About: Pearson

Did your aunt have hip replacement surgery? You might say that she is “on the road to recovery” and getting better every day. Keep reading to discover what this phrase means, how it originated, and how to add it to your vocabulary. Meaning The idiom “on the the road to recovery” means that someone is […]

Do you want to explain how a task is easy? You could say it's "as simple as that" when referring to its execution. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "simple as that" means something is easy to comprehend or understand. It refers to something uncomplicated, requiring no advanced […]

Did your friends laugh at your joke? You could close with, “thank you, folks, try the veal.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “try the veal” is similar to “that’s all, folks!” It’s a way of closing a joke or a comedy set. It’s similar to the saying […]

Many people enjoy getting a massage, whether to relax or to get relief from sore muscles — but not all massage services are alike. If a man tells you he’s been for a “rub and tug,” he got more than a massage. Read on to discover what a rub and tug is and where this […]

Did your friend tell you a football player flew "under the radar" this season, and they only noticed their skills now? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "under the radar" means something that went unnoticed or avoided your attention. It's another way to say something escapes your attention, […]

Are you about to study for an exam? You could tell your friends you must leave to “hit the books.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “hit the books” means to study for a test, exam, or profession. If someone tells you to hit the books, they’re telling […]

Did you suggest going somewhere for dinner, and your partner said, "If I had my druthers," before making an alternate suggestion? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "if I had my druthers" is a combination abbreviation of the words "would" and "rather." So, if you use "if I […]

Did someone reference the phrase “kiss me, Hardy”? You may wonder what it means and assume it to be an idiom. “Kiss me, Hardy” is, in fact, a famous phrase the famous Admiral Nelson reportedly uttered on his deathbed. This post explores the circumstances behind the words. Meaning “Kiss me, Hardy” is neither an idiom […]

Did your boss ask you to do something that sounds impossible to achieve? You could say she's asking you to complete a "Herculean task." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "Herculean task" refers to an action or duty that seems impossible to complete. If someone serves you a […]

Are you looking for a way to tell a friend they have to keep out of trouble? You could ask them to “keep their nose clean.” This post explores the meaning and origin of the curious idiom “keep your nose clean” and shows you how to use the phrase in a sentence. Meaning “Keep your […]