Flat on the ground/I need your word/You have the first move.
Could you please tell me whether the three sentences are fine to say?
#. Police Officer: Flat on the ground!
I guess this means "lie down on the ground", right?
However, I think 'flat' is a little awkward as a verb in that sentence according to the dictionary.
By the way, these sentences are from a certain American movie.
#. I need your word.
it Doesmean "I need you to promise me."? Is it natural to say I need your word? Because it sounds a bit odd to me. I want to get it right.
#. You have the first move.
It is the line told by someone before playing chess game with someone else.
In my dictionary only contains the phrase "make the first move".
They have the same meaning?
And what is the difference with "It's your turn to lead"
Search from various English teachers...
Answers · 6
3
1: The verb 'lie' has been left out. 'flat' is an adverb here. It's OK to use, would be understood, but it is not grammatically correct.
2: Yes, your interpretation is correct. I guess it is idiom, which may come from, or be related to the phrase 'my word is my bond'. It is quite common.
3: Again, is relatively common, and again is probably an abbreviated form - this time for 'you have the right to make the first move'.
'Lead' would be less common for chess. It is very common in other games, particularly cards, where 'leading' means playing the first card.
1
Flat on the ground and I need your word are used in everyday language and you can't make a mistake if you say it like that . You have the first move means that someone does something first (like in chess or a game like monopoly)but turn to lead is used in dancing for example (when the male takes the lead)or when the group of people is going somewhere and the one that is showing the way would take the lead.
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