Reader Opinions
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.
Kamaldeen Abdullahi – (Achilles heel) December 25, 2017
Nigeria, a country for all with resources but corruption has been her achilles heel.
The Idioms Team – (in deep water) December 22, 2017
We are highly thankful of Mr. Mark for providing the origin of the idiom.
Mark – (in deep water) December 21, 2017
Deep water is mentioned as far back as B.C. times. One version I think of comes from a Biblical context. Proverbs 20:5 which states the heart of man is like “deep water” but a man of understanding will draw it out. —
Here’s one interpretation “Though the designs and intentions of another man, especially one who hath a deep understanding, are as hard to be found out as waters which lie in the secret caverns of the earth; yet there are persons of such penetration, that they will find means to discover them and draw them out. There are six ways “whereby the knowledge of men may be drawn out and disclosed;” by their faces and countenances, by words, by deeds, by their nature, by their ends, and by the relations of others.
I think Deep Water in this context is the depth of a mans inner souls understanding. Though it may take another to draw it out for all to benefit from the deeper meaning.
Blaydin Cowder – (between the devil and the deep blue sea) December 20, 2017
I have heard of a lot of idioms but I’ve never used them. To whom it does not hurt anybody. But due to idioms weird way to say it but idioms have a easy to define it. But how were idioms made?
Fiona Mackenzie – (status quo) December 20, 2017
Of course, Status Quo is also the name of a great rock / blues band, known affectionately by fans as The Quo.
Fiona Mackenzie – (down to the wire) December 18, 2017
To Anonymous
I suggest:
Kaylee had an essay to write, but she kept avoiding doing the work, until the last minute, when it was really down to the wire, and she only just managed to finish it.
Or:
Kaylee barely (or only just) finished her essay on time – she really left it down to the wire.
Fiona Mackenzie – (hot potato) December 18, 2017
Hello Manal,
More formal ways of saying: It’s a hot potato, are:
- It’s a controversial subject.
- It’s a sensitive subject.
- It’s likely to cause disagreement.
- It could upset people.
- It’s risky for everyone involved.
