Silver

#idiom Published: 2021-11-01

Today we will look at two English idioms that contain the word “silver”.

Silver Tongue

“Silver tongue” means “the trait of being articulate, charming, or eloquent”. We can easily understand this expression by interpreting the adjective silver in a broader sense. Silver can mean “having a clear gentle resonance like that of silver” (although in this sense, “silvery” is more commonly used than “silver”, e.g., a silvery voice). As a derivative of this, “silver-tongued” is also often used as an adjective.

Silver Lining

“Silver lining” is a metaphor for hope or a sign of a positive aspect in a negative situation. The expression was coined by the English poet John Milton in 1637.

Was I deceiv’d, or did a sable cloud Turne forth her silver lining on the night?¹

“Every cloud has a silver lining” is a fairly common proverb. Needless to say, it is easy to imagine a scene where a shaft of sunlight shines through the black clouds.

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