What does “not biting” mean?
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In a recent exchange with a highly eloquent friend (we were discussing a particularly peculiar episode he has pointed to me in a book) he replied to my comments on the episode with an idiom I've never heard before (being an ESL guy). He said literally "Not biting, eh?". What does this mean?
idioms
asked Jun 22 '11 at 16:06
zvolkovzvolkov
173119
add a comment |
In a recent exchange with a highly eloquent friend (we were discussing a particularly peculiar episode he has pointed to me in a book) he replied to my comments on the episode with an idiom I've never heard before (being an ESL guy). He said literally "Not biting, eh?". What does this mean?
idioms
asked Jun 22 '11 at 16:06
zvolkovzvolkov
173119
2
why didn't you ask him?
– Louis Rhys
Jun 23 '11 at 2:45
I did, he took it as me denying I was not biting, the reaction I only completely understood after I asked this question
– zvolkov
Jun 23 '11 at 19:17
It turns out he was just using the passage as "bait" to get you "hooked" on the book. Much like adverstising, but in this case, actually for a good cause (being well-read is always a good cause). And since you didn't "take the bait", you were "not biting". In a more alarming context, someone may try to get you into an argument intentionally by "baiting" you.
– Joel M Ward
Jul 23 '18 at 17:57
add a comment |
In a recent exchange with a highly eloquent friend (we were discussing a particularly peculiar episode he has pointed to me in a book) he replied to my comments on the episode with an idiom I've never heard before (being an ESL guy). He said literally "Not biting, eh?". What does this mean?
idioms
asked Jun 22 '11 at 16:06
zvolkovzvolkov
173119
In a recent exchange with a highly eloquent friend (we were discussing a particularly peculiar episode he has pointed to me in a book) he replied to my comments on the episode with an idiom I've never heard before (being an ESL guy). He said literally "Not biting, eh?". What does this mean?
idioms
idioms
asked Jun 22 '11 at 16:06
zvolkovzvolkov
173119
asked Jun 22 '11 at 16:06
zvolkovzvolkov
173119
edited Aug 6 '13 at 17:10
zvolkov
asked Jun 22 '11 at 16:06
zvolkovzvolkov
173119
asked Jun 22 '11 at 16:06
zvolkovzvolkov
173119
asked Jun 22 '11 at 16:06
zvolkovzvolkov
173119
173119
2
why didn't you ask him?
– Louis Rhys
Jun 23 '11 at 2:45
I did, he took it as me denying I was not biting, the reaction I only completely understood after I asked this question
– zvolkov
Jun 23 '11 at 19:17
It turns out he was just using the passage as "bait" to get you "hooked" on the book. Much like adverstising, but in this case, actually for a good cause (being well-read is always a good cause). And since you didn't "take the bait", you were "not biting". In a more alarming context, someone may try to get you into an argument intentionally by "baiting" you.
– Joel M Ward
Jul 23 '18 at 17:57
add a comment |
2
why didn't you ask him?
– Louis Rhys
Jun 23 '11 at 2:45
I did, he took it as me denying I was not biting, the reaction I only completely understood after I asked this question
– zvolkov
Jun 23 '11 at 19:17
It turns out he was just using the passage as "bait" to get you "hooked" on the book. Much like adverstising, but in this case, actually for a good cause (being well-read is always a good cause). And since you didn't "take the bait", you were "not biting". In a more alarming context, someone may try to get you into an argument intentionally by "baiting" you.
– Joel M Ward
Jul 23 '18 at 17:57
2
2
why didn't you ask him?
– Louis Rhys
Jun 23 '11 at 2:45
why didn't you ask him?
– Louis Rhys
Jun 23 '11 at 2:45
I did, he took it as me denying I was not biting, the reaction I only completely understood after I asked this question
– zvolkov
Jun 23 '11 at 19:17
I did, he took it as me denying I was not biting, the reaction I only completely understood after I asked this question
– zvolkov
Jun 23 '11 at 19:17
It turns out he was just using the passage as "bait" to get you "hooked" on the book. Much like adverstising, but in this case, actually for a good cause (being well-read is always a good cause). And since you didn't "take the bait", you were "not biting". In a more alarming context, someone may try to get you into an argument intentionally by "baiting" you.
