Check out other Idioms
Idiom – Barking Up The Wrong Tree
Barking Up The Wrong Tree – Idiom of the Day Meaning: To be looking for answers in the wrong place. Origin: The expression originated in 19th century America when people used dogs to hunt raccoons. When the raccoon climbed up a tree, the dog waited below until its master arrived. However, there was always the chance of the dog identifying the wrong tree. Examples: Hey officer, I’m telling you, you’re barking up the wrong tree. I didn’t kill that guy. Man I didn’t tell anyone about you having an affair, you’re barking up the wrong tree! Guys have we been...
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Idiom – Elephant In The Room
Elephant In The Room – Idiom of the Day Meaning: An obvious problem or situation that people avoid talking about. Origin: The phrase was first used with its modern meaning in the 1950s, although it’s first ever recorded use was in 1935, when the expression meant, “something obvious and incongruous”. Usage: Not to bring up the elephant in the room, but why are your clothes so wet? It certainly isn’t raining. Let’s address the elephant in the room: our students’ test scores are falling, and if they fall even further down the line, the school will lose its funding. None...
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Idiom – To be over the moon
To be over the moon – Idiom of the day Meaning: to be very pleased History: The first reference to this phrase was in ‘The English Chevalier’ in 1718. It became more famous because of English football managers in 1970s who started using it after winning matches. Though, it became popular worldwide in 1970s, it would have been familiar to those who grew up in Britain in the 20th century as the phrase was mentioned in a common nursery rhyme – High Diddle Diddle. High diddle diddle, The Cat and the Fiddle, The Cow jump’d over the Moon, The little...
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Idiom – Bring Down The Curtain
Bring Down The Curtain – Idiom of the Day Meaning: The idiom mostly refers to bringing something down or to an end. History: The idiom ‘Bring down the curtain’ was first referred to as lowering the screens at the front of the stage in theatres or to something that was going to end. Idiom scenarios: Scenario 1: Rose: I don’t know when the government will take action against that controversial campaign. John: Don’t worry; my father, who works at the government organization, told me that the government plans to bring down the controversial campaign’s curtains. Scenario 2: Keith: Hey...
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Idiom – Cry Over Spilled Milk
Cry Over Spilled Milk – Idiom of the Day Meaning: To complain about something from the past that cannot change. History: It originated in 1659 and was formed by British historian and writer James Howell in his work Paramoigraphy. Later in 1738, another writer, Jonathan Swift, used it in his work Polite conversation, where he wrote, “Tis a folly to cry for spilt milk.” Example: She made a mistake by quitting my job. But there is no point in crying over spilled milk now. My son damaged my car, and I was furious about what happened, but I realized there...
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Idiom- Up in the air
Up in the air- Idiom of the day Meaning: unresolved, undecided undecided about something uncertain or unresolved, often because other matters have to be decided first not yet settled or finalized unsure, full of doubt not yet decided History This expression came out as “in the air” in the mid-1700s, and it later acquired ‘up’ in the first half of the 1900s. Idiom scenarios: Scenario 1: Shawn: What are you doing this evening? Angel: Nothing much. Shawn: Why so? Angel: I’m supposed to be going out with Dave tonight but he’s up to his neck in work. My plans are...
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Idiom – Lower The Bar
Lower The Bar – Idiom of the Day Meaning: To lower expectations or standards To set simpler rules than the previous, difficult ones To make something easy History: This phrase finds its origin around 1900 in athletic terminology. It comes from track and field game. The pole vault event and the high jump event involve raising a crossbar to comprehend how high the participants or the pole vault can jump. Thus, originally, it is from the area of high jump and pole vault where it is required to raise the bar after every jump to reach the newer record of...
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Idiom – Run Around like a Headless Chicken
Run Around like a Headless Chicken – Idiom of the Day Meaning: To do things in a much-unorganized way. History: It originated in England during the 14th century when chopped off the heads of chicken with the axe’s help. During the process, few chickens in pain and fear were running here and there, crashing into each other with half-cut hanging heads. Examples: Ben ran around like a headless chicken after missing his bus. One should be well prepared for everything in advance not to end up running around like headless chickens. Meera is a very disorganized student, always running around...
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Idiom – When the Chips Are Down
When the Chips Are Down – Idiom of the Day Meaning: A very hard situation. History: It originated in the 1900s from poker. Poker is a game which involves cards and chips, sometimes chips stand for real money. While playing the game, players bet against each other by putting forward their chips and the situation is very serious. As when the cards will be unfolded the situation can be reversed. This expression was initially published in 1901 by Frank yerby in Floodtide. Example: When the chips are down, true faces of people are revealed. One must keep faith in god...
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Idiom- Rule of thumb
Rule of thumb- Idiom of the day Meaning: a principle that is kept to a guide that is based on practice rather than theory a general principle that comes through experience and not any scientific means a practical and approximate way History: This phrase has been believed to be used since the 1600s and the origin is usually attributed to domestic violence, however, there is no proof of the theory. There was believed to be a law in England that allowed a man to beat his wife with a stick which was not thicker than his thumb. However, it has...
