Question
Updated on
13 Mar 2016
- Russian
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English (US)
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German
Question about English (US)
What does sharp as a tack mean?
What does sharp as a tack mean?
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- English (US)
This is a tack (also sometimes called a push pin). If something is "as sharp as a tack" then it is very sharp. This could also be used to describe a person. The word "sharp" would also mean "clever", so if someone said "they are sharp as a tack" then they mean that "they are as clever as a tack is sharp". It's not something I commonly hear to describe people, but if it was said then it would make sense.
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- English (US)
Melanie is correct. But, like she said, it's a rather old saying. I've only heard it a few times!
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- Russian
- English (US)
"Smarty pants" can be used, but it has more of a sarcastic/teasing tone to it. So I wouldn't use it to praise someone.
Sorry, I really can't think of any phrases! Usually, we just say that a person is very smart!
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- English (US)
People don't usually use similes (ex:cute as a puppy/cute like a puppy) in common conversation, so we would probably just say the person is clever/smart.
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- Russian
- Russian
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