Concetti Chiave
- Many animals have tails, which are flexible appendages attached to their back end, often referred to as the "tail end".
- The expression "chasing one's tail" describes engaging in an activity with little progress, while "tail between his legs" indicates feeling shamed.
- Birds have feathers instead of fur or scales, made from the same material as toenails, and they can exhibit vibrant colors.
- Common expressions with "feather" include "a feather in your cap" for achievements, and "feathering your nest" for personal gain.
- Senator Desmond was discovered taking bribes, using campaign contributions to feather his nest in exchange for political favors.
Indice
Animals and their tails
Many animals have tails, which are the flexible appendages that are attached to the animal's back end. In a general sense, tail can also mean the back end of anything. Often, the phrase tail end is used.
My dog, Harvey, is bad at hiding his feelings. All dogs are, of course, but he is worse than most. When he wants something, he can't stop his tail from wagging.
Most students who are currently in high school were born at the tail end of the last century. In fact, they were born at the tail end of a millenium.
When we want to say that someone is engaged in an activity that rewards significant work with little progress, we say that he is chasing his tail. When someone is feeling shamed and embarrassed, we say that he has his tail between his legs.
Chasing one's tail
I'd spent more than a month pursuing a theory that would help my thesis quite a bit, but got almost nothing I could use out of it. Figuring that I was just chasing my tail by that point, I gave it up and pursued other areas.
Larry had told everyone that he had never been beaten at backgammon, and that no one alive could change that. Well, I beat him two games out of three, in front of all our mutual friends, and sent him home with his tail between his legs.
What are birds and their feathers?
Feathers are what birds have instead of fur or scales. They are made of the same material as toenails.
This morning, I saw a hummingbird outside my window, flitting from flower to flower in a patch of honeysuckle. It had the most beautiful dark red feathers I've ever seen.
Marcus knew that his twin sons had been having pillow fights again, because there were feathers all over the floor.
Expressions with 'feather'
There are many figurative expressions that use feather. If you have achieved an honor or accomplishment, it is a feather in your cap. Another is feathering your nest, which means taking advantage of opportunities for your own gain.
Jamie won an award from the English department of the high school for excellence in writing. It's a real feather in his cap, and will look great on his college applications.
Senator Desmond and corruption
I was stunned that Senator Desmond would take bribes. I'd gone to school with him and he had always seemed so honest, but here he was, feathering his nest with campaign contributions from people he had business relationships with in exchange for political favors.
Domande da interrogazione
- What is the significance of tails in animals and language?
- How are feathers significant to birds and in language?
Tails in animals, like dogs, are flexible appendages that can express emotions, such as wagging when happy. The term "tail" is also used metaphorically to describe the end of something, like the "tail end" of a century.
Feathers, made of the same material as toenails, are unique to birds and serve as their covering instead of fur or scales. Figuratively, "a feather in your cap" signifies an achievement or honor.
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