![]() As the story goes, Franklin once flew a kite in a lightning storm. Some say it may have started with Benjamin Franklin - the American diplomat, businessman and inventor.īen Franklin is known for a scientific experiment involving electricity and lightning. Language experts do not know exactly where this expression comes from. They all wanted to talk about different issues.Īs you may have noticed, we either use the verbs "capture" or "catch" for this expression. A simile compares two things and begins with the word "like" or "as." For example, getting all the scientists to agree on a subject for the conference was like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. Sometimes we use this expression to describe something that it is difficult to do and use it as a simile. ![]() Climbing the top of Mount Everest is considered a rare feat of endurance. Anything physical that is "lightning in a bottle" can be described as a rare feat. In the world of sports, players and teams have also been known for catching lightning in a bottle. So, we often use the term “lightning in a bottle” when talking about something creative. Experiences like that do not come along every day. And every night the people who gathered to watch us perform were wonderful. The material we performed was funny, yet difficult. The performers - all gifted and friendly - became like family. ![]() It’s as if it's too special.įor example, once I worked on a theater project and the experience was like lightning in a bottle. "Fleeting" means to be here one minute and gone the next. So, something elusive is difficult to define or to identify. Or you can simply call something elusive, fleeting and brilliant "lightning in a bottle." We can also use "to capture lightning in a bottle" to describe an extremely difficult or unlikely success. This is where the "bottle" part is important. Then you are able to control it and perhaps show it to the world. The phrase "to catch lighting in a bottle" means to capture something powerful or difficult. Sadly, that is not something you or I can do, at least not yet. Think how wonderful it would be if we could capture lightning and sell it in a bottle. Scientists say a bolt of lightning strikes somewhere on Earth every second. In fact, a lightning strike carries millions of volts of electricity. Today we talk about a saying that comes from nature - the weather, to be exact. On this show, we explore common phrases and expressions in American English. Now, Words and Their Stories, a weekly program from VOA Learning English. ![]()
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