Trees in English Expressions and Sayings
Autumn Trees
Enjoy The Ride
Enjoy the ride means in effect just relax and enjoy what is going on, even if it doesn't have a particular purpose - simply go with what's happening. It may not last forever, so enjoy it whilst you have the opportunity.
When You Start To Learn A Language Like English, It’s A Bit Like Baby Talk – The Basics Are There, But The Richness And Colour Are Lacking
Ask any English speaker who loves their language, and they’ll admit that learning English is an ongoing process which lasts a lifetime. I am well over 70, and still finding new phrases and sayings which fill me with wonder and pleasure, and being reminded of old ones which define situations so well.
So who is this page for?It’s for everyone who wants to be reminded of English expressions and proverbs, be they native English speakers or those learning English as a second language ( ESL or ESOL , TESOL or even TSL ). You may or may not learn something new but I’m sure you’ll enjoy the ride.
The photographs might help you to remember the phrases, by acting as a sort of cue. If it seems like hard work learning lists of English sayings, I hope that my series of articles on this subject will make the job a little pleasanter. All English speakers use an enormous number of metaphors without really thinking about it, because it's so ingrained into their psyche from an early age.
1. The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far From the Tree
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree means that children and family members turn out to be like their parents and close family.
E.g. "Jack's father has a mean streak - that's not surprising, because Jack is a bit mean too - the apple doesn't fall far from the tree".
Autumn Apples
2. Sometimes People Say "The Acorn Doesn't Fall Far From The Tree"
This has precisely the same meaning as the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
And leading on from this, there is another expression about acorns, which is not surprising, really, as the mighty oak tree is almost symbolic of the English countryside:
An English Oak Tree
3. Great Oaks From Little Acorns Grow
Great oaks from little acorns grow means that even the most complex or important things start from modest beginnings.
e.g. "Microsoft started as a small 2-man organization, but look at it now - great oaks from little acorns grow."
Sometimes people use the expression Mighty oaks from little acorns grow instead of Great oaks
But the meaning is the same and the expressions are entirely interchangeable.
4. Root And Branch
Root and Branch means very thoroughly.
e.g. "The failings of the police investigation must be looked into, and the officers responsible should be weeded out, root and branch."
A Dead Tree
If You Love The Finer Points Of The English Language, You'll Love This Book:
I really enjoyed this book - it has humour and intelligence combined, and is a brilliant example of how nuances of English meanings can be changed just by the use of punctuation.
Is it "Eats Shoots and Leaves", as all pandas do, or is it "Eats, Shoots and Leaves", which indicates a somewhat more violent panda?
5. Barking Up The Wrong Tree
Barking up the wrong tree means having a mistaken belief about something.
e.g. "If you think I'm going to run around cleaning up after you and your friends, you're barking up the wrong tree, because I'm not."
A Pedigree Schnauzer
6. Can't See The Wood forThe Trees
Can't see the wood for the trees means concentrating on the particulars and small details rather than seeing the whole picture.
e.g. "All this management-speak and ticking boxes is actually holding up teachers and stopping them from doing their job teaching - sometimes management can't see the wood for the trees."
A Row Of Trees Just Before Dusk
7. An Old Chestnut
An old chestnut means a story or joke which has become stale because it has been repeated too often.
e.g.Comedian: "Why did the lobster blush?
Because it saw the salad dressing"
Member of Audience: "Oh, not that joke again - it's such an old chestnut!"
Chestnut Tree
8. To Beat About The Bush
To beat about the bush means to avoid saying something in a straightforward way, for fear it might cause offence.
e.g. "I'm not going to beat about the bush - quite frankly I hate this job, and I'm leaving at the end of the month"
A Yellow Broom Bush Blooming In Spring
9. To Nip It In The Bud
To nip something in the bud means to stop something before it grows too big or out of control.
e.g. "If those stories about Fred get out, he'll be ruined, so let's nip them in the bud."
or
"If your dog shows aggressive behaviour, you must nip it in the bud or it might bite someone."
Grapevine
10. To Hear It On The Grapevine
To hear something on the grapevine means to hear something which someone else has told you, having themselves heard it informally from a third party. So it could be a rumour, or information passed along down a line from other people.
e.g. "I heard it on the grapevine that the price of petrol is going to increase astronomically."
Let's See The Proportion Of Readers Who Are English Speakers To English Language Students:
Is English your home language?
The Sightless - An Eerie Story Based On A Play By Maeterlinck About Sightless People Abandoned In A Wood. A Short Film Made By Film Students At University
Links To More Web Pages About English Expressions And Sayings
- Ten English Proverbs and Sayings About Birds
Learn a few English Proverbs and Sayings, some humorous examples of how they should be used. See how many phrases you recognize and use yourself. There is also a poll, and a video about an amazing performing parrot - Flowers in English Expressions and Sayings
English language is rich in floral expressions. Native English speakers will enjoy the language & flowers; if learning English as a second language, phrases linked to photos will help you remember
© 2014 Diana Grant
Did You Learn Anything New, Or Remember Any Sayings You'd Forgotten? Can You Think Of Any More I Can Add? Do Leave A Comment
I love my language too and often explore idioms and the use of particular words, including for some of my hubs. We have such a rich vocabulary from so many sources, it's endless!
Thanks for the reminders of these tree-based phrases.
Ann
The irony about that apple-not-falling-far-from-the-tree metaphor is that the apple tree that sprouts from seed will almost certainly not be like its parent. I can't remember the explanation well enough to recreate it, but I do know that the way to get an apple tree that's like its parent tree is to graft it.
Enjoyed the images to go along with the text! Nice way to start my morning.
I'm interested in your all posts! They are so nice! I'd like to read your post at leisure.
Enjoyed this informative hub, thank you. I love the way natural things have been/are being incorporated into the English language. If I could pick a favourite it would be root and branch.
Thank you for the page, and I was hoping for more questions at the end- just great how you manage your green thumb on this hub though!
fun hub and love your personal examples
Blessings,
Kim
I love how you used the images to reinforce the message. An interesting and useful article.
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Seems like I'm always beating around the bush and barking up the wrong tree.
Here on this side of the pond we mostly say "Can't see the forest for the trees," but it means basically the same thing. I too am fond of these sayings and it is interesting to see the slight variations that exist in them among different English speaking countries. Great hub!
You got me this time. I knew most of them, but "an old chestnut" is a new one for me. I'll have to remember it and try it out on my friends. Also, "root and branch" is one I haven't heard in years, but I really like it. I look forward to your next article English expressions.
Fun and Interesting Food for Thought! Thanks for sharing! ;-)
English is the richest of languages and something that we have given as a great gift to the World. It's a language that enables us to express ourselves so wonderfully. Thanks fo this wonderful Hub and for exploring the woods that make up so many of our phrases!
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