Are you looking for a way to tell someone they are trying to complete a futile task? If so, you could ask them to stop “beating a dead horse.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “beat a dead horse” means that your actions on a task are fruitless […]
Category: Idioms
Two Peas in a Pod – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a phrase to describe two best friends that are always together? If so, you could say they are “two peas in a pod.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of “two peas in a pod” refers to two people sharing like-minded ideas. They also […]
Draw a Blank – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to tell someone you can’t recall the information they are requesting? If so, you could say to them that you “draw a blank” on their request. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of “draw a blank” is to fail to remember something. […]
A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words - Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to tell someone to send you a picture of what they are trying to explain? You could always use the phrase, "a picture is worth a thousand words." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this saying. Meaning "A picture is worth a thousand words" means that images […]
Early Bird Gets the Worm - Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to tell someone to get an early start on something? If so, you could use the proverbial saying, "the early bird gets the worm." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this proverbial saying. Meaning The meaning of the saying "the early bird gets the worm" is that […]
An Eye for an Eye and a Tooth for a Tooth - Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to describe revenge? If so, you could use the saying, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this biblical proverb. Meaning The meaning of the proverbial expression, “An eye for an eye and a tooth for a […]
Ask Not for Whom the Bell Tolls - Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to get someone to stop asking about who died in a disastrous event? You could get them thinking by using the expression “ask not for whom the bell tolls.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this proverbial saying. Meaning The expression “ask not for whom the bell […]
Don't Let the Bastards Grind You Down - Meaning, Origin and Usage
Is your friend telling you how they are working really hard on a project right now and feel they don’t get recognition from their boss? If so, you could give them some encouragement by saying, “don’t let the bastards grind you down. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression […]
Don't Judge a Book by its Cover - Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to tell someone to reserve their first impression of someone or something? If so, you could use the phrase "don't judge a book by its cover." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the expression "don't judge a book by its cover" […]
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie - Meaning, Origin and Usage
Is your partner about to wake the baby? If you feel like an extra five minutes of rest, you could tell them to “let sleeping dogs lie” before they wake the kiddo and the crying begins. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the expression “let sleeping dogs […]