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Anonymous Posted 12 years ago
Grammar

if you quarrel with a sweep you'll get blackened

Does this mean anything?
if you quarrel with a sweep you'll get blackened

Thanks
  

Top answer

I have a feeling that the "sweep" here is a chimney sweep - the guy who cleans out your chimney. Extend this to mean that if you play (fight) with dirty people, you'll get dirty. And 'dirty' can mean dishonest, unsavory, etc.

— Philip

  • I have a feeling that the "sweep" here is a chimney sweep - the guy who cleans out your chimney.
  • Extend this to mean that if you play (fight) with dirty people, you'll get dirty.
  • And 'dirty' can mean dishonest, unsavory, etc.
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2 Answers
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I have a feeling that the "sweep" here is a chimney sweep - the guy who cleans out your chimney. Extend this to mean that if you play (fight) with dirty people, you'll get dirty. And 'dirty' can mean dishonest, unsavory, etc.
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Hi

Yes. Here's a gent quarrelling with a sweep. It's probably not worth his while - his face and clothes are getting dirty ...

http://etc.usf.edu/clipart/79600/79650/79650_quarrelsweep.htm

Dave
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