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 […]
Category: Idioms
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 […]
Hold Your Horses – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are your kids hounding you to go to the waterpark? You could tell them, "hold your horses," and ask them to be patient while preparing the food and drinks for the day. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "hold your horses" means to be patient or to slow […]
Take a Hike – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Do you desperately want to get rid of a persistent door-to-door salesman who pushed his foot in the door to convince you to buy his set of amazing plastic containers? You might yell, “Take a hike!” to get the message across. Learn more about the meaning and origin of this idiom in this post. Meaning […]
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 […]