Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to obtain; to attain; to perform; to accomplish
advert
qualify
evade
achieve
TOEIC practice test: Online word games: Free Verb Adverb Adjective Game Answer
Search   FAQ   Memberlist   Register   Profile   Private messages   Log in 

Usage of expressions: hold up; chew through



 
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 Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms
Expression: "Let's go a lot of shopping." | usage of "lack", "lacking"
Message Author
Usage of expressions: hold up; chew through Wed Sep 05, 2007 20:51 pm  Usage of expressions: hold up; chew through
 

Hi everyone.

I'd like to ask a question about the phrases 'hold up' and 'chew through'.

"Thanks, Sandra. Keep me posted. How's General Granger holding up?"
Telfair lookede serious. "Chewing through his desk, like usual."
"Jack's never been happy unless he has something to worry about." Harkin let out a very long breath. "Let's just hope he's worrying about nothing."

My guesses are: How's Granger holding up means how is he doing and the asker thinks that Granger has difficult time.

Chewing through his desk means that he sits at his desk and thinks a lot.

Am I correct?
KLPNO
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 17 Jun 2007
Posts: 246

Usage of expressions: hold up; chew through Thu Sep 06, 2007 5:24 am  Usage of expressions: hold up; chew through
 

.
Here, 'hold up' = successfully endure; maintain one's position or resist difficulty.

'Chewing through his desk' is not an idiom, but a humorous image created (probably) by this writer. It means that the General is very angry, worried or frustrated.
.
_________________
Canadian-American native speaker
who teaches English for a living at Mister Micawber's
ESL cafe: Interview with Mr. Micawber
Mister Micawber
Moderator
Mr. Micawber

Joined: 17 Jul 2005
Posts: 3662
Location: Yokohama, Japan

How do you use the English Prepositions correctly?Have you read a good anecdote today? Subscribe to free email English courseESL lesson plans in 6 funny stories with exercises and answer keyEnglish grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skills
Usage of expressions: hold up; chew through Thu Sep 06, 2007 5:29 am  Usage of expressions: hold up; chew through
 

Thank you very much, Mister Micawber!!!
KLPNO
I'm here quite often ;-)


Joined: 17 Jun 2007
Posts: 246

Display posts from previous:   
Expression: "Let's go a lot of shopping." | usage of "lack", "lacking"
ESL Forums | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms Usage of expressions: hold up; chew through All times are GMT + 2 Hours
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on ESL EFL Forums
Use of 'As Is' (..., choose a technique that allows you to measure it 'as is')Expression: "She was walking in bare feet."Phrase: "Catch up with the watchrooms.""Went to war" vs "Went to a war"The use of commas in formal (informal) lettersit's beginning to dawn on mePhrase: "The early mornings"Expression: "One Britain pound is equal to 150 Pakistani rupees."Expression: "Please don't shake your leg."meaning of there is so a tooth fairyEver: Less than half; More than half; Most peopleExpression: "Please see below"A Possessive adjective exerciseExpression: "He heard a horse's shoesteps."Expression: "People don't have the luxury in life to know..."Usage of 'at her side' (...her bodyguards at her side, Mobius behind her)Expression: "The distance between the two ends is as mush as Tom and me...'"those" or "the ones"?Usage of expressions: hold up; chew through

Discover English-test.net
What is a bandit?The term "pappenheimer"?Difference between establish and confirmAbove are the update information or above are an update informationMCAT test: Vocabulary Words: English NounsMCAT test: Word games: Free Online Noun QuizDefine growth spurt, cation, enantiomer, proton, greenhouse gases, division, pituitary glandBest English Learning Program: Pimsleur English for Spanish Speakers, Level IGrammar nouns: Basic English Grammar

 
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 written by Alan Townend
First name E-mail