Wednesday, 2 May 2007

Phrase of the Day 75: 'pear-shaped'


"to go pear-shaped"


definition: to go wrong, to fall apart, to get out of control or to fail.

(pokazit se, rozbít se)

example: "All our plans went pear-shaped after our funds were cut by the finance department."

origin: from the Royal Air Force, where learning to fly apparently includes doing acrobatic loops. Flying a loop was difficult for experienced pilots and when performed by a beginner are more than likely to appear lopsided and "pear-shaped." You can imagine observers on the ground saying, "Good. Good. Oh no, he's gone all pear-shaped."

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