Pearls Before Swine
This week, the Bartons are trying to decide what to give Jean's mother for her birthday. This is not very easy. Phrases / Idioms
Throwing pearls before swine. This means giving someone something they don't understand or appreciate.
Put on your thinking cap - this means start thinking.
I'm in a bit of a spot - I have a small problem.
You've got the wrong end of the stick means you have misunderstood.y
A jiffy is a short space of time.
Pearls before swine -Perlen vor die Säue werfen. Das bedeutet, jemandem etwas zu geben, das er nicht versteht oder zu schätzen weiß.
Put on your thinking cap - Setz deine Denkmütze auf – das bedeutet, fang an zu denken.
I'm in a spot - Ich stecke ein bisschen in der Klemme – ich habe ein kleines Problem.
You've got the wrong end of the stick -„Du hast das falsch verstanden“ bedeutet, dass du etwas falsch interpretiert hast.
Ein „Jiffy“ ist ein kurzer Zeitraum.
The Story
Jean - Can you help me, boys? I'm in a bit of a spot. I can't think of anything for Granny's birthday.
Ken - I understand. It's the same every year. Choosing a present for your mother was never easy.
Dave - Well, Mum and Dad, let's put on our thinking caps. Have you any ideas at all, Mum?
Jean - I thought about some jewelry. But, Mum's got more than she needs, and what she's got she never uses.
Ken - All women have more jewelry than they need. We must think of something really special.
Jean - What a good idea, Ken. How about a nice picture for Gran's living room wall?
Dave - A nice picture. What a good idea. I could paint a picture. I learned to paint at evening classes. Painting by numbers. The teacher said I was very talented.
Ken - I think you've got the wrong end of the stick, Dave. Your mum meant something different. Your mum meant something very special. Something like an old master
Jean - I was thinking of something like a Picasso.
Ken - Come down to earth, Jean. Giving your Mum a Picasso would be the same as throwing pearls before swine. And, anyway, who's going to pay for it?
Jean - I see what you mean, Ken. Dave, have you any ideas?
Dave - Maybe something for the kitchen. A new frying pan?
Ken - A silly idea, Dave. Gran hates cooking. She always goes down to the pub for lunch. A new frying pan is the last thing on earth she'd like.
Jean - But, that's it, boys! Let's take Gran out for dinner. Somewhere really nice, somewhere really special. Dave, you're a genius.
Ken - Your mum's right, Dave. Father like son. You're a chip off the old block, Dave.
Jean - So, all's well that ends well. Shall I make a cup of tea?
Dave and Ken - And, a slice of cherry cake, please!
Jean - It'll be ready in a jiffy.
