What does to draw the longbow mean?
draw the longbow, to exaggerate in telling stories; overstate something: He’s sure to draw the longbow on the size of his catch of fish.
What does a longbow look like?
A longbow is not significantly recurved. Its limbs are relatively narrow and are circular or D-shaped in cross section. Some archery clubs in the US classify longbows simply as bows with strings that do not come in contact with their limbs.
What is the meaning of the idiom make a clean breast?
Definition of make a clean breast of : to speak openly and honestly about (something that previously has been lied about or kept secret) I decided to make a clean breast of it/things and admit that I was to blame.
What is the meaning of the idiom smell a rat?
smell a rat. Suspect something is wrong, especially a betrayal of some kind. For example, When I didn’t hear any more from my prospective employer, I began to smell a rat. This expression alludes to a cat sniffing out a rat. [
Who invented the longbow?
The longbow was invented by the Celts in Wales around 1180 C.E. but was not really used by the English military until the 1300s. The longbow is an incredibly strong piece of wood roughly 6 feet tall and 5/8 inch wide. The wood would be preferably yew, which was hardened and cured for 4 years for best results.
Who invented the bow and arrow?
Although archery probably dates back to the Stone Age – around 20,000BC – the earliest people known to have regularly used bows and arrows were the Ancient Egyptians, who adopted archery around 3,000BC for hunting and warfare. In China, the earliest evidence of archery dates to the Shang Dynasty – 1766-1027BC.
What does picking holes mean?
disapproving. to find mistakes in something someone has done or said, to show that it is not good or not correct.
What does play the second fiddle mean?
Definition of second fiddle : one that plays a supporting or subservient role.
What is the meaning of straight from the horse’s mouth?
From a reliable source, on the best authority. For example, I have it from the horse’s mouth that he plans to retire next month. Also put as straight from the horse’s mouth, this expression alludes to examining a horse’s teeth to determine its age and hence its worth. [ 1920s]
When was the bow created?
The earliest remains of bow and arrow usage can be found in Europe, though there are possible fragments that were found in Germany dated 17,500 to 18,000 years old. However, archaeologists believe hunters have been using bows and arrows as early as 50,000 years ago.
Is the longbow Welsh or English?
So, Was The Longbow Really Welsh? In a word: no. The Welsh archers at Crecy, Poitiers and Agincourt were paid mercenaries, shooting English longbows; no longbows were ever commissioned from Wales. The scaled up 6′ longbow was developed in England, between 1300 and 1320, in a large-scale English Army context.
What does it mean to draw the longbow?
draw the longbow make exaggerated claims or statements. dated The longbow was the national weapon of England from the 14th century until the introduction of firearms, and prowess in its use was highly prized. The phrase has been used in this metaphorical sense since the mid 17th century.
What is the origin of the long bow?
Appearing first in print in 1668 (“There came to us several Tradesmen; the first of them a Poor Rogue that made profession of drawing the long Bow”), to “draw the long bow” is the equivalent of telling the traditional “fish story” about the huge catch that got away.
Why is the longbow called plucking the yew?
This famous weapon was made of the native English Yew tree, and the act of drawing the longbow was known as “plucking the yew” (or “pluck yew”). Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and began mocking the French by waved their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, “See, we can still pluck yew! “PLUCK YEW!”
What is the origin of the term ‘bending the bow’?
Hence probably arose the phrase “bending the bow,” and the French of “drawing” one. — W. Gilpin. The preferred material to make the longbow was yew, although ash, elm and other woods were also used.