Expert: Maria - 1/31/2010

Question
May i please know if the expression 'phoenix-like' is correct and whether it can be used in general description of something.

Answer
Hello,

If you want to know the origin of the English word “phoenix”, I can tell you  that it derives from the ancient Greek “phoinix” (φοῖνιξ), the fabulous Arabian bird, which periodically regenerated itself.
According to legend in fact, the phoenix lived in Arabia; when it reached the end of its life (500 years), it burned itself on a pyre of flames, and from the ashes a new phoenix arose.
This is why the phoenix has been used in literature as a symbol of death and resurrection.

Therefore I think that the English expression 'phoenix-like'  means that someone /something is able to revive just like the phoenix and then is a person or thing so excellent as to have no equal or match.

So “to rise like a phoenix from the ashes” is to overcome a seemingly insurmountable setback.

Best regards,
Maria