Hello!

I wonder how often can be the expresion " by osmosis " used ? And in what situation could it be used apropriately?

Here's the context where I founf this expression:

Arnault's five children, all of whom now run parts of LVMH-are groomed early on, so by the time they are ready to take over they have already acquired some industry knowledge by osmosis.

Question

Hello!

I wonder how often can be the expresion " by osmosis " used ? And in what situation could it be used apropriately?

Here's the context where I founf this expression:

Arnault's five children, all of whom now run parts of LVMH-are groomed early on, so by the time they are ready to take over they have already acquired some industry knowledge by osmosis.

Answer

Those other comments are clearly by folks that are not native speakers. It’s a sort of silly but but normal way of describing the process of informal learning through exposure, and would be used and understood by anyone who has made it through middle school biology.

Answer

Agree with David L.  "Osmosis" is a relatively common term in North America as a synonym for learning by exposure. I can't speak for other varieties of English.

Answer

This is not a widely used saying. It's good for storytelling, like in a novel, or when when you want to add some extra drama or flare.

Answer

It's not common at all to use this expression in every day speech! It would be understood what you mean only if that person already knows what osmosis is.

Answer

Hello Marina.

I would strongly recommend that you replace the word 'groomed' with the word trained because the first word,  groomed has negative associations/connonations of a sexual nature.

Paul R

Answers · 9

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