Idiom of the day

Ignorance is bliss

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Meaning: This idiom means that sometimes it’s better not to know certain things because knowledge or awareness of those things might cause worry or distress.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “I didn’t want to hear the bad news about the company’s financial troubles—ignorance is bliss.”
  2. “He decided not to look at the weather forecast for the vacation, believing ignorance is bliss.”
  3. “Sometimes, ignorance is bliss when it comes to office gossip.”

Origin: The phrase “ignorance is bliss” was popularized by the English poet Thomas Gray in his 1742 poem Ode on a Distant Prospect of Eton College. The full line reads, “Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise,” suggesting that in some cases, not knowing the truth can lead to happiness or peace of mind, while knowledge may bring discomfort or anxiety. The idea behind the phrase has endured, emphasizing the notion that certain truths can be unsettling, and sometimes, not knowing is a relief.

Ignorance is bliss
Idiom of the day

Ducks in a row

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Meaning: This idiom means to be organized and prepared, having everything in order before proceeding with a task or plan.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Before starting the project, make sure you have all your ducks in a row.”
  2. “She’s been getting her ducks in a row for the big presentation next week.”
  3. “We need to have our ducks in a row before the audit begins.”

Origin: The origin of this phrase is unclear, but one common theory is that it comes from observing how mother ducks lead their ducklings in a neat, organized line. It conveys the idea of ensuring everything is in place and ready to go. The phrase has been in use since at least the late 19th century and is often used in professional or personal contexts to emphasize the importance of preparation and order.

Ducks in a row
Idiom of the day

On purpose

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Meaning: This idiom means to do something intentionally or deliberately, rather than by accident.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “I didn’t spill the milk by accident; I did it on purpose.”
  2. “She missed the meeting on purpose to avoid the tough conversation.”
  3. “He moved the chair on purpose to block the door.”

Origin: The phrase “on purpose” has been in use since the late 16th century, originating from the word “purpose,” which means intention or objective. The preposition “on” is used to indicate alignment with an intention, hence “on purpose” emphasizes that an action was done with deliberate intent, rather than by mistake.

On purpose
Idiom of the day

Sooner or later

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Meaning: This idiom means that something is bound to happen eventually, though the exact time is uncertain.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Sooner or later, you’ll have to make a decision about your career.”
  2. “Don’t worry, the truth will come out sooner or later.”
  3. “He’s been avoiding the conversation, but sooner or later, they’ll need to talk.”

Origin: The origin of this phrase is straightforward and stems from the natural concept of time. “Sooner” and “later” are relative terms indicating the passage of time, and the phrase as a whole suggests that an event is inevitable, even if the precise timing is unknown. It has been in common use since the 16th century, often used to convey the certainty of something happening in the future

Sooner or later
Idiom of the day

Never mind

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Meaning: This idiom is used to tell someone not to worry about something or to disregard a previous statement or concern. It can also mean that something is not important or not worth discussing further.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “I thought I lost my keys, but never mind, I found them in my bag.”
  2. “Never mind the noise outside, let’s focus on the meeting.”
  3. “If you don’t want to come, never mind, I’ll go on my own.”

Origin: The phrase “never mind” originates from Middle English, where “never” means “not ever” and “mind” refers to attention or concern. It evolved into its modern usage as a way of saying “don’t worry about it” or “forget it.” It’s a casual, everyday expression used to downplay something or move on from a situation.

Never mind
Idiom of the day

Call on

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Meaning: This idiom has multiple meanings depending on the context:

  1. To visit someone, often for a specific reason.
  2. To formally ask someone to do something or to answer a question.
  3. To request help or demand action from someone.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “I will call on my friend later to see how she’s doing.” (Visit)
  2. “The teacher called on me to answer the question.” (Request/ask)
  3. “We need to call on the police to help with this situation.” (Request help)

Origin: The phrase “call on” stems from the older usage of “call,” meaning to summon or request someone’s presence. Over time, “call on” evolved into a formal or polite way of asking for someone’s attention or assistance. It’s been in use for centuries and is now common in both formal and informal contexts.

Call on
Idiom of the day

Tire out

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Meaning: This idiom means to exhaust someone or oneself, either physically or mentally, usually by overexertion or excessive activity.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Playing with the kids all day really tires me out.”
  2. “She tires out easily after working long shifts.”
  3. “The marathon runners were completely tired out by the end of the race.”

Origin: The phrase “tire out” comes from the verb “tire,” which has been used in English since the 14th century to mean becoming fatigued. The addition of “out” emphasizes the extent of exhaustion, indicating complete or significant fatigue. This idiom is commonly used in casual conversation to describe feeling drained after strenuous activities.

Tire out
Idiom of the day

At sixes and sevens

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Meaning: This idiom means to be in a state of confusion, disorder, or uncertainty.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “After the sudden change in plans, everyone was at sixes and sevens trying to figure out what to do.”
  2. “When the power went out, the whole office was at sixes and sevens.”
  3. “The room was at sixes and sevens after the kids finished playing.”

Origin: The phrase “at sixes and sevens” dates back to the 14th century and is believed to have originated from a dice game, where the numbers six and seven were considered unlucky or risky. Over time, it evolved into a metaphor for disarray or confusion. The expression has been widely used in English literature and continues to imply a state of disorder or chaos.

At sixes and sevens
Idiom of the day

Little by little

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Meaning: This idiom means something is happening gradually, in small steps or increments, rather than all at once.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “She’s improving her skills little by little through daily practice.”
  2. “The garden is growing little by little as the plants start to bloom.”
  3. “Little by little, they rebuilt their house after the storm.”

Origin: The phrase “little by little” dates back to at least the 16th century and is often used to describe slow but steady progress. It emphasizes a process that happens in stages rather than in a single moment. The repetition of “little” underscores the gradual nature of the progress being made. This idiom is commonly used in both personal and professional contexts to reflect the idea that small, consistent efforts lead to significant results over time.

Little by little
Idiom of the day

Out of sight, out of mind

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Meaning: This idiom means that when something or someone is not present or visible, it is easily forgotten or not thought about.

Usage in Example Sentences:

  1. “Ever since they moved to another city, it’s been a case of out of sight, out of mind.”
  2. “I put the cookies in the cupboard, and now they’re out of sight, out of mind.”
  3. “He stopped thinking about the issue once it was resolved—out of sight, out of mind.”

Origin: The phrase “out of sight, out of mind” dates back to the early 1500s and highlights the human tendency to forget things or people that are no longer in immediate view or presence. The idiom emphasizes how physical distance or absence can lead to mental distance or lack of attention. It’s often used to explain why people or problems are overlooked when not constantly reminded of them.

Out of sight, out of mind