Have you been a total mess since your boyfriend or girlfriend broke up with you? A friend might tell you to “pull yourself together” and stop spiraling, words of advice meant to help you move on. This post unpacks the origin and meaning of this widely-used idiom and shows you how to incorporate it into […]

Are you arguing with someone about the benefits of staying healthy? You could say “Prevention is better than cure” to describe how your lifestyle stops you from getting sick later in life. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this proverbial expression. Meaning The proverbial expression “prevention is better than cure” means dealing with […]

Did you stub your toe on the door? You could say it hurts "like the Dickens" to describe the pain. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "like the Dickens" is an intensifier used to replace other, more offensive language. Its original use was as a replacement for "the […]

Did someone reference the phrase “kiss me, Hardy”? You may wonder what it means and assume it to be an idiom. “Kiss me, Hardy” is, in fact, a famous phrase the famous Admiral Nelson reportedly uttered on his deathbed. This post explores the circumstances behind the words. Meaning “Kiss me, Hardy” is neither an idiom […]

Are you looking for a way to tell a friend they have to keep out of trouble? You could ask them to “keep their nose clean.” This post explores the meaning and origin of the curious idiom “keep your nose clean” and shows you how to use the phrase in a sentence. Meaning “Keep your […]

Did you suggest going somewhere for dinner, and your partner said, "If I had my druthers," before making an alternate suggestion? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "if I had my druthers" is a combination abbreviation of the words "would" and "rather." So, if you use "if I […]

Are you about to start a new business, and did someone tell you being an entrepreneur is more complicated than you think? You could retort that you “have no illusions” about going into business and let them know you’re prepared to do what it takes to succeed. This post explores the phrase “I Have No […]

Are your kids hounding you to go to the waterpark? You could tell them, "hold your horses," and ask them to be patient while preparing the food and drinks for the day. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "hold your horses" means to be patient or to slow […]

Are you about to study for an exam? You could tell your friends you must leave to “hit the books.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression “hit the books” means to study for a test, exam, or profession. If someone tells you to hit the books, they’re telling […]

Did your boss ask you to do something that sounds impossible to achieve? You could say she's asking you to complete a "Herculean task." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The expression "Herculean task" refers to an action or duty that seems impossible to complete. If someone serves you a […]