Category Archives: Idiom of the day

Idiom of the day

You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs

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Meaning: This idiom means that it is impossible to achieve something important or significant without causing some minor problems or inconveniences. It implies that sacrifices, disruptions, or negative consequences are often necessary to accomplish a larger goal.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Implementing the new company policy was challenging, but you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.”
  2. “When renovating the old house, they had to deal with a lot of mess and delays, but they knew that you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.”
  3. “She understood that firing a few employees was difficult, but in order to save the company, you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “you can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs” is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in France and has been used in English since at least the 18th century. The phrase uses the literal act of breaking eggs to make an omelet as a metaphor for the idea that achieving a desired outcome often involves some form of sacrifice or dealing with minor negative consequences. The idiom highlights the necessity of enduring small setbacks or difficulties to achieve a greater positive result.

You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs
Idiom of the day

Mend fences

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Meaning: This idiom means to repair a relationship or reconcile with someone after a disagreement, conflict, or period of estrangement. It implies taking steps to resolve differences and restore a positive connection with another person.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “After their argument, he decided to reach out and mend fences with his brother.”
  2. “The politician worked hard to mend fences with his constituents after the controversial decision.”
  3. “They had a falling out years ago, but recently they both made an effort to mend fences and rebuild their friendship.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “mend fences” dates back to the late 19th century in the United States. It is believed to have originated from the literal task of repairing fences on a farm or property, which was necessary to maintain good boundaries and relationships with neighbors. The phrase was popularized in a political context, often used to describe politicians who needed to repair relationships with their constituents or colleagues after a contentious period. Over time, “mend fences” became a common metaphorical expression for repairing relationships and resolving conflicts in various contexts.

Mend fences
Idiom of the day

Having a frog in your throat

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Meaning: This idiom is used to describe the sensation of hoarseness, difficulty speaking, or a temporary loss of voice, often caused by a sore throat, dryness, or nervousness. It implies that there is something physically or figuratively obstructing one’s ability to speak clearly.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “I had to clear my throat several times during the presentation because I had a frog in my throat.”
  2. “She apologized for her raspy voice, explaining that she had a frog in her throat.”
  3. “He felt a frog in his throat when he tried to speak in front of the large audience.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “having a frog in your throat” is believed to date back to the late 19th or early 20th century. The phrase likely emerged as a whimsical way to describe the sensation of a hoarse or obstructed throat. The imagery of a frog sitting in one’s throat humorously conveys the discomfort and difficulty in speaking that one experiences when their voice is hoarse or blocked. This idiom is commonly used to describe temporary vocal issues that can occur due to illness, dryness, or nervousness.

Having a frog in your throat
Idiom of the day

 Skeletons in the closet

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Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a secret, often unpleasant or potentially embarrassing, that someone keeps hidden from others. It implies that there is something in a person’s past that they are ashamed of or wish to keep concealed due to its potential to cause scandal or distress if revealed.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Despite his charming public persona, he had a skeleton in the closet that he feared would ruin his reputation if it ever came out.”
  2. “Every family has a skeleton in the closet; it’s just that some secrets are better kept hidden.”
  3. “She seemed perfect, but I couldn’t help wondering if she had a skeleton in the closet.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “have a skeleton in the closet” dates back to the 19th century. The phrase likely draws from the macabre imagery of a hidden skeleton, symbolizing death and decay, concealed in a closet or cupboard. This hidden skeleton metaphorically represents a dark or shameful secret that someone keeps out of public view. The idiom emphasizes the idea of secrecy and the potential for scandal or embarrassment if the hidden truth is discovered. Over time, it has become a common expression used to describe hidden personal or family secrets that one wishes to keep private.

Have a skeleton in the closet
Idiom of the day

Finding a needle in a haystack

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Meaning: This idiom is used to describe an extremely difficult or almost impossible task, especially one that involves searching for something very small or hidden within a large, complex, or cluttered context. It implies that the effort required to find the object is disproportionate to the likelihood of success.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Trying to find my lost earring in the crowded stadium was like finding a needle in a haystack.”
  2. “Searching for the right document in that unorganized office is like finding a needle in a haystack.”
  3. “With so many job applications submitted, getting noticed by the hiring manager can feel like finding a needle in a haystack.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “finding a needle in a haystack” dates back to the early 19th century. The phrase paints a vivid picture of the difficulty involved in locating a tiny needle lost within a large pile of hay. This imagery effectively conveys the near-impossibility of such a task, emphasizing the challenge of finding something small and specific in a vast, cluttered, or confusing environment. The idiom has since become a common way to describe any endeavor that is perceived as highly challenging or unlikely to succeed due to the overwhelming odds or complexity involved.

