2 Answers. When used in a metaphorical, rather than literal, sense, the “thick” part of this idiom is meant to reflect difficulties, while the “thin” part encompasses the easier parts of life. How do you use thick and thin in a sentence? My friends stood by me through thick and thin. Only my friend stood by me through thick and thin.
What does through Thicke and thin mean?
Through thicke and thin, both over banck and bushe.” This phrase is alluding to travel through dense forest, so if someone were to stay with you through thick and thin, he or she would accompany you in both thick patches of wilderness as well as sparse vegetation.
Where does the phrase'through thicket and thin wood'come from?
The phrase originated as 'through thicket and thin wood', which was a straightforward literal description of any determined progress through the 'thick' English countryside.
What is a good sentence for through thick and thin?
through thick and thin Despite difficult or troubling circumstances or setbacks; through good and bad times. Cliché through good times and bad times. Despite all obstacles or adversities, as in She promised to stand by him through thick and thin.
What does thick and thin through dense forest mean?
This phrase is alluding to travel through dense forest, so if someone were to stay with you through thick and thin, he or she would accompany you in both thick patches of wilderness as well as sparse vegetation.
Is thick and thin an idiom?
idiom. C2. If you support or stay with someone through thick and thin, you always support or stay with him or her , even if there are problems or difficulties: She has stuck with me through thick and thin.
What can I say instead of through thick and thin?
Through Thick And Thin synonyms In this page you can discover 7 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for through thick and thin, like: in rain or shine, regularly, in the face of adversity, devotedly, in good and bad weather, loyally and constantly.
What type of figurative language is through thick and thin?
To stay with someone or something “through thick and thin” is to persevere through good times as well as bad: “She stood beside her friend through thick and thin.”
Where does the phrase through thick and thin come from?
It is derived from an old hunting expression “through thicket and thin wood.” The thicket is a group of trees or bushes that grow close together. The first recorded use of the phrase can be found in Geoffrey Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, (1387 – 1400).
What do you mean by unwavering?
Definition of unwavering : continuing in a strong and steady way : constant, steadfast her unwavering faith/support an unwavering commitment to justice.
What does the idiom rain or shine mean?
Definition of rain or shine —used to say that something will happen even it rains The party will be on Tuesday, rain or shine. —sometimes used figuratively for no matter what happens I'll always love you, come rain or (come) shine.
What is the synonyms of thin?
Some common synonyms of thin are slender, slight, slim, and tenuous. While all these words mean "not thick, broad, abundant, or dense," thin implies comparatively little extension between surfaces or in diameter, or it may imply lack of substance, richness, or abundance.
What is another word for signatory?
n. attestor, attestant, abhorrer, endorser, Indorser, cosigner, witness, attestator, cosignatory.
What does "through thick and thin" mean?
Despite difficult or troubling circumstances or setbacks; through good and bad times. She's always been there for me through thick and thin, so I can't turn my back on her now. Our company has survived through thick and thin, and we'll be able to get through this ordeal as well.
What does "she promised to stand by him through thick and thin" mean?
This term alludes to penetrating a forest with both thick and sparse undergrowth. Today it is nearly always used with the idea of supporting something or someone in all circumstances, as in the example. [Late 1300s]
What is the analogy of a forest?
The analogy is to penetrating difficult terrain, such as a forest consisting of thick growth as well as sparse vegetation. It was made clear by Edmund Spenser in The Faerie Queene (1590): “His tyreling Jade he fiersly forth did push. Through thicke and thin, both over banck and bushe.”.
Who wrote the dictionary of cliches?
The Dictionary of Clichés by Christine Ammer Copyright © 2013 by Christine Ammer
What is the analogy of overcoming obstacles?
The analogy is to penetrating difficult terrain, such as a forest consisting of thick growth as well as sparse vegetation. It was made clear by Edmund Spenser in The Faerie Queene (1590): “His tyreling Jade he fiersly forth did push. Through thicke and thin, both over banck and bushe.”
What Does The Expression “Through Thick And Thin” Mean?
Idiomatic expressions are informal language with a meaning different from the meaning of the words in the phrase. It is okay to say idiomatic expressions have two meanings, the connotative and the denotative meaning. The denotative meaning is the phrase’s literal meaning, while the connotative meaning is the expression’s hidden meaning.
How to use "through thick and thin"?
Sheila’s decision to stay with John despite all odds is explained using the phrase “through thick and thin.” However, if she decides to leave John and go for another guy because of his situation, you cannot use the phrase.
What does "thin" mean in idiomatic?
When you use the idiomatic expression metaphorically instead of literally, the “thick” describes the difficulties, and bad situations and the “thin” describes the pleasant and favorable part of life.
When did Chaucer use the word "through thick and thin"?
The phrase became widely used in the 1300s when Geoffrey Chaucer included it in one of his writings, “The Reeve’s Tale”, a part of his “Canterbury Tales”, he used the short form “through thick and thin.”
What is the difference between proverbs and idioms?
Every language has its idiomatic expressions, and they are almost similar to proverbs or proverbial phrases. The only difference is proverbs are words of wisdom, advice, and guidance, while idioms are just expressions with a deeper meaning.
Where did the phrase "through thick and thin" come from?
This expression in its current form has existed for several hundred years. Its first recorded use was in Geoffrey Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, which were written between 1387 and 1400. This phrase appeared specifically in The Reeve’s Tale: And whan the hors was laus, he gynneth gon.
What does "through thicket and thin wood" mean?
It meant to go through the English countryside, through all the undergrowth and plant obstacles.
What does "travel through dense forest" mean?
This phrase is alluding to travel through dense forest, so if someone were to stay with you through thick and thin, he or she would accompany you in both thick patches of wilderness as well as sparse vegetation.
What does it mean to support someone through thick and thin?
If you support or stay with someone through thick and thin, you always support or stay with them, even if there are problems or difficulties
What is thick wood?
The original idiom was "through thicket and thin wood". A thicket is a densely wooded area, so it's naturally harder to get through than a "thin wood".
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Is thick wood harder to get through?
A thicket is a densely wooded area, so it's naturally harder to get through than a "thin wood". So "thick" would be the hard times.