1. Cacian

    Cacian Banned

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    what does this expression actually mean?

    Discussion in 'Word Mechanics' started by Cacian, Dec 29, 2011.

    'for all the wrong reasons'' as oppose to ''for all the right reasons''


    I have heard this on the TV


    I don't like this for the wrong reasons
     
  2. digitig

    digitig Contributor Contributor

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    It means pretty much what it says. The speaker doesn't like whatever it is, but recognises that their reasons for disliking it are not really good ones.
     
  3. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    an excellent definition...

    here's an example or two:

    Tom doesn't like his wife's new dress... it's a pretty dress and looks good on her, but he doesn't like it because 1.it's red and his first wife wore too much red; 2.the neckline is somewhat low and he doesn't want other men admiring her cleavage; 3.she didn't ask him for permission to buy it... ergo, 'all the wrong reasons'!

    Sally doesn't like spinach... she knows it's good for her, doesn't mind the taste, but 1.she hates the color green; 2.she thinks only 'animals' should eat leaves; 3.her best friend doesn't like spinach... again, 'all the wrong reasons'!
     
  4. Cacian

    Cacian Banned

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    Yes I understand that.
    What I am not clear about is what does he/she mean by WRONG that I am not getting.
     
  5. Cacian

    Cacian Banned

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    So
    are these wrong reasons wrong for us of for the person saying it?
     
  6. art

    art Contributor Contributor

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    The expression, such as it is, is usually reserved for situations where a person is apparently acting admirably but has questionable motives for doing so.

    Tommy is volunteering at a soup kitchen for the homeless; he is doing so because he fancies another volunteer, Suzie.
    (And, is thus doing the right thing for the wrong reasons.)
     
  7. minstrel

    minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

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    Excellent example, art. Well done.
     
  8. Cacian

    Cacian Banned

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    This is great thank you.
    How about this next one

    I don't gladly suffer fools
     
  9. minstrel

    minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

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    In this case, "suffer" is being used to mean "tolerate".
     
  10. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    it means one is not happy having to deal with fools... or doesn't do so willingly...
     
  11. AmsterdamAssassin

    AmsterdamAssassin Active Member

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    And it's 'I don't suffer fools gladly'.
     
  12. mammamaia

    mammamaia nit-picker-in-chief Contributor

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    yup!
     
  13. Cacian

    Cacian Banned

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    does it not also mean
    I do not put up with fools?
     
  14. minstrel

    minstrel Leader of the Insquirrelgency Supporter Contributor

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    Not quite. It means you do not enjoy putting up with fools. You might put up with fools, but not willingly, not gladly.
     
  15. psychotick

    psychotick Contributor Contributor

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    Often it would be used as a warning to someone. If you say to someone, he does not suffer fools gladly, you would be warning them not to approach that person with stupid questions. (Of course a true fool still would!)

    Cheers, Greg.
     
  16. Cacian

    Cacian Banned

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    A warning as in to who?
     
  17. AmsterdamAssassin

    AmsterdamAssassin Active Member

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    As warning to the fool, Cacian. Like you tell a dumbass, 'don't ask X your stupid questions, because X doesn't suffer fools gladly'. X will most likely kick the fool's ass for wasting his precious time.
     

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