3.17. A) Study the following metaphors relating to climate, plants and trees.

First think of the best way to translate them into Russian, then think of

any other Russian idioms or proverbs of this kind. Explain their

meanings in English.

b) Make up your sentences with some of the metaphors.

1. Climate Metaphors

Climate metaphors are often used, particularly in written English. The word climate can refer to the general atmosphere or situation in society.

His dishonest policies towards the workers created a climate of distrust.

The government reforms have created a climate of change.

The words cultural, current, economic, financial, moral, political, social and prevailing all collocate strongly with climate in this social sense.

She has a very sunny disposition - she's hardly ever miserable.

Job prospects are sunny.

Unfortunately, our plans were met with a frosty reception.

'You lied to me, didn't you?' she said icily.

I'm snowed under with work - I'll never get through it all in time.

After the company accounts were examined, the manager left under a cloud of suspicion.

Don't let your love for him cloud your judgment.

The soldiers were hit with a hail of bullets.

The Prime Minister was greeted with a hail/ storm of abuse.

After the long flight I was in a haze for a day or two.

I've only a hazy idea what you mean.

The truth is hidden in the mists of history.

She looked at him misty-eyed - clearly in love.

The article sparked off a whirlwind of speculation.

They had a whirlwind romance.

The horses thundered down the race track.

Thunderous applause followed his speech. (Note that ‘thundery’ is used to describe stormy weather while ‘thunderous’ describes a loud noise.)

The winds of change/discontent/democracy are blowing across the country.

2. Trees and Plant Metaphors

Seed(s) is often used to talk about the start of an idea or feeling:

the seeds of success/ discontent/ revolution.

Root(s) is used to suggest the origins of something. You can talk about going back to your roots, for example, meaning going back to the place where your family came from.

You can also talk about the root of a problem or the roots of a tradition.

Putting down roots means settling down and making your home in one place.

When an idea becomes known or accepted, it can be said to take root.

Deeply and firmly collocate with rooted as in, for example: Its origins are firmly/ deeply rooted in the nineteenth century.

The grass roots of an organisation or society are the ordinary people in it, not the leaders.

Stem is used as a verb to signify that something originates in something else.

A branch is something that grows off or branches out from a main organisation. So we talk about branches of a shop or a business branching out into new directions.

Bud (=flower before it opens) is used in the expression nip in the bud (= stop something before it develops into something).

The adjective budding can also mean showing promise of future development.