Tag Archives: Idioms

I recently celebrated my 10th anniversary in my current role at the real job. Someone congratulated me, noting that I run 'a tight ship.'

Have you ever used the phrase 'speak of the devil' when something coincidental happens when you're having a conversation?

The idiom 'the last straw' comes from a longer phrase that sometimes involves a horse and sometimes a camel. Here's how it came to be.

Of the seven topics I write about, grammar tends to be the most popular. Here's a look at my 20 most-read 2023 grammar posts.

The phrase 'one fell swoop' is a popular idiom that dates back hundreds of years. But its original meaning has shifted a bit.

The common idioms native English speakers toss around don't usually confuse most people. But non-English speakers may be a different story.

Have you ever wondered about the expression involving taking something 'with a grain of salt'? Here's the story behind the curious phrase.

You have surely heard the phrase about 'getting down to brass tacks.' But what does that phrase mean and how did tacks get involved?

When selecting between 'just deserts' or 'just desserts' for a deserved outcome, I bet most would pick the wrong choice for the right reason.

Very old expressions people rarely use can sometimes pop up and confuse readers. Here's the story behind the phrase 'rue the day.'

You've probably heard the old saying, 'It never rains but it pours,' which sounds impossible. Here's what it means.

Whenever I write a post to explain an idiom like 'bite the bullet,' I normally go in with a decent idea of its origin before I research it.

If someone seems to beat everyone else to trends or popular opinions, should you describe them as being ahead of the curb or curve?

Oh, for Pete's sake! The phrase entered our language a long, long time ago. You've probably used it without knowing its backstory.

When stores run out of advertised goods, shoppers can usually get rainchecks. The pandemic seems to be changing that.

Ever wondered about the tradition of performers on stage or other big projects who tell a colleague to 'break a leg?' Here's the story.