Questions tagged [meaning-in-context]
This tag is for questions about the meaning of a longer passage of English. A SPECIFIC CONCERN must be emphasized.
0
votes
1answer
22 views
Question about someone who tries to shift attention [on hold]
What is it called when someone always tries to shift the attention to someone else when theyre being told they are doing something incorrect? For example: A manager is telling an employee that they ...
0
votes
2answers
26 views
Meaning of “could” in a question. Implied condition
I have a question concerning the meaning of "could" in this sentence:
"It could refer back to the subject, Jane, or it could refer to somebody else."
As I understand this, there's an implied ...
0
votes
0answers
17 views
Meaning of “virtually” in the following sentence? [migrated]
The list of things I believe,though I have no evidence for the truth
of them, is, if not infinite, virtually endless.
I found two main relevant senses:
virtually:
1 : almost entirely : NEARLY
...
-1
votes
0answers
51 views
the meaning of the sentence below
“Gypsy Studies” started in 19th and the 20th century and has been monopolized by the British Gypsy Lore Society (GLS), as unsettled “group of Victorian paternalistic racists founded in 1888 and an ...
-1
votes
1answer
16 views
Within the next 6 months vs at least 6 months before?
The instructions say, "If you are a permanent resident whose 10-year green card has expired or will expire within the next 6 months, you may begin the renewal process"
"Additionally, if you applied ...
0
votes
0answers
13 views
Check grammar and meaning [closed]
Are those two sentences meaningful and grammatically correct
" Travel is the window through which we catch a glimpse of the wisdom of other cultures and civilizations. Therefore, It is substantial to ...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
Meaning of 'very fine' when expressing a relationship
Example:
He is very fine to work with.
From the Cambridge dictionary I get two (relevant) meanings:
SATISFACTORY (adjective)
EXCELLENT (adjective)
To me these two meanings seem very different. ...
-4
votes
0answers
33 views
What does the phrase “flop off” mean in this context? [closed]
Here is the sentence:
If you don't flip the cake correctly, it will flop off the side of the
screen.
The text is from a game's description which, unfortunately, cannot be shared here due to ...
-4
votes
0answers
29 views
What does the phrase “spin off into oblivion” mean in this context? [closed]
Here is the sentence:
If you don't flip the cake correctly, it will spin wildly off into
oblivion.
The text is from a game's description which, unfortunately, cannot be shared here due to ...
0
votes
1answer
73 views
How disrespectful is it to say “with all due respect if there is any due” and is there another way of saying this?
What does it mean when someone says in a debate "with all due respect, if there is any due" and would it be considered a little disrespectful or very disrespectful? Also these days is the phrase "with ...
0
votes
0answers
19 views
“Migrate to” or “migrate on” in technical english [closed]
I will move my software from where it is working now, and install on another hardware in order to make this second hardware the new location of the system. I will say:
migrate the software to a ...
0
votes
2answers
24 views
“The decision of the Competent Authority of the Board shall be final and binding on the candidate.” what is the meaning of binding here? [closed]
"The decision of the Competent Authority of the Board shall be final and binding on the candidate."
Can anyone make me understand what is the meaning of the statement especially the bold part?
I am ...
0
votes
3answers
25 views
Can anyone make me understand what is the meaning of “stipulated” here?
"Those who have already applied under RTI Act 2005 or otherwise may apply afresh for the same along with required fee of Rs. 500/- before stipulated date. "
Can anyone make me understand ...
2
votes
2answers
75 views
“It's ok to somebody” sentence structure
I corrected a student as she had made the sentence "it's ok to Martin". I know that this sentence structure is incorrect, she asked why I had made the correction and I am having difficulty explaining ...
4
votes
2answers
330 views
meaning of 'glib' in 'glib uniformity'
The phrase 'glib uniformity' has been used in at least a few books. For example, in Political Ideals (1917), Bertrand Russell wrote
The state is justified in insisting that children shall be ...
22
votes
3answers
4k views
What is the meaning of “candy striper” in the following paragraph?