– Joel M Ward
Jul 23 '18 at 17:57
It turns out he was just using the passage as "bait" to get you "hooked" on the book. Much like adverstising, but in this case, actually for a good cause (being well-read is always a good cause). And since you didn't "take the bait", you were "not biting". In a more alarming context, someone may try to get you into an argument intentionally by "baiting" you.
– Joel M Ward
Jul 23 '18 at 17:57
add a comment |
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
"Not taking the bait", from fishing, meaning someone offered you a conversational opening (or an invitation to an argument) and you didn't follow up.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:08
Monica CellioMonica Cellio
16.2k44682
add a comment |
To bite in this context means "to respond to a provocation or temptation". The phrase is understood to refer to a fish biting a baited hook, or possibly to Eve biting into the forbidden fruit.
So in context, something had happened that your friend expected to elicit a response from you. When you didn't respond as expected or intended, he remarked that you were "not biting".
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:10
JSBձոգչJSBձոգչ
48.5k13142201
add a comment |
The other answers are great. Another way it's used is when I read a provocative article (as JSB suggests) and in response I'd say "Ok, I'll bite." I then offer my thoughts on the subject.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 23:16
JoeTaxpayerJoeTaxpayer
848517
add a comment |
Interviewer: Why....it's OK to go into the movies and enjoy the violence?
Quentin Tarantino (Annoyed): Yeah...well...it is a movie. It's a fantasy, it's a fantasy, it is not real life. It's a fantasy. You go and you watch...you know...you watch...you watch a Kung-fu movie, and one guy takes on a hundred people in a restaurant. That's fun.
Interviewer: But why are you so sure there is no link between enjoying movie violence and enjoying real violence?
Quentin Tarantino (furious): I don't...I....well...I am gonna tell you why I am so sure. Don't....don't ask me questions like that. I am...I am not biting. I refuse your question.
answered Jul 21 '16 at 4:20
Vivid KothariVivid Kothari
1
This is a fascinating exchange. Where did you find it? (Also: Please note that your answer doesn't actually explain what "not biting" means; it just gives a context in which one (famous) person used the phrase.)
– Sven Yargs
Jul 21 '16 at 5:48
1
Interview video Yes, I am aware that it doesn't answer the question directly, but giving the context can help memorize the meaning of the word more than just knowing its definition
– Vivid Kothari
Jul 22 '16 at 6:23
add a comment |
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4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
4 Answers
4
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
votes
"Not taking the bait", from fishing, meaning someone offered you a conversational opening (or an invitation to an argument) and you didn't follow up.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:08
Monica CellioMonica Cellio
16.2k44682
add a comment |
"Not taking the bait", from fishing, meaning someone offered you a conversational opening (or an invitation to an argument) and you didn't follow up.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:08
Monica CellioMonica Cellio
16.2k44682
add a comment |
"Not taking the bait", from fishing, meaning someone offered you a conversational opening (or an invitation to an argument) and you didn't follow up.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:08
Monica CellioMonica Cellio
16.2k44682
"Not taking the bait", from fishing, meaning someone offered you a conversational opening (or an invitation to an argument) and you didn't follow up.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:08
Monica CellioMonica Cellio
16.2k44682
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:08
Monica CellioMonica Cellio
16.2k44682
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:08
Monica CellioMonica Cellio
16.2k44682
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:08
Monica CellioMonica Cellio
16.2k44682
16.2k44682
add a comment |
add a comment |
To bite in this context means "to respond to a provocation or temptation". The phrase is understood to refer to a fish biting a baited hook, or possibly to Eve biting into the forbidden fruit.
So in context, something had happened that your friend expected to elicit a response from you. When you didn't respond as expected or intended, he remarked that you were "not biting".
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:10
JSBձոգչJSBձոգչ
48.5k13142201
add a comment |
To bite in this context means "to respond to a provocation or temptation". The phrase is understood to refer to a fish biting a baited hook, or possibly to Eve biting into the forbidden fruit.
So in context, something had happened that your friend expected to elicit a response from you. When you didn't respond as expected or intended, he remarked that you were "not biting".
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:10
JSBձոգչJSBձոգչ
48.5k13142201
add a comment |
To bite in this context means "to respond to a provocation or temptation". The phrase is understood to refer to a fish biting a baited hook, or possibly to Eve biting into the forbidden fruit.
