Basic Details
Word: Grime
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A thick layer of dirt or unpleasant substances that builds up on surfaces.
Synonyms: Dirt, filth, muck
Antonyms: Cleanliness, purity, neatness
Idioms and Phrases
- Grime and punishment: A play on 'crime and punishment', meaning that sometimes we need to deal with the mess before we can move forward. Example: "After spending the whole day cleaning, she felt the grime and punishment of her procrastination."
- Can't see the wood for the grime: Being so overwhelmed by a problem or situation (often untidiness) that one cannot see a solution. Example: "With all this clutter around, I can't see the wood for the grime and need to tidy up."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The old kitchen had layers of grime on the walls that needed scrubbing.
Example 2: After the construction work, the building was covered in grime that took days to clean up.
Example 3: Despite the grime outside, the children played happily, unaware of the dirt on their clothes.
Fun Fact
Interestingly, the word "grime" has its roots in the Old English word "grima," which meant "foulness" and has been used for centuries to describe dirt and filth.
Famous Quote
"Dirt is matter out of place." - Robert T. Paine
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "grime" mean?
a) A type of food
b) A thick layer of dirt
c) A kind of game
d) A type of clothing
Answer: b) A thick layer of dirt
2. Which of these is a synonym of "grime"?
a) Cleanliness
b) Muck
c) Order
d) Sparkle
Answer: b) Muck
3. What is the opposite of "grime"?
a) Dirt
b) Cleanliness
c) Messy
d) Filth
Answer: b) Cleanliness
4. Which sentence uses "grime" correctly?
a) The grime on my shoes made them shine.
b) She painted a grime on the canvas.
c) The child's fingers were covered in grime after playing outside.
d) He cooked a delicious grime for dinner.
Answer: c) The child's fingers were covered in grime after playing outside.
5. Which idiom refers to dealing with mess before moving forward?
a) Grime and punishment
b) As fit as a fiddle
c) A stitch in time saves nine
d) All that glitters is not gold
Answer: a) Grime and punishment
