We are going to learn about the word apple, today. Even though it exists only in a noun form, it is far from simple. There are many idiomatic expressions as well as proverbs containing the word ‘apple.’ Apple has deeper meanings in many cultures.
Noun:
1. Apple: a yellow, green or red fruit
Apples make wonderful snacks.
Apples keep you regular.
2. A tree that produces apple fruits
Apples don’t grow in hot countries; they only grow in temperate climates.
3. Slang: any object that resembles an apple in shape, such as a ball, for example baseball
Oh, throw that apple already. I am waiting.
4. Bowling: an ineffectively bowled ball
At a bowling game: ‘That was an apple. You didn’t get any down.’
5. Slang: a red capsule containing a barbiturate, a drug used as a sedative-hypnotic.
Compound words containing ‘apple’
Adam’s apple: the part of the throat that is a bit protruding and moves when you swallow. It is especially pronounced on a man’s throat.
The young man had a big Adam’s apple. It moved up and down when he ate.
Apple cider: a drink containing apple juice (non-alcoholic)
I like to drink apple cider on cool, fall days. It makes me think of Thanksgiving.
Apple cider vinegar: delicate vinegar that was made from fermented apples, used in dressing or as a home remedy.
I like to add apple cider vinegar to my dressing, because is less acidic than regular vinegar.
Apple sauce: sauce made from apples.
Babies like to eat apple sauce, because it’s sweet and soft.
Candy apple: an apple covered with melted candy
The children ate the candy apples at the farm. Their stomachs are full. They aren’t going to eat dinner now.
Idiomatic expressions with apple:
A bad apple/ a rotten apple: a bad person
His whole family is nice and respectable, but he is a rotten apple.
A worm in the apple: a defect, a downside of something
They produced the new car very quickly. After a while, they found a worm in the apple, and they had to pull it back.
An apple polisher: A person who does everything to be liked by the boss or other person of authority to gain something
Be careful with what you say around her. She is an apple polisher and can tell on you.
Apples and oranges: two completely different people or things
You can’t compare Toyota to Rolls Royes; they are like apples and oranges.
The apple of my eye: someone greatly valued and cherished
My daughter is the apple of my eye. There is no one I love more than her.
The Big Apple: New York
My best friend lives in the Big Apple. I am visiting her next month.
Proverbs containing the word ‘apple:’
One rotten apple spoils the bunch: if one person in a group is bad or corrupt, it can have a negative effect on everyone else.
We will only admit good people to our club. We don’t want any bad influences. As we all know, one rotten apple spoils the bunch.
The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree: a son or daughter usually behaves similarly to parents.
His father was an alcoholic. The apple doesn’t fall too far from the tree.
An apple a day keeps the doctor away: eating healthy can prevent sickness.
I need to start eating healthy food and cut down on sugar. An apple a day keeps the doctor away.
