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Hyperbole
Definition of Idiom
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on a literal interpretation of the words in the phrase. For... read full definition
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on a literal interpretation of the... read full definition
An idiom is a phrase that conveys a figurative meaning that is difficult or impossible to understand based solely on... read full definition
Chapter 34
Explanation and Analysis—Through the Roof:
In Chapter 34, Jack visits Dr. Chakravarty for yet another checkup. Chakravarty tells Jack that his potassium levels are elevated but refuses to give him a straight answer on what that means for his health. Chakravarty uses an idiom to intentionally obfuscate what danger, if any, Jack is in:
"Do you know what this means?”
“No.”
“There isn’t time to explain. We have true elevation and false elevations. This is all you have to know.”
“Exactly how elevated is my potassium?”
“It has gone through the roof, evidently.”
“What might this be a sign of?”
“It could mean nothing, it could mean a very great deal indeed.”
“How great?”
“Now we are getting into semantics,” he said.
Related Themes:
