To talk the stripes off a zebra

Posted by R. Berg on April 12, 2006

In Reply to: To talk the stripes off a zebra posted by Laura on April 12, 2006

: Hi, I'm trying to find the meaning of "to talk the stripes off a zebra". My impression is that it either means that someone is very persuasive or that he talks too much and about unimportant things, but since I haven't found it anywhere I can't confirm. I need this for a class assignment. Thanks!

It could be used either way. *My* impression is that "very persuasive (in speech)" is the primary meaning. The phrase suggests a con artist who knows how to get things, how to make a listener yield up something, by talking. But I have no research to back this up.

• To talk the stripes off a zebra Smokey Stover 13/April/06
  • To talk the stripes off a zebra Victoria S Dennis 13/April/06
    • To talk the stripes off a zebra Smokey Stover 14/April/06
      • To talk the stripes off a zebra Victoria S Dennis 14/April/06
        • To talk the stripes off a zebra ESC 15/April/06
          • To talk the stripes off a zebra Smokey Stover 17/April/06