What does “The city (Ferguson) learned too late that the well was dry” mean?

Question

I scratched my head in understanding the meaning of the following passage in the article titled, “The tragedy of Ferguson” of Time magazine (September 1 issue). [Some excerpts appear at [mediabistro.com](http://www.mediabistro.com/fishbowldc/magazine-cover-of-the-week-times-the-tragedy-of-ferguson_b131054), and a teaser at [time.com](http://time.com/3153326/inside-the-tragedy-of-ferguson/?pcd=hp-magmod).]> “Ferguson is no longer just the name of a township. It has become a> stern lesson in the value of public trust - the city learned too late> that **the well was dry** – and a painfully familiar one. When the shots> rang out on Aug 9, the usual figures assumed the customary positions.> Al Sharpton? **Check**. Cable-news anchors? **Check**. Activist in Guy Fawkes> masks? **Check**."What does “the well was dry” mean? What does "well" account for?Additionally, What does “Check” mean? Does it mean “Yes / Possible”?

Answer 1

Two very good questions. Both of your questions deal with idioms that are common in English. Idioms are words or phrases that are difficult to know their meaning even when you understand each of the individual words.

In this case, "the well has run dry" is an idiom that means that a resource you need has been exhausted or reduced to zero. In the article you read, the "well" corresponds to the public's trust in the local government. Because local government officials mismanaged the situation, the people's trust (the well) is gone (run dry).

If you wanted to use this idiom, you can use it any time you use all of something:

Example:

"Are there any cookies left in the kitchen?"

"No, sorry, that well has run dry"

For your second idiom, "check" means that the normal or expected list of people have acted predictably. Imagine if someone made a list of the people he/she expects to have a public opinion about this issue. The writer is "checking" his/her list of the people he/she expected to give an opinion, similar to a list you might have when you visit the grocery store.

Example:

"Do I have my keys? Check."

"Phone? Check."

"Wallet? Check."

I hope this helps you. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me!

Take care.

Dustin