Context
#1 – Roommates watching TV at home
Vanessa:
This new TV show was supposed to be so good, but it’s really boring
and confusing. I have no idea what’s going on.
This new TV show was supposed to be so good, but it’s really boring
and confusing. I have no idea what’s going on.
Brad:
Yes, this show is definitely for
the birds.
Why don’t we change the channel?
Yes, this show is definitely for
the birds.
Why don’t we change the channel?
Vanessa:
I agree. Even reruns of old shows are better than this!
I agree. Even reruns of old shows are better than this!
Context
#2 – Two friends at a party
#2 – Two friends at a party
Sami: Hey,
Petra! How are you?
Petra! How are you?
Petra: OK,
I guess. I hardly know anyone here.
I guess. I hardly know anyone here.
Sami: Yeah,
me too. I thought Brian invited a bunch of our friends?
me too. I thought Brian invited a bunch of our friends?
Petra:
I don’t see anyone. Plus, these snacks suck. A few carrot sticks and
sparkling water? Seriously? This isn’t supposed to be a health club,
it’s a party!
I don’t see anyone. Plus, these snacks suck. A few carrot sticks and
sparkling water? Seriously? This isn’t supposed to be a health club,
it’s a party!
Sami:
I know. And this live band is terrible. They are just making noise,
not music.
I know. And this live band is terrible. They are just making noise,
not music.
Petra: You
know what? This party is for
the birds.
Let’s get out of here and go some place fun!
know what? This party is for
the birds.
Let’s get out of here and go some place fun!
Sami:
Great idea! Let’s go.
Click to listen to the idiom now
Great idea! Let’s go.
Click to listen to the idiom now
Meaning: “For
the birds”
means that something is worthless or undesirable. In Context 1, the
new TV show is terrible and not even worth watching, so they decide
to change the channel. In Context 2, the party doesn’t have good
food, music, or people they know, so it is no good. Petra and Sami
finally decide to leave.
the birds”
means that something is worthless or undesirable. In Context 1, the
new TV show is terrible and not even worth watching, so they decide
to change the channel. In Context 2, the party doesn’t have good
food, music, or people they know, so it is no good. Petra and Sami
finally decide to leave.
Check out the following video that is literally “For the Birds!”
https://languagesystems.edu/
