A RAY OF SUNSHINE
Meaning: ‘A ray of sunshine’ refers to something or
someone that makes others feel happy, especially in a difficult situation.
Origin: It can be a metaphor, as the light that
illuminates an evil or dark moment. The equivalent in Spanish is the same: ‘un
rayo de sol’.
Example:
- We love look after our grandchild. He's a ray of sunshine!
- Sara's visit was a ray of sunshine in her grandmother's day.
TO
TAKE A RAIN CHECK
Meaning: ‘To take a rain check’ is a polite way to turn
down an invitation, with the implication one is simply postponing it and that
another time would be acceptable.
Origin: The literal sense of rain check, which is an
Americanism, is first found in the 1880s in reference to a baseball game. The
practice of giving a rain check to a ticketholder was formalized in 1890 in the
constitution of the National League. In other words, if it rained (something
the purchaser had no influence over) and the game was postponed, the ticket
holder could come back for another game. An equivalent in Spanish will be
‘dejarlo para más tarde’.
Examples:
- I'll take a rain check on that drink tonight, if that's all right.
- I won't play tennis this afternoon but can I get a rain check?
CHASING
RAINBOWS
Meaning: ‘Chasing rainbows’ means that someone is trying
to achieve something that is not possible or practical.
Origin: this idiom comes from the fact that you cannot
get, chase or achieve a rainbow. It is used since old English literature. In
fact, a film made in 1930 was named after the common phrase. The equivalent in
Spanish is the same that in English ‘persiguiendo arcoiris’.
Examples:
- He wanted to go into show business, but friends told him to quit chasing rainbows.
- I know you want to become a famous footballer but don’t chase rainbows! It is very hard and you are just not good enough.
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