Are you feeling frustrated with waiting for something in your life? Remember, ‘patience is a virtue.’ This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this proverbial expression. Meaning The proverbial expression ‘patience is a virtue’ means that patience is a skill worth learning and a valuable tool in life. It refers to the fact that […]
Category: Idioms
Trials and Tribulations – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Have you been dealing with a seemingly endless bout of bad luck? Maybe things just can’t seem to go right but you refuse to give up? If so, this is what many old-timers refer to as trials and tribulations. If you are curious about this turn of phrase, you are in the right place. This […]
The Sky’s the Limit – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did someone tell you the sky’s the limit after you asked them what’s possible with the price of Bitcoin? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning ‘The sky’s the limit’ means that there is no limit. It’s a way of saying that you have untapped, limitless potential. The phrase can refer […]
The Pen is Mightier than the Sword – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did someone tell you that ‘the pen is mightier than the sword?’ How is that possible? A sword is a far better weapon than a pen, right? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The proverbial expression ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’ means mass appeal has more power than […]
Such is Life – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did you deliver bad news to someone? If they respond with ‘such is life,’ they probably don’t find it surprising. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘such is life’ means to accept the unpredictable misfortune of existence. Typically, people will use the phrase with weary resignation, as if […]
Bolt From the Blue – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did someone just describe a surprising event as a ‘bolt from the blue?’ This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘bolt from the blue’ means a sudden, unexpected occurrence or event. Usually, the event is a minor annoyance or frustration, or it causes you to have to take action […]
Blood on Hands – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did someone say you have ‘blood on your hands’ after making a decision? Are you responsible for the outcome, or can you pass the blame to someone else? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression ‘blood on your hands’ means that you’re responsible for the death or suffering of […]
Blessing In Disguise – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you having an awful day after getting fired? Was this job your only source of income? That sounds extremely depressing, but if you look at things in a different light it may actually be a blessing in disguise. There are a lot of things in life that may seem terrible from the outset but […]
Let The Cat Out Of The Bag – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Has someone ever told you something in confidence that you later revealed in public? Perhaps you shared some news with someone and they later shared the information with others. If so, then you are already aware of what letting the cat out of bag means. While it is similar to snitching, letting the cat out […]
More Than One Way to Skin a Cat – Meaning, Origin and Usage
In the world of idioms, there are seemingly endless ways to say the same thing. One such idiom is “there’s more than one way to skin a cat.” This phrase has been used for centuries and has many different interpretations. But what does it mean? And why do we use it? Let’s take a closer […]