Idiomatic phrases are excellent ways to help define and illustrate various messages in your speech and writing. They usually originate from a literal term. However, they generally become more well-known for their figurative applications through regular metaphorical and allegorical usage. To break the bank is a great example of an …
Do you ever find yourself in a situation where you’re trying to impress everybody who’s anybody? This phrase has a distinct ring to it and is often used in social contexts. But it has other uses. So, what exactly does it mean? Let’s dive into the glamorous world of this …
Grate on one’s nerves is an idiom with an uncertain origin. We will examine the meaning of the common idiom grate on one’s nerves, where it may have come from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences. To grate on one’s nerves means to annoy someone or to irritate …
The nature of the beast is an idiom that dates back hundreds of years. We will examine the meaning of the common idiom the nature of the beast, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences. The nature of the beast means the inherent quality of something …
Got a case of butterflies in your stomach? It sounds like some weird stomach bug, but I assure you it’s not. This phrase isn’t about insect-infested intestines (ew!) but about a feeling we’ve all experienced at some point or another. Intrigued? Let’s get to it. Is Butterflies in the Stomach …
Have you ever thought about what it means to pay lip service to something? Is it like paying your coffee bill? Or maybe it’s like giving someone a compliment about their lips? Not quite. But don’t worry, I won’t leave you hanging. Let’s break down what this idiom is all …
Highbrow typically refers to those things seen as upper class, intellectual, or elite, while lowbrow describes those things that are perceived as lower class, less intellectual, or populist. Now, are they one word or two? Traditionally, each term stands alone, so no squishing needed! Just like many idioms in the …
Lower the boom is an American idiom. We will examine the meaning of the common idiom lower the boom, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences. Lower the boom means to act suddenly and forcefully to punish someone or force him to adhere to a set …
Open-and shut-case is an idiom. We will examine the meaning of the common idiom open-and-shut case, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences. An open-and-shut case is a situation or dispute that is easily decided; the correct decision is without a doubt. The expression …
Pour cold water on and throw cold water on are two versions of an idiom that dates back a few hundred years. We will examine the meaning of the common idioms pour cold water on and throw cold water on, where they came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in …