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New2grammar Posted 18 years ago
What's the meaning of sharpen their pencil? I heard pentagon official use it figuratively.
Thanks.
Grammar
sharpen their pencil
The bulk of local taxes come from school costs, and while they may sharpen their pencil to hold down expenses, a four or five percent increase in six or http://boothbayregister.maine.com/2001-08-09/editorials.html |
What's the meaning of sharpen their pencil? I heard pentagon official use it figuratively.
Thanks.
Top answer
I believe 'sharpen your pencil' is an American term, and has something to do with trying to get a better deal. We need our friends from the US to give us the precise meaning.
- I believe 'sharpen your pencil' is an American term, and has something to do with trying to get a better deal.
- We need our friends from the US to give us the precise meaning.
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14 Answers
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I believe 'sharpen your pencil' is an American term, and has something to do with trying to get a better deal.
We need our friends from the US to give us the precise meaning.
We need our friends from the US to give us the precise meaning.
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One idiom means to have *** (CLEARLY not the meaning here).
If you wanted to do a lot of calculations to try to figure out where to save money, before the days of computer, you'd need a sharp pencil and an eraser. So perhaps the writer was saying that they need to buckle down and figure out where the savings can come from. It's not really an idiom that way.
It's also possible it
If you wanted to do a lot of calculations to try to figure out where to save money, before the days of computer, you'd need a sharp pencil and an eraser. So perhaps the writer was saying that they need to buckle down and figure out where the savings can come from. It's not really an idiom that way.
It's also possible it
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If you wanted to do a lot of calculations to try to figure out where to save money
This is exactly what it meant. I heard it used in a budget hearing.
Thanks, GG!
This is exactly what it meant. I heard it used in a budget hearing.
Thanks, GG!
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>they may sharpen their pencil to hold down expenses
<>they may do some serious preliminary work/preparation in order to ...
<>or
<>they may get to some details (requiring a sharp pencil) in order <>to ....
<>they may do some serious preliminary work/preparation in order to ...
<>or
<>they may get to some details (requiring a sharp pencil) in order <>to ....
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Not that it really matters to this discussion, but Boothbay is about 10 miles from where I used to live.
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Why the present continuous? Is GG moving?
CalifJimHow far is it from where you're going to live?
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No, I'm not moving, unless my ex-husband should happen to be struck by a meteor or something like that. I'm stuck here.
But I would love for Boothbay to be 10 miles from where I live, for that would mean I had returned to my beloved Maine.
In all probability, after my kids are out of high school, I will live in Michigan. CJ can advise me then, but I'm thinking Grand Rapids.
But I would love for Boothbay to be 10 miles from where I live, for that would mean I had returned to my beloved Maine.
In all probability, after my kids are out of high school, I will live in Michigan. CJ can advise me then, but I'm thinking Grand Rapids.
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The expression is used to gain a better deal.
For example if a price is given and you are not entirely happy the comeback would be you had better sharpen your pencil as to better the initial quote or price.
For example if a price is given and you are not entirely happy the comeback would be you had better sharpen your pencil as to better the initial quote or price.
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