student asking question

What does "take up the rear" mean? and what does "plain-jane" refer to?

teacher

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

To "take up the rear/bring up the rear" means to be at the end of a line or to move along behind everyone else. "Plain Jane" is a derogatory slang expression meaning a boring and unattractive girl. Ex. She was a plain Jane and unpopular in school. Ex. I'll bring up the rear, everyone else lines up in front of me.

Popular Q&As

03/27

Complete the expression with a quiz!