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Meaning of 'To plumb the depths of hell and meet'



 
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Meaning of 'To plumb the depths of hell and meet' Sun Oct 01, 2006 12:31 pm  Meaning of 'To plumb the depths of hell and meet'
 

Hi

I understand the direct meaning of plumb (and some indirect ones that implied by it ).
But some specific phrases still confuse me (and , maybe, my dictionary isn't perfect...)

Like:
plumb against me – OK, that's more or less logical…

but:
perfectly plumb
plumb dullness Rolling Eyes
I plumb forgot

Can you help me 'to join' direct and indirect meanings of that plumb for such cases?

Does it just like square (used in its indirect meaning, as well)?
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'To plumb the depths of hell and meet' Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:41 am  'To plumb the depths of hell and meet'
 

.
I am not clear on what you are looking for, Tamara. The American Heritage Dictionary (for instance) includes all the definitions relevant to your listed examples:

ADVERB: 1. In a vertical or perpendicular line. 2. Informal Directly; squarely: 'fell plumb in the middle of the puddle'. 3. also Informal Utterly; completely: 'plumb worn out'.

ADJECTIVE: 1. Exactly vertical. 2. also Informal Utter; absolute; sheer: 'a plumb fool'

NOTE: A connection between concrete and metaphorical meaning lies behind the Southern adverbial usage of plumb, as in 'He fell plumb asleep' as an indicator of completeness or totality.
.

When you feel that your dictionary is inadequate, may I suggest that you try ONE LOOK DICTIONARY SEARCH?
.
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Topological problems :) Mon Oct 02, 2006 10:52 am  Topological problems :)
 

Thank you, Mister Micawber!

Since yesterday I've found out several good definitions, but with no doubt I'll examine your links carefully Smile

P.S.
By the way (just one point): what you would call as plumb belly Smile in Russian is flat belly. Smile
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'To plumb the depths of hell and meet' Mon Oct 02, 2006 11:24 am  'To plumb the depths of hell and meet'
 

.
Sorry, I've never heard 'plumb belly', but I've got a nice flat stomach-- I've been working seriously on my abs.

(Ms Google hasn't much, either: only 7 English pages for "plumb belly"!)
.
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'To plumb the depths of hell and meet' Mon Oct 02, 2006 11:33 am  'To plumb the depths of hell and meet'
 

Mister Micawber wrote:
(Ms Google hasn't much, either: only 7 English pages for "plumb belly"!)

Oops…

Sorry, if plumb belly appeared to be 'not English'.
(I’m still unable to distinguish pure (true Smile) English 'plumb belly' from lots of others Smile

Quote:
flat stomach
Thanks for the expression!
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Six-pack Mon Oct 02, 2006 12:38 pm  Six-pack
 

We can safely assume that MM has a six-pack (stomach), then (or is on the road to getting one). I like the Spanish expression, too: a chocolate bar or (for the severely muscled ) a toblerone!
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