Expressions are words or phrases used to convey an idea, or else a particular term used conventionally to express something.
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2answers
666 views
Is there a female equivalent for “my good sir”?
Is there a quaint-sounding/archaic dual to address women a la "[my] [good] sir" jovially in casual conversation? I can't come up with an expression that doesn't sound like a moderately intense term ...
4
votes
1answer
92 views
Can “this time around” and “all the time” be compatible?
I was a bit puzzled to read the following sentence in the article titled “Obama showering Ohio with attention and money” in September 26 Washington Post:
“It goes without saying that, every four ...
1
vote
1answer
114 views
Usage of “eggheads and fatheads” in a sentence
Recently I came across this expression "eggheads and fatheads".
I know the individual meanings of both the words. In which context should I use these two words together?
6
votes
6answers
281 views
The usage of “the same…as…”
Which one of the following two sentences is more correct?
We use the same space as is specified in Chapter 1.
We use the same space as specified in Chapter 1.
2
votes
5answers
819 views
Is there an equivalent of the spanish “que hueva” slang expression in English to denote that you feel lazy about doing something?
In Spanish slang, particularly in the west, the expressions "que hueva" or "me da hueva" are used, respectively, to convey that you are lazy about doing something. The context might be as follows:
A: ...
8
votes
6answers
2k views
Phrase to say that something which happened twice already is likely to happen again
In French, there is the expression "jamais deux sans trois" (literally: "never twice without a third [time]").
We use it to express that something which has already happened twice is likely to happen ...
0
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2answers
270 views
expression “something beyond your kin” [closed]
I heard the expression "something is beyond your kin", see an example:
Woman, you're playing with forces beyond your kin.
I can't find a way to fit any of the entries of the definition of 'kin' ...
1
vote
2answers
143 views
what phrase to use to convey the idea of “my first attempt”
I had tried photography as serious hobby for the first time and I have made an album. I want to expresses the idea to the world that this is my first attempt. Few things come to my mind like "my first ...
0
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2answers
124 views
Which sounds better: “What’s in ――” or “What’s on――”?
I’m making the title of a web page with classifieds, and I’d like to name it either “What’s in (town name)” or “What’s on (town name)”.
Which one sounds better for a town classified web page?
Right ...
7
votes
2answers
94 views
Rationale for expression “Fixer-upper”
I have encountered the expression fixer-upper:
A fixer-upper is a real-estate property that will require maintenance work (redecoration, reconstruction or redesign) though it usually can be ...
14
votes
9answers
2k views
Is there a word to describe someone who often inaccurately uses words?
Or a word to describe the act of inaccurately using complicated or unusual words (often in an attempt to sound more intelligent)?
I considered 'bombastic' but it doesn't have that quality of ...
6
votes
1answer
162 views
Implication(s) of “Though you wouldn't think it”
(This question arose because on some other SE many of us tried to translate this expression. It turns out it was not so easy, and it would certainly help if we had a better grasp on it.)
I believe ...
4
votes
2answers
1k views
Origin of “pull your socks up”?
I was pulling my socks up this morning, in the literal sense of the term, when I started to wonder about why pull your socks up came to mean what it does:-
to make an effort to improve your work ...
2
votes
2answers
279 views
What is the meaning of the phrase “moving the needle”?
Here is the context:
The network has geographically distributed upload endpoints, featuring end-to-end encryption as well as patent-pending routing and optimization technology, letting Box process ...
2
votes
2answers
178 views
Why the discrepancy between number and case in (some) British English?
By chance, I've heard a lot of Midlands English in the last few weeks, and have noticed this sort of disconnect:
"It cost me five pound" (rather than 'pounds');
"The ball rolled ten foot" (rather than ...
13
votes
3answers
3k views
What is the difference between “here we go” and “there we go”?
As a non-native speaker, I cannot grasp any difference between the expressions "here we go" and "there we go": both expressions seem to underline an event that is going to happen immediately.
Is ...
1
vote
3answers
109 views
“Strikes me a great deal” in a negative way
Is it correct to use the above expression that connotes a negative feeling.