So in context, something had happened that your friend expected to elicit a response from you. When you didn't respond as expected or intended, he remarked that you were "not biting".
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:10
JSBձոգչJSBձոգչ
48.5k13142201
To bite in this context means "to respond to a provocation or temptation". The phrase is understood to refer to a fish biting a baited hook, or possibly to Eve biting into the forbidden fruit.
So in context, something had happened that your friend expected to elicit a response from you. When you didn't respond as expected or intended, he remarked that you were "not biting".
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:10
JSBձոգչJSBձոգչ
48.5k13142201
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:10
JSBձոգչJSBձոգչ
48.5k13142201
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:10
JSBձոգչJSBձոգչ
48.5k13142201
answered Jun 22 '11 at 16:10
JSBձոգչJSBձոգչ
48.5k13142201
48.5k13142201
add a comment |
add a comment |
The other answers are great. Another way it's used is when I read a provocative article (as JSB suggests) and in response I'd say "Ok, I'll bite." I then offer my thoughts on the subject.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 23:16
JoeTaxpayerJoeTaxpayer
848517
add a comment |
The other answers are great. Another way it's used is when I read a provocative article (as JSB suggests) and in response I'd say "Ok, I'll bite." I then offer my thoughts on the subject.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 23:16
JoeTaxpayerJoeTaxpayer
848517
add a comment |
The other answers are great. Another way it's used is when I read a provocative article (as JSB suggests) and in response I'd say "Ok, I'll bite." I then offer my thoughts on the subject.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 23:16
JoeTaxpayerJoeTaxpayer
848517
The other answers are great. Another way it's used is when I read a provocative article (as JSB suggests) and in response I'd say "Ok, I'll bite." I then offer my thoughts on the subject.
answered Jun 22 '11 at 23:16
JoeTaxpayerJoeTaxpayer
848517
answered Jun 22 '11 at 23:16
JoeTaxpayerJoeTaxpayer
848517
answered Jun 22 '11 at 23:16
JoeTaxpayerJoeTaxpayer
848517
answered Jun 22 '11 at 23:16
JoeTaxpayerJoeTaxpayer
848517
848517
add a comment |
add a comment |
Interviewer: Why....it's OK to go into the movies and enjoy the violence?
Quentin Tarantino (Annoyed): Yeah...well...it is a movie. It's a fantasy, it's a fantasy, it is not real life. It's a fantasy. You go and you watch...you know...you watch...you watch a Kung-fu movie, and one guy takes on a hundred people in a restaurant. That's fun.
Interviewer: But why are you so sure there is no link between enjoying movie violence and enjoying real violence?
Quentin Tarantino (furious): I don't...I....well...I am gonna tell you why I am so sure. Don't....don't ask me questions like that. I am...I am not biting. I refuse your question.
answered Jul 21 '16 at 4:20
Vivid KothariVivid Kothari
1
This is a fascinating exchange. Where did you find it? (Also: Please note that your answer doesn't actually explain what "not biting" means; it just gives a context in which one (famous) person used the phrase.)
– Sven Yargs
Jul 21 '16 at 5:48
1
Interview video Yes, I am aware that it doesn't answer the question directly, but giving the context can help memorize the meaning of the word more than just knowing its definition
– Vivid Kothari
Jul 22 '16 at 6:23
add a comment |
Interviewer: Why....it's OK to go into the movies and enjoy the violence?
Quentin Tarantino (Annoyed): Yeah...well...it is a movie. It's a fantasy, it's a fantasy, it is not real life. It's a fantasy. You go and you watch...you know...you watch...you watch a Kung-fu movie, and one guy takes on a hundred people in a restaurant. That's fun.
Interviewer: But why are you so sure there is no link between enjoying movie violence and enjoying real violence?
Quentin Tarantino (furious): I don't...I....well...I am gonna tell you why I am so sure. Don't....don't ask me questions like that. I am...I am not biting. I refuse your question.
answered Jul 21 '16 at 4:20
Vivid KothariVivid Kothari
1
This is a fascinating exchange. Where did you find it? (Also: Please note that your answer doesn't actually explain what "not biting" means; it just gives a context in which one (famous) person used the phrase.)
