Blow hot and cold
Literal meaning: this idiom refers to someone or something that makes both hot and cold air. It comes from Aesop’s fable when a character blows hot air to cool something and with the same breath blows on his hands to warm them.
Figurative meaning: the expression refers to someone who is inconsistent or indecisive. A person who cannot make up his or her mind is said to “blow hot and cold”
Example:
Celeste walked into the store. She was so excited to buy a new toy with the money she’d earned doing her chores. First she picked up a new toy car that looked great. She told her father she wanted to buy that. Then she saw a cool model sailboat. She told her father she wanted that. She went through three more changes of what she’d like to buy. Finally her dad said, “let’s come back tomorrow.”
The next stay she still could not decide how to spend her money. Her father said, “please try and stop blowing hot and cold, let’s make a choice together!” They compared two toys and Celeste finally was able to decide which to buy.
Figurative meaning: the expression refers to someone who is inconsistent or indecisive. A person who cannot make up his or her mind is said to “blow hot and cold”
Example:
Celeste walked into the store. She was so excited to buy a new toy with the money she’d earned doing her chores. First she picked up a new toy car that looked great. She told her father she wanted to buy that. Then she saw a cool model sailboat. She told her father she wanted that. She went through three more changes of what she’d like to buy. Finally her dad said, “let’s come back tomorrow.”
The next stay she still could not decide how to spend her money. Her father said, “please try and stop blowing hot and cold, let’s make a choice together!” They compared two toys and Celeste finally was able to decide which to buy.
When it rains, it pours
Literal meaning: the literal meaning of this expression is that after a dry spell it can often rain a great deal
Figurative meaning: this expressions means that sometimes a whole bunch of very good things, or very bad things, happen all at once
Figurative meaning: this expressions means that sometimes a whole bunch of very good things, or very bad things, happen all at once
Positive (Good)
Wow, it was an amazing day! First I found 5 francs while walking to school in my coat pocket. Then when I got to school my friend Sam asked if I could come over and play this weekend. When I got home my mom told me she had made my favorite dinner – turkey and potatoes. Finally I had finished all my homework so I got to play with my new puppy. As I went to bed I told my dad about this great day and he said, “when it rains, it pours! So many good things all at once!” |
Negative (Bad)
This morning I had a horrible morning. First, I stubbed my toe getting out of bed. Then I burned my toast for breakfast. The burned toast took so long I missed my bus and then when I got to school I realized I had forgotten my homework. My teacher said, “when it rains, it pours!” She said this because so many bad things had happened at once. |