Category: Idioms

Would you like to refer to the fact that someone has said or done something to defend someone else, or would you like to make a reference to a robbery where there were guns involved? Hopefully it's the first, and not the second: the term 'sticks up' can be used to apply to both situations! […]

Would you like to let someone know that their insults are powerless to hurt you, and that the only thing you'll flinch for from them is actual, physical injury? The term 'sticks and stones may break my bones' is used to imply that their insults don't matter to you, even though they might. This term […]

Have you seen the question 'how many angels can dance on the head of a pin?' and would like to know more context, the origin or the meaning of this common expression? The term is a common rhetorical question, and it can sometimes lead to confusion if you have never heard it before. This post […]

Would you like to tell someone that it's about time they follow instructions, or that they should stick to the order that they have been given? The expression 'toe the line' is the right one to use, even though it is sometimes confused with the misnomer 'tow the line' instead. This post unpacks the meaning […]

Wishing someone a pleasant night is polite and caring. However, it can get pretty routine after a time. Do you want a new, interesting way to say “goodnight” to your friends? Or maybe you’re visiting someone’s house, it’s getting late, and you’re getting ready to leave, and you want to know what to say when […]

Have you heard the word "Hare Krishna"? What comes to mind? If you're like most people, you might think of it as a religious sect, or perhaps even a cult. You might picture devotees with long hair and colorful robes, chanting and playing music. And you'd be right, to a certain extent. But there's much […]

Do you have someone you love but you don’t know exactly what to say to convey that emotion? Or do you want an endearing term to express your affection to someone? Perhaps you are feeling affectionate but are not in the mood to utter lovey dovey flatteries? Then the phrase “je taime” may just be […]

Do you ever get a sudden, intense craving for something? Maybe it's a particular food, cigarette, or even a person. If you do, you're said to be "jonesing" for it. It's a word that can have different meanings and definitions depending on its context. Let’s explore the purpose of this word in detail so that […]

You’ve been working at your job for a few years now. You know the ins and outs about how the whole thing operates. Things are great! Not long later, a new hire comes along and is now working under you. This individual is what some call a “kouhai”. This Japanese originating phrase is often paired […]

Doing something a little crazy and need a good way to say it? Do you want a new, more interesting way to say “YOLO”? Maybe the fact that Ricky Martin has been in the news lately has you singing the catchy phrase. Whatever the reason, adding “la vida loca” to your sentence is a great […]