| 单词 | to say boo to a goose |
| 释义 | > as lemmasto say boo to a goose a. to say boo to a goose: to speak; esp. to speak up for oneself; to take a stand. Only in negative constructions, usually implying shyness or timidity, as he (she, etc.) wouldn't say boo to a goose, etc. Cf. bo int. Phrases 1. ΚΠ 1639 J. Taylor Iuniper Lect. 34 Thou are not able at any time to say boo to a Goose. 1742 J. Hervey New C—t Ballad 3 Those Who we know never dare to say Boo to a Goose. 1780 F. Pilon Humours of Election i. 1 He can't say boo! to a goose. 1840 F. W. Thomas Howard Pinckney II. 159 I had a great mind to come down here..with a cowhide, and flake him 'til he couldn't say boo to a goose. 1873 Chicago Tribune 23 Feb. 6/6 A stranger..would at once place him in that category of temporizing souls who are supposed incapable of saying boo to a goose. 1932 A. J. Worrall Eng. Idioms 12 That girl is a rabbit. She's afraid to say ‘Boo’ to a goose. 1991 J. Kelman Burn (1992) 185 When we were wee he wouldni say boo to a goose. Now he can patter any woman he meets. 2005 E. Barr Plan B (2006) xxiv. 251 Some mumsy little woman who wouldn't say boo to a goose. < as lemmas |
| 随便看 |
|
英语词典包含1132095条英英释义在线翻译词条，基本涵盖了全部常用单词的英英翻译及用法，是英语学习的有利工具。