Grace of a fox definition

[Ali1002]

Hello there! What's the meaning of 'grace of a fox' in this sentence?

As smooth as I tried to be, I didn't ease into this girl's life with the discreet grace of a fox.
I barged into it with the subtlety of a fifteen-thousand-pound elephant.
I'm reading a novel by Colleen Hoover. (9-Nov)

 

[SoothingDave]

The person who wrote that thinks foxes are graceful in their movements. That's all. It's not an expression.

 

[Ali1002]

The person who wrote that thinks foxes are graceful in their movements. That's all. It's not an expression.

Thank you but, would you mind if you explain it in a simple way! I don't understand what he means of 'with the grace of a fox and with a subtlety of an elephant'.

 

[emsr2d2]

Do you understand the words "grace" and "subtlety"?

 

[Ali1002]

Do you understand the words "grace" and "subtlety"?

Yes, I think both are synonyms.

 

[Ali1002]

They are not synonyms. Have you looked them up in one or more of the dictionaries at www.onelook.com?

I've been looking up the word 'subtlety' since 2 hours ago in several dictionaries but yet, I couldn't find any suitable meaning of it that refers to an elephant.
Subtle means tender, soft, delicate and so forth.
I didn't find relation between an elephant and 'subtle'.
I saw this phrase "as subtle as an elephant" during I was looking up but, now I'm really confused.

 

[emsr2d2]

The point is that an elephant is not at all subtle!

 

[Ali1002]

The point is that an elephant is not at all subtle!

Ok then, Is it a metaphor?
Can we say that he bumped into her life as subtle as a big elephant?

 

[Ali1002]

I'm really sorry for taking your precious time with my questions.
To be honest, it's been preying on my mind for hours.
I didn't know what he means.
Would you please help me to know?

 

[Ali1002]

1. As smooth as I tried to be, I didn't ease into this girl's life with the discreet grace of a fox.
2. I barged into it with the subtlety of a fifteen-thousand-pound elephant.


1 - As the writer considers foxes to be graceful, they tried to enter this girl's life gracefully.
2 - As elephants can be considered very unsubtle, the barging into it was very unsubtle.

Nice explanation, I got it.
I really appreciate it!