born in a trunk
Meaning: Raised in a family of traveling performers and in the business from childhood.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “Her parents were jugglers, and she was born in a trunk.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: Theater slang: children of touring actors were said to have been born in a costume trunk backstage. The song "Born in a Trunk" in the 1954 film A Star Is Born made it familiar.
Equivalents in other languages
- French: Un enfant de la balle — literally: A child of the ball
More idioms — Daily Life
- the road to hell is paved with good intentions — Good intentions are worthless, or even harmful, if they lead to bad actions.
- against all odds — Despite great difficulty or opposition.
- cold hard cash — Actual money in coins and bills, not credit or promises.
- cherchez la femme — There is probably a woman behind this situation.
- throw money down the drain — To waste money.
- all fired up — Very excited or enthusiastic.
More English idioms
- fall into someone's lap — To come to someone without any effort.
- fire in the belly — Strong ambition and drive.
- the oldest trick in the book — A very familiar trick that should not fool anyone.
- a slippery slope — A small step that leads to worse and worse consequences.
- snug as a bug in a rug — Very warm and comfortable.
- breathe down someone's neck — To watch someone too closely, or to be close behind them.
From our proverbs
- You can't make ropes of sand. — Attempting to bind unstable elements together will fail; fragile foundations cannot suppo…
- What's sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander. — Fair rules must apply equally to both parties, regardless of gender or status.
- Sweet meat must have some sauce. — Desirable things often require effort, cost, or unpleasant accompaniment to obtain them f…