Category: Idioms

This guide will help you learn the meaning, origin, and synonyms of the expression ‘down in the dumps.’ It’ll help you understand the context behind the expression and teach you how to use it in a sentence. Learning the English language is difficult, especially when you encounter phrases that don’t imply a literal meaning. However, […]

What Does ‘Dead Nuts’ Mean? ‘Dead nuts’ is an idiom used by skilled workers or machinists to refer to something accurate—not just ‘good enough’ accurate but precise, dead center, right on the spot accurate. The word ‘dead’ here could be connected to ‘dead on,’ which means ‘exact’ or ‘exactly right.’ As for ‘nuts,’ it could […]

In English-speaking nations, 'Jack' has always been a popular name for a young man. Many famous phrases also have the word 'Jack' on them, and the name is often in the list of the top names for boys in England. So, when you hear 'Jack the Lad,' it seems confusing and redundant. This idiom guide […]

"Prepare for the worst, hope for the best" is a stoic proverb to help you remain hopeful in the face of adversity. It's a popular idiom used in modern language, and the chances are that you hear this phrase more often than you realize. "Prepare for the worst hope for the best" involves the use […]

Are you having a bad day? Maybe you experienced an event in your life that didn't have the outcome you were hoping for, don't worry, "every cloud has a silver lining." The chances are you hear this idiom all the time, and you probably use it occasionally yourself. "Every cloud has a silver lining" is […]

Are you meeting up with a friend to catch up with each other? Maybe you're getting together with a group to talk about a common subject in a lighthearted manner? If that's the case, you're going to spend some time "chewing the fat" with each other. Chewing the fat refers to having a conversation with […]

Are you arguing with someone over an ideology or topic? If you have a deep-seated argument, and neither of you can seem to agree to terms on the matter or outcome, you might have a "bone of contention" with each other. In this saying, the "bone" refers to a topic or ideology, and "contention" refers […]

Bending over backwards for someone or something is quite impossible unless you're a seasoned gymnast or a yoga practitioner. So, what does this idiom mean? When should you use it in a sentence, and when is it appropriate to use this phrase? There is some evidence of the use of the phrase dating back as […]

Have you heard the phrase “mada mada?” Perhaps you’re a fan of the video game Overwatch, or you enjoy manga or anime. This article explains the meaning and origin of the idiom “mada mada,” how to use the phrase correctly in context, and other phrases you can use to convey the same meaning. Meaning “Mada […]

Have you ever heard anyone say, “suck it up, buttercup!”? Or have you ever used it yourself? If so, then you are probably already aware that it is a common, popular idiom. That doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re using it correctly or understanding its meaning entirely, though. Let’s look at precisely what this phrase means […]