Category: Phrases

Would you like to tell someone that they have gotten everything they ever wanted, and that they might be living right in the lap of luxury without realizing it? The term 'silver platter' can be used to apply to people who get given everything they wish or want for. This post unpacks the meaning and […]

Would you like to tell someone that they've just had a great idea, but that it still needs some development before it can be put to any good use by someone else? The expression 'starter for 10' is a common saying that can be used to tell someone this. This post unpacks the meaning and […]

Would you like to tell someone that the standard of something is to be measured, or would you like to compare two things against one another by their general quality or appearance to decide which is the best? The term 'up to snuff' is a common expression that can be used for this. This post […]

Are you on the fence about doing something fun? Maybe you have a conservative personality that keeps you at home more often than not? Some people like to "play it safe" while others take carefree approach. The phrase "You Only Live Once," or YOLO is often used by those who fall into the latter category […]

Have you ever had someone come back at you with a clever remark and not know how to respond? The French phrase touché is often used in English to acknowledge someone's clever point. But what does touché mean? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning Touché is a French word that […]

Did a friend text you ‘TTYL’ at the end of their message? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this acronym. Meaning The acronym ‘TTYL’ stands for ‘talk to you later.’ It’s a term used in social media communications and in text messaging. You’ll usually end your conversation with TTYL as a farewell to […]

When was the last time you wrote a note or sent a paper letter? Perhaps it has been a while, but one thing that was commonly found on the bottom was “P.S.”. While you may think of P.S. in the terms of a recent movie, or just something someone says offhand, it has an actual […]

Have you ever noticed a couple getting hot and heavy in the park? Maybe the couple in front of you can’t keep their hands off each other while waiting for their coffee? PDA is certainly here to stay. While some people might enjoy engaging in PDA, others may find it uncomfortable. This post unpacks the […]

If you spend any of your time on social media or playing multiplayer video games, you can't have escaped mentions of "ratio". The fact that "ratio" is an insult is usually immediately apparent, but what does the term mean, and where did it come from? Learn more about that, and how to use "ratio", in […]

Have you ever come across the abbreviation RE? Perhaps these two innocuous letters are often present in your formal communications. If you are at a loss as to what RE really means, we are helping. RE, or regarding is a common English word with many uses. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this […]