‘Sea Change’ Meaning: A radical – or drastic – transformation of events Explanation: Such is the extent and majesty of the writings of William Shakespeare, the sheer volume of words, phrases, and idioms that can be attributed to the Bard is remarkable. When it comes to the the use of ‘sea change’ to…
‘Age Before Beauty’ Meaning: Older people should be afforded preference over younger – and therefore, more beautiful – people Explanation: More often than not uttered in jest, the exact origins of the term ‘age before beauty’ appears to have been lost to history. That said, it has been in wide circulation since the Victorian…
‘Take with a Grain/Pinch of Salt’ Meaning: To maintain a degree of scepticism when hearing a fact Explanation: As one might expect, the phrase to ‘take with a grain (or pinch) of salt’ comes from the fact that certain foods are more palatable with the addition of seasoning. The figurative use of the phrase did…
‘Baptism of Fire’ Meaning: To experience a significant ordeal when experiencing something for the first time Explanation: From a busy first day in a new job, to experiencing heavy gunfire on a soldier’s first foray into battle, proclaiming a particular series of events to be a baptism of fire is a common idiom used in…
‘Eat Out of House and Home’ Meaning: To consume a great deal and use somebody else’s reserves Explanation: Ever had a hungry friend come to stay, only for them to raid your cupboards and your fridge, eating everything in sight? If so, you’d be right to exclaim that they had ‘eaten you out of house…
‘By hook or by crook’ Meaning: Using any means possible to achieve a particular objective Explanation: Dating as far back as the 14th century, this particular idiom is rumoured to have derived from feudal laws relating to the collection of firewood from forests. As a means of preventing peasants from indiscriminately chopping down trees,…
‘Hold the Fort’ Meaning: To temporary look after, or to take over, something Explanation: The origin of being asked to ‘hold the fort’ is widely believed to date from the American Civil War and a message sent by General Sherman to fellow Union General John Corse as he was facing a Confederate attack in…
Ears are Burning Meaning: A statement made by one who thinks they are being talked about Explanation: Ever felt like somebody was talking about you only for them to suddenly go quiet when you’re near? If so, you could well claim that your ears are burning. A tingling or burning sensation in the ears supposedly…
Dutch courage Meaning: To find courage in the drinking of alcohol Explanation: During the Anglo-Dutch Wars of the mid-17th century, it became a widely held belief among the English that their Dutch adversaries were heavy drinkers and that it was from the alcohol consumed that the courage and conviction during battle was derived. In fact,…
Lame Duck Meaning: To be an ineffectual person or a failing business Explanation: This particular idiom, which today is used to identify one considered ineffectual or a business which is failing and without power, takes its origins from the business world – specifically the Stock Exchange of the 18th century. The industry is renowned…
