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Perfect Stranger Posted 12 years ago
Vocabulary
Proverb: give a thing, and take a thing, to wear the devil's gold ring
Dear All,
I have two questions regarding the following proverb:
give a thing, and take a thing, to wear the devil's gold ring
1) I was wondering if it's possible to change gold into golden in this proverb as it seems to give the whole sentence a bit of a better flow.
2) Is it OK to use it in this sentence:
Look, I know that as the proverb says: give a thing, and take a thing, to wear the devi'ls gold(en) ring but I'd like to get my old chair back if you don't mind.
Or could I modify it and say:
I know that giving a thing, and taking a thing will make me wear the devil's (golden) ring but I'd have to take my old chair back if you don't mind.
Thanks so much
I have two questions regarding the following proverb:
give a thing, and take a thing, to wear the devil's gold ring
1) I was wondering if it's possible to change gold into golden in this proverb as it seems to give the whole sentence a bit of a better flow.
2) Is it OK to use it in this sentence:
Look, I know that as the proverb says: give a thing, and take a thing, to wear the devi'ls gold(en) ring but I'd like to get my old chair back if you don't mind.
Or could I modify it and say:
I know that giving a thing, and taking a thing will make me wear the devil's (golden) ring but I'd have to take my old chair back if you don't mind.
Thanks so much
Top answer
Perfect Stranger 1) I was wondering if it's possible to change gold into golden in this proverb as it seems to give the whole sentence a bit of a better flow. Sure. No one will notice.
- Perfect Stranger 1) I was wondering if it's possible to change gold into golden in this proverb as it seems to give the whole sentence a bit of a better flow.
- Sure.
- No one will notice.
- I've never even heard that proverb.
- Perfect Stranger 2) Is it OK to use it in this sentence:Look, I know that as the proverb says: give a thing, and take a thing, to wear the devi'ls gold(en) ring but I'd like to get my old chair back if you don't mind.
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7 Answers
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Perfect Stranger1) I was wondering if it's possible to change gold into golden in this proverb as it seems to give the whole sentence a bit of a better flow.Sure. No one will notice. I've never even heard that proverb.
Perfect Stranger2) Is it OK to use it in this sentence:Look, I know that as the proverb says: give a thing, and take
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Mister MicawberSure. No one will notice. I've never even heard that proverb.Thank you for a detailed answer Mister M.
Would you say then that this proverb is archaic or not used at all? I'm looking for some other expressions that would express this idea that once you give something and then ask for it back you shall burn in ****
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I've never heard that proverb either.
Have a look at the expression 'an Indian giver'.
Look here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_giver
Note:
Have a look at the expression 'an Indian giver'.
Look here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indian_giver
Note:
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Thanks Clive. Your answer is very helpful. May I ask if there are any other expressions similar to Indian giver? I don't want to offend anyone.
Is the following sentence OK? Would you say a British person will understand what I mean?
I don't want to be an Indian giver but I'd have to ask for my old chair back.
Is the following sentence OK? Would you say a British person will understand what I mean?
I don't want to be an Indian giver but I'd have to ask for my old chair back.
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Perfect StrangerWould you say a British person will understand what I mean?I don't want to be an Indian giver but I'd have to ask for my old chair back.This Brit wouldn't.
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Thanks Fivejedjon. Do you know any similar expressions that are commonly used in British English?
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