If you are involved in any kind of intense negotiation and you have to find the appropriate phrase to seal the deal, then saying 'make me an offer I can't refuse' is a common way to steer the conversation there. The expression is a way to ask for a negotiation counterpoint. This post unpacks the […]
Category: Idioms
Come Hell or High Water – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Do you have the need for an expression that says 'absolutely through anything' or 'no matter what happens' but with more creativity? The phrase 'come hell or high water' is a common expression in the English language that can be used to mean just that. This post unpacks the meaning, origin and correct use of […]
Hot Off the Press – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Would you like to tell someone that you've heard about something so new and exciting that it literally just happened or was released a few minutes ago? The phrase 'hot off the press' can be used to tell someone this, and the popular expression has been in use as long as newspapers have. This post […]
Take the Lord's Name in Vain – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Have you seen the phrase 'take the Lord's name in vain' and would like to know more about the context and meaning behind the saying? To 'take the Lord's name in vain' is an English saying that is rooted in religion, and it repeats directly from common Bible translations. This post unpacks the meaning and […]
Down to Earth – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Being humble is the best way to build lasting relationships while still being the best at what you do. There are many ways to express that you or someone you know is humble. One of the well-loved expressions is that a person is down to earth. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this […]
The Sins of the Father – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to say that misdeeds can have grave consequences that can, in more extreme cases, even have an intergenerational impact? You could turn to the saying "the sins of the father (are visited upon the sons)". This post unpacks its origin and meaning. Meaning The quote "the sins of the […]
The Wages of Sin is Death – Meaning, Origin and Usage
There are a lot of biblical phrases that have found their way into mainstream conversation. One of those phrases is “the wages of sin is death”. While some phrases have a straightforward meaning, others need to be explained. This is one such phrase. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The […]
To a Tee – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Have you ever come across an example that describes exactly what you are trying to express? Perhaps you found an outfit or item that is perfect for your goals. If so, the phrase to a tee can help you emote exactly what you feel. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning […]
Head in the Clouds – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a poetic way to tell someone that they’re daydreaming and oblivious to what’s going on in the world? You could say that this person has their “head in the clouds”. Keep reading to learn more about the meaning of this saying, as well as about where it came from. Meaning The […]
When It Rains It Pours – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did a plumbing catastrophe just flood your bathroom, only for you to find out that you also got a parking ticket — and you think your girlfriend is about to dump you? That would be a classic "when it rains, it pours" situation. Keep reading to discover where this idiom comes from, and how to […]