Reader Opinions
Edwin Hebda – (if it’s not one thing, it’s the other) January 31, 2021
Best version: If it’s not one thing, it’s another thing, but it’s always something.
Andy – (on one’s uppers) January 31, 2021
I just wrote a joke meme about a friend whose shoes wore out being ‘on his uppers.’ Now I find that’s what the phrase meant in the first place, LOL!
*DOI !!!*
Anonymous – (armed to the teeth) January 31, 2021
“Three Sword Style!” – Roronoa Zoro, ‘One Piece’
Miss D M Bliss – (salad days) January 31, 2021
Maybe people began using the idiom because they began reading Shakespeare where it was used by Cleopatra in Anthony and Cleopatra?
Anthony – (down to earth) January 29, 2021
Maybe with inner city housing transforming to high rise flats/units, being down to earth was used as an expression of when living “closer” to our neighbours allowed us to be more sociable and empathic member of society. Living in a high rise, well above the street tends to gives the impression that you are somehow out of touch or aloof of your fellow humans. Therefore being down to earth means to be understanding, empathic and more sociable. Just a guess!
Anonymous – (add insult to injury) January 28, 2021
I think it came from “adding salt to injury” and then it became “add insult to injury”
Rico – (coin a phrase) January 28, 2021
It should be “to quote a phrase.”
Over the years “to coin a phrase” became a substitute for “to quote a phrase.” As per the explanation here when you “coin” something you’re making it brand new, as they did when they stamped the metal into a new coin.
To quote a phrase is the correct term I believe.
AP – (when life gives you lemons) January 28, 2021
A pinch of sugar can make a lemon from sour to sweet. Love is that little pinch of sugar in ones life. After tasting sweet love, the bitterness and sourness of life starts sweetening.
Michael P. – (without further ado) January 27, 2021
The phrase, “without further ado,” ironically defeats the purpose of what it’s being used for, as reddit users so astutely pointed out. By saying, “without further ado” you just further adoed a little.
Anonymous – (all is fair in love and war) January 27, 2021
Love hasn’t ever been fair, starting with Adam and Eve. War is unfair with normally the strong preying on the weak. Rules for such are what two sides make them if any and usually created by the stronger.
