Term
|
Definition
A person's area of particular vulnerability.
Greek mythology, Achilles' mother dipped him by the heel into the River Styx for immortality. Died when shot in heel by poisonous arrow.
EX. Her inability to resist desserts was her Achilles' heel, she could not lose that last ten pounds. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Insisting on being repaid, despite harm or destroyal of the debtor.
Shylock demands a pound of Antonio's flesh if his ships are damaged. Antonio is spared, becuse flesh cannot be given without blood, and no blood was mentioned in the contract.
EX. The company will want a pound of flesh when you are in lots of debt. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Something that cannot be interfered with or harmed in any way.
Hindus believe cows are sacred, so no one can intefere with it, only act kindly.
EX. Never suggest ending that club, it is her sacred cow. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
To take an irreversible step, often involving danger or harm.
Caesar was ordered home by enemies after defeating the Gauls. Roman law - generals cannot cross into Italy with armies. Caesar crossed Rubicon and there was no turning back. He started a civil war.
EX. I was crossing the Rubicon when I told my boss what I thought of her. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
To offer something precious to those who cannot appreciate its value.
In SERMON ON THE MOUNT Jesus warns his people to pass on message to those who will believe, not to pigs who cannot.
EX. Teachers sometimes say 'pearls before swine" when we dont understand their insights. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
When something happens that only occurs very rarely.
A blue moon is a second full moon isn the same calendar month,it occurs once every 3 years, people think calendar makers considered the second full moon to be blue.
EX. Once in a blue moon i forget to do and turn in my homework. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
An attitude of narrow minded prudishness.
In the play SPEED OF THE PLOUGH, Grundy never appears on stage, but characters often ask what she would say.
EX. My mother is such a Mrs. Grundy, she told me never to wear this in public. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
To show false sympathy for someone.
Crocs have small tear ducts that release tears when they open mouths wide, they obviously have no real sympathy for prey.
Ex. She shed crocodile tears over her friend's failure, but she was really scheming to get the job herself. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Anything that tempts one away from safety and close to a destructive path.
Greek mythology, sea creatures who lured sailors to death on rocky shores by singing an irresistable song.
EX. I should have studied for finals, but my friends' siren song of a fun party was too much to resist. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
To issue a stern warning to change actions,or severe consequences follow.
ENGLISH COMMON LAW- an unruly crowd is read the riot act before action is taken, so people will disperse.
EX. After many requests, my dad read us the riot act, and we knew we must sleep. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Payment revceived for an act of treachery.
Judas betrayed Jesus to the authorities for 30 pieces of silver.
EX. He changed his vote at the last second, he must be receiving 30 pieces of silver for this. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A supposed friend's treachery.
Judas identified Jesus with a kiss to signal the authorities to approach and take him.
EX. Patrick Henry warned his fellows not to be betrayed with a kiss from the British. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Any extremely complex problem, it is solved in a quick, decisive manner.
Greek mythology, Gordius was a king who tied a complex knot, an oracle said that the one to untie it would rule Asia. Alexander the Great "untied it" by cutting it with his sword.
EX. She cut the Gordian knot when she made a budget that would allow both programs to continue. |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
Secluded from the real world, and therefore out of touch with reality.
mentioned in fairy tales as an unreachable, beautiful place.DeVigny was said to lock himself up in one for his writing. Has a negative connotation.
EX. The dean was in his ivory tower unaware of the political protests, he still worried about the pranks. |
|
|
Term
| All That Glitters is not Gold |
|
Definition
Something that seems valuable, may not be. Appearances can be deceptive.
Latin proverb from Aristotle, just because something looks gold, dont assume it really is gold.
EX. My envy for the rockstar was met with "remember all that glitters gold is not gold." |
|
|
Term
|
Definition
A tumultuous and passionate uproar that is actually meaningless or unimportant.
In MACBETH, Macbeth says,"Life's but a walking shadow...full of sound and fury,signifying nothing" when told of his wife's death.
EX. The hysteria before the turn of the millenium was just sound and fury. |
|
|
