What Does "Carry Coals to Newcastle" Mean?
"Carry coals to newcastle" is an English idiom. It means "to do something redundant or unnecessary."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "carry coals to newcastle" used in a sentence:- Selling ice in the Arctic is like carrying coals to Newcastle.
- Why would you bring wine to Italy? That's like carrying coals to Newcastle.
- Giving him more books is like carrying coals to Newcastle; he has too many already.
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 "Carry Coals to Newcastle" 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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