student asking question

What does "ride with the moon" mean? Why are there so many metaphors in western culture that are related to a moon? (Like the phrase "Dancing with the devil in the pale moonlight" in 1989's Batman)

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

"Ride with the moon" refers to staying up all night with the moon instead of sleeping. In this case, the witches are on broomsticks, so they could literally mean they "ride" or fly alongside the moon while the earth and moon spin. I'm not too sure where the many moon metaphors come from. But, the one you picked out and the one mentioned here both relate to "time" and staying up at night. They also indicate a time to live life when everyone else is asleep, that there's a lot that can happen at night. I think the western fascination with "space" contributes to the "moon" metaphors. Ex: Halloween is a great night to ride the moon and not go to sleep. Ex: We rode the moon 'till midnight. Then we decided to go home after being out so late. Ex: Let's go on a moonlit road trip. We'll drive until the sun comes up.

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