Questions tagged [meaning]
This tag is for questions related to definitions and nuances of meaning of a word or phrase.
15,230
questions
0
votes
1answer
29 views
What is the difference between “mound” and “hill”?
I learned these words have similar meaning. While reading a book. the writer uses these two words for different meaning. I want to know the difference of meaning. Is there any difference?
-1
votes
0answers
30 views
Is there a word with a meaning in between 'desegregate' and 'integrate'?
Merriam Webster - Desegregate :
to free of any law, provision, or practice requiring isolation of the members of a particular race in separate units.
Merriam Webster - Integrate :
to form, ...
0
votes
1answer
24 views
What does it means “to get us by”?
Reading a article I've noticed the phrase in the sentence which i don't understand.
here's this sentence "A lot of us like a small, sleek computer case to get us by but such a case can be ...
0
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0answers
24 views
“Represent” vs “stand for” vs “means”
I am writing an academic paper.
I wrote the following sentences
Notation A ↔ B stands for that A corresponds to B. Qualid and ident
stand for qualified identifiers and simple identifiers,
...
-1
votes
1answer
42 views
Is ill-qualified even a term?
I know the words unqualified, disqualified. But is the term 'ill-qualified' right grammatically? In some articles I have seen that they used it to say people who are not competent enough and in some ...
1
vote
1answer
20 views
“There is always a kind of contempt in the act of speaking” - What does this quote mean?
I saw this quote from Nietzsche in the preface of one of Harold Bloom's Shakespearean Analysis books.
It says:
"That for which we find words is something that is already dead in our
hearts. ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
“During the proof search” vs “during searching the proof”
I am writing an academic paper and use "during searching the proof" in my paper.
But my friend suggested me to use "during the proof search".
I also feel "during the proof ...
0
votes
0answers
29 views
Meaning of “could” in this sentence?
"I could never do what he did."
Is the speaker saying that in his whole life time, past, and future, he will never be able to/was never able to do what "he" did?
0
votes
0answers
20 views
Identical Meaning of “similar to” and “like”
Whenever I use the phrase "similar to", Microsoft Word wants me to use "like" instead. I'm not a native speaker, so maybe I'm getting the nuances wrong here. But to me, "A is ...
0
votes
0answers
15 views
Writing task 1 for IELTS [closed]
The graph illustrates the percentage of people who are 65 and over in Japan, Sweden, American from 1940 and predicts the future trend to 2040.
Overall, all three countries witnessed significant growth ...
0
votes
1answer
49 views
The difference between “adopt” and “use” when they refer to utilizing something
Both of "adopt" and "use" can represent utilize something.
What is the difference? I feel "adopt" is more formal, but I am not sure of my feelings.
For instance, I am ...
-1
votes
1answer
29 views
What is the meaning of “quixotic stance”?
quixotic stance
I guess it refers to a kind of standing position. It may have something to do with chivalry and Don Quixote as well.
The context it is used in, is somebody tantalizing someone else.
...
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0answers
31 views
“ Cornela consulted the herbal center with her husband in Ghana”. Is it an ambiguous sentence? If “ yes” what are the possible meanings?
Which one is "in Ghana"? Herbal center or **her husband? Or either herbal center or her husband?
0
votes
1answer
24 views
What do they mean Compelling and Privilege here? [closed]
what do they mean Compelling and Privilege here?
The benefits of computer use in education are COMPELLING.
The negative aspect of the freedom to express your own ideas is that some people abuse this ...
-2
votes
1answer
38 views
Gets in this sentence [closed]
"If this video gets 5 likes, I will record a part 2."
Gets means acquires, in this case
What if the video gets 10 likes, 15 likes, 20 likes, etc... Will he not record a part 2? As the video ...
1
vote
3answers
48 views
What is the exact meaning of “crunching” and “knuckles” in this sentence?
Crunching so many numbers that my knuckles hurt.
