#KnowYourEnglish

(A Segment from The Hindu)

How to use the phrase

‘all my ducks in a row’

“Congratulations! I heard you’ve bought a new car. How is it?”

“It’s great! I really enjoy driving around in it. I’m taking Sujatha for a long drive
on Sunday. Want to come along?”

“I can’t. You know that my company is launching a new product next week.”

“That’s only on Thursday. I’m talking about Sunday.”

“I know! But some of us are going to be busy this weekend. We’ve been asked
to have all our ducks in a row before the launch.”

“Your ducks in a row? What are you talking about?”

“The expression ‘have one’s ducks in a row’ is mostly heard in informal
contexts. It means to be well organised or be well prepared for something that
is going to happen.”

“In other words, you do everything possible to ensure that things run like
clockwork at the event.”
“I guess you could say that! Here’s an example. If you’re planning to quit your
job, make sure you have all your ducks in a row.”

“How about this example? Priya is moving into a new apartment the day after.
She hasn’t even started packing as yet. She doesn’t have all her ducks in a
row.”

“That’s to be expected. Priya is very lazy. She isn’t known for having all her
ducks in a row. By the way, it’s also possible to say, ‘get all one’s ducks in a
row’. Dinesh said he’d get all his ducks in a row before leaving on a two-week
holiday.”

“The team spent weeks planning the event. Unfortunately, they didn’t get all
their ducks in a row.”

“That’s a good example. So, where are you and Sujatha…”

“Tell me, where does the expression come from? What’s the origin?”

“Well, there are several theories regarding the origin. According to some….”

“Give me just one. I don’t need to hear all of them.”

“Have you ever noticed how ducklings walk behind their mother?”

“Yes, I have. They don’t walk as a group. They are very disciplined. They walk
one behind the other.”

“That’s right! They all line up. It’s one chick behind the other. They are in a single
row.”
“And they look rather cute. If I make the drive a very short one, will you come
with us?”

“I’ve already said no. Why are you nervous about the drive? You’re a good driver
and …”

“It’s not my driving skill that I’m worried about. You see, when I go on long drives,
I like to enjoy the peace and quiet. Listen to music and…”

“With Sujatha in the car, you won’t have peace and quiet. She’ll drive you
around the bend with all her questions. She’s unlikely to…”

“Drive me around the bend? Does it mean to drive me

crazy?”

“Very good! That’s exactly what it means. When someone drives you around
the bend, they make you crazy. They annoy you so much that you get frustrated
or angry. The expression can be used with things as well. Sunitha’s terrible
singing was driving people around the bend.”

“The only thing my friend Laxman does is complain. It drives me around the
bend.”

“The way Sujatha dresses drives her mother around the bend.”

“Sujatha drives most people around the bend.”

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