| View previous topic :: View next topic |
| Author |
Message |
Chan-Seung Lee
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
|
 Posted: Wed Aug 17, 2011 11:12 pm Post subject: for all he was worth |
 |
|
| Quote: |
1. The crow croaked for all he was worth.
2.For all his faults, he is loved by all.
3.He may die for all I care.
4.He may be dead for all I know. |
1. What does 'for all he was worth' mean?
2.What does 'for all his faults' mean?
3.What does 'for all I care' mean?
4.What does 'for all I know' mean?
Thanks. |
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
lotus
Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Posts: 862
|
| Posted: Thu Aug 18, 2011 2:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
There may be other meanings, but these are the main ones from context:
1. for all he was worth: despite trying everything
The crow croaked despite his (weak) efforts to prevent it.
2. for all his faults: despite his faults
Despite his faults, he is loved by all.
3. for all I care: I don't care
He may die; I don't care.
4. for all I know: I do not know or am not a aware of it (usually facetiously)
He may be dead, and I am not aware of it (and I don't care).
All these phrases seem to have a facetious tone to them.
--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Chan-Seung Lee
Joined: 03 Dec 2005
Posts: 1032
|
| Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:30 pm Post subject: |
|
|
| Quote: |
| A crow sat in a tree holding in his beak a peice of meat that he had stolen. A fox which saw him determined to get the meat. It stood under the tree and began to tell the crow what a beautiful big bird he was. He ought to be king of all the birds, the fox said; and he would undoubtedly have been made king, if only he had a voice as well. The crow was so anxious to prove that he had a voice, that he dropped the meat and croaked for all he was worth. Up ran the fox, snapped up the meat, and said to him: "If you added brains to all your other qualifications, you would make an ideal king." |
Thanks, Lotus
I can undertand your answers except 'The crow croaked for all he was worth.' For your better understanding, I have quoted the whole paragraph in which the sentence, 'The crow croaked for all he was worth', is.
Please, review the above quotation again and tell me what 'for all he was worth' means. It seems to me that 'for all he was worth' is 'with all his might' but I'm not sure.
Thanks |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
lotus
Joined: 25 Jan 2004
Posts: 862
|
| Posted: Mon Aug 22, 2011 12:34 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It was with all his might (with full intention to succeed) that he opened his mouth. But it was a failed attempt in that he dropped the meat when his mouth opened.
Again, it is a facetious statement because it is saying that he tried for all he was worth -- but it was not worth much because he didn't succeed. And he didn't succeed because he didn't use his brains. It was an ill-advised effort.
--lotus
_________________
War does not make one great --Yoda |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
FAQ
Search
Memberlist
Usergroups
Register
Profile
Log in to check your private messages
Log in
