idiom

Tagged Discussions

celticeagle @celticeagle (189820) • Boise, Idaho 19 Mar

People like anthropologist, Sabina Magliocco have been trying to figure out where this idiom originated. She thinks it may have started as a way of children teasing shy ones. "Did the cat steal your tongue?" "Is that why you...

cats

idiom

tongues

3 responses •

5 people

Idiom: "Washing the Hand"

Shavkat @Shavkat (141906) • Philippines 22 Feb 23

In the Philippines, some Filipinos describe someone who is denying involvement in or responsibility for the bad deeds committed and it can be literally said, 'Washing the Hand' (naghuhugas ng kamay). As my father's younger sister...

9 responses •

9 people

A Sporting Post.

Kandase @Kandae11 (57233) 26 Jun 22

Being a good sport , liking or playing sport -- how do you match up? The idiom 'being a good sport' could mean that you are cheerful, generous, pleasant -- especially in a difficult situation. You are someone who can take a joke...

18 responses •

19 people

The Straw That Broke The Camel's Back

Kandase @Kandae11 (57233) 4 Apr 22

Yes this is another idiom. Sometimes people find themselves in unhappy situations. Frustrating situations which they would like to get out of, but they keep holding back - afraid to take that first step to freedom Then after...

15 responses •

16 people

Your True Colors.

Kandase @Kandae11 (57233) 22 Mar 22

Yes @JudyEv, idioms can sometimes fill a gap and be used for a topic. Recently l did: "Throwing Caution To The Wind" --now my idiom topic is, "Showing One's True Colors"--colors which are usually not pretty. Showing your true...

24 responses •

24 people

Do you ever have a bone to pick with someone?

Judy Evans @JudyEv (381906) • Rockingham, Australia 27 Jan 22

There has been some discussion lately around different sayings and idioms and how some are common knowledge in perhaps many countries but others seem more specific to just one or two. ‘Browned off’ was one expression that didn’t...

western australia

idiom

sayings

19 responses •

20 people

how cats and dogs are described as pouring rain

Lucky Roo @youfiq (2564) • United States 2 Jan 21

idiom is really weird yeah, I know cats and dogs are always hostile, in movies especially films. but in the real world they get along so well, some even walk through narrow alleys hand in hand. Was their hostility in the film so...

cat and dog

idiom

rainy

4 responses •

3 people

One of the only ones

Fleur @Fleura (34949) • United Kingdom 6 Dec 20

‘One of the only ones’ - what does this mean? I see this phrase more and more often, especially in American writing - and now that the internet is making Americanisms the norm I see it everywhere. Yet what does it mean? I just...

7 responses •

7 people

Beyond the black stump

Judy Evans @JudyEv (381906) • Rockingham, Australia 20 Jul 20

I wrote about an Australian saying ‘as fit as a Mallee bull’ meaning tough and strong; in good physical condition. Another Australian saying is ‘This side of the black stump’. The black stump is an imaginary point, beyond which...

19 responses •

18 people

As fit as a Mallee bull

Judy Evans @JudyEv (381906) • Rockingham, Australia 20 Jul 20

Angie {@andriaperry} wrote about spending a lot of time going up and down a flight of steps. She said that she didn’t need to go to a gym because of the exercise she was getting during the day. You can catch up here:...

australia

mallee

idiom

26 responses •

24 people

When Pigs Fly

Susan @HazySue (39265) • Gouverneur, New York 12 Nov 18

I believe that most of us, if not all of us, have heard this little saying. I am sure many of us have used it on occasion. I know I have. This little idiom is said to have originated in the 1600's in either Scotland or Germany....

idiom

saying

when pigs fly

2 responses •

5 people

Is it CONFUSING? “Answer the Door”

Shavkat @Shavkat (141906) • Philippines 5 Jul 18

Before I log-off here in myLot, let me share a funny experience happened tonight. I was having a class with my regular student and talking about some new expressions. She is so attentive and particular to details. It is quite...

17 responses •

15 people

The skeletons are not in your closet..

Hazel Vee @epiffanie (11327) • Australia 8 Apr 18

. "Skeletons in the closet" .. Okay, let me explain what this idiom or expression mean for the sake of a few who don't know.. It means family secrets that are mostly shameful or embarrassing , therefore the family keep it...

family secrets

skeletons in the closet

idiom

expression

8 responses •

7 people

Which is worse? Having a bee in your bonnet? Or your panties in a wad?

The Horse @TheHorse (238280) • Walnut Creek, California 30 Sep 17

I like to tease @Maluse by giving temperatures In Fahrenheit only. Actually, I lie. She has trained me to give both most of the time. I like doing the conversion in my head. But she does get a bee in her bonnet when Americans...

18 responses •

17 people

Where The Shoe Pinches

Arthur Chappell @arthurchappell (44941) • Preston, England 8 Feb 17

One of my creative writing exercises reflecting on the meanings of idiomatic phrases and expressions. Generally, if you are wearing shoes or boots that pinch at the skin on your feet, you know at which points the pain is...

11 responses •

11 people

Idiomatic Saying - To Go To Town

Arthur Chappell @arthurchappell (44941) • Preston, England 28 Oct 16

An expression with a similar meaning to pushing the boat out, meaning complete commitment to something, usually in reference to hedonistic extravagance. We tend to really go to town on special occasions; spending extravagently...

4 responses •

5 people

Autopsy - How you live can be the reason How you die!

Inlemay @Inlemay (17712) • South Africa 22 Apr 16

Every now and then I have some time to spare and catch up on a TV program called AUTOPSY. Its normally about the STARS of the world and the way they lived, and the reason for their death! Horrifying it seems that an AUTOPSY...

8 responses •

8 people

Fools Never Differ - Interesting turns of phrases

Justusforus @desertdawg (312) • United States 14 Apr 16

So it is with a big thank you to @Inlemay that I write this post. In response to a post I wrote about "Someone Stole My Title" I got a wonderful response. I love the phrase "great minds think alike" but I had never heard the...

3 responses •

4 people

My favorite Idiom

AbbyGreenhill @AbbyGreenhill (45490) • United States 22 Jan 16

My favorite idiom is a simple one....Bet the Farm I say it a lot, "I bet the farm..." If I lived in the city and only had a small city lot I probably wouldn't use that idiom. But I live in the country and we do have multiple...

10 responses •

12 people

What's ET Short For?

Just an Ordinary Owl? @owlwings (43897) • Cambridge, England 26 Dec 15

"Because he's only got little legs". This was a joke I had in a Christmas cracker and is a good example of the traps which English sets for the unwary. Of course, what most people would understand this question to mean would be...

11 responses •

14 people