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Idiom – The Elephant In The Room
The Elephant In The Room – Idiom of the Day Meaning: An obvious, huge issue that is being avoided and not talked about History: This idiom is an American phrase that has murky origins. The very first reference is dated to 1935 that meant something incongruous and obvious. Later, in the 1950s, the current meaning of the idiom was originated, which is something huge that is generally ignored as it seems quite uncomfortable to be dealt with. One of the interesting examples of this idiom took place in the Broadway musical, Jumbo in 1935. At that time, Jimmy Durante was...
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Idiom – Make A Beeline For
Make A Beeline For – Idiom of the Day Meaning: To go quickly and directly towards someone or something. History: The idiom ‘Make a Beeline For’ has been derived from the bees’ behavior, which rapidly flies in search of nectar and returns to their beehive. Idiom scenarios: Scenario 1: Brother 1: Let’s make a beeline for the kitchen so that when mom comes, she will distribute the cake Brother 2: Yeah, sure. Scenario 2: Students: Ma’am, take us to the 3D project room Teacher: Okay, students, make a beeline for the 3D project room, so that we get to...
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Idiom – Better Late Than Never
Better Late Than Never – Idiom of the Day Meaning: Something that can delay than not happening or occurring at all or doing something late than not doing it at all. History: The idiom ‘Better Late than never’ originated as an expression used in Latin, ‘Livy IV.ii potius sero quam nunquam,’ and in the mid 15th century, the Idiom ‘Better Late than Never’ was used commonly. Idiom scenarios: Scenario 1: Rose: My sister’s birthday was a week ago, should I give her something now? John: Yeah, Sure, it’s better late than never, right? Rose: Yes! That’s true. Scenario 2:...
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Idiom – Hold All The Cards
Hold All The Cards – Idiom of the Day Meaning: Holding a robust and influential position and controlling others over it History: This idiom ‘Hold all the Cards’ comes from the card games where someone who holds all the valuable cards is in the most advantageous position. Idiom scenarios: Scenario 1: Sita: To whom should I ask for leave permission? Gita: The General Manager holds all the cards at this company, therefore try asking him. Scenario 2: Soni: Can you please tell me who has designed this product? And how was it developed? Executive: Sorry sir, the product was...
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Idiom – Wag The Dog
When Pigs Fly – Idiom of the Day Meaning: To divert attention from something that is inappropriate To changing the topic from something important to unimportant History: The early use of this phrase was noted in politics. In terms of the print media, it originated in an article published in 1871, discussing one Democratic convention. Therein, the reference was given to a well-known, popular play – Our American Cousin. In this play, one of the characters, Lord Dundreary, who is a sympathetic being constantly speaks confused phrases. At that time, these catch phrases were known as Dundrearyisms. In 1993, with...
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Idiom – Have One’s Cake and Eat it
Have One’s Cake And Eat It – Idiom of the Day Meaning: To enjoy doing two desired things in incompatible situations. History: The idiom ‘Have One’s Cake and Eat it’ is a proverbial saying used when a person wants the benefits of doing two things simultaneously. Idiom scenarios: Scenario 1: John: Why do you want to spend your entire day at the college? Jessy: This is because it lets me have my cake and eat it too; I can study and make money by working at the college library. Scenario 2: Keith: I want a luxurious apartment with beautiful interiors...
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Idiom – As Blind As A Bat
As Blind As A Bat – Idiom of the Day Meaning: To not see well or have poor eyesight or turn a blind eye to problems. History: This idiom is from the collection of idioms from the mid 17th century. But the low vision of the bats has been used in a proverbial format since the 16th century. Idiom scenarios: Scenario 1: Keith: Can you please give the specs to me? It is kept over the table. Rose: Yes, but why are you wearing specs during the occasions? Why don’t you wear a lens? Keith: I am as blind...
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Idiom – Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket
Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket – Idiom of the Day Meaning: Putting all your energy and efforts into one place or area is very risky. History: It originated in the 1600s from Miguel Cervantes book Don Quixote where he wrote, “it is the part of a wise man to keep himself today for tomorrow, and not venture all his eggs in one basket.” Examples: “I would advise you to apply to several universities instead of just two, don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” “Harry, why are you putting all your savings in one share? Don’t...
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Idiom- Stabbed in the back
Stabbed in the back- Idiom of the day Meaning: a disloyalty to deceive someone’s faith an action of extreme betrayal to deceive or betray someone who trusted you to ruin the reputation of a known person secretly a harmful act against someone who had faith in you an unfaithful act that causes a big loss of one’s reputation, money or happiness History: The term originated in Germany just after World War I. The first reported use of it can be found in a report from England printed in ‘Neue Zürcher Zeitung’ on 1 December 1918.“As far as the German army...
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Idiom – A Hot Potato
A Hot Potato – Idiom of the Day Meaning: A situation which is very difficult to deal with or a very complicated circumstance. History: It originated in the 1800s from an older expression “drop like a hot potato” which means to disown something. As when the potato is baked or boiled it retains water and heat inside it. Hence it is advisable that hot potatoes should be handled cautiously. Example: Gender equality is still a hot potato in many parts of the world. Election rallies are becoming a hot potato for citizens as it badly affects the flow of the...
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