Before my eyes he wilted like a wet sock.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- A man lost his strength and confidence instantly in front of the speaker.
- In plain terms
- He collapsed or faded away quickly.
- What can you take from it?
- Shock can cause an immediate loss of composure.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- What makes us wilt?
- How do we react to shock?
Another view
It is a vivid but potentially unfair metaphor.
More from P. G. Wodehouse
As plainly as if it had been the top line on the oculist's chart I could see what the future held for Bertram.
Permalink to quote #155 And as he, too, seemed disinclined for chit-chat, we stood for some moments like a couple of Trappist monks who have run into each other at the dog races.
Permalink to quote #157 I agreed the situation was sticky. Indeed, offhand it was difficult to see how it could have been more glutinous.
Permalink to quote #154
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