0
votes
1answer
42 views
What is the difference between the meanings of “afterwards” and “then”
We can use "Then" at the beginning of a sentence.
Meanwhile, we can put "Afterwards," at the start of a sentence.
What is the difference between such two usages' meanings?
I am not ...
5
votes
6answers
1k views
Go back home vs come back home
I'm arguing with my girlfriend (we are not native English speakers), what is the proper form, go back home or come back home.
For example, consider two versions:
I will go to the office and then go ...
0
votes
1answer
42 views
Meaning of “engaged” as an adjective [closed]
What does the word engaged mean here:
"All the replication-failure and scientific-misconduct stories you’ve ever heard are here — along with more that you haven’t. Together, these crank up the ...
-1
votes
1answer
23 views
Meaning of “could” in this context
"We can't give him the code, even though he has your wife. The deal is not worth it. The code could kill millions. We can not let that happen. We can not afford millions to die."
"The ...
0
votes
0answers
57 views
What does it means 'keelhaul the mizzenmast'?
Please explain the meaning of the phrase 'keelhaul the mizzenmast'.
I guess it means to drag someone through the water under the keel of a ship and to begin so it do at the third mast named the ...
0
votes
0answers
23 views
What is the difference between “Getting Started” and “Get Started”
I am writing a technical user manual (for software) and a bit confused about using "Getting Started" or "Get Started" term as a page title. Any suggestions?
0
votes
1answer
29 views
The meaning of “instrumental” here
It's a very instrumental view of education and how it relates to their needs.
According to the dictionary it's "relating to something's function as a means to an end." But I don't get what ...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
What is a meaning word “a”?
Please explain the meaning of the word/letter, "a" in gazette title.
Boris Johnson risks major row with Donald Trump after allowing controversial Chinese app TikTok a London HQ.
www....
0
votes
0answers
21 views
Could we say “discuss future work”?
I am writing my thesis. I have a sentence
Finally, we conclude the thesis and discuss future work in Section 6.
My friend told me that "discuss future work" was not appropriate, and I ...
0
votes
0answers
24 views
“one is … another is … ” and “the first is … the second is …”
I am writing an academic paper. I use the following representations:
However, up to now, far too little attention has been devoted to two
problems of the state-of-the-art proof automation systems. ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
What does ‘beyond in’ mean?
What does ‘beyond in’ mean?
For example, ‘I served my time in the sixties as a block-layer beyond in Liverpool’.
Does it stand for ‘near Liverpool’? Or does the speaker just emphasize on the fact that ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
is it right to write Mercy sakes? [closed]
Please, explain the meaning of the phrase "Mercy sakes!"
I know it works as an exclamation, but I want to know whether it is grammatical.
Thanks.
0
votes
0answers
20 views
“make them widely used” and “lead to them being widely used”
I have two alternatives in an academic paper. The first is
Additionally, the expressive logic foundations of ITPs lead to them
being widely used
The other is
Additionally, the expressive logic ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
Can you please explain the significance of “problems” at the end of the sentence?
I wrote a mail asking for some job to be done at the earliest. I was replied with "I'll do it this afternoon, problems." I don't understand the meaning of that extra "problems" at ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
What is the meaning of “sword and gun on the table”
This phrase is used in The Sopranos by Phil Leotardo:
Listen to me. They make anybody and everybody over there. And the way that they do it, it's all f***ed up. Guys don't get their finger pricked. ...
0
votes
1answer
52 views
Meaning of “I can ring your napkins out any day, with you tucked in them any day”
I'm reading Arnold Wesker's The Kitchen and cannot understand the meaning of:
I can ring your napkins out any day, with you tucked in them any day.
I understand that it's suggesting beating someone ...
0
votes
1answer
20 views
What does it mean “To hold up against scrutiny”
So I have this sentence: "These books are very good and they hold up against both biblical and geopolitical scrutiny" and I'm not sure what would that mean...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
What is upward entailment or monotonicity increasing in english?
