Beestachtige Engelse gezegden
Heeft u zich ooit verwonderd over het feit waarom het soms zo moeilijk is om de Engelsen te begrijpen? Misschien komt dat door de honderden uitdrukkingen die ze zo makkelijk gebruiken zonder erover na te denken.
Lees deze anekdote maar eens. Kunt u het allemaal volgen?
Bill and Susan decided to go for a stroll through the woods. As they were walking, Bill told Susan about a new raincoat he really wanted to buy for the measly sum of €1,250.
“Hold your horses, Bill, think of your nest egg”, screeched Susan, in shock.
“But it’s been reduced from €2,500, that’s 50% off, and I’m not going to look a gift horse in the mouth”, Bill replied.
Susan stopped, looked at Bill and said, “I feel I’m flogging a dead horse with you and your nest egg. How often have I told you to be more careful with your money? You buy something new every month. But, I suppose, at the end of the day, a leopard doesn’t change its spots. I can try ‘til the cows come home to convince you not to squander your money, but if you have a bee in your bonnet about this, then go right ahead. It’s your pigeon, after all!”
“Susan, you can say what you like, it’s like water off a duck’s back, and let’s just leave it at that”, retorted Bill, “I’ve been hearing this for donkey’s years.”
Betekenis gezegden
To hold your horses | Wait! Stop for a moment! |
Nest egg | Life savings |
To look a gift horse in the mouth | Don't question something that is a bargain, or free, or given to you by someone else |
To flog a dead horse | To waste time by doing something impossible |
A leopard doesn’t change its spots | People don’t change |
To do something ‘til the cows come home | To do something for a very long period of time |
To have a bee in your bonnet about something | To be obsessed with a particular issue and unable to let it drop |
That’s your pigeon | That’s your responsibility |
It’s water off a duck’s back | It doesn’t affect me |
For donkey’s years | For a very long time |