Neither hide nor hair definitions
| Word backwards | rehtien edih ron riah |
|---|---|
| Part of speech | The phrase "neither hide nor hair" is a noun phrase. |
| Syllabic division | nei-ther hide nor hair |
| Plural | The plural of the phrase "neither hide nor hair" would be "neither hides nor hairs." |
| Total letters | 18 |
| Vogais (4) | e,i,o,a |
| Consonants (5) | n,t,h,r,d |
Neither Hide Nor Hair: Origin and Meaning
Have you ever heard the expression "neither hide nor hair" and wondered what it means? This idiom is used to indicate the absence of someone or something - essentially, when there is no sign or trace of a person, animal, or thing.
Etymology of the Phrase
The phrase "neither hide nor hair" dates back to the mid-19th century. The word "hide" in this context refers to the skin of an animal, while "hair" obviously refers to the hair or fur. So when both hide and hair are mentioned as being absent, it signifies a complete and total disappearance.
Usage in Everyday Language
This expression is commonly used to convey the idea that someone or something has vanished without a trace. For example, if you were expecting a package to arrive, but it never showed up and there was no indication that it was even sent, you might say that you saw "neither hide nor hair" of it.
Similarly, if a person goes missing and there are no clues or evidence of their whereabouts, one might say that they have disappeared without a trace - neither hide nor hair of them can be found.
Conclusion
So, the next time you hear someone use the phrase "neither hide nor hair," you'll know that they are referring to the complete absence or disappearance of someone or something. It's a colorful way to express the idea of something being entirely gone, with no indication of its presence whatsoever.
Neither hide nor hair Examples
- I searched everywhere, but there was neither hide nor hair of my missing keys.
- After hours of looking, she found neither hide nor hair of her lost cat.
- He went back to the last place he saw it, but there was neither hide nor hair of his wallet.
- Despite calling out repeatedly, there was neither hide nor hair of anyone in the abandoned building.
- The hikers looked around, but there was neither hide nor hair of the trail they were supposed to take.
- She rummaged through her closet, but there was neither hide nor hair of her favorite dress.
- The detective searched the crime scene, but there was neither hide nor hair of any clues.
- They combed the beach, but there was neither hide nor hair of the buried treasure.
- The teacher checked the classroom, but there was neither hide nor hair of the missing student.
- Despite waiting for hours, there was neither hide nor hair of the bus they were supposed to catch.