Idiom of The Day: Pulling Someone's Leg.

 

Let's start using idioms or idiomatic expressions when we write. When idioms are used, it adds color and texture to language by creating images that convey meanings beyond those of the individual words that make them up. An idiom can be very colorful and make a 'picture' in our minds. It also shows the writer's familiarity with English. When you want to make your writing sound more conversational, including idioms can give your writing a more relaxed tone.

Idioms allow us to say a lot with few words. Idioms amplify your messages in a way that draws your readers in and helps awaken their senses. It adds dynamism and character to otherwise stale writing. They make your writing less monotonous and your readers will think that you are smart and knowledgeable. All the while ... you only clothe your writing with elaborate idioms to create an impact... saying too much with less. 

To perfect your English, you really need to become confident in using idioms and knowing the difference between breaking a leg and pulling someone's leg. So the idiom of the day is:

IDIOM: Pulling someone's leg

MEANING: To make someone believe something that is not true.  To trick or lie to someone in a playful manner.

ORIGIN: Although people doubted its origin The Newark Daily Advocate in Ohio in 1883: it originally had to do with someone trying to trick you into giving them money, often by lying. And perhaps the leg part of the phrase came about based on that when someone was doing this, they were metaphorically pulling at one’s trouser pockets to get said funds in them.

USING IT IN A SENTENCE: We know you are pulling our legs when you said: There will be an oral exam when the teacher arrives.

Hibiscus Wishlist

Do I have a hibiscus wishlist? I do.  If given the chance I want to create a personalized collection of a variety of hibiscus that I want to buy and save them in my user account for future reference. I call them wishlists because they signify my interest in a certain variety or species without an immediate intent to purchase for sheer lack of availability.
 

Setting Limits

Setting limits and boundaries in a parent-children relationship is also a form of tough love. Standing up for your boundaries means standing up for your rights, feelings beliefs, and needs. If you say to your child, "No, you can't get that money ..." is quite over the top and your child will resent that.

True ...  it is a Herculean task to establish these parameters from the get-go, especially if you want children to respect these boundaries. But there will be a time when all were said and done ... you will be glad you did it. Both of you will grow ... when you were able to set boundaries (and respect it) in your relationship.

Responding To Netizen's Comments

Netizen's Comment: You have been telling us the PROS to tough love. Are there also CONS?

Response: 

Sure, tough love can be a genuine, and sincere way of showing our concern. But there is a potential drawback to tough love. The person given tough love may misconstrue your concern as a prejudicial critique of themselves, a destructive appraisal of their behavior, or they will feel we are so authoritarian, pushy, and oppressive.

Your loved ones feel they have to do something and they feel the need to correct and fine-tune all the facets of your situation. The reason why they do that is out of anxiety - when they see there is no light at the end of the tunnel for you, they become impotent and defenseless.

To avoid their helpless feelings, they become dictatorial spelling out what is lacking in you and what strategies you need to try to improve yourself. The more paralyzed they become ... the more demands they will ask from you.  Making you more frustrated.

Learn To Listen

To follow up on my response to a reader asking about the CONS of tough love:

Another CON of tough love is ... human nature made it so that people are created not to like unsolicited and unwanted sermons ... and we always hate what we hear from others. People have always that resistance to change.

But seeing your parents for instance who are suffering silently looking at you miserable ... doesn't mean you can't learn from the tough love they sent you.  Try to listen ...  and imbibe the salient nuggets of what they are telling you. Don't ignore them just because you feel frustrated or offended.  Or you resent how straightforward the way they say their commentary on how you mess up your life.  Take the weighty and pertinent points of what they say ,,, and take them into consideration.

Remember you made the problem yourself ... not them. The fact of the matter is ... they should be furious for being so cavalier and you DRAG them into your mess.