Portraits of stern-faced ancestors lined the walls.

Meaning: On the walls of the house, there were paintings of the people who lived there long ago. They all looked very serious and strict.

Choice of Words: Portraits are paintings or photographs of people. Stern means strict or serious. Ancestors are people from whom one is descended. Lined means to arrange in a row or series. The portraits of stern-faced ancestors are described as lining the walls, creating an image of a family history filled with serious and formal people.

Alternative Expressions

Pictures of ancestors with serious faces lined the walls.

Meaning: This means that there were paintings or drawings of people who came before us in our family, and they had serious expressions on their faces. These pictures were arranged in a row on the walls.

Choice of Words: Pictures means a drawing or painting that shows us how something or someone looks like. Ancestors are people who came before us in our family. Serious means not smiling or happy. Faces is the front part of our head. Lined means to arrange in a row.

Portraits of ancestors who had no smiles adorned the walls.

Meaning: This means that there were paintings or drawings of people who came before us in our family, and they did not have smiles on their faces. These pictures were used to decorate the walls.

Choice of Words: Portraits are special pictures that are painted or drawn to look exactly like a person. Ancestors are people who came before us in our family. Smiles are when we show our happiness by turning up the corners of our mouths. Adorned means to decorate or make something look more beautiful.

Images of our family members with frowns were hung up on the walls.

Meaning: This means that there were pictures of our family members on the walls, and they were not smiling. They were showing sadness or unhappiness.

Choice of Words: Images are pictures or representations of something. Family members are people who are related to us, like our parents, siblings, and grandparents. Frowns are when we show our sadness or unhappiness by turning down the corners of our mouths. Hung up means to put something on a wall or other surface.

Related Expressions