Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[river1974]

Dear teachers:

If I had to do one of these events, I would be a *goner* for sure.

Goner means loser?

Thanks.

[bud]

Yes! In fact, "I" would be such a big loser that I wouldn't even come close to finishing the event.

[Bob S.]

I always assumed "goner" was a person who recently died or is soon to certainly die.

[bud]

Yeah, I agree, Bob. It just seemed that it was not the best choice for that sentence (I don't think it is River's sentence), so I altered it a little to what I presumed was intended. Perhaps that was not a good idea?

Then again, I suppose it could mean that the event would be so difficult that I think I would die (jokingly) before finishing it. Maybe that's a better way to explain it. What do you think?

[Bob S.]

Yeah, I took it to be a bit of hyperbole, along the lines of "If I had to do one of those events, it would kill me."

Or maybe it is more literally kill or be a goner. I'm out of shape, so if I had to run a marathon I'd be a goner for sure just like that first Greek soldier who carried a message of victory across the fields of the same name and then dropped dead.

[bud]

Good points, Bob. Thanks!