About: Pearson

Did your boss thank you for putting in the extra effort today? You could say, "it's all in a day's work," to show them they can expect more from you. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "all in a day's work" refers to work regularly done by someone […]

Is a friend moaning to you about future events? You could tell them, "all good things come to those who wait," to ask them to have patience. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The proverbial expression "all go things come to those who wait" literally refers to advocating patience in […]

Did your friend do something crazy? You could call them a basket case to describe their behavior. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “basket case” means someone wild or crazy. It can refer to someone that’s genuinely mentally ill or enjoys adopting a risk-taking approach to life. A […]

Did your friend tell you they’re in trouble for something at school? You could tell them to “admit nothing, deny everything” when questioned about their transgression. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “admit nothing, deny everything” is the shorter form of “admit nothing, deny everything, and make counter-accusations.” […]

Is your grandmother in hospital after suffering a fall? Do you want to know if the staff is taking care of her? The phrase “Are you in good hands?” is a great way to ask this question. Read on to learn more about the meaning and origin of this popular idiom. Meaning The idiomatic phrase […]

Are you looking for a way to tell someone that an issue isn’t nuanced — and that there is a sharp divide between right and wrong? You could say it’s “black and white.” This post explores this fascinating phrase, which has several distinct meanings. Meaning “Black and white” is the sharpest possible contrast, the contrast […]

Have you seen the expressions 'green eyed jealousy' or 'green with jealousy' somewhere and would like to know more about the meaning or why people say this? The phrase means that someone is jealous, and it's a common figurative saying. This post explores its most common use and origin. Meaning 'Green eyed jealousy' is a […]

Have you seen the saying 'fake it till you make it' somewhere online or in a text and would like to know more about the phrase? It's a common saying that is often used in the context of careers or social situations, where standing or image counts. This post unpacks its meaning, origin, and common […]

Have you seen the common phrase 'mad as a hatter' somewhere in a text (or on the internet), and want to know more about the saying and its origins? 'Mad as a hatter' is a figurative expression with an interesting origin. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and correct use of the saying. Meaning 'Mad […]

Have you seen the phrase 'straight and narrow' somewhere and would like to know what the saying means and where it comes from? The phrase 'straight and narrow' is a common saying in the English language that refers to following an acceptable moral path. This post unpacks the meaning and common use of the phrase. […]