Hi, everyone. O episódio de hoje é sobre duas expressões em inglês que tem a ver com idolatrar uma pessoa, chegando ao ponto de achar que a pessoa é perfeita e nunca faz nada errado. Que tal? :)

Transcrição

Hello, how’s it going? Today we have a new episode of the inglesonline podcast. Please subscribe to this podcast using the Podcasts app for iPhone or iPad, or listen to the episodes using the Inglesonline Android app. To download or just listen to other episodes and download transcripts, go to inglesonline.com.br and click Podcast Inglesonline.

So today I’d like to talk about two terms, or expressions that are related, really. I’m sure every one of you will be able to relate and find examples in your own lives. These are the expressions: the first one is put someone on a pedestal; the second one is this person can do no wrong. Can you guess what the meaning is for the expression “to put someone on a pedestal”?

That’s when you believe someone is perfect. And if you put someone on a pedestal it can also mean you think they are superior to the rest; they’re just a superior being. In general, though, putting someone on a pedestal just means you glorify that person, you idealize them to the point you see them as perfect.

But we know no one is perfect, right? That’s the thing. So… I have examples in my life of someone who puts someone else on a pedestal. Yeah, let’s say Person X puts Person Z on a pedestal. Person X idealizes Person Z so much that no one can say the slightest negative thing about Person Z – Person X will get very angry if she hears it. In fact, it doesn’t even need to be negative. Sometimes, when someone makes a light-hearted comment about Person Z, Person X gets furious. You can’t even joke about Person Z when Person X is around. Although I suspect that’s more of an issue concerning Person X’s sense of humor, or lack thereof…

So, yeah. Person X definitely puts Person Z on a pedestal. Person X thinks Person Z is perfect. That is a true example from my own life. Can you think of people you know that behave like that? Maybe it’s someone in your family; maybe it’s one of your friends or coworkers. Can you think of anyone in your circles that puts a certain person on a pedestal? They just think that person is perfect. They think that person can do no wrong.

And that is the second expression of today. That person can do no wrong. When you put someone on a pedestal, that usually means that you think that person can do no wrong. What does that mean? That means that whatever that person decides, whatever they do, you think they’re right. You think they’ve made the right decision. You never think they’ve made a mistake. You would never think they’re wrong. You love them, or you admire them so much, that even if they make an unexpected decision or decide to take a weird course of action, you’ll understand. You would never doubt their decisions!

This is someone you put on a pedestal and, to you, they can do no wrong. They’re always right, you love every word they utter. They can do no wrong in your book. Have you ever idolized someone like that? Maybe it was your first teacher; maybe a friend; or perhaps it was a girlfriend or boyfriend. You put them on a pedestal; they could do no wrong. 

Please give us your own examples in the comments. It would be interesting to hear different stories – I’m sure everyone can relate to these two expressions. Talk to you next time!

Keywords

* put someone on a pedestal

* can do no wrong