Shakespearian Phrases in the Dialects
Among interesting expressions of Shakespeare’s date still existing in the dialects are: to burn daylight, to light candles before they are wanted; figuratively, to waste time:
Mercutio. ... Come, we burn daylight, ho!
Rom. Nay, that’s not so.
Mer. I mean, Sir, in delay
We waste our lights in vain, like lamps by day.
Rom. and Jul. I. iv. 43-5.
Make a coil, Be in a taking
To make a coil, to make a stir, confusion, or fuss: ‘I am not worth this coil that’s made for me,’ King John, II. i. 165; come your ways, come here, Ham. I. iii. 135, Troil. and Cres. III. ii. 44; pass, condition, state, in phrases: ‘What, have his daughters brought him to this pass?’ Lear, III. iv. 65, ‘Till I be brought to such a silly pass,’ T. Shrew, V. ii. 124; to one’s head, to one’s face, e.g. I told him to his head that I wouldn’t have such goings on in my house any more (Sus.):
... he shall bring you