Do a 180 and do a 360 are idioms that came into use in the mid-twentieth century. We will examine the meaning of the idioms do a 180 and do a 360, where they came from, and some examples of their use in sentences. Do a 180 is a phrase that means to reverse one’s opinion or attitude, to do the exact opposite of what one intended to do. For instance, a person may refuse to eat apples and dislike …
“Desert” and “desert” are the same word, Candace, so how can they have different meanings? Good question and the answer is simple: context. The context in which you use ‘desert’ will determine not only its meaning but how you say it. So, I decided to break it down in a quick guide to help you understand the difference and proper usage of the word desert in its three forms. What Does Desert Mean? “Desert” is a commonly used noun that …
Whenever I hear the phrase “don’t rain on my parade,” I always think of that Robin Williams movie Mrs. Doubtfire where he’s doing a montage with his brother to find the right look, and they sing the Barbara Streisand song. That was my entire context for the phrase growing up. But now, I know the real meaning behind this expression, and I’m going to share it with you! Don’t Rain on My Parade Meaning Explained “Don’t rain on my parade” …
What a silly phrase, “don’t put all your eggs in one basket.” But, like most popular proverbs, it has a deeper meaning and serves as a good warning to live your life by. I’ll explain what it means, where it came from, and how you can apply it to everyday life. Meaning of ‘Don’t Put All Your Eggs in One Basket’ The idiomatic phrase “do not put all your eggs in one basket” is an old cautionary tale in the …
Idioms, colloquialisms, and strange phases. The English language is full of them. But sometimes their origins and original intentions get lost in translation, so it’s essential to broaden your knowledge and learn the meaning behind certain phrases, like “down in the dumps.” Let’s take a look at this idiom and see just how you should be using it. Down in the Dumps Meaning Explained “Down in the dumps” is classified as an idiomatic phrase, and we use it to show …
Does and does 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 does and does, where these words came from, and a few examples of their use in sentences. Does (duz) is the third-person singular form of the verb do and means to perform an action, to make something happen, to bring about a conclusion. Does is derived from the words doth …
Today I’m pulling all the details on a phrase that’s as subtly sardonic as they come — damning with faint praise. Warning, this one’s a real tongue twister. If you want to learn more about this expression, then let’s get down to business and find out what it means to damn with faint praise. What Does the Expression Damning With Faint Praise Mean? To damn with faint praise is to criticize or belittle someone or something by giving a seemingly …
A doggy bag is a container a restaurant provides for a diner to take leftover food home. It’s typically used when the portion size is larger than what the individual can consume in one sitting, allowing them to bring the leftovers home. Idioms such as doggy bag are groups of words whose combined meanings differ from the literal meanings of the individual words. Understanding how to use English language idioms in your writing and conversation can give your prose more …
If someone said they had to go drop a dime on someone, what’s the image that would come to mind? Probably the same as anyone else; a person literally dropping a ten-cent piece on someone’s head. But the phrase actually has a completely different meaning than you think. I’ll explain where it started and how to use it properly. What Does Drop a Dime Slang Mean? The oddball phrase “drop a dime” is actually an idiomatic expression that’s been used …
Don’t borrow trouble is an idiom that first appeared in North America. We will examine the meaning of the idiom don’t borrow trouble, where it may have come from, and some examples of its use in sentences. Don’t borrow trouble is an idiom that means don’t worry about something before it is time to worry about it. The idea is that worrying does not solve anything, and we often worry about things that never happen. Worrying about something that never …