Do you want to explain that you are good at something that has been around for a while? Maybe you just want to say that you feel someone or something is old-fashioned. If so, the term “old hat” is a great way to get your feelings across in just two words. This post unpacks the […]

Is there someone around you who is making a fuss over something trivial? Perhaps you ran into a problem that has since been resolved, but your companion simply doesn’t want to let it go. If so, the phrase “much ado about nothing” can aptly describe your plight. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of […]

Are you looking for a casual way to tell someone you need to use the restroom? You could say you need to “make a sissy.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this slang term, and shows you how to use it. Meaning The slang phrase “making a sissy” simply means urinating. Tone-wise, making […]

Are you looking for a slightly derogatory way to talk about someone from a wealthy and privileged background? Try saying he was “born with a silver spoon in his mouth.” We’ll dive into the meaning and origin of this fascinating idiom in this post and show you how to use it. Meaning The idiom “born […]

Have you ever had that feeling that you ate something that just doesn’t agree with you? Well, sometimes, throwing up may be the right course of action. Perhaps you are angry at something your coworker did and you decide to go off on the spot. Like my grandma would say, it’s better out than in. […]

Sometimes you need a perfect set of words to connect your thoughts together. In some cases, you may need the right phrase just to keep a story going. If this sounds like a situation that you have encountered often, the phrase “and so” will certainly come in handy. This post unpacks the meaning and origin […]

Have you ever experienced something troubling or terrible only to have someone come along and make it worse? Maybe you got some bad news only to be dealt with even more a short time later? If so, the idiom add insult to injury is a phrase that will come in handy. This post unpacks the […]

Have you seen the phrase 'on the dole' somewhere and would like to know more about the meaning of the saying? 'On the dole' is a saying that is more common in UK English than American, and it can confuse many people the first time they encounter the term. This post unpacks its meaning, origin, […]

The phrase 'get your goat' is a common saying in the English language, though it can often confuse non-native speakers or people who have just never heard the phrase before. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and common use of 'get your goat'. Meaning The phrase 'get your goat' is a common figurative saying in […]

Have you seen the saying 'silver bullet' somewhere on the internet or in a text and would like to know more about the meaning of the phrase? The saying 'silver bullet' is a common figurative statement in the English language. This post unpacks the meaning, origin, and correct use of the expression. Meaning The term […]