Luce  +  199376 Tue, 21 Feb 06 03:30 PM Hi, again I'm not sure about an expression, though I suppose the meaning must be something like 'care for each other'. The context: A woman was abandoned by her husband, her girl friends try to console her, and one of them says:   "We've all been there. The picket fence routine is a lot harder than it looks. That's whay we've to watch each other's backs." Thank you very much in advance, Luce     Luce Joined on Fri, Feb 3 2006 New Member 09

	Waïti  +  199406 Tue, 21 Feb 06 05:40 PM Yes Luce, that's exactly how I would understand it too. It is indeed an equivalent to 'care for one another' or 'look after one another'. With maybe a slight emphasis on the notion of guarding from a danger ? Waïti. Waïti Joined on Thu, Aug 25 2005 Regular Member 568

	Grammar Geek  +  199417 Tue, 21 Feb 06 06:03 PM It definitely has the sense of protecting each other from danger. Someone can attack you from behind - so someone watches your back.  You might hear someone say "I've got your back" which means "I'm making sure you don't get harmed." The harm, of course, is not usually a physical attack, but perhaps emotional harm.  (Unless you're watching a crime show. Then it does mean "I'll make sure no one shoots you from behind.) So to "watch each other's back" means they are all looking out for one another to try to make sure no one gets hurt. Grammar Geek Joined on Tue, Jan 10 2006 Veteran Member 19,660 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!

	Luce  +  199700 Wed, 22 Feb 06 11:51 AM Thank you very much, Waiti and Grammar Geek, that was very helpful. Have a nice day, Luce Luce Grammar

	Janissary  +  199798 Wed, 22 Feb 06 03:16 PM can proficients give more examples of metaphors , similarism or idioms. especially in compositions they give tremendous effect  to our writing.i try to use some of them in my compositions as well but with my poor knowledge i think i repeat myself with cliches. to draw blood from stone, as cunning as a fox, eats like a pig,grow like a roofs of tree and etc. i ll be obliged if you give me more such beauties of english regards Janissary Joined on Mon, Jan 23 2006 Istanbul Full Member 494 speak english or die Idioms, Regards, Metaphors, Examples of Metaphors

	Grammar Geek  +  199878 Wed, 22 Feb 06 07:30 PM I just Googled "idioms" and got this site: http://www.idiomsite.com/ Seems like it might have some good stuff for you. Grammar Geek Idioms

	Janissary  +  199891 Wed, 22 Feb 06 08:17 PM thanks and i have found so many answers to my stupid question sorry (why hadnt i searched this site before i asked this ) Janissary