THREEBIES #1

I had an idea for a series of posts challenging myself (and maybe other readers/writers) creatively.  I’ve termed it “Threebies,” and I think it may be fun.  I’ll use this list as possible idea or post-starters to encourage myself to think beyond typical terminology.

Our grammar arsenal contains a little structure called an imperative.  It’s a sentence in the form of a command in which there is normally no subject listed, only an implied “you.” I like the possibilities of this structure because it kind of boils the statement down to its essentials.  I’ve placed my own arbitrary standards on the imperative idea to create “threebies.”

A threebie is a 3-word sentence that consists of:
VERB “the” NOUN

Some sentences on my threebies list are common phrases or cliches.  Some are simply common actions. The challenge is to explore the concept of each sentence literally, philosophically, introspectively, etc.  Take the statement beyond it’s most easily accessible use and write about it.  Interesting – maybe.  So, if threebies provide some inspiration for you, send me links to your posts!

Here’s my first set of 20.  Stay tuned. 

Stop the presses.
Hold the horses.
Toot the horn.
Set the hook.
Rip the seam.
Shed the skin.
Bet the ranch.
Paint the town.
Beat the odds.
Shuffle the cards.
Scratch the surface.
Perish the thought.
Turn the tables.
Raise the stakes.
Split the infinitive.
Break the engagement.
Ditch the date.
Up the ante.
Change the channel.
Jerk the chain.