Unfamiliar-sounding expressions

[Tomasz Klimkiewicz]

Hi, all,

Song lyrics typically abound in slang expressions, or simply their authors freely interpret the notion of 'poetic liberty'. Here are two examples containing expressions I am not familiar with and would be grateful for explanation of (I give full contexts):

1. '... the landlady's all squared away...' (squared away - :? ?)

2. '... what they're cracked up to be...' (cracked up :?: )

If those are some kind of swear words, I do apologise. It is not my intention to use foul language on any occasion, and especially in this forum.

Regards, T.K.

 

[Francois]

All it's cracked up to be = all that is said about it, all the buzz.

FRC

 

[Tomasz Klimkiewicz]

Thanks, Francois. I'm online, and watching for replies. Strangely, actually I hoped you might come up with an explanation. You seem to know quite a bit of the unusual stuff, judging from the many posts of yours I've read.

All the best - T.K.

 

[Francois]

I would say it refers to all the noise made by people talking about it, the hype, the frantic salesmen etc. ;-)

FRC

 

[Casiopea]

1. '... the landlady's all squared away...'

2. '... what they're cracked up to be...'

1. we paid the rent; the rent is paid up in full
2. not what we expected of them; less than what we expected

All the best,

 

[Tomasz Klimkiewicz]

Casiopea - thanks a lot, particularly for the first one; it's something I probably would never be able to figure out left on my own.
By the way, the explanation you gave is perfectly appropriate in the context of the whole verse.

Till the next time - Tomasz.

 

[Casiopea]

Casiopea - thanks a lot, particularly for the first one; it's something I probably would never be able to figure out left on my own.
By the way, the explanation you gave is perfectly appropriate in the context of the whole verse.

Till the next time - Tomasz.

Thank you.
You're welcome.