英语词汇“white feather”的英英意思、用法、释义、翻译、读音、例句、短语、词组-英语词典

white feather

noun

A white-coloured feather used as a symbol or mark of perceived cowardice. During the First World War young men seen not wearing uniform were sometimes presented with such a feather, as part of a campaign to induce men to enlist for military service: on his first trip out in civilian clothes, he’d been handed two white feathers...

When young army officer Harry Feversham loses his nerve on the eve of being despatched to the Sudan, his three closest colleagues brand him a coward by sending him white feathers.
Those who did not want to join the military could be targeted by people as cowards - being handed white feathers and being refused service by shops and pubs etc.
His mates send him white feathers, the sign of cowardice, and his brain goes into shock.

Phrases

show the white feather

Origin

Late 18th century: with reference to a white feather in the tail of a game bird, seen as a mark of bad breeding.

单词	white feather
释义	white feather noun A white-coloured feather used as a symbol or mark of perceived cowardice. During the First World War young men seen not wearing uniform were sometimes presented with such a feather, as part of a campaign to induce men to enlist for military service: on his first trip out in civilian clothes, he’d been handed two white feathers... When young army officer Harry Feversham loses his nerve on the eve of being despatched to the Sudan, his three closest colleagues brand him a coward by sending him white feathers. Those who did not want to join the military could be targeted by people as cowards - being handed white feathers and being refused service by shops and pubs etc. His mates send him white feathers, the sign of cowardice, and his brain goes into shock. Phrases show the white feather Origin Late 18th century: with reference to a white feather in the tail of a game bird, seen as a mark of bad breeding.
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