Category: Idioms

Are you ready for that vacation? As you arrive at the airport, you find that all the airlines canceled flights, and your vacation isn’t going to happen. If that’s the case, you could say “the best laid plans of mice and men” to describe the situation. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and use of […]

Are you going on about something you feel is important but makes little difference to other people's lives? If so, someone might tell you that you're making a "tempest in a teapot," and you should calm down because it's not as bad as you think. This post unpacks everything you need to know about the […]

Did you fail to perform in the bedroom with your partner? Maybe you're doing a task that seems totally pointless or really frustrating? If that's the case, you're "pushing rope." This post unpacks everything you need to know about the meaning and origin of this phrase. Pushing Rope Meaning If you're "pushing rope," it means […]

Did you meet someone a few months ago? At the time, they might seem like a nice person. However, after spending a few weeks with them, you might change your opinion about them. If that's the case, you could say that the idiom "familiarity breeds contempt" applies to the situation. This post unpacks everything you […]

Did you just receive a gift, and it wasn't what you were expecting? If so, “don't look a gift horse in the mouth,” just thank them for it. This post unpacks the origin and meaning of this idiomatic phrase. Meaning The meaning of "don't look a gift horse in the mouth" is to show gratitude […]

Did a friend arrive at your house in a flurry of disgust? As you ask them what is wrong, they tell you that your neighborhood is "going to the dogs." What are they talking about? Do they mean that there are packs of wild dogs roaming the streets? This post unpacks everything you need to […]

Are you at a bar and someone tells you that you look "three sheets to the wind?" What do they mean? Do they think you're a sailor or something? This post unpacks everything you need to know about this idiomatic expression. Meaning If you're "three sheets to the wind," it means that you're feeling drunk […]

Did someone tell you to stop "tilting at windmills?" What do they mean? There aren't any windmills around, so what are they talking about? This post unpacks this idiomatic expression's meaning, origin, and use. Tilting at Windmills Meaning If you're "tilting at windmills," it means that you're fighting imaginary enemies and wasting your time worrying […]

If you're in a conversation with someone and they blurt out "jinkies," what do they mean? This word rose to popularity through the hit kids' animated series, "Scooby-Doo." This post unpacks everything you need to know about the meaning and origin of this word. Jinkies Meaning If you hear someone say the word "jinkies," they're […]

Did someone just challenge you to a task? You could reply with, "the game is afoot." This post unpacks the origin, meaning, and use of this idiomatic saying. The Game is Afoot Meaning The phrase, "the game is afoot," means that something exciting is about to start or it has already begun. The game could […]