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Pructus Posted 19 years ago
Vocabulary

with unconvincing appearances

The 51-year-old Bush loyalist served more than two years as 's first Hispanic attorney general. In recent months he came under intense pressure to quit in a political row over the sacking of eight federal prosecutors that congressional Democrats have said was politically motivated. Mr Gonzales did not help his case with unconvincing appearances on Capitol Hill.



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Does the underlined part mean that, "Mr Gonzales did not help his case because he appeared on Capitol Hill with unconvincing appearances" ?
  

Top answer

Hi, It means that when he appeared on Capitol Hill to discuss and explain these matters, his explanations were not convincing, ie not successful. Clive

  • Hi, It means that when he appeared on Capitol Hill to discuss and explain these matters, his explanations were not convincing, ie not successful.
  • Clive
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6 Answers
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Hi,

It means that when he appeared on Capitol Hill to discuss and explain these matters, his explanations were not convincing, ie not successful.

Clive
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Thanks Guru!

One question, though...

Can 'appearances' mean not only looks but also some kind of behavior or action?
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Hi,

One question, though...

Can 'appearances' mean not only looks but also some kind of behavior or action?

Yes. If someone/something appears, it means it becomes visible. eg The sun appeared from behind the clouds.

Clive
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Thanks again, Guru!

Still..... I have a question....

The sun appearing .......... means just appearing, not any action being done...

But your explanation on "Mr Gonzales did not help his case with unconvincing appearances on Capitol Hill." was that "He discussed and explained".

Something being done other than him appearing..........
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See this, definition #7, the legal one.

He was called before Congress ("Capitol Hill") the same way people must appear in court, so his "appearance" doesn't refer to what he looked like, but his act of being there.
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I have given some thought on this....

And now I see what you two Gurus mean....

I understand.....

Many, many thanks!

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