Category: Phrases

Are you looking for a friendly way to call your boss, the most important person in the business? If so, you could use the expression "big cheese." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning Calling someone a "big cheese" means you're calling them the most important person in the room or […]

Are you looking to tell someone that you're going to go into a task with the attitude of doing whatever it takes to complete it? If so, you could say you're taking a "no holds barred "approach to the project. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of the expression. Meaning The meaning of "no […]

Did someone just serve you some food right out of the oven.? If so, they may turn to you and tell you that it's "piping hot" before walking back to the kitchen. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this phrase. Meaning The meaning of the phrase "piping hot" refers to the temperature of […]

Are you reminiscing over your youth? If so, you're thinking about your "salad days." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the expression "salad days" is to reminisce over the events of your youth when you were carefree and had no responsibilities in life. It can also refer […]

Did you just finish a meal, and you're looking for a way to tell everyone it's time to go home? You could use the phrase "that's all folks!" to signal the end of the evening. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this phrase. Meaning The meaning of the phrase "that's all folks!" is […]

Are you looking for a way to describe something that's outlandish and on the fringe of what's acceptable in society? You could say that it is "tongue in cheek." This post unpacks everything you need to know about the meaning and origin of this idiomatic expression. Meaning Being "tongue in cheek" means that you're presenting […]

Are you looking for a way to tell someone that karma will catch up with them? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of the proverbial expression, "just deserts." Meaning The meaning of the expression "just deserts" is to insinuate that you hope the other person gets what they deserve. Usually, you'll use the phrase […]

Was a friend telling you a story and segued from it with “in the meantime…?” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the expression, “in the meantime,” is a way of telling people the results of events occurring simultaneously to other important events, usually in your life. For […]

Do you need a way to tell someone you have everything ready to go? This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and use of the phrase "lock, stock, and barrel." Meaning The expression "lock, stock, and barrel" refers to the three primary components of a rifle. The lock is the firing mechanism, the stock is the […]

Did someone just solicit you on the plane? You could have a chance of joining the "mile high club." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the slang term "mile high club" refers to the act of having sexual relations on an airplane. The relations usually refer to […]