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MUSCOVITE Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary
a glutton for punishment
Hi,
(1) Is this expression common enough?
(2) One of the dictionaries I have checked for this phrase claims
a glutton for punishment = someone who enjoys working hard
Would you agree with such interpretation?
mus-te
(1) Is this expression common enough?
(2) One of the dictionaries I have checked for this phrase claims
a glutton for punishment = someone who enjoys working hard
Would you agree with such interpretation?
mus-te
Top answer
1. Yes. 2.
- 1.
- Yes.
- 2.
- Roughly.
- com/us/definition/american_english/a-glutton-for-punishment : A person who is always eager to undertake hard or unpleasant tasks.
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3 Answers
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1. Yes.
2. Roughly. I prefer the definition at http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/a-glutton-for-punishment:
A person who is always eager to undertake hard or unpleasant tasks.
2. Roughly. I prefer the definition at http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/a-glutton-for-punishment:
A person who is always eager to undertake hard or unpleasant tasks.
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Thank you, GPY! 
Just a couple of follow-up questions if I may
(1) Are "whipping boy" and "scapegoat" equally
Just a couple of follow-up questions if I may
(1) Are "whipping boy" and "scapegoat" equally
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1. I couldn't say specifically for AE as I am in the UK. However, my feeling is that "scapegoat" is significantly more common.
2. To me, "whipping boy" suggests someone who is repeatedly punished in a demeaning way. It also has specific historical meaning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whipping_boy).
2. To me, "whipping boy" suggests someone who is repeatedly punished in a demeaning way. It also has specific historical meaning (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whipping_boy).
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