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student asking question

What does pectin from paprika" mean? Is it a metaphor?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

In this context, it means that they don't know anything about cooking or food. "Pectin" and "paprika" are used in food, and they don't know the difference between those ingredients. The phrase "Someone wouldn't know something from something" is common. It means they don't know anything about the topic or are not good at something. Ex: Don't ask her about art. She doesn't know her oil paint from her acrylic paint. Ex: These guys don't know their hockey from their soccer. They're playing hockey with their feet!

Popular Q&As

02/20

Complete the expression with a quiz!

This

lot?

Ugh-You're

wasting

your

time

there,

Paddington.

They

wouldn't

know

their

pectin

from

their

paprika.