Google
English-Test.net
Find penpals and make new friends today!
 
to open; to free from restraints; to release
reimburse
list
unlock
concrete
full quiz correct answer
 
Username
Password
 Remember me? 
Search   Album   FAQ   Memberlist   Profile   Private messages   Register   Log in 

meaning of "could do worse than"



 
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
anything or something | What does the expression "too light on its feet" mean?
listening exercisestell a friend
Message
Author
meaning of "could do worse than" #1 (permalink) Sun May 04, 2008 21:01 pm   meaning of "could do worse than"
 

Hi,

I can't make head or tail of the following sentence:
Quote:
---My son could do worse than grow up to be like you, Sir (said to a man who just saved a few people from a burning house)

Could you help me?
Thanks !:)
Lost_Soul
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 1861
Location: South Park, Colorado, USA

meaning of "could do worse than" #2 (permalink) Wed May 07, 2008 22:30 pm   meaning of "could do worse than"
 

Hi Alex

That's just a very indirect compliment and it basically means that the person sees the man (and his heroism) as a good role model for their son.

You know, in the part of Germany where I used to live, the Germans there used to tell me that the ultimate compliment in Swabia was "Nicht schlecht" ("Not bad"). :lol:
.
_________________
"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." ~ Abraham Lincoln
Yankee
I'm a Communicator ;-)


Joined: 16 Apr 2006
Posts: 8316
Location: USA

Learn all about English adverbs in this amusing storyEnglish grammar exercises — improve your English knowledge and vocabulary skillsAre you a native speaker of English? Then you should read this!Learn how to explore English words! Subscribe to free email English course
Display posts from previous:   
anything or something | What does the expression "too light on its feet" mean?
ESL Forum | English Vocabulary, Grammar and Idioms All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1
Latest topics on English Forums
an vs aSentence correction: I feel sad that we have a stupid in our family memberA special usage of Future simple tense?Placement of "that".place vs space vs roomUsage of the word siblingdevelopment vs improvementGrammar exercise: Put the words in orderMistake finding: Forgery, in law, is the fabrication or altering of a written...Fragment revision: could and wouldError correction: My brother has been getting so nervous with me recently...Is the announcement OK?Que? (adjective pronouns)

 
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