Vague expressions
Posted: Sun Aug 21, 2005 5:04 pm
This post is prompted by the "prepositional verb/phrasal verb" thread as phrasal verbs seem to be less clearly defined than non-phrasal verbs but isn't similar enough to be a response to it.
There are several expressions, that do not seem to convey an exact meaning other than they are vaguely sexual, aggressive, or both:
"I’ll do for you," for instance implies that the speaker is very irritated and that that irritation has the potential to spill over into violence. This seems to be just inuendo however, there doesn't seem to be as an exact meaning. The question remains open as to exactly what the speaker will actually do. This vagueness of meaning goes well beyond that of most phrasal verbs.
Compare this to “I’ll swing for you,” which was common in the UK when hanging was the penalty for murder, where the the implication (not really meant) is that the person is being so irritating that the speaker will murder them and suffer the consequences by hanging. This second example seems to have a clearer definition then.
Other such vague expressions would include:
Come and have a go!
Come and get some!
Do you want it, Sir?
Suit you, Sir!
Do you want some?!
Give it some!
Give sb one!
(Excuse my language and political correctness.):oops:
There's also "be up for it," which although it can refer to something vaguely sexual or violent, doesn't have to. It's still vague unless the speaker explains what "it" is, however.
Does anyone know if there an expression for such expressions?
There are several expressions, that do not seem to convey an exact meaning other than they are vaguely sexual, aggressive, or both:
"I’ll do for you," for instance implies that the speaker is very irritated and that that irritation has the potential to spill over into violence. This seems to be just inuendo however, there doesn't seem to be as an exact meaning. The question remains open as to exactly what the speaker will actually do. This vagueness of meaning goes well beyond that of most phrasal verbs.
Compare this to “I’ll swing for you,” which was common in the UK when hanging was the penalty for murder, where the the implication (not really meant) is that the person is being so irritating that the speaker will murder them and suffer the consequences by hanging. This second example seems to have a clearer definition then.
Other such vague expressions would include:
Come and have a go!
Come and get some!
Do you want it, Sir?
Suit you, Sir!
Do you want some?!
Give it some!
Give sb one!
(Excuse my language and political correctness.):oops:
There's also "be up for it," which although it can refer to something vaguely sexual or violent, doesn't have to. It's still vague unless the speaker explains what "it" is, however.
Does anyone know if there an expression for such expressions?