Finding a needle in a haystack
Idiom of the day

Keep someone at arm’s length

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Meaning: This idiom means to maintain a safe or emotional distance from someone, avoiding close or intimate contact. It implies being cautious and not allowing someone to get too close, either physically or emotionally, often to protect oneself from potential harm, discomfort, or unwanted involvement.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “After being betrayed by a close friend, she decided to keep new acquaintances at arm’s length.”
  2. “He keeps his colleagues at arm’s length to maintain a professional relationship and avoid office politics.”
  3. “She had a hard time trusting people and kept everyone at arm’s length.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “keep someone at arm’s length” is quite literal, referring to the physical act of extending one’s arm to maintain distance from another person. Over time, it evolved into a metaphorical expression, emphasizing the idea of maintaining a safe or emotional distance to prevent closeness or intimacy. This idiom underscores a deliberate effort to avoid getting too involved or attached to someone, often as a protective measure. It has been used in this figurative sense since at least the 17th century.

keep someone at arm’s length
Idiom of the day

Hit it off

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Meaning: This idiom is used to describe two people who immediately like each other and get along very well from the first moment they meet. It implies a strong, positive, and instant rapport or connection between individuals.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “When they met at the party, they hit it off right away and have been close friends ever since.”
  2. “I was nervous about meeting my new coworkers, but we hit it off during lunch.”
  3. “Despite their different backgrounds, they hit it off and started dating shortly after they met.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “hit it off” dates back to the 18th century. Originally, “hit it off” meant to come to an agreement or reach an understanding quickly. Over time, the phrase evolved to specifically describe people who form an immediate and positive connection. The use of “hit” in this context suggests striking or encountering something with favorable results, and “off” emphasizes the swift nature of the interaction. The idiom has since become a common way to describe instant rapport or camaraderie between individuals.

Hit it off
Idiom of the day

In a rut

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Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a situation where someone feels stuck in a routine or pattern that is monotonous, unproductive, or unchanging. It implies a sense of boredom, stagnation, or lack of progress in one’s personal or professional life.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “I’ve been feeling in a rut at work lately, doing the same tasks every day with no new challenges.”
  2. “After years of the same routine, their relationship seemed to be in a rut.”
  3. “He decided to take a vacation to break free from the rut he felt trapped in.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “in a rut” comes from the literal meaning of a rut, which is a deep track made by the repeated passage of wheels over the same path, such as on a dirt road. When someone or something is “in a rut,” it suggests being confined to the same tracks, unable to move freely or explore new directions. This metaphorically translates to the feeling of being stuck in repetitive, unvarying routines or habits, leading to a sense of stagnation or lack of progress. The phrase has been used in this figurative sense since at least the 19th century.

In a rut
Idiom of the day

Love is blind

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Meaning: This idiom means that when people are in love, they often fail to see or overlook their partner’s flaws or imperfections. It implies that love can make people irrational or biased, causing them to ignore potential issues or negative traits in their loved ones.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Even though everyone warned her about his faults, she couldn’t see them because love is blind.”
  2. “They seem like an odd couple to outsiders, but love is blind, and they are very happy together.”
  3. “He forgave her every mistake because, for him, love is blind.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “love is blind” dates back to ancient times and has been a common sentiment in literature and culture for centuries. The phrase was famously used by Geoffrey Chaucer in “The Merchant’s Tale” from “The Canterbury Tales” (late 14th century) and by William Shakespeare in several of his plays, including “The Merchant of Venice” and “Henry V” (early 17th century). The concept suggests that love can cloud one’s judgment, making it difficult to see the true nature of the person one loves. The idiom has persisted through the ages to describe how love can make people overlook flaws or make irrational decisions.

Love is blind
Idiom of the day

Have a chip on one’s shoulder

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Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who is easily provoked, sensitive to criticism or perceived slights, and harbors feelings of resentment, hostility, or defensiveness, often as a result of past experiences or perceived injustices. It implies carrying a grudge or feeling of inferiority that leads to confrontational behavior or an attitude of defiance.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Ever since he lost his job, he’s had a chip on his shoulder and gets defensive at any criticism.”
  2. “She grew up in a tough neighborhood and always had a chip on her shoulder.”
  3. “He’s always had a chip on his shoulder about being the youngest sibling.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “have a chip on one’s shoulder” is uncertain, but it likely originated from the literal practice of placing a small chip of wood on one’s shoulder as a challenge or provocation, daring someone to knock it off and provoke a fight. Over time, the phrase evolved into a metaphorical expression used to describe someone who is easily provoked or confrontational due to underlying feelings of resentment or inferiority. It emphasizes the idea of carrying emotional baggage or a sense of victimization that leads to defensive or combative behavior.

Have a chip on one’s shoulder