobo on Apr 22, 2018 14:47:21 GMT 1
Hmmm...well..since all circuses used to be "on wheels" because they traveled by wagons, and all (or most) were comprised of animals, and since you posted a photo of animals, I'm going to guess that "a circus on wheels" means that in a certain circumstance there are many/varied animals. Well, it`s not about animals. I posted the pic because there was no better one. The circus on wheels means sth surprisingly ridiculous, which causes contemptible laughter despite the original serious intentions. |
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Post by jeanne on Apr 23, 2018 0:08:10 GMT 1
Hmmm...well..since all circuses used to be "on wheels" because they traveled by wagons, and all (or most) were comprised of animals, and since you posted a photo of animals, I'm going to guess that "a circus on wheels" means that in a certain circumstance there are many/varied animals. Well, it`s not about animals. I posted the pic because there was no better one. The circus on wheels means sth surprisingly ridiculous, which causes contemptible laughter despite the original serious intentions. I like that one. Language never ceases to amaze me...it's so interesting how these idioms have developed into common usage! |
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Post by Bonobo on May 2, 2018 15:58:30 GMT 1
Idioms so far Make somebody into a horse - ? To drill somebody a hole in a stomach. ? A roll with butter. Don`t divide skin on the bear. To make eggs from somebody. Something is heaven and earth. 50 zlotys doesn`t walk. To read a book from plank to plank. 1. To tear cats with somebody. 2 To hit somebody from a leaf. To spit into your chin.  ? E.g., to buzz sb To have flies in one`s nose. Don`t call the wolf out of the forest. Throwing peas onto the wall. to let sb into raspberries. The wrap around cotton. You will go away on amphibian. Take yourself into the fist Intestines/bowels are playing a march I will be in the socket! An elephant stamped on someone`s ear To blow on the cold. A sinking person catches at a razor. Let the steam out of your mouth. To make bigos (hunter`s cabbage stew) With the flight of a lightning. To take sth for a good coin. Let the devils snatch it/you/him/her/them! One raisin. You can steal horses with him/her/them. to promise pears on a willow tree. to let sb go with bags/cases. He`s a guy with bones. What is the connection of gingerbread to a windmill? Somebody hasn`t dropped from under a magpie`s tail. He`s a guy with large eggs. One doesn`t know - to laugh or to weep. An elephant has trodden on his/her ear. The country woman didn`t have a problem, ..... ( so she bought herself a little pig). You will have it like in a bank. To sit like in a Turkish sermon To sell sb the Netherlands You must drink the beer you have brewed. To have straw in one`s shoes/boots. To have a soul on one`s shoulder. To have peas with cabbage in one`s head. To look like a scarecrow. To sit like on pins. To fall on one`s head. To stand on one`s own feet Do sth with mad/crazy papers To be riding on the same cart. Sb would eat a horse with its hooves. To lick one`s fingers to have it/sth in little finger/pinky. refuse to bend a finger (to do sth) To sit with folded arms To promise (sb) gold mountains (just like that, not mountains of gold). To have a snake in one`s pocket. a circus on wheels A new one: sb/sth is like the fifth wheel on a cart |
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Post by Bonobo on May 31, 2018 15:49:36 GMT 1
Don`t divide skin on the bear. Another idiom with a bear.
To do sb a bear`s favourAnd don`t forget this one A new one: sb/sth is like the fifth wheel on a cart |
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Post by jeanne on Jun 1, 2018 11:18:44 GMT 1
Don`t divide skin on the bear. Another idiom with a bear.
To do sb a bear`s favourI want to think about the two bear idioms a bit... If you are a fifth wheel, whatever you are doing is useless, you are either contributing in a way that is useless, or duplicating something someone else has already done. I might say being a fifth wheel means you are superfluous to the situation. |
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Post by Bonobo on Jun 1, 2018 19:26:23 GMT 1
I want to think about the two bear idioms a bit... If you are a fifth wheel, whatever you are doing is useless, you are either contributing in a way that is useless, or duplicating something someone else has already done. I might say being a fifth wheel means you are superfluous to the situation. 1 If you need help, just recall a fable by La Fontaine about a gardener and his bear. 2 Great answer!!!  |
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Post by jeanne on Jun 3, 2018 18:33:23 GMT 1
I want to think about the two bear idioms a bit... If you are a fifth wheel, whatever you are doing is useless, you are either contributing in a way that is useless, or duplicating something someone else has already done. I might say being a fifth wheel means you are superfluous to the situation. 1 If you need help, just recall a fable by La Fontaine about a gardener and his bear. Thanks for the tip...I did look it up. So, a bear's favor is something someone does for you thinking they are being helpful, but because of their ignorance, it is actually harmful to you. Thank you, thank you, thank you! I'll take a wild guess on the dividing the skin on the bear. Does it mean don't divide the skin on the bear until it has been killed? Or in other words, don't count on the benefits arising from a certain action until that action has actually been completed. Kind of like "don't count your chickens until they are hatched." |
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Post by Bonobo on Jun 16, 2018 8:52:03 GMT 1
[1 Thanks for the tip...I did look it up. So, a bear's favor is something someone does for you thinking they are being helpful, but because of their ignorance, it is actually harmful to you. I'll take a wild guess on the dividing the skin on the bear. Does it mean don't divide the skin on the bear until it has been killed? Or in other words, don't count on the benefits arising from a certain action until that action has actually been completed. Kind of like "don't count your chickens until they are hatched." Yes, perfect guess with the bear`s favour. Yes, dividing is like counting. New one: For the black hour. |
