Meaning to slow down when moving very fast or to wait a minute.
At the Drop of a hat means something is happening immediately, in a moment’s notice, without delay.
The origin is from the 19th century, when typically races and fights will be signaled to begin by the drop of a hat or a sweeping motion with the hand holding a hat.
People saying “checks out” imply that they approve what is being said or done. It can also be used in a sarcastic way.
Commonly, this idiom means that someone is fabricating a story, while appearing completely serious. If something is said tongue-in-cheek, it could be interpreted as ironic, humorous or insincere. It is usually expressed in a mock serious manner, however its sarcasm is subtle. A Tongue-in-cheek statement can be witty and may have a double meaning to the speaker.
Ex: Peter says he loves housework, but I think it was tongue-in-cheek.
According to Urban Dictionary, “It’s origin comes from when Spanish minstrels would perform for various dukes in the 18th century; these dukes would silently chastise the silliness of the minstrel’s performances by placing their tongue firmly to the inside of their cheek.”
The term first officially appeared in print in ‘The Fair Maid of Perth’, by Sir Walter Scott, 1828.
High strung is someone very nervous, stressed, easily upset, or short tempered. In literal sense, as a musical term, it refers to tightening the strings of an instrument like a guitar, a violin or a cello.
However when we say someone is high strung, we mean he is very anxious or tense.
Ex: Please do not give him any more caffeine, he is so high strung, coffee only makes it worse.
To cut or to give someone slack means to not judge them too severely, give them a break or additional freedom, some times even let them do something that is not allowed.
It’s origin is believed to be related to docking of ships, where when tying them, you would be loosening the rope, i.e. giving it some slack, or extra length to be able to secure the vessel safely.
Ex: She fell asleep during the meeting, but we should cut her some slack, she just had a baby.
Fixer-Upper
Fixer-upper is a house or an apartament in a poor condition that needs work done. Someone may buy a run down property with the purpose of renovating it and selling it for profit.
Fixer Upper is also the name of an American reality television series about home design and renovation. The series stars Chip Gaines and Joanna Gaines, a married couple who own a home renovation and redecoration business in Waco, Texas.
Every flow must have its ebb and every ebb has its flow. Similar to the tides rising and receding, good fortune is followed by a period of downtime, but none lasts forever. Our lives have their ups and downs, so we should not take anything for granted- be happy when we are lucky and count our blessings when we are not, but know that what goes up must come down in life and vice versa.
The origin traces back to the 1800s, however not much is known as to who came up with it first.
Ex: Work on a ship has its ebbs and flows, we have to be ready for the unexpected always.
Means to be stubbornly or recklessly determined on achieving something. It can also be used when someone is going at full speed.
Ex: Even though he had a serious injury, he was hell-bent on winning the game.
This idiom means to reveal a secret unintentionally…
Yes and Yes…. Correct and often used, find out below when.
Both phrases are correct, click below to find out when to use them.
It means to run away from something with great speed and recklessness, usually angrily and in a hurry.
Someone says a penny for your thoughts when they want to know what you are thinking about, usually when you have been deep in thought and silent.
This is a business jargon, meaning to have a notable and measurable effect on something.
Raining Cats and Dogs
Bite the Bullet
Means to decide to do something difficult or unpleasant that one has been putting off or hesitating over.
Blue in the Face
As it is used mostly in regards to heated conversations, it is assumed ‘blue in the face‘ refers to the speaker running out of breath. To the point where you have so little oxygen in your system that your face literally takes on a bluish tinge…
Thick a Thieves
Very close friends who share secrets, etc. Origin Thick as thievesThis idiom originated in the 1800s’. At that time, thieves often worked together in gangs and were extremely close, telling each other everything and completely replying on each other. ‘Thick’ in this case means ‘very close’ or ‘closely packed’, for example thick hair, thick grass, etc. These were put together to make the phrase ‘thick as two thieves’ which was later shortened to ‘thick as thieves’
When the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Meaning: When the situation gets difficult, only the tough ones will make it.
Piggyback
We often here this word and wonder what pigs have to do with our backs. Nowadays, apart from carrying someone high on your back, supporting them under their knees, it also means to add something to a thought or idea, previously stated or established by someone else. If you piggyback on something that someone else has thought of or done, you use it to your advantage.
As an IT term, Piggybacking is sometimes referred to as “Wi-Fi squatting.” The usual purpose of piggybacking is simply to gain free network access.
SMACK IN THE MIDDLE
Meaning: In the center of something
TO CLEAN UP WELL means to look good in a formal attire or something not typically expected of a person.
Ex: Wow, never seen him in a tux, he cleans up really well!
To put your foot in your mouth:
Definition: To say something embarrassing or inconsiderate, especially at an inappropriate moment.
The thing you said (or did) usually is offensive to someone else and gets you into trouble, especially if you did it in haste.
Where did this expression originate? The earlier expression “Foot in Mouth” means to do something embarrassing. This expression first appeared in the late-1800s. It may have originated from the mistake of putting one’s foot in mud or yucky dirt.
John Pennington (quora.com) tells us that the phrase, is probably a reference to foot-and-mouth disease, a deadly virus found in cattle. The name of the disease was then applied metaphorically to refer to humans whose verbal utterances got them in trouble. In addition to the expression “put one’s foot in one’s mouth,” other variations of the phrase include “every time he opens his mouth, he puts his foot in it” and “to put one’s foot in it.” The term “foot-and-mouth disease” can also be used metaphorically to refer to someone who is especially gaffe-prone.
I DON’T KNOW HIM FROM ADAM
What does “I don’t know him from Adam” mean?
Someone we have zero information about, not familiar with them in the slightest.
Used since the 1800’s, this idiom derives from the biblical story of Adam, the first man, created by God. The logic behind is that Adam lived so long ago that nobody could possibly recognize him nowadays.