IDIOMS IN JEAN WEBSTER’S DADDY-LONG-LEGS
Idioms, which form humorous mental images and establish an author’s or character’s attitude
about different events and circumstances, there are quite a few in the novel.
Example 1: “Jerusha Abbott, being the oldest orphan, had to bear the brunt of it.”
To bear the brunt of something means to suffer most as a result of the problem or difficult
situation. This idiom is used to indicate that since Jerusha was the oldest, she had to be
responsible for every orphan being properly dressed. If not, she would get in trouble.
Example 2: “I seem to have a ready pen.”
A ready pen implies being able to write with ease and quickly. Therefore, Judy’s saying that
she’s having an easy time writing; the process is going smoothly.
Example 3: “Don't be cross with me.”
To be cross with someone means that you are angry at someone. Judy tells Daddy-Long-Legs
not to be mad at her for going to the cottage instead of traveling to Europe as he had told her
to.
Example 4: “It's raining cats and dogs to-night. Two puppies and a kitten have just landed on
the window-sill.”
It’s raining cats and dogs is an idiom used to convey that it’s raining heavily. As for Two
puppies and a kitten have just landed on the window-sill, this sentence is a metaphor.
Raindrops are compared to Puppies and a kitten because they’re massive.
Idioms, which form humorous mental images and establish an author’s or character’s attitude
about different events and circumstances, there are quite a few in the novel.
Example 1: “Jerusha Abbott, being the oldest orphan, had to bear the brunt of it.”
To bear the brunt of something means to suffer most as a result of the problem or difficult
situation. This idiom is used to indicate that since Jerusha was the oldest, she had to be
responsible for every orphan being properly dressed. If not, she would get in trouble.
Example 2: “I seem to have a ready pen.”
A ready pen implies being able to write with ease and quickly. Therefore, Judy’s saying that
she’s having an easy time writing; the process is going smoothly.
Example 3: “Don't be cross with me.”
To be cross with someone means that you are angry at someone. Judy tells Daddy-Long-Legs
not to be mad at her for going to the cottage instead of traveling to Europe as he had told her
to.
Example 4: “It's raining cats and dogs to-night. Two puppies and a kitten have just landed on
the window-sill.”
It’s raining cats and dogs is an idiom used to convey that it’s raining heavily. As for Two
puppies and a kitten have just landed on the window-sill, this sentence is a metaphor.
Raindrops are compared to Puppies and a kitten because they’re massive.
