What does “He carries fire in one hand and water in the other.” mean?
"He carries fire in one hand and water in the other" means that a person who tries to play both sides of an issue or situation is likely to fail or be criticized for their lack of conviction or loyalty.
What context can I use the in?
Example
She claims to support both political parties, but he carries fire in one hand and water in the other. It's hard to trust someone who can't make up their mind.
Example
The CEO tries to please both the shareholders and the employees, but he carries fire in one hand and water in the other. It's causing a lot of confusion and frustration.
Example
He wants to be seen as a tough leader, but also wants to be liked by everyone. He carries fire in one hand and water in the other. It's a delicate balancing act that often backfires
Is “He carries fire in one hand and water in the other.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“He carries fire in one hand and water in the other.” is a proverb. A proverb is a short saying that teaches us something important or gives us advice. Unlike an idiom, it’s easy to understand even if it uses figurative language.
How would I use “He carries fire in one hand and water in the other.” effectively in context?
You can use "He carries fire in one hand and water in the other" to describe someone who tries to play both sides of an issue or situation. It suggests that such a person is likely to fail or be criticized for their lack of conviction or loyalty. For example, if a friend is trying to please everyone in a group project but not making any progress, you might say, 'She's carrying fire in one hand and water in the other. She needs to make a decision and commit to it.'
- 1Politics
The politician claims to support both parties, but he carries fire in one hand and water in the other. It's hard to trust someone who can't make up their mind.
- 2Work
The manager tries to please both the shareholders and the employees, but he carries fire in one hand and water in the other. It's causing a lot of confusion and frustration.
- 3Leadership
He wants to be seen as a tough leader, but also wants to be liked by everyone. He carries fire in one hand and water in the other. It's a delicate balancing act that often backfires.
Similar phrases to “He carries fire in one hand and water in the other.”:
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Where does the phrase “He carries fire in one hand and water in the other.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "He carries fire in one hand and water in the other" is unknown.
Is “He carries fire in one hand and water in the other.” common in everyday conversation?
The phrase "He carries fire in one hand and water in the other" is not very common in everyday conversation. It is more commonly used in written or formal contexts, such as literature or speeches.
What tone does “He carries fire in one hand and water in the other.” have?
"He carries fire in one hand and water in the other" conveys a tone of criticism or skepticism. It implies that the person being described lacks conviction or loyalty, and may face negative consequences as a result.
Can “He carries fire in one hand and water in the other.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "He carries fire in one hand and water in the other" is more formal in nature. It is not commonly used in casual conversations, but can be used in more serious or professional settings.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
The phrase is typically used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'She claims to support both political parties, but "he carries fire in one hand and water in the other."' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'He's carrying fire in one hand and water in the other.' to imply someone's indecisiveness.