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Post by jeanne on Jun 16, 2018 19:49:44 GMT 1
New one: For the black hour. Does it mean "for hard times," like saving your money for a black hour or for a time when things are tough? We would say we are saving our money for a "rainy day" to mean the same thing. ...Or could the black hour be one's death? |
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Post by Bonobo on Jun 17, 2018 23:41:36 GMT 1
New one: For the black hour. Does it mean "for hard times," like saving your money for a black hour or for a time when things are tough? We would say we are saving our money for a "rainy day" to mean the same thing. ...Or could the black hour be one's death? , for hard times! Well done. When we call somebody an old sparrow, what does it mean? |
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Post by jeanne on Jun 20, 2018 16:53:47 GMT 1
When we call somebody an old sparrow, what does it mean? Hmmm...it reminds me of our idiom of an "old soul." That is someone who may be young, but their personality, outlook, manner or some other characteristics seem to be more like that of a person much older. |
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Post by Bonobo on Jun 24, 2018 14:45:43 GMT 1
When we call somebody an old sparrow, what does it mean? Hmmm...it reminds me of our idiom of an "old soul." That is someone who may be young, but their personality, outlook, manner or some other characteristics seem to be more like that of a person much older. Is it a pejorative meaning? Old at heart? Unfortunately no. Let me help you: Someone can say: I am too old a sparrow for that. |
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Post by jeanne on Jun 25, 2018 1:06:06 GMT 1
Hmmm...it reminds me of our idiom of an "old soul." That is someone who may be young, but their personality, outlook, manner or some other characteristics seem to be more like that of a person much older. Is it a pejorative meaning? Old at heart? Unfortunately no. Let me help you: Someone can say: I am too old a sparrow for that. Well, with that hint, it could mean the person is too old to be interested in something...it is no longer relevant to their life, or they may just be too old to do something physical, such as climbing a mountain or running a marathon. Am I close with either of these guesses? |
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Post by Bonobo on Jun 27, 2018 21:39:57 GMT 1
Is it a pejorative meaning? Old at heart? Unfortunately no. Let me help you: Someone can say: I am too old a sparrow for that. Well, with that hint, it could mean the person is too old to be interested in something...it is no longer relevant to their life, or they may just be too old to do something physical, such as climbing a mountain or running a marathon. Am I close with either of these guesses? Sorry..::  It means that someone is too experienced to fall prey to some mischief or cheating. I am sorry but now I see that the example I offered was practically useless. This one will be better: cucumber seasonThe news that Kaczyński is going to retire means that cucumber season has started. |
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Post by jeanne on Jun 29, 2018 0:56:28 GMT 1
Well, with that hint, it could mean the person is too old to be interested in something...it is no longer relevant to their life, or they may just be too old to do something physical, such as climbing a mountain or running a marathon. Am I close with either of these guesses? Sorry..:: It means that someone is too experienced to fall prey to some mischief or cheating. Oh, that makes sense...of course! Hmmm...does it mean that people will start talking/discussing/arguing about some occurrence/event? When cucumbers are in season, people start chewing on them (working their mouths), so when it is "cucumber season" their mouths will be working voicing their opinions, etc. I say this because we have an expression "chewing the fat," which means talking/discussion but usually just about local gossip or items of interest. |
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Post by Bonobo on Jul 1, 2018 18:45:49 GMT 1
Hmmm...does it mean that people will start talking/discussing/arguing about some occurrence/event? When cucumbers are in season, people start chewing on them (working their mouths), so when it is "cucumber season" their mouths will be working voicing their opinions, etc. I say this because we have an expression "chewing the fat," which means talking/discussion but usually just about local gossip or items of interest. Nope. Cucumber season means that cultural and political life has slowed down and the media provide banal or fake news as hits to keep the public attracted. It takes place during holiday time which falls when most veg become ripe.   |
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Post by jeanne on Jul 1, 2018 23:49:57 GMT 1
Hmmm...does it mean that people will start talking/discussing/arguing about some occurrence/event? When cucumbers are in season, people start chewing on them (working their mouths), so when it is "cucumber season" their mouths will be working voicing their opinions, etc. I say this because we have an expression "chewing the fat," which means talking/discussion but usually just about local gossip or items of interest. Nope. Cucumber season means that cultural and political life has slowed down and the media provide banal or fake news as hits to keep the public attracted. It takes place during holiday time which falls when most veg become ripe. Yes, it can be really annoying when the media is scrounging around for some news to report. The same thing happens here. Some of the "stories" they come up with are pitiful! |
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