Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs!

Shady Abuyusuf

Sat, 05 Oct 2024

512

Shady: Good morning, everyone! Today, we'll be discussing some idiomatic expressions related to teaching. Let's start with "you can't teach an old dog new tricks." Does anyone know what this means?

Student 1: Is it about dogs?

Shady: Not quite. It's a metaphor. It means that it's difficult to make someone change their habits or learn new things, especially if they are old or set in their ways. For example, if someone has been doing something a certain way for many years, it might be hard for them to change.

Student 2: Oh, like my grandfather and his old phone! He refuses to use a smartphone.

Shady: Exactly! Now, how about "don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs"? Any guesses?

Student 3: I have no idea. What does it have to do with eggs?

Shady: This one is interesting. It means don't try to teach someone something they already know, especially if they are more experienced than you. Imagine trying to show your grandmother how to do something she’s done her whole life. It’s a way of saying, “Don’t insult someone’s intelligence or experience.”

Student 4: Got it. So, it’s like when I tried to explain cooking to my mom, and she gave me that look.

Shady: Exactly! Now, "teach somebody a lesson" – this one is more straightforward. Any thoughts?

Student 5: Does it mean to give someone a punishment?

Shady: Yes, in a way. It means to show someone, through their own experience, that their behavior was wrong or inappropriate. For instance, if someone does something bad and then faces consequences, they might learn not to do it again.

Student 6: Like when my brother borrowed my bike without asking and then it got a flat tire. He learned to ask next time.

Shady: Perfect example. Now, let's look at "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach." What do you think this implies?

Student 7: It sounds like it’s saying teaching is for people who can’t do something else.

Shady: Right. It’s a somewhat cynical expression suggesting that people who are not capable of doing something successfully might end up teaching it instead. However, this is not necessarily true and can be seen as quite insulting to teachers.

Student 8: That’s a bit harsh. Teaching is a skill in itself.

Shady: Absolutely, I agree. Finally, we have "teach (one) the ropes." What does this mean?

Student 9: Is it about ropes?

Shady: Not really. It means to show someone how to do a job or activity. It's like giving someone basic training or familiarizing them with the necessary procedures.

Student 10: Like when I started my new job, and my colleague showed me how everything works.

Shady: Exactly! You've got it. So, to recap:

• "You can't teach an old dog new tricks" means it's hard to change someone's habits.
• "Don't teach your grandmother to suck eggs" means don't try to teach someone something they already know well.
• "Teach somebody a lesson" means to show someone the consequences of their actions.
• "Those who can, do; those who can't, teach" is a critical view suggesting people teach because they can't do something else.
• "Teach (one) the ropes" means to show someone how to do a job or activity.

Any questions?

Students: No, thank you, Shady!

Shady: Great! Let’s move on to some practice exercises.