Is this how it works?
(1) a. All [workers ↓] [joined for a French dinner ↑]
(1) b. All workers joined for a dinner
A context is upward entailing (shown by [... ↑]) that allows an inference from (1a) ...
0
votes
0answers
40 views
practice of medicine alternative definition [closed]
There is a text (Facebook video by "Gnostic Serpent", from 1:48) in which the phrase "practice of medicine" is used. But in my opinion the normal meaning of "being a doctor&...
0
votes
1answer
53 views
What is the difference between “all butter” vs “butter”?
Japan had a lower consumption of butter compared with Russia.
Japan had a lower consumption of all butter compared with Russia.
Do the two sentences above mean the same? please explain
Japan had a ...
0
votes
0answers
20 views
“would” as a possibility?
Case 1)
A : That girl with Mike. who is she?
B: That would be his sister.
Case 2)
A : I saw a guy who has a british accent. And he goes to your school.
B : That would be Brad.
can "would" be ...
0
votes
2answers
41 views
The usage of “do” and what it implies in these sentences
I have a question about this usage:
"Do you do drugs?" Is this asking if the person has ever done drugs before?
"Yes" does this mean the person has done drugs before (regardless) ...
0
votes
1answer
33 views
“You have an air about you”
I'm watching an Asian movie that has a couple of English dialogues, and there are two guys who (in the movie plot) are Korean but live in Hong Kong. A man, supposedly a boss, wants to give them the ...
-1
votes
1answer
32 views
What's the meaning “she all on me”? [closed]
Guyz, what's is the meaning of "she all on me" ? Sorry I'm learning English.
-1
votes
0answers
30 views
Clarification versus agreeing [duplicate]
If someone says,
“Spiritual dance is the highest form of devotion”
and I say,
“to our ancestral spirits ... to be specific”
why am I by default agreeing with this person by just clarifying their ...
0
votes
1answer
37 views
That would be me vs That's me
Mike : You are Lebron. You are Brad. And you must be Tim.
Tim : That would be me. Nice to meet you.
Why does Tim use "That would be me" instead of "That's me." ?
What is the ...
2
votes
2answers
50 views
Does omitting “can” change anything?
"You react best under pressure. This can be an asset."
"You react best under pressure. This is an asset."
What's the difference? Is there none?
1
vote
1answer
38 views
The meaning of “note” as a verb
I understand note as a verb means
notice/heed
mention/refer to
take notes (note down)
But I found it confusing when it comes to the definition 1 and 2. Let's look at the sentences below.
Please ...
0
votes
0answers
29 views
Something is about to happen
Something about to happen: If something is about to happen, it will happen very soon.
https://www.collinsdictionary.com/us/dictionary/english/be-about-to
"My phones about to die. Luckily, I ...
0
votes
0answers
14 views
Is there this use? “Us not being in the same area”
Is it possible to use this kind of construction? Starting a sentence with an object pronoun.
0
votes
1answer
32 views
“then” used after “but”
THEN adv
Used after but to qualify or balance a preceding statement
Idiom: then again
https://ahdictionary.com/word/search.html?q=then
Wiktionary has an entry for but then again as an "...
6
votes
2answers
1k views
in the Chinese bubble
Lily is an international student who is studying in LA. But, she doesn't want to be one who is always in the Chinese bubble.
Do English native speakers use 'bubble' to describe "a group of ...
0
votes
1answer
28 views
what's the meaning of “the supply was uncertain” [closed]
I have came across with this phrase and I can't understand its meaning:
rubber is expensive and the supply was uncertain.
Can someone explain the second part ?
0
votes
2answers
59 views
What does “Doesn’t harm the books!”mean here? Is it an imperative sentence?
These days, you can find out how to disinfect books on a librarians’ thread on Reddit. Your best bet appears to be either denatured-alcohol swipes or kitchen disinfectant in a mist-spray bottle, ...