What is the meaning of "candy striper" in the following paragraph?
Samuel Beckett gets all the credit for being the darkest playwright — fail, fail again, etc. — but compared to Edward Albee, ...
0
votes
0answers
10 views
Meaning of the phrase Conquer your desires
Conquer is defined by dictionary.com as -
verb (used with object) to acquire by force of arms; win in war: to conquer a foreign land. to overcome by force; subdue: to conquer an enemy. to gain, win,...
1
vote
0answers
13 views
Is it correct to say “so be it” in condition structure [closed]
Is it correct to say "so be it" in condition structure?
for instance:
if you want to go, so be it.
3
votes
1answer
97 views
Seven swans a-swimming [duplicate]
In the famous Christmas carol "The Twelve Days of Christmas", presents like "geese a-laying" and "swans a-swimming" are mentioned. What does the "a" refer to in this context?
0
votes
1answer
19 views
Offer price with shipping to somewhere
Would it be correct to say '' I offer my customer 100$ with shipping to his country . I mean, Does it mean the price includes shipping cost ?
0
votes
1answer
32 views
What is the role of “one” in this sentence?
I can't understand what is the role of word "one" in this sentence:
A hillside in the morning so radiant with light one has the feeling he
has been looking at Van Gogh's drawings.
Source: The ...
4
votes
2answers
56 views
What does “I’m a lip speaker rather than lip reader” mean?
There was a heated argument going on in the British House of Common over the question whether the Labour leader, Jeremy Corbyn really uttered the word “stupid woman” at Prime Minister, Theresa May ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
Conformation of a simile
निगाह-ए-गुल से बुलबुल यूँ गिरी है गिरे जिस तरह तिनका आशियां से
Literal English translation
The nightingale's fallen from the flower's view as a twig falls from nest
I think it's a simile. ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
What is the correct interpretation of this quote?
Recently I have read a quote by the German composer Felix Mendelssohn, which says:
The essence of the beautiful is unity and variety.
And I have tried to interpret the meaning of the quote, ...
1
vote
2answers
60 views
Ambiguous meaning of the sentence
There is the sentence:
"Women have an ability to make men think they are in charge".
I do not get who is in charge eventually?
Women make men think that men in charge?
or
Women make men think that ...
1
vote
0answers
26 views
explain the meaning of the following bold sentence [closed]
Their despair was successfully exploited by some self-seekers in a communally surcharged atmosphere.
Surcharge is a verb that means- to charge an extra amount. refer to the link:-
Cambridge ...
2
votes
2answers
66 views
What is the meaning of “differences of degree and not of kind”
Trying to get the idea from the sentence.
What I am saying is these are only differences of degree and not of
kind, as in labelling a minority as religious or political or social.
What is the ...
0
votes
2answers
51 views
How to describe buying a drink with a cheaper price when buying a meal set
I'm a HongKonger and my mother language is Cantonese (A kind of Chinese?).
I just wonder the sentence that I read on the restaurant menu is correct.
"Upon Purchase Of Above Set, Can Enjoy Premium To ...
1
vote
1answer
56 views
Meaning of throwdown in the context
Saw this on Instagram.
We've invited Google to WeWork Fulton Market for a hamburger
throwdown. We're pretty confident.
What does throwdown mean here?
0
votes
0answers
39 views
What does “implacable logic” mean in this context?
I arrived at the tiny house in late afternoon, built a fire, sat down on the couch and opened my first novel: An American Marriage (Tayari Jones), which follows a well-educated, middle-class black ...
0
votes
2answers
71 views
What does “going Ozymandias” mean?
There is a YouTube video with the following title
WestWorld Delores Goes Ozymandias On Man in Black Season Finale 1x10
Who doesn't know the tv show and this particular scene, here is a little ...
1
vote
0answers
7 views
I hope vs I don't want [migrated]
one says from bottom of his heart,
I don't want him to be humiliated because of me.
I hope that he will not be humiliated because of me.
Until this day, I thought "I don't want" makes more sense, ...
