chink up: Idiom Meaning and Origin
What does ‘chink up’ mean?
The idiom "chink up" means to fill or close a gap or opening, typically in a wall or a barrier, using small pieces or fragments to make it more secure or impenetrable.
Idiom Explorer
The idiom "shoot holes" means to find flaws or weaknesses in something, typically through critical analysis or examination.
The idiom "do up" means to fasten or close something, such as a button or a zipper, typically when referring to clothing.
The idiom "darken someone's door" means to appear or enter a place, often indicating an unwelcome or negative visit or presence.
The idiom "darken a church door" means to enter a church, usually with the connotation of doing so infrequently or reluctantly.
The idiom "crack a smile" means to suddenly show a brief smile or to finally smile, often when one is feeling unhappy or trying to hide their emotions.
The idiom "crack a crust" means to break or open the hard outer layer or shell of something. It can also refer to a person who has a tough or unyielding exterior but shows vulnerability or softness underneath.
The idiom "cover up" means to hide or conceal something, often a mistake or wrongdoing, in order to avoid being caught or facing consequences.
The idiom "clog up" means to obstruct or block something, causing a delay or interruption in its normal functioning.
The idiom "chump-change" refers to a small or insignificant amount of money or anything of little value. It implies that the amount mentioned is not worth much and is easily dismissed or disregarded.
The Hidden Significance of 'Chink Up'
"chink in the armor," "brick in," "chip away," and "shoot holes" are all idiomatic expressions that are related to the idiom "chink up." These idioms share a common theme of highlighting vulnerabilities or weaknesses in a person or thing.
The idiom "chink in the armor" is often used to describe a small but significant weakness or vulnerability in an otherwise strong or invincible person or thing. It originated from the image of a knight in shining armor, whose defense could be compromised by a small crack or gap. Metaphorically, this idiom implies that even the strongest individuals or systems can have their weaknesses.
The idiom "brick in" is used to describe the act of constructing or building up something, often layer by layer. It can be seen as a metaphorical counterpart to "chink up," suggesting a more intentional and meticulous process of fortifying or strengthening. While "chink up" implies a hasty or makeshift patching up, "brick in" conveys a sense of purposeful and systematic reinforcement.
"Chip away" is an idiom that conveys the idea of gradually wearing down or eroding something through persistent effort. It shares similarities with "chink up" in the sense that both idioms involve a process of weakening or compromising. However, "chip away" suggests a more gradual and deliberate action, whereas "chink up" implies a quick and temporary fix.
The idiom "shoot holes" is used to describe the act of finding or pointing out flaws or weaknesses in a plan or argument. It can be seen as a metaphor for undermining or weakening someone's position by exposing its vulnerabilities. This idiom resonates with the concept of "chink up" as it involves the identification and exploitation of weak points.
The idiom "chink up" is related to other idioms such as "chink in the armor," "brick in," "chip away," and "shoot holes" through their common themes of weaknesses and vulnerabilities. While "chink up" implies a hasty and makeshift repair, "chink in the armor" highlights a small but significant weakness, "brick in" suggests deliberate and systematic reinforcement, "chip away" conveys gradual erosion, and "shoot holes" involves finding and exposing flaws. These idioms reflect the complexities of language and provide insights into human perceptions of strength and weakness.
Example usage
Examples of how the idiom "chink up" can be used in a sentence:
- It's getting cold, so make sure to chink up the windows to keep the draft out.
- The builder will chink up the gaps between the logs in the cabin to improve insulation.
- During the storm, the captain ordered the crew to chink up any leaks on the ship to prevent water from coming in.
More "Racial" idioms