The rude behavior of the officer struck me a great deal. I didn't expect this from a professional person.
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2answers
333 views
Expression for “someone who's clueless of their surroundings”?
What is an expression or saying you could use to describe someone that is totally clueless of their surroundings?
20
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2answers
549 views
Is there a name for this method of writing that includes pictograms?
I've seen people write (usually in a humorous way) a 'code-like' message where parts of words are replaced with a pictogram that sounds like that word-part. E.G.:
(eyeball) (tin can)(rope knot) ...
7
votes
2answers
634 views
Origin of “they don't know they're born”?
Practising today for my forthcoming role as radgie gadgie, I was having a little rant about modern youth: "they don't know they're born!"
This seems to me rather a strange phrase to describe someone ...
8
votes
6answers
547 views
What metaphor do countries that don't play baseball use for intercourse?
Related question: In sex talk, how many bases are there and what do they all mean?
There are lots of English-speaking (or English-learning) countries where baseball simply isn't played much if at ...
2
votes
2answers
76 views
Is “auditory aid” correct when talking about helping someone through audio signals?
I'm not talking about the concept of a "hearing aid" (those little things you put in your ears). I'm talking about sounds like the ones emitted by traffic lights, letting us know they've turned ...
2
votes
1answer
274 views
“We strongly advise you to enjoy this book before turning to the Introduction”
This was part of General Introduction (it's right before the Introduction) of some Wordsworth Classics series,
We strongly advise you to enjoy this book before turning to the
Introduction.
...
6
votes
2answers
764 views
Using “to my mind”
English is not my native language.
I am curious about the usage of "to my mind".
Is it a British English phrase?
Is it used in American English?
Is it formal/informal?
I've found an interesting ...
0
votes
1answer
313 views
“Pain in the neck” and similar expressions [closed]
Are there any other expressions equivalent in meaning to "pain in the neck" that mention another part of the body (e.g, "pain in the ass")?
How would you rate each of those expressions (including the ...
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votes
2answers
2k views
Me too or I as well [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Is it correct to use “me too” and “I too”?
Which one is correct to use Me too or I as well?
For example - Suppose my friend says I want to go ...
7
votes
2answers
1k views
Is “Better never than late” the saying as popular as “Better late than never”?
There was the following sentence in Maureen Dowd’s column in New York Times (September 1):
We all know Republicans prefer riches-to-riches sagas, and rounding up immigrants, if the parasitic ...
14
votes
8answers
859 views
Expression for a choice which isn't really one
What would be a nice short expression to describe a choice which isn't really one, in that all of its possible outcomes are ultimately equivalent despite being presented as different?
My first ...
6
votes
2answers
154 views
Old (professional) Adam
Again, from Le Carré's Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy:
[George Smiley] had schooled himself to admit that in those last wretched months of Control's career, when disasters followed one another with ...
2
votes
2answers
109 views
“Losing the semester” [closed]
Is the following expression common among native speakers:
If you don't enroll now, there is a chance of losing the semester.
Any better alternative?
1
vote
1answer
71 views
Express a phrase as compound [closed]
I need to express this phrase as a short compound to be used as programming variable name (this phrase is in the context of a software user interface):
the block showing current chatters
I have ...
4
votes
3answers
749 views
“For <xxx> sake” - which variant is more common?
There are a lot of variations of this phrase, most notably including
"for God's sake"
"for Heaven's sake"
"for Jesus sake"
"for Pete's sake"
Which of those are most commonly used in modern ...
7
votes
2answers
276 views
What does “Safety net in the coffin” mean?
There was the phrase “the safety net in the coffin” in reference to Mr. Paul Ryan, running mate of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney in Maureen Dowd’s article, titled “Cruel conservatives ...
5
votes
3answers
198 views
What does the cause for your feeling like “downing a quart of Red Bull” mean?
Again in the Time article (June 29),“Roberts Rules: What the Health Care decision means for the country” that many of my familiar ‘teachers’ criticized the style of writing as too pretentious and the ...
