D Archives | GRAMMARIST

Dog Whistle – Idiom, Origin & Meaning in English

Let’s hunt down the elusive idiom dog whistle. Now, I know this phrase can be both literal and figurative. However, we are only interested in its idiomatic version in this guide. Once you understand its meaning, you’ll be using it all the time! Ready? Let’s fetch some knowledge! Dog Whistle Meaning as an Idiom When you hear the phrase dog whistle, you might be thinking about the device used for training dogs, right? But if you’re expecting a piece about …

Do a Houdini and pull a Houdini

by Grammarist

Do a Houdini and pull a Houdini are two versions of an idiom. We will examine the meaning of the common idiom do a Houdini or pull a Houdini, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences. Do a Houdini or pull a Houdini is a phrase that means to disappear or escape; to leave the scene or to wiggle out of a precarious situation. The idiom do a Houdini or pull a Houdini is often …

Differential vs deferential

by Grammarist

Differential and deferential are two words that are close in spelling and pronunciation and may be considered confusables. We will examine the different meanings of the confusables differential and deferential, the word origins of the terms, and some examples of their English usage in sentences. Differential is an adjective that describes something that constitutes a distinction or shows a difference or variance. In mathematics, differential is used as a noun to mean the derivative or partial derivative of a function. Differential is also used as …

Don’t (or Never) Judge a Book By Its Cover – Origin & Meaning

by Danielle McLeod

Good advice comes in all shapes and sizes. You should take that to heart if you have ever been told to never judge a book by its cover. In short, this phrase means to avoid passing judgment on something or someone based on appearances. I share this information with my students but also let them know that certain scenarios, such as interviews, can’t help but make an assumption based on appearances. Let’s take a closer look at the origins of …

Dodged a Bullet – Idiom, Meaning & Origin

by Candace Osmond

Have you ever heard someone say, “Phew, I dodged a bullet there”? Of course, you have! It’s a really common saying, and it’s used in T.V. shows and movies all the time when people deal with negative situations. But what does it really mean? Is it figurative or literal? I’ll explain everything about this common phrase right here in this guide. What’s the Meaning of Dodged a Bullet? In a nutshell, to “dodge a bullet” means to narrowly avoid or …

Draw a Bead on – Idiom, Meaning & Origin

by Danielle McLeod

To draw a bead on something is an idiomatic phrase that was adapted into American English during the mid-1800s. Idioms are figurative uses of words that are different from their literal usage. They commonly compare an author’s message and its literal origins. To draw a bead means to focus on something, like a goal or a plan. This article explains its definition, origins, and use in modern speech and writing. What Is the Meaning of Drawing a Bead On? To …

Do as I say, not as I do

by Grammarist

Do as I say, not as I do, is a proverb. We will examine the meaning of the proverb do as I say, not as I do, where the expression came from, and some examples of its use in sentences. The admonition do as I say, not as I do, is an acknowledgement that the speaker is being a hypocrite. The speaker is acknowledging that his actions are in direct opposition to his words—he is not upholding the standards that …

Deepfake

by Grammarist

Deepfake is a new word and a closed compound word. We will examine the meaning of the word deepfake, its etymology, and some examples of its use in a sentence or two. A deepfake is an image that uses artificial intelligence technology to generate images in which the original human face is replaced with another human face. The purpose of deepfake technology is to fool the viewer, either for the amusement of the consumer or to spread misinformation. The issues concerning the …

Down the Road – Meaning & Synonyms

by Candace Osmond

You’ve probably heard the phrase “down the road,” and you’ve most likely even used it when speaking and writing. But do you know exactly where it came from or what it means? It’s a phrase that’s been around for a while and is still used today in tons of different contexts. But it’s not as basic as it seems. “Down the road” is a phrase that can convey a lot of meaning. Let’s take a look at it. Where Did …

Degenerate vs denigrate

by Grammarist

Degenerate and denigrate are words that are close in spelling and pronunciation and may be considered confusables. We will examine the different meanings of the confusables degenerate and denigrate, the word origins of the terms, and some examples of their English usage in sentences. Degenerate means to deteriorate, to lose quality, to sink into a lower physical, mental, or moral state. Degenerate is used as a verb to mean the act of sinking into a lower state; an adjective, to describe a …

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