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Old 18-Jun-2004, 02:19
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Default Give us a break!

Hi,

I am writing to make sure I understand the following sentences.

1. First the bad news: The new lineup of summer movies is probably the worst we've had in years, starting with the return of the dragon slayers. Give us a break! This is one of the silliest and most violent films of the year. What does this mean when we say "Give us a break!" here?

2. I made net friends through / over internet. What difference will it make to use through or over in this sentence?

3. I recently read a sentence from Our Daily Bread. It says " The pursuit of knowledge is praiseworthy, yet learning can quickly lead to pride and a refusal to acknowledge any limits on our mental abilities." Can someone explains the second part of this sentence for me. I am not sure I understand the limits on our mental abilities.

Thanks:)
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Old 10-Jul-2004, 08:18
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1- It means that the writer is sick of such movies.
2- I'd use 'over' if the are internet only friends and 'through' is you have become friends outside the net.
3- It makes one arrogant and believe that unable to see one's shortcomings.
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Old 10-Jul-2004, 21:00
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Default Re: Give us a break!

Quote:
Originally Posted by I like English
Hi,

I am writing to make sure I understand the following sentences.

1. First the bad news: The new lineup of summer movies is probably the worst we've had in years, starting with the return of the dragon slayers. Give us a break! This is one of the silliest and most violent films of the year. What does this mean when we say "Give us a break!" here?

2. I made net friends through / over internet. What difference will it make to use through or over in this sentence?

3. I recently read a sentence from Our Daily Bread. It says " The pursuit of knowledge is praiseworthy, yet learning can quickly lead to pride and a refusal to acknowledge any limits on our mental abilities." Can someone explains the second part of this sentence for me. I am not sure I understand the limits on our mental abilities.

Thanks:)
Give us a break or give me a break can be used as general statements of dissatisfaction or annoyance. They mean "spare us/me from this and similar circumstances."
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