Reader question:
In this sentence – These arguments cut little ice with the Democrats – what does "cut little ice with" mean?
My comments:
It means "these arguments" fail to have any influence on "Democrats". In other words, the Democrats are not impressed with these arguments. That is to say their opinion won't be swayed by these arguments.
"Cut little ice" is a varied form of the American idiom "cut no ice." There are various explanations as to the origin of this odd-sounding idiom, some more plausible than others. One of the more plausible explanations points to ice skating. When one goes skating on ice, they leave a track as the blades of the skates cut into the ice. However, if the blades are not sharp, they won't make a sharp impression, hence the saying.
If a fact/argument cuts no ice with someone, it means they are not having an effect.
Here are a few media examples involving the idiom in its various forms, e.g. cut no ice, cut little ice, (not) cut any ice.
1. cut no ice:
Mr Blair's proposal for a fundamental review cut no ice with the French president, Jacques Chirac, who met the German chancellor, Gerhardt Schroder, in Paris yesterday.
- Blair offers rebate deal as bait for EU reforms (Guardian, June 11, 2005)
2. cut little ice:
Hand-picked by Gordon Brown, McCarthy usually stays out of the limelight – perhaps one reason why, like Darling, he discovered his 'keep calm' message cut little ice with the public.
- Gatekeepers failed to make the Rock solid (Observer, September 23, 2007).
3. (not) cut any ice:
None of this has cut any ice with Greenpeace which, in a statement in June, said: "Despite its claims to be green, BA (British Airways) is one of the worst offenders, opening new and unnecessary domestic routes, aggressively promoting domestic routes, fiercely opposing any measures that will curb growth in emissions, keeping a tight hold over government policy and lobbying hard for airport expansions."
- Green skies? (Telegraph.co.uk, June 26, 2007).
心理暗示的力量(双语)
英语晨读:夏日最后的玫瑰
英语阅读点燃你的激情
英语晨读:金窗
情人节美文欣赏:被爱触摸的喜悦
英语名篇名段背诵精华22
英语名篇名段背诵精华11
英语标准美文75
英语标准美文51
英语名篇名段背诵精华10
英语阅读:Why I Love You
英语美文:有良师乃人生之幸(双语)
被我们遗忘在生活中的哲理V
诗歌:在清晨许个愿
英语精美散文15
英语晨读:雪夜星光
双语美文精选:但愿人长久,千里共婵娟
英语名篇名段背诵精华41
精选英语美文阅读:一只猫/一个未来
英语名篇名段背诵精华25
情人节英文诗背诵:爱是两个人的事
秋日最温暖的十个“治愈系”英语句子
精选英语美文阅读:生活的涟漪
作为女人,该知道的10件事(双语)
英语标准美文2
双语:给你逃离“舒适区”的六个理由
英语美文30篇系列之24
超全愚人节整人方法:亲朋好友宠物小孩一网打尽(双语)
精选英语美文阅读:爱会伴随着度过一生
英语晨读:用脑健身
不限 |
英语教案 |
英语课件 |
英语试题 |
不限 |
不限 |
上册 |
下册 |
不限 |