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Idiom of the day

Hit the ground running

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Meaning: This idiom means to begin a project or task with a lot of energy and enthusiasm, starting immediately and effectively.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “As soon as the new manager started, she hit the ground running by implementing several new initiatives.”
  2. “The team hit the ground running after the brainstorming session, quickly turning ideas into action.”
  3. “With his extensive experience, he was able to hit the ground running in his new role.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “hit the ground running” is believed to come from the military, particularly paratroopers, who needed to start moving quickly upon landing to avoid danger. It has also been associated with railroad hobos who would jump off moving trains and start running immediately to avoid getting caught. The phrase emphasizes the idea of starting something new with immediate and vigorous action.

Hit the ground running
Idiom of the day

Sweep something under the rug

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Meaning: This idiom means to hide or ignore a problem or issue instead of dealing with it. It implies attempting to keep something unpleasant or embarrassing out of sight and out of mind.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “The company tried to sweep the financial irregularities under the rug, but the auditors uncovered the truth.”
  2. “Instead of addressing the conflict directly, they chose to sweep it under the rug and pretend everything was fine.”
  3. “You can’t just sweep your mistakes under the rug; you need to confront them and make things right.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “sweep something under the rug” comes from the literal act of sweeping dirt or debris under a rug to quickly hide it instead of properly cleaning it up. This act of concealing messes out of sight without addressing the underlying issue has been used metaphorically to describe avoiding or ignoring problems rather than facing them. The phrase effectively conveys the idea of superficial tidiness while leaving unresolved issues hidden and potentially problematic in the future.

Sweep something under the rug
Idiom of the day

Time flies when you’re having fun

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Meaning: This idiom means that time seems to pass quickly when you are enjoying yourself or engaged in pleasurable activities.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “I can’t believe it’s already midnight; time flies when you’re having fun.”
  2. “Our vacation was over before we knew it. Time really flies when you’re having fun.”
  3. “The party was so enjoyable that I lost track of time. Time flies when you’re having fun.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “time flies when you’re having fun” can be traced back to the Latin phrase “tempus fugit,” which means “time flies.” The phrase highlights the perception that enjoyable activities seem to make time pass more quickly. This concept has been a part of human observation for centuries, with various cultures and languages having similar expressions. The idiom underscores the contrast between how we perceive time during pleasurable experiences versus mundane or unpleasant ones.

Time flies when you’re having fun
Idiom of the day

Uphill battle

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Meaning: This idiom refers to a difficult struggle or challenge that requires a lot of effort to overcome. It implies that achieving success will not be easy and will involve significant obstacles.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Convincing the board to approve the new policy will be an uphill battle.”
  2. “Recovering from the economic downturn is proving to be an uphill battle for many small businesses.”
  3. “She faced an uphill battle in her career, working hard to overcome numerous setbacks and discrimination.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “uphill battle” likely comes from the physical challenge of fighting or moving uphill, which is much more strenuous than moving on flat ground or downhill. The steep incline represents the difficulties and obstacles that make progress slower and more challenging. This metaphor has been adopted into everyday language to describe any situation that requires extra effort and perseverance to achieve success.

Uphill battle
Idiom of the day

Butter someone up

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Meaning: This idiom means to flatter someone excessively or give them praise in order to gain their favor or to achieve a specific outcome.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “She always butters up her boss before asking for a raise.”
  2. “If you want his support on the project, you’ll have to butter him up a bit.”
  3. “He’s been buttering up the committee members to ensure they approve his proposal.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “butter someone up” is thought to come from an ancient Indian custom of throwing balls of butter at statues of gods to seek favor and forgiveness. The metaphorical use of “butter” implies spreading something smooth and pleasing, much like how butter enhances the flavor of food. This idea was extended to describe flattering someone to make them more agreeable or receptive to one’s requests or desires.

Butter someone up
Idiom of the day

Cut to the chase

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Meaning: This idiom means to get to the point or the most important part of something without wasting time on unnecessary details.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “We don’t have much time for this meeting, so let’s cut to the chase and discuss the main issue.”
  2. “He gave a long introduction, but I wish he would have just cut to the chase.”
  3. “Instead of going through all the background information, she cut to the chase and told us what we needed to know.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “cut to the chase” comes from the early days of filmmaking, particularly in silent films. Many movies included lengthy build-ups to dramatic or action-packed chase scenes. Audience members and filmmakers alike would sometimes grow impatient with the slow pacing, leading to the desire to “cut to the chase” and get to the exciting part of the film. Over time, this phrase became a common expression for getting directly to the important or interesting part of any discussion or activity.

Cut to the chase
Idiom of the day

Can’t see the wood for the trees

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Meaning: This idiom means being unable to understand or appreciate a situation because you are too focused on the details. It implies missing the bigger picture by concentrating too much on small aspects.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “She’s so focused on the minor details of the project that she can’t see the wood for the trees and is missing the overall strategy.”
  2. “He was so caught up in the daily operations that he couldn’t see the wood for the trees and failed to recognize the long-term goals.”
  3. “When planning an event, it’s important not to get so bogged down in the logistics that you can’t see the wood for the trees.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “can’t see the wood for the trees” is believed to be British and dates back to the 16th century. “Wood” is the British term for what Americans call a “forest.” The phrase illustrates a situation where someone is so immersed in the details (the trees) that they lose sight of the overall situation or context (the wood or forest). This idiom highlights the importance of maintaining perspective and being able to balance attention to detail with an understanding of the broader context.

Can’t see the wood for the trees
Idiom of the day

Skeleton key

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Meaning: This idiom refers to a master key that is designed to open many different locks. It can also metaphorically describe something that can unlock or solve many problems or mysteries.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “The old mansion was full of mysterious rooms, each one opened by the same skeleton key.”
  2. “His knowledge of multiple programming languages acts as a skeleton key in his career, allowing him to tackle diverse technical challenges.”
  3. “Having a strong network can be a skeleton key to unlocking numerous career opportunities.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “skeleton key” dates back to the 19th century. The term comes from the idea of a key that has been filed down to its essential parts, or “skeleton,” so that it can open various locks. These keys were designed with a minimal and generic shape, enabling them to bypass the wards of many different locks. The concept of a universal solution or tool that can unlock multiple barriers is the basis for the metaphorical use of the phrase.

Skeleton key
Idiom of the day

In the weeds

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Meaning: This idiom means being overwhelmed with details, tasks, or problems, often to the point of losing track of the bigger picture or feeling unable to manage everything effectively.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “I’ve been so busy with administrative work that I’m completely in the weeds and can’t focus on strategic planning.”
  2. “During the lunch rush, the restaurant staff found themselves in the weeds, struggling to keep up with orders.”
  3. “She’s been in the weeds with her studies, juggling multiple assignments and exams at once.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “in the weeds” is believed to come from the restaurant industry. When servers or kitchen staff are overwhelmed with orders and unable to keep up, they are said to be “in the weeds,” as if they are bogged down and struggling to find their way out. The phrase has since been adopted more broadly to describe any situation where someone is overwhelmed by the details and tasks at hand, making it difficult to manage everything effectively. The imagery of being lost or entangled in weeds effectively conveys the sense of being overwhelmed and unable to see a clear path forward.

In the weeds