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Mary Celeste

What Does "Mary Celeste" Mean?

homeidiomsMary Celeste
"Mary celeste" is an English idiom. It is a term that refers to something mysteriously abandoned or unexplained, originating from the name of a ship found deserted with no sign of its crew.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "mary celeste" used in a sentence:
  • The playground was a Mary Celeste, with toys scattered around but no children in sight.
  • The car was left running, doors open, in a Mary Celeste situation.
  • The office was like a Mary Celeste when I arrived, everything in place but not a person to be seen.
meaning for mary celeste

What Is an Idiom?

An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words. In other words, if you were to translate "Mary Celeste" word for word, there is no guarantee the translation would help you to understand the meaning.

An idiom often includes a cultural or historical context that makes it difficult for non-native English speakers to understand. A phrase is classified as an idiom when a direct translation of the words does not reveal the meaning. Most idioms rely on shared knowledge or experiences known only to a specific community.

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