What does “To carry coals to Newcastle.” mean?
"To carry coals to Newcastle" means to do something unnecessary or superfluous, especially when it is redundant or irrelevant.
What context can I use the in?
Example
Bringing more food to the potluck is like carrying coals to Newcastle. There's already enough for everyone.
Example
Asking for directions in your own neighborhood is like carrying coals to Newcastle. You should know the way by now.
Example
Telling a joke to a comedian is like carrying coals to Newcastle. They've heard it all before
Is “To carry coals to Newcastle.” an expression, an idiom, or a proverb?
“To carry coals to Newcastle.” 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 “To carry coals to Newcastle.” effectively in context?
You can use "To carry coals to Newcastle" to describe doing something unnecessary or superfluous, especially when it is redundant or irrelevant. For example, if someone is bringing more food to a potluck where there is already enough for everyone, you might say, 'Bringing more food is like carrying coals to Newcastle. There's already enough for everyone.'
- 1Potluck
Bringing more food to the potluck is like carrying coals to Newcastle. There's already enough for everyone.
- 2Getting Directions
Asking for directions in your own neighborhood is like carrying coals to Newcastle. You should know the way by now.
- 3Telling Jokes
Telling a joke to a comedian is like carrying coals to Newcastle. They've heard it all before.
Similar phrases to “To carry coals to Newcastle.”:
Good things to know:
Where does the phrase “To carry coals to Newcastle.” come from?
The origin of the phrase "To carry coals to Newcastle" dates back to the 17th century. Newcastle, a city in England, was known for its abundant coal mines and was a major exporter of coal. The phrase originated from the idea that it would be pointless to bring coal to Newcastle since the city already had an abundance of it.
Is “To carry coals to Newcastle.” common in everyday conversation?
Yes, "To carry coals to Newcastle" is a well-known proverb in everyday conversation. It is often used to emphasize the pointlessness or redundancy of a particular action or effort.
What tone does “To carry coals to Newcastle.” have?
"To carry coals to Newcastle" conveys a tone of irony and humor. It is used to highlight the absurdity or futility of a situation.
Can “To carry coals to Newcastle.” be used in informal and formal settings?
The phrase "To carry coals to Newcastle" is considered informal and is commonly used in casual conversations. It may not be appropriate for formal or professional settings.
Can it be used by itself, or is it usually part of a sentence?
It is commonly used as part of a sentence to convey its full meaning. For example, 'Bringing more food to the potluck is like "carrying coals to Newcastle".' However, in informal conversations, people might understand the phrase even if used alone, like saying 'That's like "carrying coals to Newcastle"!' to imply the pointlessness of an action.