– Sven Yargs
Jul 21 '16 at 5:48
1
Interview video Yes, I am aware that it doesn't answer the question directly, but giving the context can help memorize the meaning of the word more than just knowing its definition
– Vivid Kothari
Jul 22 '16 at 6:23
add a comment |
Interviewer: Why....it's OK to go into the movies and enjoy the violence?
Quentin Tarantino (Annoyed): Yeah...well...it is a movie. It's a fantasy, it's a fantasy, it is not real life. It's a fantasy. You go and you watch...you know...you watch...you watch a Kung-fu movie, and one guy takes on a hundred people in a restaurant. That's fun.
Interviewer: But why are you so sure there is no link between enjoying movie violence and enjoying real violence?
Quentin Tarantino (furious): I don't...I....well...I am gonna tell you why I am so sure. Don't....don't ask me questions like that. I am...I am not biting. I refuse your question.
answered Jul 21 '16 at 4:20
Vivid KothariVivid Kothari
1
Interviewer: Why....it's OK to go into the movies and enjoy the violence?
Quentin Tarantino (Annoyed): Yeah...well...it is a movie. It's a fantasy, it's a fantasy, it is not real life. It's a fantasy. You go and you watch...you know...you watch...you watch a Kung-fu movie, and one guy takes on a hundred people in a restaurant. That's fun.
Interviewer: But why are you so sure there is no link between enjoying movie violence and enjoying real violence?
Quentin Tarantino (furious): I don't...I....well...I am gonna tell you why I am so sure. Don't....don't ask me questions like that. I am...I am not biting. I refuse your question.
answered Jul 21 '16 at 4:20
Vivid KothariVivid Kothari
1
answered Jul 21 '16 at 4:20
Vivid KothariVivid Kothari
1
answered Jul 21 '16 at 4:20
Vivid KothariVivid Kothari
1
answered Jul 21 '16 at 4:20
Vivid KothariVivid Kothari
1
1
This is a fascinating exchange. Where did you find it? (Also: Please note that your answer doesn't actually explain what "not biting" means; it just gives a context in which one (famous) person used the phrase.)
– Sven Yargs
Jul 21 '16 at 5:48
1
Interview video Yes, I am aware that it doesn't answer the question directly, but giving the context can help memorize the meaning of the word more than just knowing its definition
– Vivid Kothari
Jul 22 '16 at 6:23
add a comment |
This is a fascinating exchange. Where did you find it? (Also: Please note that your answer doesn't actually explain what "not biting" means; it just gives a context in which one (famous) person used the phrase.)
– Sven Yargs
Jul 21 '16 at 5:48
1
Interview video Yes, I am aware that it doesn't answer the question directly, but giving the context can help memorize the meaning of the word more than just knowing its definition
– Vivid Kothari
Jul 22 '16 at 6:23
This is a fascinating exchange. Where did you find it? (Also: Please note that your answer doesn't actually explain what "not biting" means; it just gives a context in which one (famous) person used the phrase.)
– Sven Yargs
Jul 21 '16 at 5:48
This is a fascinating exchange. Where did you find it? (Also: Please note that your answer doesn't actually explain what "not biting" means; it just gives a context in which one (famous) person used the phrase.)
– Sven Yargs
Jul 21 '16 at 5:48
1
1
Interview video Yes, I am aware that it doesn't answer the question directly, but giving the context can help memorize the meaning of the word more than just knowing its definition
– Vivid Kothari
Jul 22 '16 at 6:23
Interview video Yes, I am aware that it doesn't answer the question directly, but giving the context can help memorize the meaning of the word more than just knowing its definition
– Vivid Kothari
Jul 22 '16 at 6:23
add a comment |
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2
why didn't you ask him?
– Louis Rhys
Jun 23 '11 at 2:45
I did, he took it as me denying I was not biting, the reaction I only completely understood after I asked this question
– zvolkov
Jun 23 '11 at 19:17
It turns out he was just using the passage as "bait" to get you "hooked" on the book. Much like adverstising, but in this case, actually for a good cause (being well-read is always a good cause). And since you didn't "take the bait", you were "not biting". In a more alarming context, someone may try to get you into an argument intentionally by "baiting" you.
– Joel M Ward
Jul 23 '18 at 17:57