1
vote
1answer
21 views
Becoming; airtight - usage in the presented contexts [closed]
I am pleased to join the community.
I would like to confirm whether it is correct to say:
1) "He employed becoming means to alleviate harmful effects of (...)"
2) "He managed to pinpoint the ...
2
votes
2answers
22 views
Having completed and after having completed
(After)having completed his work, he left his office. Is there any difference in meaning between with and without 'After' in the sentence
-1
votes
0answers
20 views
The meaning of “presumptive” in the mentioned context?
Non-reductionists regard testimony a knowledge source on par with
perception and memory; reductionists regard it a secondary source
derivative of perception and memory. Both agree that when a ...
1
vote
0answers
30 views
What’s the difference between “How can I help you?”and “How can we help you?”
I heard this expression in a video about buying clothes.In that video,the shop keeper welcomed the customer by saying "How can we help you?".But he is the only one in that store.So I wonder why he ...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
What does 'would' mean in the quote below
"I am a sanguinary murderer of time, and would kill him inchmeal just now. But the snake is vital."
i'm confused because of "just now". Doesn't that mean 'a short while ago'? If so, why is there '...
0
votes
2answers
41 views
Can the word “doing” be used in singular for activity without a goal?
I'm looking for a word, that describes activity without a specific goal. (Its opposite, activity with a goal, would be "project".)
The best candidate for me is currently the word "doing". But I'm not ...
1
vote
3answers
34 views
Does 'to mend cars' sound well?
I wonder if the usage of mend regarding cars is okay. There were some discussions on other sites, but there is not a really clear answer. So, is it okay to say 'This guy mends cars' (this is his ...
1
vote
2answers
46 views
If your employer tells you “we will push your rate up to $40 an hour” does it mean they will push it to exactly $40/hr?
I am confused if that sentence means exactly $40/hr or just up to $40/hr in which case the rate could become $35/hr for example.
1
vote
0answers
30 views
Wistful or Wishful? [closed]
Is there a difference between 'wistful' and 'wishful'?
And if so, in what context would you be able to use them?
0
votes
1answer
23 views
I saw no one / I didn’t see anyone
I saw no one / I didn’t see anyone.
We can’t use double negatives, but is there any difference between these sentences?
0
votes
1answer
36 views
What is the meaning of “lies forgotten”?
I found the words "lies forgotten" in this picture:
(Click for full-sized image.)
What is the meaning of "lies forgotten"?
0
votes
0answers
23 views
Meaning of “bristle and waver”
While reading a book I paused at this sentence "Feel your ego bristle and waver".
What's the exact meaning of the phrase "bristle and waver"?
The meaning of bristle is on the line of getting ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
What does “by all constitutional means” mean in this context?
This is an extract from a speech Churchill made in 1947.
Many forms of Government have been tried, and will be tried in this
world of sin and woe. No one pretends that democracy is perfect or
...
0
votes
1answer
16 views
“projective activity” in cognitive sciences context [RESOLVED]
I'm was not sure what is meant by projective in this context.
As in the case of understanding spoken or written language, an enormous
amount of general knowledge is constantly mobilized in ...
0
votes
1answer
22 views
About the meaning of the bold part?
It is interesting that when we are introduced to books as sources of
information in our childhood it does not usually go like that. We are
taught to consult books like oracles, and the idea of the ...
0
votes
1answer
25 views
“Direct it”: which meaning is right?
Tell me your secrets, all of the creepy shit.
That's how I know it's true.
Baby, direct it, name in the credits,
like the movies do.
from "Imagine" by Ariana Grande
I have done research ...
0
votes
0answers
32 views
What does absolute unit means?
I have come across somebody mentioning 'He is an absolute unit'. I am not sure the 'he' is a human being or an animal... so, what does 'an absolute unit ' means? Is there any difference between human ...
1
vote
0answers
28 views
About the usage of “had” in this sentence?
Epistemologically speaking, it is facts about the relationship had with the trusted that determines the justification of trust, it is not the mere absence of defeating reasons. (Source)
It seems to ...
