| 单词 | written in sand |
| 释义 | > as lemmaswritten in sand c. Used in various figurative phrases referring to writing on a changeable or shifting substance such as dust, sand, water, or air, to indicate the absence of an enduring record of something, or that a promise or undertaking has not been honoured or adhered to. Frequently in passive constructions, as in written in sand. See also to write in (also on) water at water n. Phrases 2m. ΘΚΠ the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > hiding, concealing from view > keeping from knowledge > keeping from publication > leave no record [verb (intransitive)] writea1535 writea1535 a1535 T. More Hist. Richard III in Wks. (1557) 57/2 For men vse if they haue an euil turne, to write it in marble: & whoso doth vs a good tourne, we write it in duste. 1590 T. Lodge Rosalynde: Euphues Golden Legacie f. 4 Sick mens wills that are parole, and haue neither hand nor seale, are like the lawes of a Citie written in dust. 1620 F. Beaumont & J. Fletcher Phylaster v. 57 All your better deedes shall be in water writ; but this in marble. 1795 J. Nott tr. Catullus Poems II. lxvii. 113 What..are woman's vows? Fit to be written but on air, Or on the stream! 1821 J. Keats in Poet. Wks. (1876) p. xxx Here lies one whose name was writ in water. a1849 J. C. Mangan Coll. Wks.: Poems (1997) III. 136 Oh! let not your vow Have been written in sand! 1935 R. A. Knox Barchester Pilgrimage Prol. 1 The promises of authors are written in sand; they must be allowed their afterthoughts. 2019 @AngelaTopping 28 Oct. in twitter.com (accessed 22 Feb. 2021) So does everyone now realise he doesn't mean a word he says? His promises are written on the water. < as lemmas |
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