What Does "Take the Shadow for the Substance" Mean?
"Take the shadow for the substance" is an English idiom. It means "to mistake something superficial or illusory for the genuine or substantial thing."Examples in Sentences
Here are three examples of the idiom "take the shadow for the substance" used in a sentence:- He often took the shadow for the substance, prioritizing appearances over substance.
- Taking the shadow for the substance can lead to misunderstandings and misjudgments.
- In critical situations, it's important to distinguish between the shadow and the substance.
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 "Take the Shadow for the Substance" 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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