介绍:
FOURTH ESTATE
The fourth estate is not as adversarial as it used to be.
I don't pay much attention to the fourth estate.
One could say that Studio+ is part of the fourth estate.
MEANING:
The news media; the press.
The Fourth Estate (or fourth estate) is a societal or political force or institution whose influence is not consistently or officially recognized.
"Fourth Estate" most commonly refers to the news media; especially print journalism or "the press".
ETYMOLOGY:
The term dates back to the mid 18th century.
It comes from an implicit reference to the earlier division of the three Estates of the Realm.
The estates of the realm were the broad social orders of the hierarchically conceived society, recognized in the Middle Ages and Early Modern period in Christian Europe.
They are often distinguished as the three estates: the clergy, the nobility, and commoners.
In a modern context, the fourth estate is thus the media.
SOAPBOX (GET ON YOUR SOAPBOX)
Thomas plans to get on his soapbox at the meeting next week.
James told Sarah to Get off her soapbox because he was tired of hearing about it.
David didn't like the company's new policy; so I found him a soapbox Where he could shout about it.
He's been on his soapbox all day about the new football coach.
MEANING:
(literally) A crate/box for packing soap.
(figuratively, idiomatic) A soapbox is a raised platform on which one stands to make an impromptu speech, often about a political subject.
>>>> If someone on their soapbox, they hold forth (talk a lot) about a subject they feel strongly about.
(another figurative, idiomatic, definition) It can also be.... just A talk about one's pet topic, especially when only tangentially relevant to an ongoing discussion.
ETYMOLOGY:
The term originates from the days when speakers would elevate themselves by standing on a wooden crate originally used for shipment of soap or other dry goods from a manufacturer to a retail store.
ECONOMICAL WITH THE TRUTH
After listening to the latest press conference by the his lawyer, I had to believe he was being economical with the truth.
When a basketball player is injured, the team are always economical with the truth with regards to how serious the injury is.
James was economical with the truth with his girlfriend after cheating on her.
MEANING:
If someone is economical with the truth, they leave out information in order to create a false picture of a situation, without actually lying.
Often used to refer to politicians.
ETYMOLOGY:
Economical: using no more of something than is necessary.
(economics is the study of the allocation of resources)
Truth: that which is not false; true.
