Expressions are words or phrases used to convey an idea, or else a particular term used conventionally to express something.
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Which is correct: “could care less” or “couldn't care less”?
What's the deal with the phrase "could care less"?
Whilst growing up, I've always known people (parents etc) to use the phrase "couldn't care less", but I've also come across people who use the ...
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20answers
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What are some expressions that can be used to end an email?
At the end of every email, we use ending expressions like
Best regards,
Kind regards,
Yours sincerely,
Yours faithfully,
What other expressions can be added to this list?
Which ones should ...
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8answers
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History of “X is dead. Long live X”
What is the history of "X is dead. Long live X"?
For example,
Location is dead. Long live Location.
JavaScript is dead. Long live JavaScript.
I feel like I'm missing out on a joke.
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11answers
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Idiom: People caring about minor stuff while something terrible is happening
Imagine a situation in which the whole place is on fire, a bomb is about to explode, everyone is running for their lives and someone is checking his looks on the mirror... pretty inappropriate for the ...
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4answers
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Why “Speak of the devil”?
Why is the expression "Speak of the devil" and not "Speaking of the devil"? For me, the -ing would make more sense because you're currently talking about someone, when he/she appears.
For example, if ...
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6answers
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What is meant by “don't piss on my boots and tell me it's raining”?
I have heard a couple of times recently the phrase "don't piss on my boots and tell me it's raining", usually in the context of a heated argument so I've hesitated to ask speaker what exactly he meant ...
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4answers
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Why does Polly want a cracker?
Where does the expression "Polly wants a cracker" come from? Why is the parrot named Polly, and why doesn't she want seeds?
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4answers
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Which is correct, “buck naked” or “butt naked”?
"Butt naked" or "buck naked" both refer to completely naked, or do they? Where the phrase comes from I have no idea but that would be of interest.
This is a phrase I am too afraid to google and ...
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3answers
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What's the meaning of the word “brand” in the expression “brand new”?
What meanings might be conveyed by something being called brand new, as opposed to it simply being called new? What's behind the word brand here?
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5answers
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Polite alternatives to “as soon as possible”
I’ve found myself writing the phrase “as soon as possible” just too often. Sometimes I wonder if it sounds a little rude. How can I convey the same meaning in a more polite way but without losing ...
25
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4answers
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It's so cold that if it rains it'll snow
I want a replacement for rains in the above, as it doesn't really make sense since it won't rain, it will snow.
I think I could use precipitates but I wouldn't use that in conversation as it seems ...
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9answers
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“Saving on the parrot's chocolate is futile”
In Catalan there is an expression "ser la xocolata del lloro" that can be translated as "saving by not giving chocolate to the parrot is futile", conveying the meaning that when a household wants to ...
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5answers
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Meaning of “give a pony”
I came across this phrase while reading an article by Paul Krugman on the New York Times website. Here's the quotation (emphasis added):
… non-GIPSI [the group of Eurozone nations – Greece, Italy, ...
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12answers
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Expression that means something like “killing the sheep to keep them from being kidnapped”
I'm looking for an expression that conveys an excessive risk management approach that ends up having a worse effect than what it is trying to protect against.
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6answers
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Does the washing up fairy exist outside of Australia? [closed]
Just to clarify, I'm not talking about the Lush product of the same name.
In Australia, the washing up fairy is a mythical creature. People leave their dishes unwashed overnight, and lo and behold, ...
23
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4answers
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Is “yay or nay” an acceptable alternative to “yea or nay”?
Is "yay or nay" an acceptable alternative to "yea or nay"? I have seen it several times in recent weeks, enough to make me wonder whether it is an emerging usage or just a common typo.
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14answers
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Opposite of 'Midas touch'?
I'm wondering what word or phrase could be used for the counter examples of 'Midas touch' effect.
The Midas touch, or the gift of profiting from whatever one undertakes, is named for a legendary ...
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20answers
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Are there popular English sayings to express “Big fuss, tiny result”?
The recent EL&U question asked by Mikhail about the alternative expressions of ‘To shoot out of cannon into sparrows’ reminded me of Japanese saying - 大山鳴動鼠一匹- literally meaning people find (get) ...
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9answers
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Proverb or expression for a situation with two choices, both leading to a different kind of trouble
I'm searching for a proverb or expression that describes a situation which has two choices or two ways out (that is, somewhat of a forced choice) where both lead to some kind of trouble (but not the ...
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) ...
19
votes
9answers
2k views
“Fluctuates widely” or “fluctuates wildly”
I think changes to phrases that don't change their meaning are interesting. Example: an ice cold beer and a nice cold beer mean pretty much the same thing.
I heard another one this morning on the ...
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10answers
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What's the verb for making that “pffft” sound?
I have a dialogue like this:
"All I wanted to do was to keep a low profile"
"Pffft. That worked well, we not only have the entire police force but also the entire mafia chasing us"
I don't ...
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8answers
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Are there any expressions that describe going from a bad to a worse situation?
Are there idioms or expressions in English that describe going from one bad situation to one that's even worse?
