Latin Idioms

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ipso facto

Meaning: By that very fact or act; automatically as a direct result of something.

Example: By resigning from the board, he was ipso facto no longer entitled to company privileges. Read more ➺


prima facie

Meaning: Based on the first impression or initial evidence, before deeper investigation.

Example: The defendant’s alibi provided prima facie grounds for dismissal, pending further review. Read more ➺


je ne sais quoi

Meaning: An extraordinary quality not easily defined, described or expressed.

Example: Despite his plain appearance, he has je ne sais quoi that draws everyone in. Read more ➺


Kekius Maximus

Meaning: A penname adopted by Elon Musk on X (formerly Twitter), combining "Kek," an internet term for laughter, with "Maximus," referencing the protagonist from the film "Gladiator."

Example: Elon Musk updated his X profile name to Kekius Maximus, sparking widespread curiosity. Read more ➺


Pandora’s box

Meaning: An action or decision that leads to unforeseen and uncontrollable problems.

Example: Opening that old case file could be like opening Pandora's box, revealing more issues than we anticipate. Read more ➺


Latin and Greek

Meaning: difficult to understand.

Example: The technical manual was all Latin and Greek to me. Read more ➺


alter ego

Meaning: a second self, a deputy.

Example: Jack was the alter ego of Rose in the Titanic movie. Read more ➺


cast aspersions

Meaning: to criticize somebody or somebody's character.

Example: His opponents never missed an opportunity to cast aspersions on his professionalism. Read more ➺


lead astray

Meaning: make someone act or think in a wrong or foolish manner.

Example: The interrogators in the case were led astray by false information from one of the witnesses. Read more ➺


belle of the ball

Meaning: the most beautiful woman in a gathering.

Example: She felt like the belle of the ball as she danced the night away with her beau. Read more ➺


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