Snakes, just the thought of these legless, slithering, forked-tongue creatures causes many people to shutter, yet every 12 years snakes come front and center when the year of the snake rolls around. While most people think of the animal when they hear ‘snake’, there are other ways in English that the word ‘snake’ can be used.
Snake (verb) to move, twist and wind like a snake:
The river snakes through the mountain valley.
The hikers snaked their way up the slope of Mount Fuji.
The line of people waiting to eat at the famous ramen shop snaked around the corner.
Snake/Snake in the grass (noun) an untrustworthy person who will harm or deceive others:
He is a snake/snake in the grass, so you shouldn’t trust him.
I thought we were friends, but it turns out she was a snake/snake in the grass.
The mayor was a snake/snake in the grass and stole from the city.
Snakebit (adjective): experiencing bad luck or failure:
The team was snakebit this year. They had so many players injured.
He seems snakebit. He keeps having his job applications rejected.
Some business locations seem snakebit. They just can keep a tenant.
Snake eyes (noun): rolling two dice and ones come up:
If you roll snake eyes, you’ll win the game.
What is more common, rolling snake eyes or boxcars (two sixes)?
Not snake eyes again! I just can’t win this game.
Erik