"Sackcloth And Ashes" Natural Recordings by Native Speakers
"Sackcloth and ashes" is a phrase that represents humility, sorrow, and repentance. It comes from an ancient practice where people would wear rough, coarse sackcloth and cover themselves with ashes as a sign of mourning or to demonstrate deep regret for their actions or sins. In modern usage, the term is often figurative, referring to a state of contrition or penitence.
1. After being caught in a scandal, the politician had to publicly repent and humble himself, wearing sackcloth and ashes as a symbol of remorse.
2. In the olden days, people would don sackcloth and ashes as a form of penance or to show extreme grief, such as when mourning the loss of a loved one.
3. The environmental activist wore sackcloth and ashes during her protest, drawing attention to the devastating effects of climate change and seeking collective repentance.
4. In religious texts, characters often wore sackcloth and ashes as a sign of humility and fasting, seeking divine forgiveness for their sins.
5. Following a crushing defeat, the team captain appeared before fans in sackcloth and ashes, acknowledging their mistakes and promising to work harder in the future.
"Rub shoulders with" means to mix or associate with important, influential, or famous people, often implying that one has the opportunity to interact with them personally. It can also suggest experiencing the same social or professional circles as these individuals.
The rule of law is a principle that governs a society, stating that everyone, including the government and its officials, must abide by and be subject to the laws of the land. It ensures equality before the law, due process, and the protection of individual rights. No one is above the law, and decisions are made based on established legal principles rather than arbitrary power or influence.
The phrase "rule of thumb" refers to a general principle or guideline that is based on practical experience rather than strict scientific measurement or exact calculation. It is a rough and approximate method for solving a problem or making a decision. The origin of the phrase comes from carpentry, where a thumb was used as an informal measuring tool, but now it is commonly used in various contexts.
"Rumor has it that" means there are unverified or unsubstantiated reports or whispers about something, suggesting that information is circulating but not necessarily confirmed or true. It's often used to introduce a piece of gossip or hearsay.
"Rumour has it that" is an expression used to introduce a statement or piece of information that is circulating as gossip or hearsay, but whose accuracy may not be confirmed. It suggests that the information comes from unofficial or unreliable sources and implies that there might be some truth to it, but it's not necessarily based on solid facts.
"Run out of" means to have used up or exhausted a supply of something, so there is none left. For example, "I've run out of coffee - I need to buy more."
"Ruse de guerre" is a French term that translates to "military deception" or "war trick" in English. It refers to a tactic or strategy used in warfare to deceive or mislead the enemy, often to gain an advantage or to achieve a specific objective. This can include false information, camouflage, decoys, or other methods to create confusion or misinformation.
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States, serving from 1877 to 1881. He was a lawyer, Civil War veteran, and a member of the Republican Party. His presidency was marked by efforts to reconstruct the country after the Civil War and resolve the contentious issue of Reconstruction in the South.