Are you looking for a way to tell someone to stop obsessing over future events? You can use the saying "a watched pot never boils" to get them to take their mind off it and pass the time. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "a watched pot never […]
Category: Idioms
Even a Broken Clock Is Right Twice a Day – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to describe a person that usually gets things wrong but occasionally says something factually correct? You can use the expression “even a broken clock is right twice a day.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “even a broken clock is right twice […]
Give a Man a Fish – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you teaching someone a vital life skill? If so, you could say you “give a man a fish” to describe training them. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning This proverbial saying means that teaching a person a skill is of more benefit to them than giving them a hand-out. […]
You Can Lead a Horse to Water – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to describe someone's stubborn attitude towards heeding your advice? If so, you can use "you can take a horse to water." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The proverbial expression "you can lead a horse to water" is the shorter version of "you can […]
Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to tell people that too many people are working on a project? If so, you could say, "too many cooks spoil the broth." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The proverbial expression "too many cooks spoil the broth" means that having too much input […]
The Apple Doesn’t Fall Far from the Tree – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to describe someone's son emulating his father's behavior and character traits? If so, you can use "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The phrase "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree" refers to someone's child […]
Knock It Out of the Park – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to motivate someone's performance? If so, you could tell them to "knock it out of the park." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "knock it out of the park" acts as a motivating statement. You can use the phrase before someone undertakes […]
Jack of All Trades – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to describe a person that’s good at a range of activities? Maybe you need a saying to describe someone with a surface understanding of many topics but doesn’t specialize in their knowledge” If so, you can use “Jack of all trades.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of […]
It Ain't Over Till the Fat Lady Sings – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to motivate yourself or a team to give it all they’ve got in the face of adversity? You can use “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The saying “it ain’t over till the fat lady sings” […]
Playing for Keeps – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you trying to tell someone to take what you’re doing seriously? If so, you could tell them you “play for keeps.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of “playing for keeps” is to tell someone that you are serious with your intentions and will put in your […]