PhrasesHub

Quarter - Give no

    Definitions

      • refuse to give any help or mercy
        To indicate a complete lack of sympathy or assistance towards someone in need

      • show no mercy
        To demonstrate a lack of leniency or compassion, especially in a competitive or confrontational situation

    Examples of Quarter - Give no

    • He quartered for dinner last night, but apparently he doesn't quarter for manners as he didn't offer to pass the salt.

      The idiom "quarter" refers to a guest being invited to eat a meal. In this example, the guest (he) was invited to eat dinner (last night), but despite this, he didn't show any hospitality or offer to share the salt. The expression "give no" is used in the explanation to highlight that the guest didn't provide any assistance in passing the salt, despite the hosts likely expecting him to do so.

    • I feel like I'm quartering for love these days. I keep inviting it into my life, but it never seems to stick around.

      The use of "quartering" in this example is a metaphorical interpretation of the idiom, specifically used in relation to love. By "quartering for love," the person is inviting love into their life by actively seeking it out, but just like a guest that offers no hospitality, love is not staying around. The expression "give no" is not explicitly used in this example, but the meaning is implied through the person's struggle to keep love in their life.

    • I've been quartering for answers, but the client is being pretty tight-lipped about the issue.

      In this example, the client (the subject being discussed) is being uncooperative and unwilling to provide any information, which is making it difficult for the speaker to get the answers they need. The expression "quartering for answers" suggests that the speaker is actively seeking out the information, much like hosting a guest, but the person they need to provide the answers is being unhelpful. The idiom "give no" could be used to represent the client's lack of cooperation.

    • The coach quartered for his team's victory, but unfortunately it wasn't meant to be.

      This example uses the idiom in a context related to sports. The coach invited success onto the field by actively leading and guiding the team, but ultimately they were not able to secure a victory. The use of "quartering for" highlights the coach's hard work and efforts towards achieving victory, but the expression "give no" is not necessary as the meaning is clear through the outcome of the game.

    • She doesn't give a quarter for your excuses.

      This idiom means that she is completely uninterested or unimpressed with your excuses. "Quarter" is used here in a figurative sense, as a way to emphasize the person's lack of concern. In other words, she's not willing to give anything, not even a quarter, in response to your excuses.

    • The investigation didn't turn up a quarter of the evidence they thought they had.

      This idiom means that the investigation did not produce even a small amount of the evidence that was expected. "Quarter" is used here to indicate a lesser amount, emphasizing how disappointing the investigation's outcome was.

    • The jury showed no quarter for the defendant's actions.

      This idiom means that the jury did not show any mercy or compassion towards the defendant, and found them guilty. The use of "no quarter" here implies that the defendant received no leniency, and was held fully responsible for their actions.

    • The teachers didn't give a quarter for their students' mistakes.

      This idiom means that the teachers did not offer any leniency or forgiveness for their students' errors. "Quarter" is used here to indicate a lesser amount, emphasizing how strict the teachers were in their grading or evaluation. The students were not given any leeway or allowance for their mistakes.


    Conclusion

    The idiom "Quarter - Give no" is used to convey a strong sense of refusal to provide any form of help or mercy. It can be used to indicate a complete lack of sympathy or assistance towards someone in need, or to demonstrate a lack of leniency or compassion, especially in a competitive or confrontational situation.

    Origin of "Quarter - Give no"

    The origin of the idiom "Quarter - Give no" can be traced back to the medieval era, when the concept of providing quarter or mercy on the battlefield was a significant aspect of chivalry and honor. In the context of warfare, giving quarter meant showing mercy by sparing the lives of defeated enemies. Therefore, the phrase "give no quarter" was used to indicate a refusal to show any mercy or leniency towards adversaries.

    Over time, the idiom has evolved to be used in various contexts beyond the battlefield, symbolizing a complete lack of compassion or assistance in different situations. It has become a powerful expression to convey a resolute stance of refusing to provide any form of help or mercy.