"Daphne Du Maurier" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
Daphne du Maurier was a British author and playwright known for her novels, including "Rebecca," "Jamaica Inn," and "My Cousin Rachel." Her works often have elements of mystery, suspense, and gothic fiction, and have been adapted into numerous films and television productions.
1. Daphne du Maurier's novels have captivated readers for decades, with her famous work "Rebecca" still considered a classic in the genre of gothic literature.
2. In the film adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's "Jamaica Inn," Alfred Hitchcock masterfully brought to life the haunting atmosphere characteristic of the author's stories.
3. Many critics argue that Daphne du Maurier's portrayal of complex female characters, such as in "My Cousin Rachel," was ahead of its time and continues to inspire contemporary writers.
4. The Cornish coast, where Daphne du Maurier lived, served as inspiration for many of her tales, evoking a sense of mystery and romance in her works.
5. Modern authors often cite Daphne du Maurier as an influence, with her ability to blend genres and create emotionally charged narratives resonating with a wide audience.
"Cut it off" is an idiomatic expression that means to stop or terminate something abruptly, typically a conversation, an action, or a relationship. It can also refer to physically cutting or removing an object. In a figurative sense, it implies ending something that is deemed unnecessary, harmful, or not productive.
"Cut it out" is an informal expression that means to stop doing something, typically when what you're doing is annoying, irritating, or not wanted. It can also be used to tell someone to cease a particular behavior or action.
"Cut that out" is an idiomatic expression in English, typically used to ask someone to stop doing something annoying or inappropriate. It's a way of telling someone to cease a particular behavior or action.
"Cut to the chase" means to get straight to the point or to skip the unnecessary details and go directly to the important part.
Cyrano de Bergerac is a character from a 17th-century French play written by Edmond Rostand. The play tells the story of a charismatic, brave, and witty Gascon knight named Cyrano, who has an enormous nose and is deeply in love with his cousin, Roxane. However, due to his self-consciousness about his appearance, he does not confess his love. Instead, he helps a handsome but inarticulate fellow soldier, Christian, to woo Roxane by writing love letters for him. The play explores themes of love, courage, and self-image, and the name "Cyrano de Bergerac" has become synonymous with a person who is eloquent and brave but also insecure.
A "dab hand at" means to be skilled or proficient in doing something. It implies that someone has a good deal of experience and is adept at a particular task or activity. For example, "She's a dab hand at playing the piano" means she is very skilled or accomplished in playing the piano.
"Daddy long legs" is a colloquial term for two different types of arachnids, depending on the context:<br><br>1. <strong>Spider</strong>: In some regions, it refers to a type of spider called a "harvestman" (scientific name: Phalangida). These spiders have very long, thin legs and a small, oval body. They are not venomous and generally harmless to humans.<br><br>2. <strong>Crane Fly</strong>: In other contexts, particularly in North America, "daddy long legs" can refer to the crane fly (family Tipulidae), which is a type of insect with a slender body and extremely long legs. They are often mistaken for large mosquitoes, but they do not bite and are mostly harmless.
"Dao De Jing" (also spelled "Tao Te Ching") is a classic Chinese text written by Lao Tzu, a central figure in Taoist philosophy. The phrase refers to the core teachings and principles of Taoism, which emphasize living in harmony with the natural flow of the universe, cultivating inner virtue, and practicing non-action or wu Wei. The text consists of 81 short chapters that offer wisdom on governance, personal conduct, and the nature of existence.
"Dar el Beida" is a phrase in Arabic that translates to "White House" in English. It is often used to refer to the presidential residence or a significant white building, similar to the White House in Washington D.C., USA.
"Dar es Salaam" is a city name in Tanzania, which means " Haven of Peace" in Arabic. It was originally a small fishing village and later became the commercial capital and largest city of the country.
The phrase "date of birth" refers to the specific day, month, and year when a person was born. It is commonly used for record-keeping, identification, and determining age.
"Davy Jones' Locker" is an idiomatic expression that refers to the bottom of the ocean, particularly where ships and their crews are said to sink. It is often used to signify a watery grave or the place where lost or drowned sailors end up. The term comes from maritime folklore, with Davy Jones being a mythical figure who was believed to punish sailors for their misdeeds.
"Day after day" refers to a continuous sequence of days, implying something happening repeatedly or consistently over an extended period of time. It can also convey a sense of monotony or routine.
"Day in, day out" means every day without fail or continuously over an extended period of time. It refers to something that happens regularly and consistently, without any breaks or interruptions.
"De bonis asportatis" is a Latin term that refers to assets or goods that have been removed or taken away from someone. In legal contexts, it often pertains to the distribution of property or assets that were taken or seized from an individual, typically after their death. This phrase is associated with inheritance laws and can be related to discussions about how such assets should be handled or divided among heirs.
"De gustibus non est disputandum" is a Latin phrase that means "there is no accounting for taste." It suggests that people's preferences and tastes are subjective, and it's pointless to argue about them because they differ from one individual to another.