http://www.englishforums.com/English/GeneralEnglishVocabularyIdiom-Questions/Forum29.htmHelp with defining words and idioms, and new words and idioms that you've learntenXMOD (Build: 3616.28671)http://www.englishforums.com/English/WindBrokenUmbrellas/zpzhd/post.htm#492967Tue, 26 May 2009 08:50:37 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:492967Philip0http://www.englishforums.com/English/WindBrokenUmbrellas/zpzhd/post.htm#492967http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-492967.xmlIt's ribs ( for lack of a better word ) are bent and twisted, the fabric may be torn, there will be bits of umbrella sticking out at odd angles, etc. This sentence is saying that the bats look like they are in the same condition as the umbrellas. Its (no apostrophe) = ribs is the word, I think. You won't find a better one.http://www.englishforums.com/English/WindBrokenUmbrellas/zpzhd/post.htm#492891Sun, 26 Apr 2009 08:50:37 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:492891RayH1http://www.englishforums.com/English/WindBrokenUmbrellas/zpzhd/post.htm#492891http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-492891.xmlWhat the heck, I'll take a shot at this. Picture a normal opened umbrella. Now picture the umbrella after it has been broken and deformed by a strong wind. It's ribs (for lack of a better word) are bent and twisted, the fabric may be torn, there will be bits of umbrella sticking out at odd angles, etc. This sentence is saying that the bats look like they are in the same condition as the umbrellas. Note that it doesn't necessarily mean that the bats have actually been hurt (although they could have been).http://www.englishforums.com/English/WindBrokenUmbrellas/zpzhd/post.htm#492889Sun, 26 Apr 2009 08:50:37 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:492889Marius Hancu2http://www.englishforums.com/English/WindBrokenUmbrellas/zpzhd/post.htm#492889http://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-492889.xmlumbrellas broken by the windhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/WindBrokenUmbrellas/zpzhd/post.htmSun, 26 Apr 2009 08:50:37 GMT946f00bb-57d3-4b7b-a9a2-059b5341af52:492867Anonymous3http://www.englishforums.com/English/WindBrokenUmbrellas/zpzhd/post.htmhttp://www.englishforums.com/English/comments29-492867.xmlThis is an excerpt talking about bats... Some had fallen to the ground where they flailed around on the snow like tiny wind-broken umbrellas , using the thumbs at the top joint of their wings to gain their balance. What is the meaning of highlight?!