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Joined: Dec 2000
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old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,055 |
This idiom is particularly topical for me, so I thought I might mention it. I assume 'fray' is somewhat equivalent with rat-race as I found 'scuffle' under fray. Seems to be one of those endangered species aleast in my generation. Is it comparable with "Back to the grind"? And I seem also to remember something like "Nose to the stone", but maybe that ain't from English. Apropos foreign - this is the first time I've written at Wordsmith with an English keyboard, and boy is it refreshing.
Anyway, I'd be happy to be enlightened on this idiomatic rarity and discover others to which it bears some similarity.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 144
member
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member
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 144 |
According to Collins: Fray = (1) a noisy quarrel (2) a fight or brawl [C14: short for affray]
Back in the fray implies having taken a breather and then gone back to the fight.
As to the others, 'nose to the grindstone' or 'back to the grindstone' are both in fairly common use.
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear belligerentyouth: I was beginning to think we had lost you. How were things in Thailand? All I know about the place is what I read in Trink's column in Bangkok Post online.
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Joined: Dec 2000
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old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,055 |
Thailand was great thanks Bill. We travelled to a relatively untouched island near Cambodia called 'Ko Chang' (Elephant Island) and logically we rode elephants :-)
> 'nose to the grindstone'
Cheers Rkay - that's what I was thinking of. You know others that are applicable?
BTW, Bill. You won't get rid of me that easy
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
Yo, by. Never were words better spoken. It's a fray, indeed. Good to see you again.
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Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 2,891 |
I've heard "getting back to the rat race" which is similar to getting back to the grindstone.
Welcome back belli. Do you have any nice photos you'd like to share with us - I'm sure the contrast would be striking vis-à-vis Bean's buried in snow photos.
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Joined: Mar 2001
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 4,189 |
Werlcome back, belligerentyouth! There's nothin' like "jumpin' back into the fray," another way it's often said. How's the pathway of the world treating you? 
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Joined: Aug 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,409 |
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Joined: Dec 2000
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old hand
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OP
old hand
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,055 |
> How's the pathway of the world treating you?
No complaints, in fact, things are swell!
> an excess of belligerence during your well-timed absence
All in good humour, I hope.
People need SOME outlet after all, ..this is a good fray at which to funnel it. I find sending knee-jerk e-mails to annoying journalists serves the purpose pretty well too. Sometimes I even get a reply.
Mental note: Reserve 'www.lodge-a-complaint.com'
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 96
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 96 |
when someone leaps confidently into a potentially difficult situation they are said to "bowl into the fray" it is my favourite useage.
the Duncster
the Duncster
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