Language itself is such a fascinating subject, and the use of idiomatic expressions often enriches and enlivens our conversations, as well as any writing we do. As an author, I use idioms all the time! One fairly popular and super old idiom is “the dogs of war.” So, let’s take a look at the metaphorical nature of this idiom as I explain its origin and show you the full version and how you can put it in a sentence. Is …
A dry run is very important for just about anything new, dangerous, or significant. But what does it actually mean, and when was it coined? I’ll discuss everything you need to know, plus give you some sentence examples to show you how to use the term. What Is the Meaning of the Term Dry Run? The dry run meaning is rooted in a trial or rehearsal of a certain activity, event, or product performed without actually carrying out the full …
Push my buttons or push someone’s buttons means to do or say something that results in an immediate reaction from someone or arouses an instantaneous and usually emotional reaction. English language idioms like this one are expressions or phrases that convey meanings beyond their literal interpretation. These figurative expressions often carry cultural or contextual significance. They are commonly used in language to add depth, nuance, and vividness to communication. In this guide, I will delve into the idiom’s deeper meaning, …
The phrase don’t change horses in midstream is a proverb. A proverb is a short, common saying or phrase that particularly gives advice or shares a universal truth. We will examine the meaning of the phrase don’t change horses in midstream, where the term came from and some examples of its use in sentences. Don’t change horses in midstream means don’t alter your course of action, plan, or leader in the middle of a project, don’t change your mind at an …
What is due diligence? This term is primarily found in business and law books, from what I can tell. But you can also use it in general conversations when referring to a reasonable action that keeps oneself and property safe. Keep reading to learn the definition and origin of the phrase due diligence. You’ll also learn how to use it in a sentence with the examples I provided. Due Diligence Meaning Due diligence is a phrase that refers to the …
Dichotomy and discrepancy are two words that are often confused. We will examine the difference between the definitions of dichotomy and discrepancy, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences. A dichotomy is a contrast or division between two things that are opposed to each other or are sharply different, a division of a class of something into subclasses that are mutually exclusive. Related words are dichotomous, dichotomic, dichotomously. The plural form is dichotomies. The …
A day late and a dollar short is an American idiom that has been in use for many decades. We will examine the meaning of the term a day late and a dollar short, where it most probably came from and some examples of its use in sentences. A day late and a dollar short is another way to say too little too late. When a person is a day late and a dollar short, he has not only missed …
Déjà vu is an interesting term that has been used in the English language since the turn of the twentieth century. We will examine the meaning of the phrase déjà vu, where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences. Déjà vu is a phrase that means the feeling of having experienced a situation before, the feeling of having already experienced something that is currently happening, the feeling of already having lived through what one is currently living …
Double dog dare is a term that has been in use since the mid- to late 1800s, though it experienced a renaissance in the 1980s. We will examine the meaning of the term double dog dare, where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences. A double dog dare is a challenge of epic proportions. The term double dog dare is listed in the book The Child and Childhood in Folk-Thought by Alexander F Chamberlain, written in …
Delegate and relegate are two words that are similar in spelling and pronunciation but have very different meanings. We will look at the difference between the definitions of delegate and relegate, where these words came from and some examples of their use in sentences. Delegate means to authorize a representative to act on your behalf, to entrust a job or responsibility to someone else. A delegate may mean someone who has been authorized as a representative to act on your behalf, often …