|
|
 #2 (permalink) Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:18 am Took no notice of him vs. looked carefully at him |
|
|
Hmm. Interesting.
In Russian look through /see through can also be tricky for non-native speakers, as it actually can have two quite different meanings.
One meaning is 'to take no notice' (intentionally, in a demonstrative manner).
Another is to understand smb hidden intentions with great ease, to read him like an open book. ('I can see through him.')
By the way, do you use in English another saying to look through one's fingers at smth (Russian version)? In the meaning ‘to shut one's eyes to smth’?
(Sorry for my breaking into...)
_________________
It’s impossible to learn swimming without entering the water… |
|
Tamara
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 25 May 2006
Posts: 1577
Location: UK
|
|
| #3 (permalink) Thu Oct 26, 2006 9:32 am Look straight through |
|
|
Hi Haihao,
I can understand your comment about this expression not being 'logical'. What you have to realise is that idioms are not logical and this is an idiomatic expression. Look 'straight through' suggests that you don't accept the person is there and so 'look through' suggests that the person is invisible and so we come to the meaning 'take no notice of'
Alan
_________________
English as a Second Language
You can read my ESL story Present Simple |
|
Alan
Co-founder
Joined: 27 Sep 2003
Posts: 17284
Location: UK
|
 |
| #4 (permalink) Fri Oct 27, 2006 1:13 am Took no notice of him vs. looked carefully at him |
|
|
Hi Alan,
Thank you so much for your explanation. Now I understand the 'illogicality' is mine owing to my lack of knowledge for idiomatic expression. Thank you too, Tamara, for your tip. It's interesting and helpful.
Haihao |
|
Haihao
I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 26 Oct 2006
Posts: 2471
Location: Japan
|
|
|
| Difference between simple and very | Expression: I didn't hear what you said |
