English for Today by Ganiu Abisoye Bamgbose (Dr GAB)
APOSTROPHE (OWNERSHIP IN IDIOMS)
My house is ~a stone throw~ from his office (nonstandard).
My house is *a stone’s throw* from his office (standard).
If you say that one place is a stone’s throw from another, you mean that the places are close to each other.
He’s been living here for ~donkey years~ (nonstandard).
He’s been living here for *donkey’s years* (standard).
For donkey’s years means for a very long time.
You have to be determined to achieve your ~heart desire~ (nonstandard).
You have to be determined to achieve your *heart’s desire* (standard).
If you say that someone or something is your heart’s desire, you mean that you want that person or thing very much.
GAB
){kind=link}
No comment