Hailey
Some phrases I don't get 1. My daddy is going to whoop you good. What is 'good' used for there? 2. Don't get your back all up. Does this mean "Don't stand up" or what? 3. If you're going to accuse me of something, be a man and say it out loud! I don't think I could say this to a woman. In this case, should I say, "................. be a woman and say it out loud"? ...Sounds strange. 4. He's about as subtle as a flying brick. ?????????? What does this mean, and why is 'about' used there?
8 sep. 2010 09:55
Antwoorden · 14
4
1. good = hard; a lot e.g. He gave his wife a good beating. 2. Probably means don't get nervous or excited. You know how a cat raises its back in certain situations? 3. You could say "be a man" to a woman. It would sound a bit ironic though, so use it with care. "Be a woman" makes no sense. The English language is rather sexist actually. Being a man = strong and courageous. Being a woman = weak and scared. 4. He is not subtle at all. A flying brick has no subtlety about it at all. It is big, hard, and you know when it hits you. A subtlety is generally a soft remark hinting at something much bigger. about = almost; it just adds irony to the remark
8 september 2010
2
johar's explanations are correct in all but the last sentence. "He's about as subtle as a flying brick" means that the person being referred to has no sense of tactfulness and/or sleuth. A phrase like that can be used when, for example, the person referred to asks a question or makes a statement to someone else without thinking about how what he's saying will affect the emotions/mentality of the person he's talking to. Personally, I like to say "subtle as a hurricane." :-)
8 september 2010
2
XD 1) "Good" The beating will be exceptionally brutal. 2) This is colloquial language meaning don't get upset. 3) it does sound strange... But say it anyways and listen to what the accused responds XD 4) It means he is no good at keeping things discrete. Don't depend on him to handle things quietly. He is better off finding work in demolishing buildings. "About" is used to help the listener equate his colorful analogy with the subject, your friend. Who doesn't need a bullhorn to attract attention. His own voice suffices XD OOOO00000oooooooH!!
8 september 2010
1,that means his daddy is going to give him a bad beating.(good=bad) 2, don't get an attitude.(bitchy) 3, this one is more like tell someone to have some courage and tell me the truth or face the truth. 4,this one means he is incapable "worthless"
8 september 2010
1) As Eliot, and Johar's answers. 2) Eliot's reference to a cat is right, but I'd say it means "Don't get angry!" This is similar to "Keep your hair on!" 3) This is being used in the same way as "Say it to my face", and yes, this is a male-to-male exchange. 4) Nothing to do with bricks. It is stating that the person is unubtle when talking about things/people, or maybe that the person's actions are unsubtle. Example: A: Do you like my new dress? B: No! It's awful! The subtle version: A: Do you like my new dress? B: mmm, It's different/interesting.
9 september 2010
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