English Explanatory Dictionary

in the green tree … in the dry

English dictionary entry

Meanings

prep_phrase
  1. In a better situation as against a worse one; used chiefly in rhetorical questions to suggest that the current unfavorable situation will worsen in the future.

Word forms

in the green tree … in the dry

Etymology

From Luke 23:31, Koine Greek ὅτι εἰ ἐν τῷ ὑγρῷ ξύλῳ ταῦτα ποιοῦσιν, ἐν τῷ ξηρῷ τί γένηται (hóti ei en tōî hugrōî xúlōi taûta poioûsin, en tōî xērōî tí génētai), rendered “For if they do these things in a green tree [when the trees are green], what shall be done in the dry?” in the King James Version.

Synonyms

in the green tree
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