Forum newsfeeds
Forum Newsfeeds


Sites for Teachers

Sites for Teachers


Go Back   UsingEnglish.com ESL Forum > Learning English > Ask a Teacher

Notices

Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1 (permalink)  
Old 17-Mar-2005, 03:49
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2003
Country: Thailand
Posts: 217
Current Location: Thailand
First Language: Thai
Thanks: 7
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
beeja
Default turn down a glass

Hi,

The context say...

Somewhere, as you read, the secret to which I refer will jump from the page and stand boldly before you, IF YOU ARE READY FOR IT! When it appears, you will
recognize it. Whether you receive the sign in the first or the last chapter, stop for a moment when it presents itself, and turn down a glass, for that occasion will mark the most important turning-point of your life.

What does "turn down a glass" in this context mean? Just put down a glass (of water)? Very confused! Please help!

Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links
  #2 (permalink)  
Old 17-Mar-2005, 05:00
Marylin's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Country: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 961
First Language: English
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Marylin is on a distinguished road
Default Re: turn down a glass

Quote:
Originally Posted by beeja
Hi,

The context say...

Somewhere, as you read, the secret to which I refer will jump from the page and stand boldly before you, IF YOU ARE READY FOR IT! When it appears, you will
recognize it. Whether you receive the sign in the first or the last chapter, stop for a moment when it presents itself, and turn down a glass, for that occasion will mark the most important turning-point of your life.

What does "turn down a glass" in this context mean? Just put down a glass (of water)? Very confused! Please help!

I am not sure...I am thinking about an hourglass and maybe it stands for turning it meaning starting something new ?= turning the corner? =passing a milestone?
Reply With Quote
  #3 (permalink)  
Old 17-Mar-2005, 05:10
Marylin's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Country: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 961
First Language: English
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Marylin is on a distinguished road
Default Re: turn down a glass

It might also be a figure of speech...you trurn down a glass as an indication that you don't wish to have it filled again. Perhaps that's what it means...it's time to say stop to one thing in favor of something else that's more important.
Reply With Quote
  #4 (permalink)  
Old 17-Mar-2005, 05:11
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,267
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Thanks: 3
Thanked 332 Times in 303 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: turn down a glass

Like an alcoholic saying no to a drink for the first time?????

Last edited by Tdol; 17-Mar-2005 at 05:12. Reason: typo
Reply With Quote
  #5 (permalink)  
Old 17-Mar-2005, 05:40
Marylin's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Country: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 961
First Language: English
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Marylin is on a distinguished road
Default Re: turn down a glass

Quote:
Originally Posted by tdol
Like an alcoholic saying no to a drink for the first time?????
Well, that's crossed my mind as well. Good one! We must be getting closer...


Reply With Quote
  #6 (permalink)  
Old 17-Mar-2005, 07:33
Mister Micawber's Avatar
Key Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2004
Country: USA
Posts: 1,817
Current Location: Japan
First Language: English
Thanks: 0
Thanked 10 Times in 10 Posts
Mister Micawber is on a distinguished road
Default Re: turn down a glass

In memory of a drinking companion who has passed away, it is customary to turn down (= turn upside down) a glass (representing his/hers) on the table the next time you go drinking, and pause a moment to remember him/her.

Thus, 'turn down a glass' = stop for a moment of thought.

Last edited by Mister Micawber; 17-Mar-2005 at 07:36.
Reply With Quote
  #7 (permalink)  
Old 17-Mar-2005, 17:28
Marylin's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Country: British Columbia, Canada
Posts: 961
First Language: English
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Marylin is on a distinguished road
Default Re: turn down a glass

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mister Micawber
In memory of a drinking companion who has passed away, it is customary to turn down (= turn upside down) a glass (representing his/hers) on the table the next time you go drinking, and pause a moment to remember him/her.

Thus, 'turn down a glass' = stop for a moment of thought.
Thanks, MM! That's pretty interesting. Never heard that one before...
Reply With Quote
  #8 (permalink)  
Old 23-Feb-2007, 12:17
Newbie
 
Join Date: Feb 2007
Country: us
Posts: 1
Current Location: salem, ma
First Language: english
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
holmesc21@earthlink.net is on a distinguished road
Default Re: turn down a glass

Thank you soooo much for that! I just started Think and Grow Rich, and stopped at that phrase!
Reply With Quote
  #9 (permalink)  
Old 23-Feb-2007, 12:48
Editor, UsingEnglish.com
 
Join Date: Nov 2002
Country: UK
Posts: 25,267
Current Location: Phnom Penh
First Language: English
Thanks: 3
Thanked 332 Times in 303 Posts
Tdol has disabled reputation
Default Re: turn down a glass

Mr Micawber is a great source of such language points.
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Tags
turn, down, glass

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
turn around carla guaraldi Ask a Teacher 1 06-Mar-2005 02:27
analysis of methods of charecterisation in turn of the screw jaynej Ask a Teacher 1 25-Oct-2004 10:11
logo in a glass takashi Ask a Teacher 5 24-Oct-2004 04:43
turn Taka Ask a Teacher 54 31-Aug-2004 07:35
Idiom: Turn over a new leaf, and the "the" article bmo English Idioms and Sayings 2 20-Dec-2003 20:57


New To Site? Need Help?

All times are GMT. The time now is 06:55.


vBulletin, Copyright ©2000 - 2008, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.2.0 RC5
Copyright © 2002 - 2008 UsingEnglish.com