A bit rote
Putin’s spokesman said that the Russian president viewed the strikes as “aggression against a sovereign state in violation of international law, and under a false pretext”, but the rebuke seemed a bit rote and lacking in vinegar. (The Guardian.)
Why did the rebuke seem a bit rote and lacking vinegar in the context above? Does it mean that it was somewhat lukewarm, not strong enough?
Top answer
I can quite believe, it is because they are engineering a riposte to the accusation of Russian's influence on Trump's election though I doubt that is the target of your "Why". The Guardian correspondent Alec Luhn is best placed to advise the root of his language. Personally I like it.
- I can quite believe, it is because they are engineering a riposte to the accusation of Russian's influence on Trump's election though I doubt that is the target of your "Why".
- The Guardian correspondent Alec Luhn is best placed to advise the root of his language.
- Personally I like it.
- Does it conjure up a fish supper, a salad or brown paper?
Get the Weekly English Kit 📬
New words, one handy idiom, and a 2-minute quiz — delivered to your inbox to keep your streak alive.
I can quite believe, it is because they are engineering a riposte to the accusation of Russian's influence on Trump's election though I doubt that is the target of your "Why". The Guardian correspondent Alec Luhn is best placed to advise the root of his language. Personally I like it. Does it conjure up a fish supper, a salad or brown paper?
0I've been a native English speaker for 50 years and never heard "lacking in vinegar" before! Likely to be an error, especially given the Guardian's reputation for spelling mistakes.
"a bit rote" is also rather weak language for a journalist.
0
Related Questions