Seraphin  +  622462 Fri, 26 Dec 08 03:37 PM In the movie Juno, Juno had a quarrel with her step mom Brenda about visiting Mark, the adoption parent. Brenda told her to "go fly a kite". What does that mean? Thanks Seraphin Joined on Sat, Feb 9 2008 Full Member 151

	Grammar Geek  +  622463 Fri, 26 Dec 08 03:39 PM It's an idiom. It means basically "Go away, I'm not paying any attention to what you're saying."   Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,683 Barbara, who answers in American English. My housekeeping skills attest to the truth of the second law of thermodynamics: Left to themselves, things get more and more random! Idioms

	Avangi  +  622828 Fri, 26 Dec 08 11:57 PM The expression goes way back.  In the early 40's when I was about 6, and children were to be seen and not heard, I set off a big family fight. I took a phone call from my obstreperous aunt, who wanted to complain to my mother about my earlier behavior at her house.  My mother was doing laundry in the cellar, and said with exasperation, "Oh, I'm busy!  Tell her to go fly a kite!"   So I did. It sometimes has the spirit of "Go to He**!," but more often, "Please go away," as GG has said. Avangi Joined on Mon, Nov 19 2007 Veteran Member 8,207 ". . . le plaisir delicieux et toujours nouveau d'une occupation inutile." - Henri de Regnier

	exodejavu  +  622847 Sat, 27 Dec 08 12:24 AM Avangi, your experience is hilarious. - Go fly a kite. - Go take a hike. Which is ruder than the other? exodejavu Joined on Wed, Nov 5 2008 Taiwan Full Member 249 Zealous in mastering the English language

	Avangi  +  622854 Sat, 27 Dec 08 12:30 AM I think the hike is ruder, because of the imagery (kites are pretty and friendly), but they both have about the same meaning. Avangi

	CalifJim  +  623133 Sat, 27 Dec 08 05:53 AM And then there's always Go take a long walk off a short pier. CJ CalifJim Joined on Mon, Aug 2 2004 California Veteran Member 22,463 "There are no facts, only interpretations" - Nietzsche