What type of phrase is pull your socks up?
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What type of phrase is pull your socks up?
If you tell someone to pull their socks up, you mean that they should start working or studying harder, because they have been lazy or careless.
Is pull your socks up a metaphor?
The expression is a metaphor, as you know. If you really, literally want a child to grab his socks and pull them into place (up), then, of course, you’d say, “Pull your socks up” and intend just what you say, no metaphor.
Where does the expression Pull up your socks come from?
The phrase originates from the time when running was prominent and people would wear special running shoes and socks. To pull up the socks would mean that the race is about to start and hence the athletes would have to be prepared for it.
What does keep your socks up mean?
UK informal. to make an effort to improve your work or behavior because it is not good enough: He’s going to have to pull his socks up if he wants to stay on the team.
What is an example of an idiom?
Idioms exist in every language. They are words or phrases that aren’t meant to be taken literally. For example, if you say someone has “cold feet,” it doesn’t mean their toes are actually cold. If taken literally, you would think that someone with cold feet has feet that feel chilly.
What does having a cold feet mean?
Definition of cold feet : apprehension or doubt strong enough to prevent a planned course of action.
What is the meaning of the idiom to bite one’s lips?
phrase. If you bite your lip or your tongue, you stop yourself from saying something that you want to say, because it would be the wrong thing to say in the circumstances. I must learn to bite my lip.
What are some famous idioms?
The most common English idioms
| Idiom | Meaning | Usage |
|---|---|---|
| It’s not rocket science | It’s not complicated | by itself |
| Let someone off the hook | To not hold someone responsible for something | as part of a sentence |
| Make a long story short | Tell something briefly | as part of a sentence |
| Miss the boat | It’s too late | as part of a sentence |
Why do I have two left feet?
Be clumsy, as in I’ll never get the hang of this dance; I’ve got two left feet. This expression conjures up an image of feet that are not symmetrical, as left and right are, therefore causing imbalance or stumbling. It was first recorded in 1915.