Rarin' To Go
Doug from Traverse City
asked about the phrase raring to go,
which often drops the terminal –g–
in conversation. It means eager, on edge with anticipation, keen to begin a
task or assignment.
It is a variation of
rearing, a word used to describe towering promontories, but also used of a
horse rising up on its hind legs. Since the 15th century, rearing
has referred to a steed so excited that it is ready to fling itself forward and
take off at full speed.
A few examples:
- Hurd spoke up. “Lauren has already had some
contact with Jimmy,” he said.
“Yes, I have,” Lauren said, “and he’s raring to go.” [Hothouse Orchid, by Stuart Woods] - “I must have assumed he was raring to go,
that I had my work cut out just to hold him off. Because whenever I saw
him, I’d always get something in quick, then rush off before he could say
anything back.” [ Never Let Me Go, by Kazuo Ishiguro]
- “You’ll understand some day, Chileda. When
it happens to you. You’ll get all riled up and raring to go and something
will happen to keep you here because this is where you’re supposed to be.
It’s where you belong.” [To Come and Go Like Magic, by Katie Pickard Fawcett]
- “He’s finished his book and appears to be
raring to go on our project. He’s going to want to interview you, and
Hayley, among others. That’s not going to be a problem, is it?
“No, I’m raring, too. [Black Rose, by Nora Roberts] - “Let me just say this about spring training:
When you’re a player and have been inactive all winter, you’re raring to
go. You can’t wait to get on the field, to go in and see what changes have
been made, who’s been added to the club.” [Idols of the Spring: Baseball Interviews About Preseason
Training, by Dan Zachofsky]
Available from McFarland & Co.: Word Parts
Dictionary, 2nd edition
Nook edition
Nook edition
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