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MarvinTheMartian Posted 18 years ago
Grammar
to stoop
Hi,
9 times out of 10, when I hear the word "stoop", it is used in reference to a person's conduct, as in: "You fiend! I would never stoop to your level!" or "There are no lows she wouldn't stoop to in order to ingratiate herself." Any idea why its metaphorical use supercedes its literal meaning? I've been trying to come up with examples where "stoop" is used in the literal sense, but I'm not sure if they work. Take a look and tell me what you think:
"Would you be a dear and pick up my hankerchief", said the pregnant woman. "I'm too far along to stoop (all the way) to the floor."
"He stooped down to pick up the loose change that had fallen out of his pocket." This seems to work fine, but what if I say "He stooped to the ground to pick up the (...)"?
9 times out of 10, when I hear the word "stoop", it is used in reference to a person's conduct, as in: "You fiend! I would never stoop to your level!" or "There are no lows she wouldn't stoop to in order to ingratiate herself." Any idea why its metaphorical use supercedes its literal meaning? I've been trying to come up with examples where "stoop" is used in the literal sense, but I'm not sure if they work. Take a look and tell me what you think:
"Would you be a dear and pick up my hankerchief", said the pregnant woman. "I'm too far along to stoop (all the way) to the floor."
"He stooped down to pick up the loose change that had fallen out of his pocket." This seems to work fine, but what if I say "He stooped to the ground to pick up the (...)"?
Top answer
Silly me, and here I am thinking of the noun. I don't think the metaphorical use outweighs the literal verb to such a high extent, but maybe it does. But then, think how often we use the word "giant" to mean very large without referring to someone that Jack met at the top of a beanstalk.
- Silly me, and here I am thinking of the noun.
- I don't think the metaphorical use outweighs the literal verb to such a high extent, but maybe it does.
- But then, think how often we use the word "giant" to mean very large without referring to someone that Jack met at the top of a beanstalk.
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17 Answers
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Silly me, and here I am thinking of the noun.
I don't think the metaphorical use outweighs the literal verb to such a high extent, but maybe it does. But then, think how often we use the word "giant" to mean very large without referring to someone that Jack met at the top of a beanstalk.
I don't think the metaphorical use outweighs the literal verb to such a high extent, but maybe it does. But then, think how often we use the word "giant" to mean very large without referring to someone that Jack met at the top of a beanstalk.
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Grammar GeekI don't think the metaphorical use outweighs the literal verb to such a high extent, but maybe it does.I guess you're right. The verb "stoop" used in reference to a physical action isn't that uncommon, but constructions like "he stooped to the ground / floor" seem to be. I suppose it's because the majority of people would just say
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Sure, I agree - He stooped to (destination) isn't common, but he stooped down to-infinitive is reasonably common.
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I think bent (over / down) is replacing stoop (down), at least where I live, but stoop is not used only figuratively.
By coincidence I recently read this: As my mother stooped down on the threshhold to take me in her arms and kiss me, the gentleman said ...
(Dickens, David Copperfield.)
CJ
By coincidence I recently read this: As my mother stooped down on the threshhold to take me in her arms and kiss me, the gentleman said ...
(Dickens, David Copperfield.)
CJ
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Grammar GeekSure, I agree - He stooped to (destination) isn't common, but he stooped down to-infinitive is reasonably common."Not common" as in "Ugh! What an awkward choice of words!" or "Ooh, what a literate use of the word stoop!"? Can you think of a more idiomatic way to say "stoop to (a given level or surface)"? I'm blanking out.
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Thanks CalifJim! Would you say that this use of "stoop" is somewhat old-fashioned? After all, Charles Dickens isn't exactly what I would call a "contemporary" author.
Also, I could be wrong, but "he bent (down) to the floor / ground" isn't particularly common either. Most of the time, people just say "he bent down and picked up (whatever)". Does it mean this usage is incorrect?
Also, I could be wrong, but "he bent (down) to the floor / ground" isn't particularly common either. Most of the time, people just say "he bent down and picked up (whatever)". Does it mean this usage is incorrect?
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MarvinTheMartianWould you say that this use of "stoop" is somewhat old-fashioned?No. I was just sharing the coincidence. Had I not read this thread previously, the sentence in Dickens would not have popped out for me.
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Thanks CalifJim and Grammar Geek! 
Which of these two sentences would you say sounds best? "I can't stoop / bend to the floor" or "I can't stoop / bend all the way (down) to the floor"?
P.S.: When you have a moment, I was wondering if either one of you could take a look at my "last / continue / go on" t
Which of these two sentences would you say sounds best? "I can't stoop / bend to the floor" or "I can't stoop / bend all the way (down) to the floor"?P.S.: When you have a moment, I was wondering if either one of you could take a look at my "last / continue / go on" t
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A "stoop" is a momentary action, for a specific purpose (usually, to pick something up off the floor).
You don't oftent think about your abilty to stoop, but you might think about your ability to bend. Yes, they are the same thing, but a stoop is a quick action, while bending is simply a body function.
For example, if I had a stiff neck, I might say "it hurts to tilt my head forw
You don't oftent think about your abilty to stoop, but you might think about your ability to bend. Yes, they are the same thing, but a stoop is a quick action, while bending is simply a body function.
For example, if I had a stiff neck, I might say "it hurts to tilt my head forw
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