The phrase put two and two together is an idiom. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase or phrasal verbs that have a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal definition. These figures of speech often use descriptive imagery, common idioms are words and phrases used in the English language in order to convey a concise idea, and are often colloquialisms or descriptors that are spoken or are considered informal or conversational. English idioms can illustrate emotion … [Read more...]
Square meal
Square meal is an idiom with roots in the 1500s. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase or phrasal verbs that have a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal definition. These figures of speech often use descriptive imagery, common idioms are words and phrases used in the English language in order to convey a concise idea, and are often colloquialisms or descriptors that are spoken or are considered informal or conversational. English idioms can illustrate emotion … [Read more...]
Wait for the other shoe to drop
Wait for the other shoe to drop is an American idiom. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase or phrasal verbs that have a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal definition. These figures of speech often use descriptive imagery, common idioms are words and phrases used in the English language in order to convey a concise idea, and are often colloquialisms or descriptors that are spoken or are considered informal or conversational. English idioms can illustrate … [Read more...]
Object vs object
The words object and object are spelled identically but are pronounced differently and have different meanings, which makes them heteronyms. Heteronyms exist because of our ever-changing English language, and these words with the same spelling and different pronunciation and meaning are a challenge for those who wish to learn to speak English. It can be difficult to learn how to spell different words that look the same and how to use them in sentences, because they are easily confused. The way … [Read more...]
A lot vs allot
A lot and allot are two expressions that are pronounced in the same way and are spelled very similarly, but have different meanings. They are often confused. It can be difficult to learn how to spell English words, because though there are many spelling rules, there are always exceptions. Do not rely on a spell checker to render the correct spelling. To learn the English language, one must learn grammar and the difference between the most commonly misspelled words. Memorizing word lists can … [Read more...]
Close vs close
The words close and close are spelled identically but are pronounced differently and have different meanings, which makes them heteronyms. Heteronyms exist because of our ever-changing English language, and these words with the same spelling and different pronunciation and meaning are a challenge for those who wish to learn to speak English. It can be difficult to learn how to spell different words that look the same and how to use them in sentences, because they are easily confused. The way the … [Read more...]
Mind vs mined
Mind and mined are two commonly confused words that are pronounced in the same way but are spelled differently and have different meanings, which makes them homophones. Homophones are a group of words with different spellings, the same pronunciations, and different meanings. Homophones exist because of our ever-changing English language and are a challenge for those who wish to learn to speak English. It can be difficult to learn how to spell different words that sound the same, and homophones … [Read more...]
Rock the boat
The origin of the idiom rock the boat is attributed to an American statesman. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal definition. These figures of speech often use descriptive imagery, common idioms are words and phrases used in the English language in order to convey a concise idea, and are often colloquialisms or descriptors that are spoken or are considered informal or conversational. English idioms can illustrate … [Read more...]
Go with the flow
The idiom go with the flow may not be as old as you think, but the idea that it is based on is very old. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal definition. These figures of speech often use descriptive imagery, common idioms are words and phrases used in the English language in order to convey a concise idea, and are often colloquialisms or descriptors that are spoken or are considered informal or conversational. … [Read more...]
All systems go
All systems go is an idiom with a well-known origin. An idiom is a word, group of words or phrase that has a figurative meaning that is not easily deduced from its literal definition. These figures of speech often use descriptive imagery, common idioms are words and phrases used in the English language in order to convey a concise idea, and are often colloquialisms or descriptors that are spoken or are considered informal or conversational. English idioms can illustrate emotion more quickly than … [Read more...]