Reader Opinions
Mukesh – (above board) January 23, 2018
To be above board means:- To be honest.
Bill Still – (scot-free) January 20, 2018
According to “The Idioms – Largest Idoms Dictionary”, the phrase “Scot free” originated between the years 1200 to 1250 in Middle English. The exact literary origin could not be traced though.
After reading up on the subject, the most likely origin would have been in the years before 1296, the beginning of the First War of Scottish Independence.
Warlike Scottish clans were raiding communities along the northern English border, but English troops were preoccupied in a war with France, so the Scots were getting off Scot free. Finally upon the death of Scotland’s strong King Alexander, III there were 13 claimants to the Scottish throne. Seeing Scotland weakened, the English decided to invade in 1296 to try to conquer Scotland as one of their states. The Scots repelled the English in what became known as the famous 1st Scottish War for Independence.
AskOpinion – (wash dirty linen in public) January 19, 2018
Why wash dirty linen in public domain? People of India looking towards Supreme Court with lot of expectations, for Supreme Court to solve their problems.
Ellie – (the calm before the storm) January 19, 2018
Interesting origin of this idiom.
Fiona Mackenzie – (bad blood) January 13, 2018
Manas Jyoti Boro – Hi, sorry taking so long getting back to you. If your teacher said it means ILL FEELING (check your spelling) then that is basically the same definition. A feeling of hate can also be described as ill feeling.
Thanks for commenting.
The Idioms Team
Ruhi – (beck and call) January 13, 2018
Her life is like a bed of roses because of beck and call friend.
Ananth Prasad – (catch-22) January 10, 2018
If die, if I do not die, I will still die. Is this a catch-22 situation?
Amaya Mehta – (acid test) January 7, 2018
NEET exam is an acid test for all doctor aspirants.
Dinkypoopoo – (axe to grind) January 3, 2018
People seem to mix this up with “bone to pick”, or meaning a general grudge.
My preferred definition means something more ulterior. My example… “Senator Todd refused to vote for the Health Care bill, claiming it will raise spending. However, many believe he just has an axe to grind for not being selected to Chair the Health Care Committee.”
I would NOT use it like this. “Senator Todd refused to vote for the Health Care bill because he had an axe to grind about government spending”
Judy – (an item) January 1, 2018
I was watching Cary Grant in Mr. Blandings Build his Dream House (1948) and the daughter says something to the effect of “They used to be an item” meaning in love or dating.. I had thought this was a much more modern phrase, but apparently not.
