Reader Opinions
Daniel Renuart – (dig one’s own grave) September 26, 2022
I came across a similar expression some time ago…
“dig a hole for oneself”
I guess its meaning is not very different from “dig one’s own grave” although the latter might point out to more serious, permanent effects. Could you please clarify the difference existing between the two expressions?
And if you decide to write a post about expressions related to behaving in a way that is negative for oneself “shoot oneself in the foot” comes to mind, maybe “burn the candle at both ends”? Kind regards! Daniel
Anonymous – (the devil is beating his wife) September 26, 2022
Grew up in East Tennessee & I just turned 41. My grandmother & grandfather ALWAYS referred to it as the devil beating his wife when it rained & was sunny
T4MZ – (all that glitters is not gold) September 24, 2022
Can we say not all that glitters is gold?
Bill Collins – (go bananas) September 23, 2022
Guy Marks’ “Loving You Has Made Me Bananas” is a funny ditty.
E.A.A. – (whole nine yards) September 22, 2022
It refers to the full capacity of a standard ready mix concrete truck being nine cubic yards, and so the whole nine yards is the full load, instead of just partial.
Dave – (out of the blue) September 17, 2022
Alexa said it came from the Seneca Tribe of Indians. I think her electric brain was hit by a bolt out of the blue.
Mith – (the devil is beating his wife) September 14, 2022
Los Angeles-born in the 50s, and this expression was a commonplace among mainly Southern migrants. Just looked it up after a sunshower here in these New England Hills, and enjoy the many regional reflections. I’ll always use it, though judiciously, as I know there’s some discomfort with the idea. But human language is raw and unruly, just as our thoughts can be.
Bu Christin – (break a leg) September 12, 2022
I’m not a native speaker of English. I was told by my native friend that this idiom is only used before a performance on stage. But the example above shows it can be used before a test. Would someone explain/ share opinion?
Anthony K Okoth – (throw under the bus) September 1, 2022
Donovan McNabb made the them popular in the US in 2005 when using it against teammate Terrell Owens.
Anonymous – (flip the bird) August 26, 2022
Our last name is Byrd. My husband taught our children and grandchildren that flipping the bird was our name in sign language. It’s like saying hello to us Byrd’s.