0
votes
3answers
603 views
How do I express “hope you become less busy” [closed]
I have a friend who works at law firm. I suggested to him to have dinner with my family this weekend but he told me that he just got staffed on an new thing that will have him working through the ...
-2
votes
1answer
310 views
What is the meaning of “I don't need no stinking counters”?
The context is this video at timeline 43:26 seconds .
That's too fancy for me. I don't need no stinking counters.
What does this mean? Is it an American or British expression?
1
vote
1answer
123 views
Why is the “round figure” of a person associated with being “comforting”? [closed]
Example:
Miss Beam was all that I had expected middle-aged, authoritative, kindly, and understanding. Her hair was beginning to turn grey, and her round figure was likely to be comforting for a ...
10
votes
2answers
574 views
What does ‘It’s one thing to dance like Fred Astaire, but Ginger Rogers did it backwards’ mean as a metaphor to John Roberts' ruling?
There was the following sentence in June 29 issue of Time magazine titled “Roberts Rules: What the health care decision means for the country” dealing with Chief Justice of Supreme Court, John ...
0
votes
2answers
81 views
“fix me that account” or “fix that account for me”
Can we say "Did you fix me that account?" Or should it be "Did you fix that account for me?" assuming something is wrong with the account. Account represents a computer based system user id.
0
votes
1answer
287 views
“Blow your heads off ” or “blow your head off ”
Is it heads or head? Google told me both are okay. What do you think?
I will blow your head[s] off if you don't tell me.
5
votes
2answers
420 views
What nuance ‘I’ll leave it at that' carry? Does it mean total agreement with, or commitment to your partner?
Yesterday’s (August 22) Washington Times picked up the following quote of Mr. Paul Ryan in its “Today’s Quote”
"Mitt Romney's going to be the president. The president sets the
policy. His policy ...
7
votes
1answer
155 views
Is the expression “topping it the ______” really used anywhere?
I've often read books where English men made statements about others "topping it the knob" or "topping it the gentleman," which I took to mean over playing a role or attitude.
Is this a legitimately ...
0
votes
3answers
108 views
Better phrase for “lengthy date” [closed]
Is there a better phrase or word to use than lengthy date? For example:
We give this lengthy date to accommodate the dispute respecting the Hermas who is the author of the Pastor.
This seems a ...
1
vote
2answers
172 views
Usage of the expression “go they went”
I noticed the usage of go they went in the TV show How I Met Your Mother:
Marshall: Where are all my underpants?
Lily: Did you check your suitcase?
(Marshall checks his suitcase, gives a ...
2
votes
2answers
109 views
Expression: wanted the skinny on [closed]
Is there an expression like wanted the skinny on?
I can hazard a guess on the meaning of the phrase but will be grateful if anyone can tell me the exact meaning.
Here is the exact quote:
I'm a ...
2
votes
1answer
95 views
“As old Buffle used to say”
In Chesteron's play Magic a character often uses a phrase such as “as old Buffle used to say” or variations thereof. Is this, or used it to be, a common phrase? Does it have a specific meaning or is ...
3
votes
2answers
448 views
What does “Drop and give me twenty, America’ in ‘Paul Ryan’s song of himself’ mean?
The New Yorker magazine August 16 issue carries the article under the title ‘Paul Ryan’s song of himself’ which is posted by Andy Borowitz. I as a non-native English language learner cannot tell ...
0
votes
3answers
183 views
“Walk my way” in the following
Can I use "walk my way" in the following situation:
I had an argument with a bus driver about the elections, and she got really angry. So I had to get off the bus and walk my way.
4
votes
1answer
244 views
Origin of “on the up-and-up”
The phrase "on the up-and-up" means "legitimate" or "legal" or "reputable" or, to use another idiom, "above-board". For instance:
Although Pete didn't look like a city official, Joe assumed his ...
7
votes
2answers
247 views
“for good” expression in an unfortunate event?
I just heard an expression while watching a TV series yesterday.
Someone just died and they said:
He is gone for good
I googled it and found that "for good" means "forever" in this context. But ...
