Slim Pickings 🦅🥢
Definition:
Slim Pickings: An expression indicating something of little value or a very small amount of something that can be gained. The term often conjures images of scavengers, such as vultures, who are left with scant remnants of prey.
Synonyms:
- Meager offerings
- Scraps
- Leftovers
- The dregs
Antonyms:
- Bounty
- Abundance
- Cornucopia
- Plentiful
Humor-Filled Quotes:
“Even a triple chocolate cake is slim pickings if it’s one slice shared among twenty people!” - Annon Y. Myss
Similar Terms and Expressions:
Proverbs:
- “You can’t squeeze blood from a stone.” — Means you can’t extract what isn’t there.
- “Beggars can’t be choosers.” — When options are limited, one must be content with what is available.
Common Phrases:
- “Bare bones”
- “Scraping the bottom of the barrel”
References in Literature:
- John Milton, Smectymnus (1642): “The Vulturs had then but small pickings.”
Suggested Literature:
- “The Grapes of Wrath” by John Steinbeck: Explores themes of scarcity and making do.
Recommended Songs:
- “Tales of Brave Ulysses” by Cream: “Tiny remnant ashes left; just wind and the you-linger brief.”
Inspirational Thought:
“Even thin slices spread joy when shared with people you love.” — E. C. Lexicon
Related Movie:
- “The Road” (2009): A post-apocalyptic film where survivors navigate a world marked by scarcity.
### What does 'Slim Pickings' mean?
- [ ] Abundance of choices
- [ ] Surplus and plenty
- [x] Not much left to choose from
- [ ] Overflow and bounty
> **Explanation:** 'Slim Pickings' refers to a small amount left or available, often not satisfying or adequate.
### True or False: 'Beggars can't be choosers' aligns with the idea of Slim Pickings.
- [x] True
- [ ] False
> **Explanation:** Correct! When you have limited options, like beggars with slim pickings, you must accept what is available.
### Which of these could be the opposite of Slim Pickings?
- [x] Cornucopia
- [ ] Scraps
- [ ] Leftovers
- [ ] Sparse
> **Explanation:** 'Cornucopia' means an abundance of something, unlike slim pickings which indicates scarcity.
### Pick the phrase most closely relating to Slim Pickings.
- [ ] Full to the brim
- [ ] Overabundance
- [x] Scraping the bottom of the barrel
- [ ] Overflow
> **Explanation:** 'Scraping the bottom of the barrel' relates to minimal leftovers, similar to 'Slim Pickings'.
### What imagery does 'Slim Pickings' stir?
- [x] Vultures with scant remnants
- [ ] A full banquet table
- [ ] A crowded shopping mall
- [ ] Overflowing harvest
> **Explanation:** The imagery of vultures or scavengers with minimal leftovers epitomizes 'Slim Pickings.'
Farewell to the readers of this whimsical journey through clichés and their rich tapestry of meanings. Linger longer, dig deeper, and remember—sometimes, it’s in the scraps that we find the most delightful morsels.
In linguistic adventure, E. C. Lexicon
