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On the warpath
What does the phrase "on the warpath" mean?
By Khemuika, Thailand(11th Dec. 2006)
When you say that someone is on the warpath, it means that he/she is angry at someone.
For example:
* Nihau, Jyotsna, and Shiny have been on the warpath ever since their boss told them that they will have to work during the weekends for the next two months.
* Why are you always on the warpath? Are you crazy or something?
* Why is she on the warpath again?
When you tell someone to get off your case, you are asking the individual to leave you alone. To stop criticizing you or picking on you.
In other words, `get off my case' means the same thing as `get off my back'.
Here is an example.
* After listening to her father's criticism for 10 minutes, Achaeana told him to get off her case.
* So when Sumatra says something the next time, can I say, `Get off my case, Sumatra.’
* The students feel that the teacher is picking on Suresh too much. They want her to get off his case.
You can also say, `Get off one's tail'. It means the same thing.
* Narender, why do you always run me down? Get off my tail, will you?
* I wish I could tell my boss to get off my tail.
When you say that someone has his ducks in a row, what you are implying is that he has everything in place.
In other words, he is very organized.
That's right. He has things under control.
How about this example?
* Amrita is pretty well organized. She really has all her ducks in a row.
* The Vice Chancellor made the mistake of holding a press conference without getting all his ducks in a row.
* The leader told his group that they would start as soon as everyone had got their ducks in a row.
What is the connection between the expression and being organized"?
I understand when a mother duck leads her ducklings to the water, they follow her in an orderly fashion. They line up one behind the other.
It's as if the duck has everything neatly arranged.
I guess so.
You want to have some ice cream? My treat.
No, I have too many things to do. I will take a rain check on that one.
A rain check in the summer? Wish it would rain though.
When you invite me somewhere and I say `I'll take a rain check', what it means is that I accept your invitation. But I'll come with you some other day, not immediately.
In other words, you will have ice cream with me some other day, but not today. You are postponing the treat.
Exactly. For example, when Rosin invited Madhya for a cup of coffee, she said she would take a rain check.
So when somebody invites me somewhere, can I say, "I'd love to go. But I can't today. Can I take a rain check on that one?"
Yes, you can. So can I take a rain check on the ice cream?
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