What is the meaning this idiom: "Zebras aren't black and white, they are white and black". Pls explain for me, thank you very much!
2006-11-17 00:50:08 · 10 answers · asked by feel_it_deeply_2006 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Languages
it means that they are white with black stripes...
or
it doesn't matter how things are done. only thing that matters is that they are done
2006-11-17 01:55:23 · answer #1 · answered by Depy greece!! 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I always thought zebras were white with black stripes, but as for the question i don't know. It might mean that they are mostly white with black and you are wrong to say they are mostly black with white but i'm not for sure. Idioms mean they mean more than one thing so it must be used in a different way. Good Luck!
2006-11-17 01:42:36 · answer #2 · answered by Lizzy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't think it literally means zebras but more of the perception of people. Just like some people say "tomato" and other "tomahto". It all depends on the individual. Many people may see a zebra and say that it is black and white while others may say they are white and black. Is there a difference? No. But we must understand that not everyone sees the world as we see it and because of that we must learn to accept other peoples' views on the world.
2006-11-17 02:33:02 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Probably because it is literally true. If you look closely at any zebra you'll see that the stripes end at the sides of the animal, the belly is always light coloured.
I have actually never heard this expression used, but I imagine it could mean that things are not as bleak as they look, or else that first impressions are not always right.
2006-11-17 01:12:03 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It means that people's perception of the things differ depending on whether they are optimistic or pessimistic.
2006-11-17 11:34:29 · answer #5 · answered by sagittarius 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
just doesn't mean anything to me, but if you have to find a meaning to it, I'd say that: things aren't what you think they are.
2006-11-17 04:01:27 · answer #6 · answered by fabee 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Give me a break ! Thats ridiculous!
2006-11-17 00:57:43 · answer #7 · answered by jess4jesus92 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well to me the colors are there you put them in the order you like
2006-11-17 00:57:25 · answer #8 · answered by slick o 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It means that you have to optimistic
2006-11-17 00:57:34 · answer #9 · answered by fgoal13 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i dunno sounds prejudice to me
2006-11-17 00:57:20 · answer #10 · answered by rudyspuddin 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