Dave's ESL Cafe's Student Discussion Forums

[stevenukd]

Dear Teachers,

1. I�m sure your Mom loves you as much as she ever has. Perhaps she�s kinda cutting you lose?
- What does �cut you lose� mean here?

2. He was always lazy and he wasn�t doing my aunt any good.
- �wasn�t doing my aunt any good� means �wasn�t treating my aunt very well�, right?

3. She didn�t get her high school diploma. She�s getting her G.E.D to hopefully restart fresh.
- What does �G.E.D� mean?

Thanks a lot to Teachers,

Stevenukd

[CP]

1. The expression is "cut one loose," not "cut one lose." If someone is tied to you, you free that person by cutting him or her loose.

We say that the mother has to cut the apron strings eventually, allowing the child the freedom to grow up and take care of himself / herself. A mother who is too restrictive has her child tied to her apron strings, and she needs to cut the strings sooner or later.

But, as in your example, when Mom cuts the strings, the child may feel a little lost or abandoned. "I'm sure your Mom loves you as much as she ever has."

2. It means was doing her harm or was of no use to her. It can include not treating her well, but it could also mean just that he never helped the aunt at all.

3. It is the equivalent of (actually, substitute for) a high school diploma that some people get after they drop out of high school. Stands for General Educational Development Test. With a diploma or G.E.D. certificate, the person can get certain jobs or apply to college, etc., that would otherwise be unavailable.
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