held true to

Status
Not open for further replies.

keannu

VIP Member
Joined
Dec 27, 2010
Member Type
Student or Learner
Native Language
Korean
Home Country
South Korea
Current Location
South Korea
Does "held true to the inner voice" mean "following my inner voice"? And what's "shotgun blast"? It's a metaphor, but does it mean like "shotgun explosion" or "shotgun's loud noise"?

ex)I was wiping off my car, waiting for my wife in front of her office, when I spotted a man approaching me. At first glance, he looked like a bum. I hoped he would not ask me for any money. He didn't. But after a few minutes he said, "That's a very pretty car."
I said "Thanks," and continued wiping off my car. He sat there quietly as I worked. The expected begging never came. As the silence between us widened, something inside me said, "Ask him if he needs any help." I was sure that he would say, "Yes" but I held true to the inner voice. "Do you need any help?" I asked.
He answered in three simple but profound words. "Don't we all?" I was feeling high and important, more than a beggar, until those three words hit me like a shotgun blast. Maybe not for meals or shelters, but still I needed help.
 
held true to the inner voice - yes, follow the inner voice, do what it tells you.

shotgun blast - I would say it can mean both shotgun explosion and loud voice that shotgun makes when it is used; they are somehow connected with each other.
 
Like you were shot with the shotgun. A shotgun blasts a very big hole into a target.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.

Ask a Teacher

If you have a question about the English language and would like to ask one of our many English teachers and language experts, please click the button below to let us know:

(Requires Registration)
Back
Top