Does "dealing them one loss after another" mean ...

Forums: Grammar, Esl, English
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Does "dealing them one loss after another" mean "winning victories one after another over them"?

Context:

Boehner Is Hit From the Right on Overhaul for Immigration
By JONATHAN WEISMAN and ASHLEY PARKER Since October’s government shutdown, Speaker John A. Boehner of the House has been in open warfare with outside conservative groups, dealing them one loss after another, but on immigration they flexed their collective muscles.

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Type: Question • Score: 4 • Views: 466 • Replies: 16

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View best answer, chosen by oristarA

@oristarA,

yes.

"Dealing" is an analogy with a card game. The dealer gives out the playing cards to the other players.

1 Reply

@McTag,

Thanks.
Does "outside conservative groups" mean "outside (the House) conservative groups"?

1 Reply

@oristarA,

Yes.
Conservative groups outwith the House (outside the government).

1 Reply

@McTag,

McTag wrote:

Yes.
Conservative groups outwith the House (of Representatives?).

I wonder whether Americans could understand the meaning of outwith, which is Scotland-esque and I find it out from my dictionary (I know Americans are too lazy to check out dicts).

2 Replies

@oristarA,

oristarA wrote:

I wonder whether Americans could understand the meaning of outwith, which is Scotland-esque and I find it out from my dictionary (I know Americans are too lazy to check out dicts).

Much as I would like to agree with you, I have to state that there are many lazy British English speakers too.

3 Replies

@contrex,

contrex wrote:

oristarA wrote:
I wonder whether Americans could understand the meaning of outwith, which is Scotland-esque and I find it out from my dictionary (I know Americans are too lazy to check out dicts).

Much as I would like to agree with you, I have to state that there are many lazy British English speakers too.

The Chinese that are lazy speakers of their own languages number in the hundreds of millions.

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@oristarA,

Within and without; outwith...maybe it IS a bit old-fashioned.

But hard to understand? Surely not.

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@contrex,

Contrex: I have to state that there are many lazy British English speakers too.

Pure Contrex piffle. (matched by InfraBlue)

Even if it was true, Contrex, would that be worse than you, an incredibly lazy English "teacher" who can't be bothered to learn how language works but nevertheless feels justified in stealing money from his students in exchange for old wives tales?

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@contrex,

What does a lazy British (or any other nationality) speaker mean?

1 Reply

@JTT,

JTT wrote:

What does a lazy British (or any other nationality) speaker mean?

If you haven't understood what a lazy British speaker means, how could you have commented on such a thing, JTT?

1 Reply

@oristarA,

One day you too will understand sarcasm, Ori.

Watch how Contrex will avoid, studiously, addressing his lame contention.

1 Reply

@JTT,

JTT wrote:

One day you too will understand sarcasm, Ori.

Watch how Contrex will avoid, studiously, addressing his lame contention.

Dear JTT, no one's lame here.
Waging war is not suitable here.

1 Reply

@oristarA,

Contrex's notion was fatuous, Ori. If it had any veracity he would explain and defend it. He is totally incapable of either. He is exceedingly good at making stupid comments about language.

1 Reply

@JTT,

JTT wrote:

Contrex's notion was fatuous, Ori. If it had any veracity he would explain and defend it. He is totally incapable of either. He is exceedingly good at making stupid comments about language.

Your point is tilted, JTT.
Being statistically correct is vital. No one's absolutely accurate in anything, including language.
Contrex has done very well. He has given me true knowledge about English. Do I have to expect Harvard professor-level linguistic skills from anyone here? A2K is free of charge. You cannot expect that.

1 Reply

@oristarA,

He described an idiotic notion that you seem intent on defending because you seem to hold to the same idiotic notion. Contrex has spread more than his share of just plain dumb. He's just bright enough to know that. That's why he makes himself scarce after doing so.

1 Reply

@JTT,

JTT wrote:

He described an idiotic notion that you seem intent on defending because you seem to hold to the same idiotic notion. Contrex has spread more than his share of just plain dumb. He's just bright enough to know that. That's why he makes himself scarce after doing so.

To made your judgement not too lame, you have to prove your little theory with substantial data, JTT.

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