Did your friend tell you their boss "raked them over the coals" at work today? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "raked over the coals" means to give someone a hard time for their actions or words. It defines a severe scolding by a peer or authority in […]
Category: Idioms
Foot the Bill – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did a guy expect you to split the check on your date? You could say you wanted him to "foot the bill" instead of splitting the check. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "foot the bill" means covering a debt's entire costs. If you "foot the bill," you […]
Herculean Task – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did your boss ask you to do something that sounds impossible to achieve? You could say she's asking you to complete a "Herculean task." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "Herculean task" refers to an action or duty that seems impossible to complete. If someone serves you a […]
Hit the Books – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you about to study for an exam? You could tell your friends you must leave to “hit the books.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “hit the books” means to study for a test, exam, or profession. If someone tells you to hit the books, they’re telling […]
As Fit as a Butchers Dog – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you feeling fit and healthy? You could say you feel "as fit as a butcher's dog." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "fit as a butcher's dog" means you're feeling healthy and well. A butcher's dog feeds on the scraps of leftover meat from his master customers. […]
Method to Madness – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Has your new boss introduced unorthodox methods some are uncomfortable with, but do you think his way of doing things makes sense? You could say there’s a “method to his madness.” This post unpacks the meaning of this fascinating but confusing idiom and explores its origins. Meaning Famous playwright William Shakespeare coined the English idiom […]
Cross the Bridge – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Is your friend scared about an upcoming event? You could tell them to calm down, and you’ll cross that bridge when you get to it. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “cross the bridge” means to delay worrying about events that might not occur. It means you’ll deal […]
Method to the Madness – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did someone ask you why you're exhibiting strange behavior? You could tell them there's a method to the madness, and they should trust you.? this post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "method to the madness" means that there is purpose and design in doing an action that seems crazy […]
Don’t Be a Sqaure – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did your friend tell you that Drake's music sucks? You could say, "don't be a square," to let them know they're out of touch with music trends. This p[ost unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "don't be a square" means someone acting boring or uninteresting. It's a way of telling […]
Out of the Frying Pan into the Fire – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did a friend get themselves into trouble and wound up in a worse position than when they started? They went "out of the frying pan and into the fire." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "out of the frying pan and into the fire" means when a situation […]