What Did They Say? Idioms for Political Campaigns

What Did They Say? Idioms for Political Campaigns

The presidential campaign is now “in full swing” in the United States. In full swing is just one of many expressions speakers of American English use that may be difficult for speakers of other languages. It means at the highest level of activity, or fully¹ moving forward. The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms says the phrase has been in use since the mid-1800s. It refers to “the vigorous movement of a swinging body.”

Presidential candidates and the journalists who report on their activities use many political idioms and expressions. Most speakers of American English understand these words and phrases. But people who are not familiar with the ways American political candidates and reporters speak may not.    

Here are some idioms and expressions that have been used recently. You may find it useful to keep this list to refer to as you read about the presidential campaign.

Frontrunner: The candidate who has the most votes or the highest level of support in public opinion surveys.

Set the stage: preparing an audience for an event; to make something possible or likely; to note that participants in an event are ready and that the event will begin soon. Sometimes a speaker will set the stage for a debate by telling people what candidates are about to discuss. The speaker might say, “The stage is set for an interesting debate tonight!”

Broaden his appeal beyond the base: Political candidates must work hard to become the nominee² of their political party. To do this, they must convince members of their party to vote for them. Party activists³ are often called the “base” of their party. They are the strongest and most-active supporters of their party.

But political parties in the United States often do not have the majority of voters they need to win an election. Someone who wants to be president must convince many people who do not belong to their party to vote for them. So, after they become their party’s nominee, and sometimes even before, they will talk about issues that are important to people who are not part of their base. This act is called “broadening their appeal.”

Broaden means to make something wider or more general. Appeal means a quality that causes people to like someone. If a candidate does not broaden her or his appeal beyond their party’s base, it will be difficult for them to win the general election.

Presumptive nominee: This expression is often used to describe a candidate with the strongest support among party leaders and the public. Political experts believe the presumptive nominee will be the nominee of the party although she or he has not been named the nominee yet.

Flip-flop: Reporters say a political candidate has “flip-flopped” when they have a sudden change of opinion on an important issue. A politician who supports limiting gun ownership might change their position when surveys show voters do not support such limits. He knows that his support for limits may cause him to be defeated for reelection, so he changes his mind. Political reporters and opponents may charge the politician with “flip-flopping” on the issue because he or she is afraid of losing the election.

Lash⁴ out: to attack in speech or writing; to “burst into or resort to verbal or physical attack.” A candidate is said to “lash out” at an opponent who has attacked her positions or beliefs when they react angrily and answer the attack strongly.

Overshadows them all: There are more than 15 Republican presidential candidates and at least five Democrats⁶ seeking their parties’ nomination⁷. Experts say only a few of them have a chance to become the nominee. They say Democrat⁵ Hillary Clinton and Republican Donald Trump⁸ “overshadow” their opponents. In other words, Ms. Clinton and Mr. Trump “cause the other candidates to seem less important or impressive” by comparison.

The spotlight⁹: Many politicians like the spotlight. They like public attention. A spotlight is “a device that directs a narrow, bright beam of light on a small area” of a stage.

Rationale for running: Some journalists question why a candidate is running for president. The candidate may not have much support. And people may not have given them a lot of money. So, reporters may ask what their rationale for running is. Some candidates run for office even if they do not believe they will win. They may want attention for themselves or for a political cause. Others run because they believe they are the best person for the job.

Where does he fit in to the conversation?  Reporters may ask this question when a politician is considering entering a race that is already crowded with candidates. “Why is he running?” They might ask. “What role would he play?” They might wonder what the politician would offer that candidates already in the race do not.  

Foreign policy chops: A candidate may be highly experienced in foreign policy. They may be applauded for their “chops.” This is an informal or slang American English word that means “skill or excellence¹⁰ in a particular field or activity (such as acting¹¹ or playing music).”

Committing political suicide: A politician commits political suicide when they propose or support policies that will cause them to lose a campaign or be removed from office. They may strongly support a policy, but if they lose voter support, they are said to have committed political suicide, or ruined their political career.

Have you heard or read idioms and expressions in stories about the American presidential campaign that you do not understand? Let us know. We are happy to “clear up” any confusion or misunderstanding you might have. By the way, clear up means to explain. We hope this report has explained some of the idioms and expressions you have been hearing recently as the United States continues the process of choosing its next president. 

Words in This Story

familiar with –adj. having some knowledge about something

refer to –v. to have a direct connection or relationship to something

1 fully   

adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地

参考例句：

• The doctor asked me to breathe in,then to breathe out fully.医生让我先吸气，然后全部呼出。
• They soon became fully integrated into the local community.他们很快就完全融入了当地人的圈子。

2 nominee   

n.被提名者；被任命者；被推荐者

参考例句：

• His nominee for vice president was elected only after a second ballot.他提名的副总统在两轮投票后才当选。
• Mr.Francisco is standing as the official nominee for the post of District Secretary.弗朗西斯科先生是行政书记职位的正式提名人。

3 activists   

n.（政治活动的）积极分子，活动家( activist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
• Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》

4 lash   

v.系牢；鞭打；猛烈抨击；n.鞭打；眼睫毛

参考例句：

• He received a lash of her hand on his cheek.他突然被她打了一记耳光。
• With a lash of its tail the tiger leaped at her.老虎把尾巴一甩朝她扑过来。

5 democrat   

n.民主主义者，民主人士；民主党党员

参考例句：

• The Democrat and the Public criticized each other.民主党人和共和党人互相攻击。
• About two years later,he was defeated by Democrat Jimmy Carter.大约两年后，他被民主党人杰米卡特击败。

6 democrats   

n.民主主义者，民主人士( democrat的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The Democrats held a pep rally on Capitol Hill yesterday. 民主党昨天在国会山召开了竞选誓师大会。
• The democrats organize a filibuster in the senate. 民主党党员组织了阻挠议事。 来自《简明英汉词典》

7 nomination   

n.提名，任命，提名权

参考例句：

• John is favourite to get the nomination for club president.约翰最有希望被提名为俱乐部主席。
• Few people pronounced for his nomination.很少人表示赞成他的提名。

8 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

9 spotlight   

n.公众注意的中心，聚光灯，探照灯，视听，注意，醒目

参考例句：

• This week the spotlight is on the world of fashion.本周引人瞩目的是时装界。
• The spotlight followed her round the stage.聚光灯的光圈随着她在舞台上转。

10 excellence   

n.优秀，杰出，(pl.)优点，美德

参考例句：

• His art has reached a high degree of excellence.他的艺术已达到炉火纯青的地步。
• My performance is far below excellence.我的表演离优秀还差得远呢。

11 acting   

n.演戏，行为，假装；adj.代理的，临时的，演出用的

参考例句：

• Ignore her,she's just acting.别理她，她只是假装的。
• During the seventies,her acting career was in eclipse.在七十年代，她的表演生涯黯然失色。