Monthly Archives: September 2024

Idiom of the day

Luck out

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Meaning: This idiom means to experience unexpected good fortune or to be very lucky in a particular situation, often when success was not anticipated.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “I really lucked out and found the last ticket for the concert right before it sold out.”
  2. “They lucked out with perfect weather for their outdoor wedding.”
  3. “I thought I missed the bus, but I lucked out because it was running late.”

Origin: The origin of the phrase “luck out” comes from American English, where it originally had the opposite meaning of experiencing bad luck. However, over time, its usage shifted to mean the opposite—experiencing good fortune. The transformation of its meaning likely occurred due to the ironic use of “out” to signify that someone unexpectedly avoided bad luck and instead ended up in a lucky situation. It’s now a common idiom used to describe being fortunate, often in situations where the outcome could easily have gone the other way.

Luck out
Idiom of the day

Hang on

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Meaning: This idiom means to wait for a short period of time or to hold tightly to something, often in difficult situations.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Hang on, I’ll be with you in just a minute.”
  2. “During the bumpy ride, he told us to hang on to the handrails.”
  3. “Just hang on, things will get better soon.”

Origin: The phrase “hang on” originates from the literal action of holding onto something, especially in challenging circumstances. Over time, it evolved into a figurative expression meaning to remain patient, wait, or persist through difficulties. It’s widely used in casual conversation to ask someone to wait briefly or to encourage someone to persevere.

Hang on
Idiom of the day

Get something going

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Meaning: This idiom means to start or initiate something, often referring to getting a project, event, or process in motion.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Let’s get this meeting going so we can finish on time.”
  2. “We need to get the new marketing campaign going by the end of the month.”
  3. “It took some time, but we finally got the project going.”

Origin: “Get something going” is a common idiomatic expression in English, derived from the literal meaning of “going,” which means to move or proceed. Over time, it became a phrase used to describe starting or launching any activity, event, or plan. It’s often used in both casual and formal settings to indicate the beginning of an action or initiative.

Get something going
Idiom of the day

safe bet

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Meaning: This idiom means that something is very likely to happen or be true, or that it is a reliable choice or outcome.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “It’s a safe bet that it will rain tomorrow, given the dark clouds and forecast.”
  2. “Investing in blue-chip stocks is usually a safe bet for long-term returns.”
  3. “If you’re hungry, pizza is always a safe bet for dinner.”

Origin: The idiom “a safe bet” comes from the world of gambling, where a “bet” is a wager placed on a certain outcome. A “safe bet” refers to a wager where the chances of winning are high, indicating that the outcome is almost guaranteed. Over time, the phrase has been adopted into everyday language to describe situations or decisions that carry little risk and are likely to succeed. It is now commonly used in both literal and figurative contexts.

safe bet
YouTube Videos

Surviving in the Wilderness: Basic English vs. Idioms

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Get ready to dive into an exciting survival story where we explore two ways to tell the same tale—Basic English vs. Idioms! Follow Jake as he finds himself in the middle of nowhere, trying to keep his cool and ride out the night. Will he luck out and make it out of the woods? Or will things go south? Watch and see how we break down the language in this thrilling adventure!

Idiom of the day

Take something with a pinch of salt

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Meaning: This idiom means to view something with skepticism or doubt, or not to take something too literally or seriously.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “When he told me about his latest adventure, I took it with a pinch of salt—he tends to exaggerate.”
  2. “You should take the rumors with a pinch of salt until you hear the official statement.”
  3. “She said the project would be done by tomorrow, but I’m taking that with a pinch of salt.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “take something with a pinch of salt” can be traced back to ancient Rome. The Roman author Pliny the Elder mentioned in his work Naturalis Historia that a grain of salt could be used as an antidote to poison. This led to the idea that salt could help lessen the impact or severity of something harmful. Over time, the phrase evolved to mean taking something with caution or skepticism, as if to mitigate its potential impact or truthfulness. Today, the idiom is commonly used to suggest that a statement or claim should be treated with some level of doubt or disbelief.

Take something with a pinch of salt
Idiom of the day

When pigs fly

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Meaning: This idiom is used to describe something that is highly unlikely or impossible to happen.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “She’ll start waking up early when pigs fly—she’s a night owl through and through.”
  2. “Sure, he’ll apologize when pigs fly. He never admits he’s wrong.”
  3. “They said they would lower the prices, but I’ll believe it when pigs fly.”

Origin: The idiom “when pigs fly” is a humorous expression that dates back centuries, reflecting the absurdity of the idea of pigs being able to fly. The phrase uses the image of pigs, which are earthbound animals, performing the impossible feat of flying to emphasize that something is so unlikely that it will never happen. Similar expressions exist in other languages, often using different animals or scenarios, but the underlying meaning is the same: the event in question is so far-fetched that it’s not going to occur. The phrase has been popular in English-speaking cultures since at least the 17th century and is still commonly used today to dismiss or express doubt about improbable situations.

when pigs fly
Idiom of the day

At sea

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Meaning: This idiom means to be confused, uncertain, or lost, especially in a situation where one does not know what to do or how to proceed.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “When they first introduced the new software, I was completely at sea and didn’t know where to start.”
  2. “She felt at sea during the meeting because the discussion was about a topic she wasn’t familiar with.”
  3. “He’s at sea with his new job responsibilities, but he’s trying his best to learn quickly.”

Origin: The idiom “at sea” originally refers to the literal experience of being out on the ocean, where one can feel lost or disoriented without land in sight. Being “at sea” in this context meant being in an unfamiliar or challenging environment, often without clear direction. Over time, the phrase came to be used metaphorically to describe feelings of confusion or uncertainty in any situation, much like a sailor might feel when navigating the vast, open ocean without a clear course.

At sea
Idiom of the day

See red

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Meaning: This idiom means to become very angry or enraged, often suddenly and intensely.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “He saw red when he found out that his car had been scratched in the parking lot.”
  2. “She saw red after hearing the unfair criticism from her boss.”
  3. “Whenever someone lies to him, he sees red instantly.”

Origin: The origin of the idiom “see red” is likely linked to the association of the color red with anger, aggression, and heightened emotions. This connection is rooted in physiological responses, as anger can cause a person’s face to flush or turn red due to increased blood flow. Additionally, the phrase may also be influenced by the traditional image of a bull charging at a red cape during a bullfight, where the bull’s reaction is interpreted as anger. Although the color red does not actually provoke the bull (it’s the movement of the cape that does), this image has become symbolic of intense anger, leading to the idiom “see red” to describe someone becoming very angry.

At sea
Idiom of the day

Get along

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Meaning: This idiom means to have a friendly relationship with someone, to be compatible, or to manage or progress in a situation.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Despite their differences, they get along really well at work.”
  2. “I was worried about the new neighbors, but we’ve been getting along just fine.”
  3. “How are you getting along with your new responsibilities at the office?”

Origin: The phrase “get along” has been used in English for many centuries, deriving from the Middle English phrase “geten along,” meaning to proceed or advance. Over time, the meaning broadened to include the idea of progressing in relationships or situations. It can refer both to how people relate to one another—emphasizing harmony or the ability to coexist peacefully—and to how someone is managing or coping with circumstances. The idiom is widely used in everyday conversation to talk about interpersonal relationships or general well-being.

Get along