Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[stevenukd]

Dear Teachers,

1.� You look run down, Brian!
- Yeah! I�ve been feeling under the weather recently.
- What does �you look run down� mean here?

2. Hurry back!
- This means �do sth quickly and come back as soon as possible�, right?

3. I still feel like death warmed over.
- What does this mean?

Thanks a million to Teachers,

Stevenukd

[CP]

1.� You look run down, Brian!
- Yeah! I�ve been feeling under the weather recently.
- What does �you look run down� mean here?
A: When someone looks haggard, drawn, pale, or generally in ill health, we may say that he looks run down. You can also feel run down. (It may have originated from the notion of running a horse too hard, perhaps to death, but don't quote me on that.)

2. Hurry back!
- This means �do sth quickly and come back as soon as possible�, right?
A: Right, exactly. (Don't say it to anyone you'd rather not see again soon unless you want to be ironic, and then be sure to shut the door behind him quickly for emphasis.)

3. I still feel like death warmed over.
- What does this mean?
A: Worse than run down! Usually used to describe how someone looks, not so much how one feels: "He looks like death warmed over." Imagine a dead person already gone cold, then warmed up to room temperature and propped up in a chair. He wouldn't look very good. It's not very often used, but when said at the right time can really make a point, or get a laugh, depending on the situation.

Yours truly, CP