Did your annoying neighbor ask you to join her weekly Bible study group? If you’re too busy, you could thank her and say you have “too much on your plate” already. Keep reading to learn more about the meaning and history of this useful idiom. Meaning The English idiom “[having] too much on [someone’s] plate” […]
Category: Idioms
Prevention is Better than Cure – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you arguing with someone about the benefits of staying healthy? You could say “Prevention is better than cure” to describe how your lifestyle stops you from getting sick later in life. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this proverbial expression. Meaning The proverbial expression “prevention is better than cure” means dealing with […]
Pull Myself Together – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Have you been a total mess since your boyfriend or girlfriend broke up with you? A friend might tell you to “pull yourself together” and stop spiraling, words of advice meant to help you move on. This post unpacks the origin and meaning of this widely-used idiom and shows you how to incorporate it into […]
Rack and Ruin – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did your friend tell you the local cinema is going to "rack and ruin?" This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "rack and ruin" means something is falling into a state of disrepair or complete destruction. For instance, the local cinema might be falling into rack and ruin due […]
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 […]