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Definition:
c) a lack of support for an idea or a proposal
German translation:
lukewarm reception = ein lauwarmer Empfang, eine wenig begeisteter Reaktion
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GOOGLE INDEX
lukewarm reception: approximately 115,000 Google hits
Sample text:
German daily newspapers give a LUKEWARE RECEPTION to Chancellor Merkel's first policy speech in parliament.
(BBC News)
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Europe's drive for fast and far-reaching changes to global financial regulation faces at best a LUKEWARM RECEPTION at this weekend's summit of top economies.
(adapted from Reuters)
Did you know?
lukewarm reception
figure of speech
- an unenthusiastic or indifferent reaction to something
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WORD ORIGIN
According to the Oxford Dictionary, the word lukewarm has a long and respectable history, going right back to the 14th century. The adjective luke seems to be an alternative form of lew, Old English hleow, which meant slightly warm. As it is used in this expression, reception means acceptance. Thus if something is given a lukewarm reception, it is accepted with little or no enthusiasm.
In the latter case, this expression is then used to conceal how badly something is being received:
Let's say someone gives a presentation to executive management and it doesn't go well. The person is heavily criticised. He or she leaves the meeting dejected and meets a colleague in the hallway who asks how the presentation went. Instead of saying,
"Well, they told me it was complete rubbish," the person can simply respond, "Well, my presentation got a lukewarm reception."
A good example of so-called understatement!
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SYNONYMS
apathetic, cool, disinterested, dull, half-hearted, indifferent, spiritless, tepid, unenthusiastic, unlively
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SMUGGLE OWAD INTO TODAY'S CONVERSATION:
"That was a great concert last week, but the critics gave it a lukewarm reception."
Thanks to Anja for suggesting today's word!
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And now...
Today's Learning Tip (19):
RECORD THE WORDS ON CASSETTE
Make a cassette recording of the words you want to learn and listen to these in your car. Here is a suggested format:
1. speak the German translation (or English definition),
2. PAUSE for 5 seconds (to give you time to answer).
3. speak the word.
more learning tips
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