Results 1 to 7 of 7
Like Tree10Likes
  • 2 Post By freezeframe
  • 2 Post By JMurray
  • 1 Post By Tdol
  • 1 Post By freezeframe
  • 1 Post By freezeframe
  • 3 Post By JMurray

Thread: idioms meaning "very dull, very boring"

  1. #1
    Olenek's Avatar
    Olenek is offline Junior Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Interested in Language
      • Native Language:
      • Russian
      • Home Country:
      • Russian Federation
      • Current Location:
      • Russian Federation
    Join Date
    Apr 2011
    Posts
    68

    Default idioms meaning "very dull, very boring"

    Hi,

    In my dictionary I've found two idioms meaning "very dull, very boring":

    To be dry as dust,
    To be dull as ditch water/dish water.

    I'm not sure but I think that the 1st one is usually used as "To be dry as a bone" referred to something very dry (for example, bread).

    What do you think of both phrases?

    Which idiom do you use/ hear with the sense "dull, boring"?

    Many thanks for all your answers!

  2. #2
    freezeframe is offline Key Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Academic
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • Canada
      • Current Location:
      • Canada
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    2,113

    Default Re: idioms meaning "very dull, very boring"

    Quote Originally Posted by Olenek View Post
    Hi,

    In my dictionary I've found two idioms meaning "very dull, very boring":

    To be dry as dust,
    To be dull as ditch water/dish water.

    I'm not sure but I think that the 1st one is usually used as "To be dry as a bone" referred to something very dry (for example, bread).

    What do you think of both phrases?

    Which idiom do you use/ hear with the sense "dull, boring"?

    Many thanks for all your answers!
    Never use either of the ones you mentioned.

    If something is boring it's "like watching paint dry" or "like watching grass grow".
    Something boring is also lame (this is more of a slang and also means stupid) and mind-numbing.

    Another variation on "lame" is "lame ass" -- "Can we leave? This movie is so lame ass"
    Mr_Ben and Olenek like this.

  3. #3
    JMurray is offline Senior Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Interested in Language
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • New Zealand
      • Current Location:
      • Australia
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    1,178

    Default Re: idioms meaning "very dull, very boring"

    To be dry as dust,
    To be dull as ditch water/dish water.


    Olenek.
    To say that a lecture, for example, was "as dry as dust" doesn't necessarily mean that it was boring in its content, but that it was delivered in a very academic and perhaps humourless style. A book may have a "dry as dust" style and yet the content may still be very interesting.

    I've often heard "as dull as dishwater" for describing a boring person or book. I've never heard "ditch water". The familiar flat greyness of used dishwater seems more appropriate.

    As freezeframe suggests, "like watching paint dry/grass grow" are both widely used.

    Sometimes a film/book/event etc is described as "mind-numbingly boring" or a "snooze-fest", "snore-fest" or "yawn-fest".
    It might also be a "cure for insomnia", and a boring person might sarcastically be called "Mr Excitement".

    Things that happen when you're bored:
    Your eyes glaze over.
    Your mind wanders.
    Your brain goes numb.
    You say "please wake me when it's over"
    ... and you nod off.

    p.s. I forgot about being "bored stiff" and "bored rigid".
    Last edited by JMurray; 02-May-2011 at 07:22. Reason: p.s.
    freezeframe and Olenek like this.

  4. #4
    Tdol is offline Editor, UsingEnglish.com
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • English Teacher
      • Native Language:
      • British English
      • Home Country:
      • UK
      • Current Location:
      • Philippines
    Join Date
    Nov 2002
    Posts
    38,633

    Default Re: idioms meaning "very dull, very boring"

    Dull as ditchwater is used in the UK.
    Olenek likes this.

  5. #5
    freezeframe is offline Key Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Academic
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • Canada
      • Current Location:
      • Canada
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    2,113

    Default Re: idioms meaning "very dull, very boring"

    bored out of my mind
    bored to death
    Olenek likes this.

  6. #6
    freezeframe is offline Key Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Academic
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • Canada
      • Current Location:
      • Canada
    Join Date
    Mar 2011
    Posts
    2,113

    Default Re: idioms meaning "very dull, very boring"

    also something/someone can be "boring as hell" or they/it can "put you to sleep"
    Olenek likes this.

  7. #7
    JMurray is offline Senior Member
    • Member Info
      • Member Type:
      • Interested in Language
      • Native Language:
      • English
      • Home Country:
      • New Zealand
      • Current Location:
      • Australia
    Join Date
    Nov 2010
    Posts
    1,178

    Default Re: idioms meaning "very dull, very boring"

    "boring as batsh*t"
    "deathly/deadly dull"

    "bored to tears"
    "bored silly"
    .. or as Iggy Pop once sang:
    "I'm bored, I'm the chairman of the bored".
    Mr_Ben, Olenek and freezeframe like this.

Similar Threads

  1. [Idiom] idioms, meaning "to have a good chance of success"
    By Olenek in forum English Idioms and Sayings
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 20-Jul-2011, 03:30
  2. [Idiom] idioms meaning "to give a freedom to act or make decisions"
    By Olenek in forum English Idioms and Sayings
    Replies: 5
    Last Post: 02-May-2011, 21:52
  3. [Idiom] idioms meaning "to be in charge, to give the orders"
    By Olenek in forum English Idioms and Sayings
    Replies: 2
    Last Post: 27-Apr-2011, 12:30
  4. [Idiom] idioms meaning "to dismiss, to send away, to sever relationship"
    By Olenek in forum English Idioms and Sayings
    Replies: 7
    Last Post: 26-Apr-2011, 08:17
  5. [Idiom] Idioms meaning "to attempt to gain a friend, lover, etc."
    By Olenek in forum English Idioms and Sayings
    Replies: 12
    Last Post: 26-Apr-2011, 03:10

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Hotchalk

Search Engine Optimization by vBSEO 3.6.1