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Two Lamps Burning and No Ship at Sea

What Does "Two Lamps Burning and No Ship at Sea" Mean?

homeidiomsTwo Lamps Burning and No Ship at Sea
"Two lamps burning and no ship at sea" is an English idiom. It is an expression used to describe excessive preparation or effort for a situation that does not require it.

Examples in Sentences

Here are three examples of the idiom "two lamps burning and no ship at sea" used in a sentence:
  • He had two lamps burning and no ship at sea when he spent hours cleaning his already spotless house before guests arrived.
  • The team's extensive training sessions seemed unnecessary for a game they easily won; it was like two lamps burning and no ship at sea.
  • Her meticulous planning for a casual picnic was a case of two lamps burning and no ship at sea, as the weather turned out to be unfavorable.
meaning for two lamps burning and no ship at sea

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 "Two Lamps Burning and No Ship at Sea" 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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