Learn How to 'Catch Lightning in a Bottle'

 

Now, Words and Their Stories, a weekly program from VOA Learning English.

On this show, we explore common phrases and expressions in American English.

Today we talk about a saying that comes from nature -- the weather, to be exact.

Lightning is a powerful force of nature. In fact, a lightning strike carries millions of volts² of electricity.

Scientists say a bolt of lightning strikes somewhere on Earth every second. That is a lot of energy!

Think how wonderful it would be if we could capture lightning and sell it in a bottle. Sadly, that is not something you or I can do, at least not yet.

The phrase "to catch lighting³ in a bottle" means to capture something powerful or difficult. Then you are able to control it and perhaps show it to the world. This is where the "bottle" part is important.

We can also use "to capture lightning in a bottle" to describe an extremely difficult or unlikely success. Or you can simply call something elusive⁴, fleeting⁵ and brilliant "lightning in a bottle."

So, something elusive is difficult to define or to identify. "Fleeting" means to be here one minute and gone the next. Something fleeting is hard to hold onto. It is hard to catch or even define. It’s as if it's too special.

For example, once I worked on a theater project and the experience was like lightning in a bottle. The performers -- all gifted and friendly -- became like family. We spent every day together. The material we performed was funny, yet difficult. And every night the people who gathered to watch us perform were wonderful. Experiences like that do not come along every day.

So, we often use the term “lightning in a bottle” when talking about something creative. But not always.

In the world of sports, players and teams have also been known for catching⁶ lightning in a bottle. Anything physical that is "lightning in a bottle" can be described as a rare feat⁷. Climbing the top of Mount Everest is considered a rare feat of endurance.

Sometimes we use this expression to describe something that it is difficult to do and use it as a simile⁸. A simile compares two things and begins with the word "like" or "as." For example, getting all the scientists to agree on a subject for the conference was like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. They all wanted to talk about different issues.

As you may have noticed, we either use the verbs "capture" or "catch" for this expression. "Catch" is less official sounding.

Language experts do not know exactly where this expression comes from. Some say it may have started with Benjamin Franklin -- the American diplomat⁹, businessman and inventor.

Ben Franklin is known for a scientific experiment involving electricity and lightning. As the story goes, Franklin once flew a kite in a lightning storm. He had hoped that lightning would strike the kite as it flew high in the sky. He thought the electricity would travel down the string to a metal key at the bottom. Then the plan was to catch the electricity in a glass jar.

But that didn’t happen. However, it did lead to the invention of the lightning rod and the understanding of positive and negative charges.

So, you can’t catch real lightning in a bottle. But hopefully, during your lifetime you’ll have the experience of catching a little of your own lightning in a bottle.

We’ll end the show with a final usage of this expression. It is not that common but probably worth noting. "Bottled lightning" can also mean a very strong alcoholic¹⁰ drink.

And that’s Words and Their Stories.

I’m Anna Matteo.

And I’m Bryan Lynn.

“You're the brightest light I’ve ever seen,

You’re lightning in a bottle, lightning in a bottle,

Break the glass and set yourself free,

lightning in a bottle, lightning in a bottle …”

Words and Their Stories

volt¹ – n. a unit for measuring the force that moves an electric current

bolt – n. a lightning stroke; also “thunderbolt”

brilliant – adj. very impressive or successful : brilliance¹¹ – n. the quality or state of being brilliant

rare – adj. not common or usual : not often done, seen, or happening

feat – n. an act or achievement that shows courage, strength, or skill

endurance – n. the ability to do something difficult for a long time : the ability to deal with pain or suffering that continues for a long time

kite – n. a toy that is made of a light frame covered with cloth, paper, or plastic and that is flown in the air at the end of a long string

jar – n. a glass container that has a wide opening and usually a lid

1 volt   

n.伏特，伏

参考例句：

• You may use 100 and 110 volt appliances in your room.您可以在房间使用100及110伏特的电器。
• The common service voltage of electric power in our country is 220/380 volt.我国普通供电电压为220/380伏。

2 volts   

n.（电压单位）伏特( volt的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The floating potential, Vf is usually only a few volts below ground. 浮置电势Vf通常只低于接地电位几伏。 来自辞典例句
• If gamma particles are present, potential differences of several thousand volts can be generated. 如果存在γ粒子，可能产生几千伏的电位差。 来自辞典例句

3 lighting   

n.照明，光线的明暗，舞台灯光

参考例句：

• The gas lamp gradually lost ground to electric lighting.煤气灯逐渐为电灯所代替。
• The lighting in that restaurant is soft and romantic.那个餐馆照明柔和而且浪漫。

4 elusive   

adj.难以表达(捉摸)的；令人困惑的；逃避的

参考例句：

• Try to catch the elusive charm of the original in translation.翻译时设法把握住原文中难以捉摸的风韵。
• Interpol have searched all the corners of the earth for the elusive hijackers.国际刑警组织已在世界各地搜查在逃的飞机劫持者。

5 fleeting   

adj.短暂的，飞逝的

参考例句：

• The girls caught only a fleeting glimpse of the driver.女孩们只匆匆瞥了一眼司机。
• Knowing the life fleeting,she set herself to enjoy if as best as she could.她知道这种日子转瞬即逝，于是让自已尽情地享受。

6 catching   

adj.易传染的，有魅力的，迷人的，接住

参考例句：

• There are those who think eczema is catching.有人就是认为湿疹会传染。
• Enthusiasm is very catching.热情非常富有感染力。

7 feat   

n.功绩；武艺，技艺；adj.灵巧的，漂亮的，合适的

参考例句：

• Man's first landing on the moon was a feat of great daring.人类首次登月是一个勇敢的壮举。
• He received a medal for his heroic feat.他因其英雄业绩而获得一枚勋章。

8 simile   

n.直喻，明喻

参考例句：

• I believe this simile largely speaks the truth.我相信这种比拟在很大程度上道出了真实。
• It is a trite simile to compare her teeth to pearls.把她的牙齿比做珍珠是陈腐的比喻。

9 diplomat   

n.外交官，外交家；能交际的人，圆滑的人

参考例句：

• The diplomat threw in a joke, and the tension was instantly relieved.那位外交官插进一个笑话，紧张的气氛顿时缓和下来。
• He served as a diplomat in Russia before the war.战前他在俄罗斯当外交官。

10 alcoholic   

adj.（含）酒精的，由酒精引起的；n.酗酒者

参考例句：

• The alcoholic strength of brandy far exceeds that of wine.白兰地的酒精浓度远远超过葡萄酒。
• Alcoholic drinks act as a poison to a child.酒精饮料对小孩犹如毒药。

11 brilliance   

n.光辉，辉煌，壮丽，（卓越的）才华，才智

参考例句：

• I was totally amazed by the brilliance of her paintings.她的绘画才能令我惊歎不已。
• The gorgeous costume added to the brilliance of the dance.华丽的服装使舞蹈更加光彩夺目。