To gild the lily is to add unnecessary embellishments to something that is already beautiful. The phrase originated in the works of William Shakespeare, though the actual quote has since been slightly distorted. The original quote from the play "King John" is "To gild refined gold, to paint the lily, to throw a perfume on the violet, to smooth the ice, or add another hue unto the rainbow, or with taper-light to seek the beauteous eye of heaven to garnish, is wasteful and ridiculous excess."
2. Up a ___
Answer: Gum tree
To be up a gum tree is to be in deep trouble. This idiom is believed to have originated in Australia where eucalyptus trees are known as gum trees. The original usage was "like a possum up a gum tree", possibly indicating that the animal had been chased up the tree.
3. Extend the ___ branch
Answer: Olive
Extending the olive branch indicates an attempt to make peace. In the Bible, after the world was destroyed by a flood, a dove released by Noah from the ark brought back an olive branch indicating that the destruction was over and it was time to begin anew. A dove with an olive branch held in its beak is frequently used as a symbol of peace.
4. Grasp the ___
Answer: Nettle
The nettle in this instance is the stinging nettle which commonly grows in various parts of England. Touching the nettle could result in a rash or itch. Thus, grasping the nettle means tackling a difficult problem or situation head-on.
5. Beat around the ___
Answer: Bush
The term to beat around the bush means to talk about a particular subject in a roundabout way. It is generally used when someone finds it difficult to address a difficult or sensitive topic directly. The idiom is believed to have origins in the sport of hunting, where one person would go and beat around the bush to chase away the birds so that the others could then catch them in their nets.
6. Pushing up ___
Answer: Daisies
To be pushing up daisies is a euphemistic way of conveying that a person is dead. It refers to the flowers growing on the grave of a person. The origins of this idiom are unknown. Another similar expression used by the French translates to "eating dandelions by the root".
7. Shrinking ___
Answer: Violet
Shrinking violet is a term used to describe an excessively shy person. The violet is a flower that generally grows in the shade. Shrinking further emphasises the person's aversion to attracting attention. An early written reference is found in the November 1870 edition of "The Titusville Herald" a Pennsylvanian newspaper.
It was used sarcastically to refer to describe a New York businessman who was considered to have been dishonest with public funds.
8. ___ path
Answer: Primrose
A primrose path describes a life full of ease and pleasure. If someone leads another down the primrose path then it is regarded as an attempt to deceive them by leading them down a seemingly easy course that eventually ends in destruction. This is another idiom that finds reference in the Bard's works in the following verses taken from the play "Hamlet":
"Do not, as some ungracious pastors do,
Show me the steep and thorny way to heaven,
Whiles, like a puff'd and reckless libertine,
Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads
And recks not his own rede."
9. Everything's coming up ___
Answer: Roses
If it is said that everything's coming up roses, it means all situations are working out well or all projects that a person is involved in have turned out successful. The idiom is believed to have originated from a song in the musical "Gypsy" whose lyrics are - "Things look swell, things look great, Gonna have the whole world on a plate. Starting here, starting now Honey, everything's coming up roses."
10. Cut down the tall ___
Answer: Poppies
To cut down the tall poppies is to criticize or pull down people who stand out on account of their talent or success. It is generally used negatively to indicate a crab like mentality where when one crab attempts to climb out of a basket, the others gather together to pull him down.
The concept dates back centuries with references made in early works like "Politics" by the Greek philosopher Aristotle and "Histories" by the Greek historian Herodotus.
This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ponycargirl before going online.
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