🌎 Down to Earth: Grounded Expressions for Realists 🌱
Definition: Down to Earth - Practical, realistic, and forthright; it is entirely devoid of fluff and fantasy, keeping its feet firmly planted in reality. The adjectival use of this term dates from the first half of the twentieth century.
Synonyms:
- Realistic
- Practical
- Sensible
- Pragmatic
- Hardheaded
Antonyms:
- Dreamy
- Unrealistic
- Impractical
- Head-in-the-clouds
- Idealistic
Related Terms & Expressions:
- Feet on the ground: Staying practical and realistic.
- Tell it like it is: Speaking frankly and truthfully without exaggeration or euphemism.
- Get real: An imperative urging someone to be realistic.
Humor-Filled Quotes:
- “The only way to live is by accepting each minute as an unrepeatable miracle. Which is exactly what everybody else does too—only they call it freaking out.” - Storm Jameson (How’s that for pragmatism?)
Proverbs:
- “He who asks questions, cannot avoid the answers.” – Ghanaian Proverb; just pure down-to-earth wisdom for you.
Literature, Books, Songs, Poetry, and Movies:
- Book: “Factfulness: Ten Reasons We’re Wrong About the World—and Why Things Are Better Than You Think” by Hans Rosling
- Song: “Practical Magic” by Stevie Nicks
- Movie: “The Pursuit of Happyness” - A true story of resilience and practical perseverance.
- Poetry: “If—" by Rudyard Kipling, a poem full of practical and sage advice.
Reference:
- The OED quotes a book review that appeared in the Canadian Forum in 1932: “This book is full of such ‘down to earth’ observations.”
### Which of these idioms is down to earth?
- [x] Keep your feet on the ground
- [ ] Dreams are the currency of life
- [ ] Float like a feather on the breeze
- [ ] Chase rainbows
> **Explanation:** "Keep your feet on the ground" is about maintaining a practical outlook, perfect for the realistic nature of down-to-earth expressions.
### Which phrase describes being forthright and realistic?
- [x] Tell it like it is
- [ ] Spin tall tales
- [ ] Cook up a storm
- [ ] Live in a fantasy
> **Explanation:** "Tell it like it is" means speaking the plain and simple truth without embellishment, a hallmark of being down to earth.
### True or False: 'Dream big' is a down-to-earth phrase
- [ ] True
- [x] False
> **Explanation:** "Dream big" encourages imaginative and idealistic thinking, the opposite of the grounded, practical advice typical of down-to-earth phrases.
May your journey through the myriad of clichés and idioms keep you grounded, practical, and ever realistic. And remember, sometimes staying down to earth provides the best views of the sky.
Farewell, and happy learning!
