Jaw

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GG - 29 Nov 2011 10:30 GMT

Expressing surprise:

"His jaw dropped but he quickly cinched it shut."

Is "cinch" used appropriately here?"

Thanks.

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Dr Peter Young - 29 Nov 2011 10:51 GMT

> Expressing surprise:

> "His jaw dropped but he quickly cinched it shut."

> Is "cinch" used appropriately here?"

Not in BrE, anyway. "Clenched" would be usual.

Peter.

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Peter Young, (BrE, RP), Consultant Anaesthetist, 1975-2004.
(US equivalent: Certified Anesthesiologist)
Cheltenham and Gloucester, UK. Now happily retired.
http://pnyoung.orpheusweb.co.uk

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Don Phillipson - 29 Nov 2011 14:07 GMT

> Expressing surprise:
>
> "His jaw dropped but he quickly cinched it shut."
>
> Is "cinch" used appropriately here?"

Cinch is a metaphor in this sentence which approximates
". . . he quickly girdled it shut." The appropriateness of
metaphors is always a matter of degree (not binary right
or wrong.) This instance looks weird to me. (Was it
written by jockey-author Francis?)

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Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

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Steve Hayes - 29 Nov 2011 14:58 GMT

>Expressing surprise:
>
>"His jaw dropped but he quickly cinched it shut."
>
>Is "cinch" used appropriately here?"

If he had a strap around his head.

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Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://hayesfam.bravehost.com/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk

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Discussion Groups / English Usage / November 2011

Jaw