Reader Opinions
Jiji – (crocodile tears) June 5, 2020
My brother will shed crocodile tears when he has any exams in school.
Jarek – (hope for the best, but prepare for the worst) June 5, 2020
Tove Jansson had Little my say this line in the book, “Tales from Moominvalley.” This popularized it, and I feel some sort of credit is due.
US Sharma – (Nouns) June 4, 2020
I have changed the definition of noun. The new definition is,
“A noun is a sound or a group of sounds used to identify something.”
On a paper these sounds are written in letters and words.
You can get the details in my e-book, Doubtless English Speaking course, 2019, at Amazon, by US Sharma.
Roxane – (raining cats and dogs) June 3, 2020
I think the phrase refers to the NOISE cats and dogs make when they are fighting-that noise is similar to the sounds of the torrential rains people traditionally refer to…the phrase is never used to comment on casual rain; it’s always the loud, crazy, noise of raining like cats and dogs (fighting).
Saroj Pensia – (stir up a hornet’s nest) June 3, 2020
Synonyms of stir up a hornet nest:
- Blow something sky high
- Cook someone’s goose
- Make someone’s life misery
- Throw someone to the wolves
Oluwatomisin Ojomo – (deliver the goods) June 2, 2020
Failed to produce the desired outcome.
Gene Merritt – (a cut above) May 29, 2020
The origin story sounds weak. Are you sure it didn’t originate from the butcher shop or even a gemstone dealer where one “cut” is truly better than another?
Robert Holmes – (take heart) May 28, 2020
When the Autonomic Nervous System is triggered on the Sympathetic side your heart beats fast, blood pressure goes up and some faint. Part of having a panic attack. One can control this to calm down by focusing on being calm and not expecting the sky to fall. Expecting a good out come. To “Take Heart” is to take control of your mind so that you can be brave, courageous etc and face difficult times. The Bible says, Renew your mind and don’t be anxious. In John 16, Jesus was telling his disciples that he was headed for the cross and they did not want to hear that. Also telling them things were going to get worse as they would be persecuted–but take heart.
Anne O'Donnell – (pull your socks up) May 28, 2020
“That’s a interesting phrase that originated in Australia. Prisoners who were sentenced to deportation to Australia wore permanent manacles around their ankles which left marks on the skin. When the had completed their sentence the manacles were removed and they were advised to ‘Pull up their socks’ to help cover the marks while searching for a job”. ………… this was from Michael Gilbey, a contributor today on the East London and Beyond facebook site
Marilou Hocino – (head start) May 28, 2020
Excellent. Learn to understand idioms/slang
