PhrasesHub

Guts for garters

    Definitions

      • Threat or warning
        To express a threat or warning that if the person continues to behave in a certain way, they will face severe consequences

      • Mockery or ridicule
        To mock or ridicule someone, suggesting that they are not brave or tough enough to handle a situation

      • Extreme anger or frustration
        To express extreme anger or frustration towards someone, implying that their actions have caused great annoyance or inconvenience

    Examples of Guts for garters

    • She put in guts for garters at her new job, consistently taking on challenging tasks and going above and beyond her duties.

      This idiom is used to describe someone who shows considerable effort, determination, and hard work for little or no reward. The phrase "guts for garters" is believed to have originated from an old English tradition where garters, or belts, were given as symbols of honor to knights who showed bravery and valor in battle. Others suggest that the phrase comes from the idea that a butcher would often sacrifice one gland, the cow's gall bladder, in order to obtain two, the pigs' stomachs, for sale at the market. In these examples, "guts" refers to courage, tenacity, and persistence that is offered for relatively meager compensation or recognition, "garters" symbolizing the modest reward.

    • The team showed guts for garters when they fought till the very end, despite overwhelming odds stacked against them.

      This idiom is used to illustrate the scenario when individuals or teams exhibit tremendous courage and perseverance even when the situation seems hopeless or when the stakes are very high. It highlights the great amount of effort put in by the team when everything seemed to be against them, while "garters" stands for the minimal reward or recognition that they received for their heroic efforts.

    • The job interview went on for hours, but he stuck to his guns and showed guts for garters throughout the grueling process.

      This idiom is used to denote someone's unyielding resolve and unflinching commitment to their cause amidst difficulties and challenges. The word "guns" represents a person's unshakable faith in their beliefs or principles, while "guts for garters" signifies the magnanimous effort expended even when the return is uncertain or meager. Here, the phrase emphasizes an individual's resilience and resoluteness during the testing phase of a job interview, where they demonstrated their tenacity to withstand the tough and lengthy screening process.

    • In this cutthroat industry, only those with guts for garters survive and succeed.

      This idiom is used to illustrate the scenarios and industries that demand unparalleled effort, bravery, and commitment from individuals, where the path to success is exceedingly difficult, and success is rare. "Guts" here stands for the inner strength, courage, and resilience that keeps individuals going despite the odds against them, while "garters," on the other hand, signify the unfathomable challenges and obstacles that make success almost impossible. Here, the phrase exemplifies the steely resolve needed by people in the highly competitive industry, where "garters" symbolize the daunting struggles and hardships that are a prerequisite for success in such an industry.

    • The sales team showed guts for garters during the final quarter of the year, securing several high-value contracts despite intense competition.

      This example uses the idiom "guts for garters" to describe the courage and determination shown by the sales team in winning difficult contracts. The phrase "guts for garters" originated from an old poem describing the trading of gloves, with the "guts" representing the entrails of the gloves. Using this phrase metaphorically, it refers to something of little value or worth, in contrast to the high-value contracts secured by the sales team. The usage of "guts for garters" highlights the fact that the sales team demonstrated exceptional bravery and brazenness in competing against rivals and earning their rewards.

    • The business owner took guts for garters in shutting down the underperforming branch of the company, despite protests from employees and stakeholders.

      This example illustrates the idiom's usage in describing a bold and daring decision. In this case, the business owner demonstrated courage and conviction in making a tough call to close down a struggling branch of the business. The decision may have seemed drastic and extreme, but it was necessary to prevent further financial losses and preserve the overall health of the company. By using the "guts for garters" idiom, we can see the significance of the choice and its potential impact.

    • The speakers at the conference showed guts for garters in delivering provocative and challenging ideas, sparking a passionate debate among the audience.

      This example involves the use of the idiom to depict the courage and audacity shown by the conference speakers in presenting their ideas boldly and forcefully. Although some of the views may have been contentious and unconventional, the speakers stood their ground, demonstrating exceptional passion and conviction. The usage of "guts for garters" helps to emphasize the bravery and fortitude required to confront and challenge audiences with new perspectives.

    • The candidate took guts for garters in addressing the controversy head-on during the interview, admitting their mistakes and promising to learn from them.

      This example highlights the idiom's use to depict the intestinal fortitude required to acknowledge one's wrongdoings openly and honestly. The usage of "guts for garters" signifies the courage and conviction needed to face embarrassing situations with confidence and dignity. The candidate showed exceptional bravery in admitting their mistakes and vowing to learn from them; this illustrates that they were not afraid to confront the issue head-on and acknowledged it without any reservations. Using "guts for garters" in this context helps to illustrate the candidate's integrity and trustworthiness, demonstrating leadership qualities that are highly valued by potential employers.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "guts for garters" is a threatening or mocking phrase that is often used to discourage someone from continuing a certain behavior or to express anger and frustration towards them.

    In the first sense, the idiom is used to advise against engaging in a particular activity or task, cautioning that it will not result in any positive outcome or benefit. This can be seen as a form of discouragement, as the speaker is trying to prevent the person from making a mistake or facing negative consequences.

    In the second sense, the idiom is used to mock or ridicule someone, suggesting that they are not brave or tough enough to handle a situation. This is often used in a playful or sarcastic manner, but can also be used to belittle someone and make them feel inferior.

    Lastly, the idiom can also be used to express extreme anger or frustration towards someone. This is often used when the speaker is fed up with the person's actions and wants to convey their strong emotions towards them.

    Origin of "Guts for garters"

    The origin of the idiom "guts for garters" is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in Britain in the 19th century. The phrase may have evolved from the saying "to make shreds of someone," which means to criticize or mock someone severely.

    The use of "guts" in the phrase may refer to the inner workings or core of a person, as guts are considered to be the most vital and essential part of the body. Therefore, having one's guts made into garters would suggest that they are being completely destroyed and rendered useless.

    The phrase may also have a literal origin, as it was common for criminals to have their intestines removed and used as garters after being executed. This was seen as a form of punishment and humiliation, which could have influenced the use of the phrase as a threat or warning.