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a sentence
is "let's go eating" acceptable?
Nov 16, 2003 09:08
20 yrs ago
3 viewers *
English term

opposite to "patience of a saint"

Non-PRO English Art/Literary
Recently, I was asked by a French friend if there is an expression which conveys the opposite of "to have the patience of a saint".

I've been racking my brains all weekend, but can't think of anything better than "to have the patience of Attila the Hun". I suspect there isn't a similar expression in English, but if this is the case, it's high time we invented one. Any ideas?

All the best


Ian
Responses
4 +8 to have/be on a short fuse
3 +3 to have ants in your pants
3 +2 "[he/she] shoots first and asks questions afterwards"
4 impetuous as the/a devil
3 +1 the impatience of youth or the impatience of a child
4 mischievousness of an imp
4 to be full of beans
3 +1 to not suffer fools gladly
3 to be as restless as a cat on a hot tin roof
2 as restless as the devil

Responses

+8
1 hr
Selected

to have/be on a short fuse

He's got a very short fuse
Peer comment(s):
agree sergey (X) : short fuse is his middle name :-)
29 mins
agree melayujati : quite close
38 mins
agree David Moore (X) : I think this is probably as close as it gets
1 hr
agree NancyLynn
1 hr
agree Matthew Fagan
3 hrs
agree NGK
5 hrs
agree Tanja Abramovic (X)
9 hrs
agree Patricia Baldwin : Yes!
14 hrs
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4 KudoZ points awarded for this answer. Comment: "Thanks David and everyone else who contributed"
13 mins

impetuous as the/a devil

or even one who has a "devil-may-care" attitude
Peer comment(s):
neutral Dorene Cornwell : "devil-may-care" is careless with no connotaions one way or the other about patience
5 hrs
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+3
38 mins

to have ants in your pants

is the first thing that came into to my mind (restless impatience)

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Note added at 2003-11-16 12:28:02 (GMT)
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Patience of a flea
Impetuosity of youth
Chomping at the bit

A few more!!!
Peer comment(s):
agree Jirina Nevosadova : It sounds nice.
40 mins
agree sarahl (X) : or be antsy
4 hrs
agree Ewa Nowicka : my daughter (5) admits she has them too! ;o)
7 hrs
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+1
1 hr

the impatience of youth or the impatience of a child

I have heard both these expressions quite often, depending on the case - hope it helps
Peer comment(s):
agree PB Trans
6 hrs
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+2
1 hr

"[he/she] shoots first and asks questions afterwards"

for someone who doesn't wait before taking decisions, considering, acting or saying things - because they lack the patience of a saint (but only for some uses, obviously)
Peer comment(s):
agree NancyLynn
1 hr
agree Aisha Maniar : i like this possibility
1 hr
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1 hr

mischievousness of an imp

might do


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Note added at 2003-11-16 11:11:23 (GMT)
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As Mely grew older, she was at times a mischievous imp, tormenting her mother to her wits ends.
http://www.grey-company.org/MemberList/Melyanna.html

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Note added at 2003-11-16 11:15:44 (GMT)
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her mother had to be the exact opposite - be as patient as a saint
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4 hrs

to be full of beans

;-)

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Note added at 2003-11-17 01:41:46 (GMT)
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as used in La Grande Vadrouille by RAF paratroopers.
Peer comment(s):
neutral Kim Metzger : Hi sarahl, when a person is "full of beans" he is talking nonsense.
9 hrs
are you sure it's beans he's full of? :-)
neutral DGK T-I : my UK understanding is "bursting with energy","filled with zest" -I can see Sarah's reasoning:-)
9 hrs
thanks!
neutral Gordon Darroch (X) : in my experience "full of beans" is bursting with energy, the expression for talking nonsense is "full of mince"
19 hrs
then you agree ???
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6 hrs

as restless as the devil

I wouldn't say this was a particularly common phrase, but I have heard this said.

A "restless devil" is someone who can't keep still.

Another one is: NO REST FOR THE WICKED (i.e the devil never sleeps)

Hope these ideas help!
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13 hrs

to be as restless as a cat on a hot tin roof

to be antsy
to have zero staying power
not to be able to sit still for a minute
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+1
23 hrs
English term (edited): opposite to

to not suffer fools gladly

To 'not suffer fools gladly' might be close to what you are looking for. eg 'She doesn't suffer fools gladly.''He's got the patience of a saint'. Comparing personalities.

There is also the idiom 'to give someone short shrift'for particular situations. eg You've got the patience of a saint. I would have given her short shrift.

Also:
'to fly off the handle at the slightest provocation' which is similar to 'to have a very short fuse and 'explode' easily'


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Note added at 23 hrs 14 mins (2003-11-17 08:23:46 GMT)
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Indeed, impatience has two meanings:
1 when you are annoyed by someone\'s mistakes or because you have to wait
2 when you want something to happen as soon as possible.
It is Meaning 1 that is required in this case. (=tolerance/intolerance)
Peer comment(s):
agree DGK T-I : (post-grading)
7 days
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