Beggar description
Defy or outdo any possible description, as in The stage set was so elaborate, it beggared description. This term, alluding to the idea that words are insufficient to do something justice, was already used by Shakespeare in Antony and Cleopatra (2:2), “For her own person It beggared all description.”
Historical Examples
The events that occurred during the following hundred or more days beggar description.
The Smoky God Willis George Emerson
The feelings of the unfortunate Theodora were such as to beggar description.
Gomez Arias Joaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso
There were snores that beggar description, that seemed to express every temperament and every passion of the human soul.
Lippincott’s Magazine of Popular Literature and Science, Vol. XII, No. 28. July, 1873. Various
The scenes in the Jewish quarter at the close of the riot, beggar description.
Rabbi and Priest Milton Goldsmith
There are some scenes that beggar description, and this was such an one.
Madeline Payne, the Detective’s Daughter Lawrence L. Lynch
Behind the two heroic combats scenes were occurring which beggar description.
The Life of Napoleon Bonaparte William Milligan Sloane
I will not describe my years of happiness with my noble wife; such years beggar description.
Mauprat George Sand
Read Also:
- Befell
to happen or occur. Archaic. to come, as by right. to happen to, especially by chance or fate. Contemporary Examples A truth-teller by nature, Judt never pretended that the illness that befell him was a hidden blessing. Tony Judt’s Final Words John Gray November 22, 2010 The pair of films that would follow—Se7en and The […]
- Befallen
to happen or occur. Archaic. to come, as by right. to happen to, especially by chance or fate. Contemporary Examples If someone were to ask me what disaster this was that had befallen my life, I might ask if they wanted the story or the truth. If You Read This Book, You Will Not Get […]
- Beggar's-lice
(used with a singular or plural verb) any of several plants, especially of the genera Cynoglossum and Hackelia, having small, prickly fruits that stick to clothing. (used with a plural verb) the fruits or seeds of such a plant. noun (functioning as sing) any of several plants, esp the stickseed, having small prickly fruits that […]
- Beggar-my-neighbor
beggar-your-neighbor. Historical Examples Hide and Seek Wilkie Collins
- Beggar's opera
a ballad opera (1728) with text by John Gay and music arranged by John Pepusch.