In some sentences, it is possible to replace a word with its opposite while keeping the meaning of the sentence the same, or almost the same. Here are some examples:
He slowed up./He slowed down.
The aircraft landed down in a valley./The aircraft landed up in a valley.
Our team was well beaten./Our team was badly beaten.
Our team was bested./Our team was worsted.
My boss spoke to me sharply./My boss spoke to me bluntly.
In the 1920s, jazz was hot./In the 1920s, jazz was cool.
He lost his temper./He lost his calmness.
The enemy is before us./The enemy is after us.
It's a paradise of an island./It's a hell of an island.
Can anyone think of other examples?
Substitution of opposites
- Slava
- Great Grand Panjandrum
- Posts: 8109
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:31 am
- Location: Finger Lakes, NY
I once read a detective story that started with the hero talking about how he collected verbs that could mean their opposite. I don't remember any of them, but I do recall the one I came up with to add to the list:
Dust - dusting furniture v. dusting crops.
I don't remember the title of the book, either. It wasn't very good. "D'Estang's City," or something like that.
Dust - dusting furniture v. dusting crops.
I don't remember the title of the book, either. It wasn't very good. "D'Estang's City," or something like that.
- Slava
- Great Grand Panjandrum
- Posts: 8109
- Joined: Thu Sep 28, 2006 9:31 am
- Location: Finger Lakes, NY
It's something I looked up a long time ago, but here's what dictionary.com has to say:Where on earth did you come across that! (ha)
1. open to discussion or debate; debatable; doubtful: a moot point.
2. of little or no practical value or meaning; purely academic.
3. Chiefly Law. not actual; theoretical; hypothetical.
–verb (used with object)
4. to present or introduce (any point, subject, project, etc.) for discussion.
5. to reduce or remove the practical significance of; make purely theoretical or academic.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 45 guests