Category: Phrases

Are you looking for a way to tell someone that what they are saying is irrelevant and means nothing to you? If so, you could tell them that it's "for the birds." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the expression "for the birds" is "something trivial or […]

Are you searching for a term to describe a fact without official recognition or approval? If so, you could use "de facto." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this phrase. Meaning The "de facto" is a Latin word meaning "in reality" or "of fact." It usually appears in contrast to the word "de […]

Are you looking for a way to warn people of incoming danger or bad news? If that’s the case, you could tell them that they are in the calm before the storm, and they should expect bad things on the horizon. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning “The calm before […]

Are you looking for a way to give someone kudos or tell them that you owe them a favor? If so, you could use the expression "brownie points" to describe your approval of what they do for you. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "brownie points" means that […]

Are you looking for a way to describe a short workday? If so, you could say that you're working "bankers hours." This post unpacks the origin and meaning of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the expression "bankers hours" is short working hours. For instance, you start at 9 am and finish at 3 pm, […]

Are you looking for a way to describe collaborating with someone on a project? If so, you could say that you are working "in tandem" with them. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "in tandem" means that you are doing something with someone else. For instance, when you […]

Are you looking for a way to call someone out on their overly virtuous, smug behavior? If so, you could tell them to stop being such "goody two-shoes." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the expression "goody two-shoes" refers to an overly virtuous person. They are the […]

Is someone talking to you in a dialect you can't make out? If so, you could tell them to slow down because it sounds like they are talking "double Dutch" to you. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "double Dutch" means someone is speaking to you, and you […]

Are you looking at someone that looks identical to someone you know? If so, you could call them a "dead ringer." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "dead ringer" has two meanings. The word's original meaning is to describe someone or something that is a direct lookalike to […]

Are you looking for a way to call someone uncultured or unsophisticated? If so, you could call them a "country bumpkin." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "country bumpkins" means a person with no culture or sophistication. They have crude behavior and don't know how to conduct themselves […]