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Globetrotter Posted 21 years ago
Vocabulary
get at sth + drive at sth
Hello.
In German there is a phrase : auf etw. hinauswollen
dict.leo.org translates it with : to get at sth.
However, there is also a phrase : Worauf wollen sie hinaus? A word by word translation would be : What are you getting at?
But, according to leo, it menas: What are you driving at?
--> I wonder if to get at sth and to drive at sth mean the same? If not or if they're just slightly different, where is the difference?
regards
In German there is a phrase : auf etw. hinauswollen
dict.leo.org translates it with : to get at sth.
However, there is also a phrase : Worauf wollen sie hinaus? A word by word translation would be : What are you getting at?
But, according to leo, it menas: What are you driving at?
--> I wonder if to get at sth and to drive at sth mean the same? If not or if they're just slightly different, where is the difference?
regards
Top answer
Hi Globetrotter, I think 'getting at' and 'driving at' are different enough to warrant a decision as to which may be more appropriate in a given context. ) has a greater sense of control or force.
- Hi Globetrotter, I think 'getting at' and 'driving at' are different enough to warrant a decision as to which may be more appropriate in a given context.
- ) has a greater sense of control or force.
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3 Answers
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Hi Globetrotter,
I think 'getting at' and 'driving at' are different enough to warrant a decision as to which may be more appropriate in a given context. 'Driving at', in its character as a simile, (driving a car, driving a spike, etc.) has a greater sense of control or force.
I think 'getting at' and 'driving at' are different enough to warrant a decision as to which may be more appropriate in a given context. 'Driving at', in its character as a simile, (driving a car, driving a spike, etc.) has a greater sense of control or force.
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I suppose 'what are you getting at?' can have a greater sense of 'defensiveness', in its sense of 'what exactly are you insinuating'; whereas 'what are you driving at' has more of a sense of 'what is the purpose of this series of questions/comments?'.
But I expect other members would reverse the meanings.
MrP
But I expect other members would reverse the meanings.
MrP
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Thanks for your answers!
So, just to make sure that I got it.
For example, if something great happened. My moms says: Take a guess, what happened today, with a smile.
Then I would say what are you driving at because I expect something positive like having been awarded a scholarship or having gotten a confirmation for a job.
But if my mom shows up in my room giving
So, just to make sure that I got it.
For example, if something great happened. My moms says: Take a guess, what happened today, with a smile.
Then I would say what are you driving at because I expect something positive like having been awarded a scholarship or having gotten a confirmation for a job.
But if my mom shows up in my room giving
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