Make Your Point > Archived Issues > PARRY

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explore the archives: Figurative parrying is done with words or body language; literal parrying, with a sword. So speaking of swords, what's a proper adjective starting with "D" that describes scary situations in which terrible harm or disaster is about to happen? (And how does this D-word involve swords?) make your point with... "PARRY" In fencing, to parry (or to parry a blow or thrust) is to ward off the oncoming blow or thrust so that it doesn't reach you. In sports, you parry a shot (or parry the ball or the puck) by blocking it. So in general, to parry (or to parry something, usually a question) is to skillfully avoid or deflect it. Pronunciation: PAIR ee Part of speech: Verb. It’s most often transitive (you parry something)  but can also be intransitive (you parry). Other forms: Parried, parrying. "Parry" is also a noun meaning "an act of warding off something." How to use it: However you use the word, imagine that whoever is parrying has a sword in hand and is using it to ward off an oncoming question or comment. You usually talk about parrying awkward or inappropriate questions (or parrying questions you just don't want to answer). You can also parry entire topics of conversation. You might parry someone's verbal blows: parry an accusation, parry an insult, parry a criticism, parry a verbal strike or attack. You can parry something away, parry something, or simply parry. If you parry with people, you're dodging each other's questions in a more playful way. Occasionally you'll parry a person ("she parried her opponent") or parry that something else is true ("accused of sloppiness, she parried that her work was correct"). Some writers use "parried" in dialogue attribution: "No way," she parried. But for reasons that I won't get into now, I belong to a large group of readers (including Stephen King) who totally hate this and recommend just writing "said" instead of "parried," "countered," "asserted," "whimpered," etc. Finally, "parry" and "thrust" often go hand in hand. Parrying is defensive, thrusting offensive: "I'm not going to thrust and parry with you over this idea." examples: Jennifer Lawrence doesn't just parry dumb questions; she thrusts back at them. For readers in need of them, Dear Abby always provides a parry. This one works for almost any situation: “If you'll forgive me for not answering that question, I'll forgive you for asking!” study it now: Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "parry" means when you can explain it without saying "deflect" or "evade." try it out: Think of a time someone ignored your request or pushed aside your question. Fill in the blanks: "(Someone) parried my (request/question) (by/with) _____."  Example: "The representative parried my request to cancel the service with a speech about how much I could save by upgrading it. Sigh." before you review: Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first. Language Techniques: When language sounds beautiful or memorable, often there’s some particular technique responsible for that effect. Each day this month, I’ll give you a specific stylistic technique or quality, and I’d like you to recreate (as closely as you can) the quote that I’ve botched by removing it. We’ll work our way from the easiest to the hardest techniques. Enjoy! From yesterday: "Give us this day our daily bread" is an example of synecdoche: a figurative use of a part of something as a representation of the whole, or vice versa. You've heard it in the old adage, too, that literally means "Communication works better than violence." What's the real version? Answer: "The pen is mightier than the sword."  Try this one today: "Fairy tales are more than true: not because they tell us that dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten." Here, Neil Gaiman makes use of antithesis, the placement of contrasting ideas side by side. Neil Armstrong's first step on the moon wasn't just "one giant leap for mankind." What's the fuller, antithetical description of this accomplishment? review today's word: 1. The opposite of PARRY in its figurative sense is A. BLOCK B. DISCERN C. ANSWER 2. After parrying the question for weeks, he finally _____. A. made up his mind B. gave the public an honest response C. got the answer he'd been hoping for Answers are below. a final word: To be a sponsor and send your own message to readers of this list, please contact Liesl at Liesl@HiloTutor.com. Disclaimer: Word meanings presented here are expressed in plain language and are limited to common, useful applications only. Readers interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words are encouraged to check a dictionary. Likewise, word meanings, usage, and pronunciations are limited to American English; these elements may vary across world Englishes. Answers to review questions: 1. C 2. B