Is a colleague at work making threatening advances to you? Maybe they're telling you that you're no good at your job and they'll take your spot as the top salesperson this month? If so, you could tell them that they are “all bark and no bite,” and you're not worried about their threatening posture towards […]
Apple and Pears – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a different way to tell your kids to head up the stairs to bed? If so, you could say to them to get up the “apples and pears.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this cockney saying. Meaning The “apples and pears” is cockney rhyming slang for “stairs.” When […]
Back to the Drawing Board – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Did your idea just go up in smoke? Maybe it's time to take a fresh look at the project? It's time to go "back to the drawing board" with your ideas. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning Going "back to the drawing board" means realizing that your idea doesn't work […]
Beating Around the Bush – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to tell someone to get to the point? If so, you could ask them to stop "beating around the bush" and tell you what they want. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the expression "beating around the bush" is to tell […]
Bird and Bees – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to teach your kids about sex? The classic idiom, “The birds and the bees,” is a great way to introduce them to a topic, with parents using it for the last century to teach their kids about sex. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning […]
Bone to Pick – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a phrase you can use to confront someone about an issue between you? You can use “bone to pick” to tell them that you want to have a stern chat with them. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “bone to pick” means that you […]
Close Your Eyes and Think of England – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to tell someone to "take one for the team"? If so, you could use the alternate saying, "close your eyes and think of England." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning If someone tells you to "close your eyes and think of England," they are […]
Cold Turkey – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for a way to quit smoking? You could always try the method of going “cold turkey.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “cold turkey” means to stop something abruptly, without any support. The phrase usually applies to substance abuse cases. A person may be addicted […]
Ara Ara – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking at a Tik Tok video of a gamer girl saying the word “ara ara?” It probably looks like she’s having a good time while saying it, but what does the expression mean? This post unpacks everything you need to know about the meaning and origin of this popular internet meme. Meaning “Ara […]
A Rose is a Rose is a Rose – Meaning, Origin and Usage
Are you looking for an expression to describe something beautiful? You could use “a rose is a rose is a rose” to describe something of beauty. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “a rose is a rose is a rose” means that something is beautiful for what it […]