Other than Bodie's statement that Murphy is a class A marksman and a mountain climber, do we know anything else about Murphy? Is he, in fact, a soldier?
And while I'm bothering you guys, is the phrase "this is right down your alley..." an Americanism, or do you have it on your side of the pond too?Don't know about Murphy, I'm afraid, but I think I would say that something "is/should be right up your/her/etc's street". Haven't heard it in these here parts with down or alley - regional variations, anyone? I think helio is right, even if I were to say alley (just tried it out loud and it sounds wrong) it would have to be up not down, so that's a US one.
Can't help with Murphy. I've watched them all more than once, but not lately and I'm terrible for keeping details straight anywayNow that you mention it, up your alley sounds better than down your alley.
The local bowling team must have invaded my mind while I was writing.
But you lot would say "street" not "alley", eh?I used "right up your alley" in a story and it felt ok to me at the time, but my mental ear has been a bit skewed by long residence in the USA. I think the zine editor had everything Brit-checked, though.I think "right up your alley" wouldn't jar on Brit-ears, but that "street" is definitely what springs to mind first - to me, anyway. Just my tuppence-worth.
Ooh, my Collins evens says this: 5. up (or down) one's alley. a variant of up one's street (see street (sense 8)).Thanks, guys, I think I shall opt for "Up your street."
[She said, sneaking quietly away, down the alley.]
