ALL WET, ALONG FOR THE RIDE, GO/COME, and APPLE OF (ONE’S) EYE: American English Idioms #4

Welcome to American English Idioms: Lesson 4. In this lesson you have 3 American English idioms to read, listen to, translate, and pronounce in English. Please focus and do your best so that you can learn and improve your knowledge of American English idioms. Don’t forget to use the comments section below to share your thoughts and what you’ve learned today.

Directions 1: Watch the video 2 or more times, and pay close attention to the audio and text.

Directions 2: Read the following text in English, then translate it using the translator on this page into your language if needed. When you finish, feel free to write a comment in the comments section below and let us know how you feel about what you’ve learned, as well as what you’ve learned.

ALL WET

When something is all wet, it is to the point of being silly or unthinkable. This is typically used in academic jargon to refer to an idea that has no basis in fact or logic.

The phrase “all wet” is used to describe somebody who is wrong to the point of being silly or unbelievable. One may use this phrase when describing somebody who has an idea that is peculiar and not really feasible. The phrase is typically used by those who find amusement in somebody else’s naivety or ignorance.

It is impossible for something to be all wet. Wetness is a subjective term, so it does not make sense to say that something is all wet. This must mean that the speaker means the person is completely wrong to the point of being silly or unbelievable. They will use complex academic jargon in order to explain what they are saying accurately.

ALONG FOR THE RIDE, GO/COME

Being present for an activity without taking part in it is called “along for the ride.” When one is on a boat, they are often “along for the ride” because they are not actually controlling the boat. It can also be used metaphorically to describe someone who is present but not involved in some action or event.

If you see a person sitting in the back of a classroom and do not know why they are there, it is possible that they may be “along for the ride.” This phrase is used to describe those who come to an event without taking part in it. It could also be used to describe someone who sits on the sideline of a sporting event instead of playing.

The word ALONG FOR THE RIDE is equivalent to the phrase GO/COME – to be present for an activity without taking part in it. This means that one is visiting or accompanying someone else.

The phrase “along for the ride” is usually used in a context when an individual has no involvement in an activity, but they are present.  The person is just “along for the ride.

APPLE OF (ONE’S) EYE

The apple of one’s eye is a symbol of love and adoration. When someone speaks of the apple of their eye, it means that they care for that person or thing very much and would do anything to protect them. The apple has been used as a symbol for protection since ancient times. It was believed that the tree had mystical powers and could ward off evil spirits and the devil.

The apple of one’s eye is a person or thing that is precious and loved above all else. The term originates from the Biblical story of Jacob and Esau, who fought over their birthright. Esau wanted to sell his share for a bowl of soup, so Jacob offered him stew in exchange, but then he made it into a trick. Jacob used his mother’s long-lost wedding ring as collateral for the trade.

The apple of one’s eye is a person or thing that is cherished above all others. The term originates from the Bible, in which the sense is conveyed by the phrase “the apple of his eye.” It also has roots in ancient Babylonia, where it was used to refer to an object that was set out as a votive offering, or something that would be viewed with favor.

If you are the apple of someone’s eye, they love you more than anyone else. This can be used as a metaphor for something that is very special to someone, or it can be an idiomatic expression meaning that this person is their favorite one. The term “apple of one’s eye” comes from biblical times when the pupil of the eye would look like an apple.

3 thoughts on “ALL WET, ALONG FOR THE RIDE, GO/COME, and APPLE OF (ONE’S) EYE: American English Idioms #4

  1. Hello , hind from Iraq ,
    – all parliaments iraqi all wet if they think we believe them.
    -my mother the Apple of my eyes.

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