Just like idioms, proverbs are an essential piece of the English language because they offer just one more way to add color and personality to your conversations and writing. I use proverbs all the time in my books, like “a friend in need is a friend indeed.” But it’s best …
Easy pickings is an idiom that may not be as old as you think. We will examine the meaning of the common saying easy pickings, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences. Easy pickings is a noun phrase that refers to something that is …
Repudiate and refudiate are words that are close in spelling and pronunciation and may be considered confusables. We will examine the different meanings of the confusables repudiate and refudiate, the word origins of the terms, and some examples of their English usage in sentences. Repudiate means to reject, to refuse …
Take the reins is an idiom that has been in use for hundreds of years. We will examine the meaning of the common saying take the reins, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences. Take the reins means to take charge, to take control, …
Proverbs are short sayings that provide the audience with a general truth or a good piece of advice. They are often threaded within historical texts and are passed down through centuries of use without changing their meaning. Haste makes waste is a perfect example of a proverb that has existed …
Separate and separate are two words that are spelled identically but are pronounced differently and have different meanings, which makes them heteronyms. We will examine the definitions of the words separate and separate, where these words came from, and a few examples of their use in sentences. Separate (SEP rut) …
Cast the first stone is an idiom with religious roots. We will examine the meaning of the idiom cast the first stone, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences. To cast the first stone means to be quick to point the finger, blame, chastise, …
Sit and set are two words that are close in spelling and pronunciation but are used in very different circumstances; they are often confused. We will look at the difference in meaning between the irregular verbs sit and set and how they are used, where these words came from, and …
Pushing up daisies is an idiom with roots in nineteenth century flower lore. We will examine the meaning of the idiom pushing up daisies, where it came from, and some examples of its idiomatic usage in sentences. Pushing up daisies is an idiom and a euphemism that describes something that …
Tomayto, tomahto and potayto, potahto are two variations of an idiom. We will examine the meaning of the idiom variations tomayto, tomahto and potayto, potahto, where they came from, and some examples of their idiomatic usage in sentences. Tomayto, tomahto and potayto, potahto are two phrases that mean the difference …