Learn How to 'Catch Lightning in a Bottle'

Now, Words and Their Stories, a weekly program from VOA Learning English.

On this show, we explore common phrases and expressions in American English.

Today we talk about a saying that comes from nature -- the weather, to be exact.

Lightning is a powerful force of nature. In fact, a lightning strike carries millions of volts 2 of electricity.

Scientists say a bolt of lightning strikes somewhere on Earth every second. That is a lot of energy!

Think how wonderful it would be if we could capture lightning and sell it in a bottle. Sadly, that is not something you or I can do, at least not yet.

The phrase "to catch lighting 3 in a bottle" means to capture something powerful or difficult. Then you are able to control it and perhaps show it to the world. This is where the "bottle" part is important.

We can also use "to capture lightning in a bottle" to describe an extremely difficult or unlikely success. Or you can simply call something elusive 4, fleeting 5 and brilliant "lightning in a bottle."

So, something elusive is difficult to define or to identify. "Fleeting" means to be here one minute and gone the next. Something fleeting is hard to hold onto. It is hard to catch or even define. It’s as if it's too special.

For example, once I worked on a theater project and the experience was like lightning in a bottle. The performers -- all gifted and friendly -- became like family. We spent every day together. The material we performed was funny, yet difficult. And every night the people who gathered to watch us perform were wonderful. Experiences like that do not come along every day.

So, we often use the term “lightning in a bottle” when talking about something creative. But not always.

In the world of sports, players and teams have also been known for catching 6 lightning in a bottle. Anything physical that is "lightning in a bottle" can be described as a rare feat 7. Climbing the top of Mount Everest is considered a rare feat of endurance.

Sometimes we use this expression to describe something that it is difficult to do and use it as a simile 8. A simile compares two things and begins with the word "like" or "as." For example, getting all the scientists to agree on a subject for the conference was like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. They all wanted to talk about different issues.

As you may have noticed, we either use the verbs "capture" or "catch" for this expression. "Catch" is less official sounding.

Language experts do not know exactly where this expression comes from. Some say it may have started with Benjamin Franklin -- the American diplomat 9, businessman and inventor.

Ben Franklin is known for a scientific experiment involving electricity and lightning. As the story goes, Franklin once flew a kite in a lightning storm. He had hoped that lightning would strike the kite as it flew high in the sky. He thought the electricity would travel down the string to a metal key at the bottom. Then the plan was to catch the electricity in a glass jar.

But that didn’t happen. However, it did lead to the invention of the lightning rod and the understanding of positive and negative charges.

So, you can’t catch real lightning in a bottle. But hopefully, during your lifetime you’ll have the experience of catching a little of your own lightning in a bottle.

We’ll end the show with a final usage of this expression. It is not that common but probably worth noting. "Bottled lightning" can also mean a very strong alcoholic 10 drink.

And that’s Words and Their Stories.

I’m Anna Matteo.

And I’m Bryan Lynn.

“You're the brightest light I’ve ever seen,

You’re lightning in a bottle, lightning in a bottle,

Break the glass and set yourself free,

lightning in a bottle, lightning in a bottle …”

Words and Their Stories

volt 1 – n. a unit for measuring the force that moves an electric current

bolt – n. a lightning stroke; also “thunderbolt”

brilliant – adj. very impressive or successful : brilliance 11 – n. the quality or state of being brilliant

rare – adj. not common or usual : not often done, seen, or happening

feat – n. an act or achievement that shows courage, strength, or skill

endurance – n. the ability to do something difficult for a long time : the ability to deal with pain or suffering that continues for a long time

kite – n. a toy that is made of a light frame covered with cloth, paper, or plastic and that is flown in the air at the end of a long string

jar – n. a glass container that has a wide opening and usually a lid