could you get away with saying
walking on ice instead?
would you understand it in the same breath as walking on eggs?
walking on ice instead?
would you understand it in the same breath as walking on eggs?
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'walking on egg shells' cliche
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I could be wrong, but I think the phrase is walking on eggshells, e.g. tread gently lest you break something or upset someone.
Walking on thin ice or skating on thin ice would also do, but it's also a bit of a cliché.
-Derek
Walking on thin ice or skating on thin ice would also do, but it's also a bit of a cliché.
-Derek
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To me, walking on eggshells and walking on thin ice aren't quite the same thing.
I think of walking on eggshells as an attempt to not upset someone and walking on thin ice as being in a precarious position (and one where someone is very likely to fail if they're not careful).
I think of walking on eggshells as an attempt to not upset someone and walking on thin ice as being in a precarious position (and one where someone is very likely to fail if they're not careful).
I agree with dpaterso.
Which one would fit would depend on the situation and who was was saying it.
Which one would fit would depend on the situation and who was was saying it.
Hey thank you.
I undestood them to be the same, but I see what you mean now.
They sound similar but means differently.
I guess walking on thin ice would similar to playing with fire.
Sort of, but they wouldn't be used it the same context.
"Look, Ted. Enough with the attitude. You're on thin ice, young man."
vs
"I didn't worry when you started smoking pot, Ted, but heroin? You're playing with fire."
vs
Ted walked on eggshells around his mother. Leaving a dirty plate in the living room overnight could send her into hysterics, so no way could she find out about the dope.
When someone is walking on thin ice, they're pushing the limits, either their own or someone else's. When someone is playing with fire, they're doing something dangerous. When they're walking on eggshells, they're being very careful to not disrupt something or someone.
Most of your recent examples in English aren't so much cliches as they are idioms. Literal translations of idioms rarely are successful. Try for the sense of the phrase, and rephrase it, trying for the flavor rather than word for word. If you're going for an over-all comic effect, emulate Mark Twain in his translations into French and then back into English of the 'Celebrated Jumping Frog'.
Hi thank you very much HoneyBadger this is absolutely great explanations.
It understand now.
Nuances in English are very far and few in betweens. It is incredible!
Most cliches are idioms, and most idioms are cliches. A cliche is nothing more than any overused phrase, and idioms become overused quickly.
But I will agree that turning a cliche on its head is always a good idea.