Which is the best explanation of the idiomatic expression "an axe to grind"?
2 answers:
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The given phrase means that a person with bad temper never gets better or change with age nor does a sharp tongue changed. Instead, a sharp tongue or someone who is constantly nagging only gets better with the constant nagging.
The given phrase is from Washington Irving's "Rip Van Winkle". The story revolves around Rip Van Winkle and how his 'sleep' in the woods resulted in a loss of years where everyone had seemed to be gone while he was asleep in the woods.
- The phrase was spoken by the narrator while describing Rip Van Winkle.
- The phrase <em>"a tart temper never mellows with age"</em> means that a person with a sour or even a bad temper never changes with age.
- This, in other words, means growing old has nothing to do with a person's change in attitude or temper.
- Likewise, the continuing phrase <em>"a sharp tongue is an only edged tool that grows keener by constant use"</em> also refers to a person's character or attitude.
- The phrase meant that someone who is good at nagging or complaining only gets better with constant use of the mouth/tongue.
- This means that a person who's constantly nagging will only find better words and actions to further the nagging.
The given phrase is a metaphor that the speaker made to highlight a person's behavior, attitude. This phrase can be seen or found in Irving's short story.
Learn more about Rip Van Winkle here:
