Actually ... both could be considered correct interpretations or uses of the phrase, although I did a quick check on the Internet and couldn't find any references to your usage. Most references were to the sense of someone coming back to life after having died, a more literal use of the words. Usage could be colloquial or familial, being more familiar in certain parts of the country than others.
12:23 PM
Meaning: sleepy or way "out of it" Rewrite 1: “out”a7 like the dead Rewrite 2: still cold10 from the grave Rewrite 3: walking like he’s wandering from the cryptn1 Rewrite 4: missed the right turn to heaven
Comment: Usually used to describe someone who is “dead tired” or who walks around in a zombie-like state.
More reading about clichés What I found when I googled “clichés”: • Words and Wordplay from Yahoo! UK & Ireland: “Phrases to say (to yourself or to others) in times of trouble.”
Note: By providing links to other websites I am only showing you what is out there about clichés – I am not endorsing any content or opinion expressed there.
Check out the searchable alphabetical list of all my cliché rewrites available in the archive list at the right.
posted by Booksville Bookclub at 3:20 PM on Apr 18, 2006
2 Comments
Close this window Jump to comment formActually, "back from the dead" means someone who returned after being away a long time.
11:34 PM
Actually ... both could be considered correct interpretations or uses of the phrase, although I did a quick check on the Internet and couldn't find any references to your usage. Most references were to the sense of someone coming back to life after having died, a more literal use of the words. Usage could be colloquial or familial, being more familiar in certain parts of the country than others.
12:23 PM