Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
as a logical result; unavoidably
abroad
fair
perhaps
necessarily
TOEIC practice test: Word quizzes: Free Online Adverb Noun  Verb Game Answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

Meaning of: 'You're too big for your own good.'



 
ESL/EFL Worksheets and Handouts for Students Printable, photocopiable, clearly structured
Designed for teachers and individual learners
For use in a classroom, at home, on your PC
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
be to + infinitive | fruit vs fruits
Message Author
Meaning of: 'You're too big for your own good.' Fri Mar 30, 2007 8:06 am  Meaning of: 'You're too big for your own good.'
 

Hi

Could you please tell me the meaning of:

1- 'You're too big for your own good.'

Tom
Tom
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 30 May 2006
Posts: 2038

Meaning of: 'You're too big for your own good.' Fri Mar 30, 2007 9:44 am  Meaning of: 'You're too big for your own good.'
 

Hi Tom,

It's a little difficult to explain fully without knowing the exact context. I would suggest 'big' here means important or possibly self-important. The whole expression means you are so big/important/self-important that you are exposing yourself to risk/you are likely to get harmed/you put yourself in a dangerous situtaion.

Hope that goes some way towards explaining it.

A
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Phrasal Verbs/go
Alan
Co-founder
Alan Townend

Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 7630
Location: UK

Are you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Have you read a good anecdote today? Subscribe to free email English courseLearn to use the present simple with the help of this short storyEnglish grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skills
Meaning of: 'You're too big for your own good.' Sun Apr 01, 2007 20:54 pm  Meaning of: 'You're too big for your own good.'
 

Couldn't it also be used to suggest that a person's size/looks/intelligence/knowledge are intimidating to others and might cause them to be shunned?
Abr4xii
I'm new here and I like it ;-)


Joined: 28 Mar 2007
Posts: 23
Location: Canada

Meaning of: 'You're too big for your own good.' Sun Apr 01, 2007 23:19 pm  Meaning of: 'You're too big for your own good.'
 

Hi Abr4xii

Yes, there are a variety of ways the sentence could be interpreted. The exact meaning depends on the broader context.
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8265
Location: USA

Display posts from previous:   
be to + infinitive | fruit vs fruits
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Meaning of: 'You're too big for your own good.' All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
meaning of "would have done"past perfect v.s. past simplePhrase: saffron detective stories"Being HIV Positive" - Which kind of sentence it is?"I am a doctor" - Could we make this sentence into Passive voice?Is there any sentence where 'being' or 'been' is the only verb in that sentence?Poem "What's that to me if the end of the world will come..."Expressions: 'Luckily for him, a herd of goats was passing by only... 'meaning of 'eligible'verb tense: 'I could've grabbed it if you hadn't pulled me off'to step on someone's toeHow to use 'degrees' in a sentences? M.Phil, Ph.D, M.A etc'When I shook the tree some fruits fell on/ onto the ground.'Expression: Let's make it all that those old boys dreamed aboutWhat is the meaning of "quite a few comment on your work"?Idioms: be on the roadGet to know vs. get to knowingwhat does "back-strike" meanMeaning of: 'You're too big for your own good.'

Discover English-test.net
GRE Math 800sWhat's the difference between whatever and what?Common errors made by ESL speakers?If you were raped and got pregnant, how would you feel?meaning of "dressing table"GRE prep test: Word Vocabulary Games: Example of NounsGRE vocab test: Free word games: Online Noun GameMeaning of shambles, trivia, serenity, agglomeration, friction, cantataBest Language CDs to speak Japanese: Pimsleur Language ProgramFree ESL Quiz Online: Synonyms for abandonBusiness vocabulary words: Business buzzwords: The street goes nutsHacia Las Estrellas [To the Stars] audiobook download

 
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum
Subscribe to FREE email English course
First name E-mail