I heard "between a rock and hard place" but this describes a dilemma not really a ...
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14answers
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Different ways to say “you're welcome” [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How do native English speakers respond to “Thank you”?
Can “Sure” be used to respond to “Thanks”?
Is “not at all” still alive and doing well?
I'm getting ...
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8answers
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Why do we “get cold feet”?
A sudden loss of nerve when embarked on a venture is called cold feet. Does anyone know why that should be? An etymology is suggested at englishdaily626.
If your 'feet' are 'cold', you can't walk ...
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5answers
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Why do some people say “Happy New Years” with an “s” at the end of “years”?
Why do some people say "Happy New Years" (with an "s" at the end of "years")? Here are some examples on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/search/%22happy%20new%20years%22
It seems like "year" should be ...
18
votes
3answers
533 views
Why is “head over heels” used as if it were exceptional rather than commonplace?
Most people spend part of each day standing, and if they have normal anatomy their heads are over their heels in this position. Even sitting or lying down, the head is higher than the heels (if not ...
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3answers
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What is the purpose of using the word “why” in “why, thank you”?
I sometimes have heard somebody replying with Why, thank you. instead of Thank you.
What is the meaning of the first phrase? What is the difference between the two phrases?
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5answers
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What expression would be the opposite of “Deal Breaker”?
I understand that "Deal breaker" is an expression used for a feature/characteristic that would make one not go for a deal (or terminate a contract), even if the deal's other features are great.
What ...
16
votes
6answers
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What is the meaning of the phrase “The morning constitutional”?
What exactly is the meaning of the phrase “The morning constitutional”? Is it an early morning walk or the first visit to the bathroom during the day?
What is the origin of this phrase? What is the ...
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votes
3answers
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Which is correct: “Set up something” or “Set something up” or “Setup something”?
As a programmer, I often have to use this expression:
Set the application up.
or something like that. But I'm not sure what the correct grammar is, and what this grammatical area is called in ...
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5answers
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Which is correct: coming down the “pike” or “pipe”?
Is the expression "coming down the pike" or "coming down the pipe"? I've always used pike, but I've heard a few people use pipe recently. I can see how both could make sense, but which is correct?
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4answers
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Why do we “paint the town red”?
Why is the phrase "paint the town red" used to mean go on a colossal drinking spree? Does anyone know where it came from?
Green's Slang Dictionary tentatively suggests a famous toot by the Marquis of ...
16
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5answers
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Which is correct: “standing on line” or “standing in line”?
I'm curious to hear from folks in the the Northeast United States (or anyone, really) an explanation of why "standing on line" seems preferable to "standing in line" in the US northeast.
I imagine ...
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13answers
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What is an expression for something you particularly like?
I'm not a native English speaker. I want to find the English equivalent of
ho un debole per le ragazze svedesi
that, in Italian, basically means "I particularly like Swedish girls." (It's just ...
15
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5answers
886 views
Why prefix a request with “I'm going to have to ask you…”
Say you are in a nice restaurant and, at the table next you, a gentleman lights up the most offensive cigar you ever smelled.
You mention it to the manager and then the manager goes up to the ...
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3answers
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Short Sleeves or Shirt Sleeves
I've always referred to a shirt that has short sleeves as a "short sleeve" shirt. However, I've also heard it be referred to as a "shirt sleeve" shirt or "wearing shirt sleeves." This seems like a ...
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5answers
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What is the origin of “holy smoke”?
What is the origin of holy smoke?
To what is holy smoke referring?
14
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8answers
860 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 ...
14
votes
9answers
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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 ...
14
votes
4answers
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“Bob's your uncle” … no he's not!
What is the origin of the phrase "Bob's your uncle"? Is it used internationally or is this just a term used in the UK?
I have often heard an extension of this phrase: "Bob's your uncle and Fanny's ...
14
votes
2answers
804 views
Is “spoon feeding” a widely accepted usage?
In India, "spoon feeding" is widely used in context of education where the students are taught in a manner by which they do not have to do much on their own. Everything will be done by the teachers, ...
14
votes
2answers
545 views
Tendency of using pronouns 'she/her' when talking about a random person
Reading different specifications and manuals I've noticed that more often and often pronouns she or her are being used when some unknown person's behavior is described.
For example: "when user opens ...
13
votes
4answers
629 views
“Yes marry have I” usage
I was looking through the original text of a popular nursery rhyme “Baa, Baa, Black Sheep” in Tommy Thumb’s Pretty Song Book when noticed an expression whose meaning I can’t understand: “Yes, marry, ...
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4answers
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Feminine version of “gentleman and a scholar”
Although I've often heard use of the phrase:
You are a gentleman and a scholar
I have never heard a version appropriate for the fairer sex. I guess you could say a lady and a scholar?
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5answers
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Origin of “Put up your dukes”
This link claims that one cannot be sure of origin of this phrase. Three explanations are given here, but they are not very convincing (I am not a native speaker).
In one of our newspapers, ...
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7answers
962 views
Is the phrase “for free” correct?
A friend claims that the phrase for free is incorrect. Should we only say at no cost instead?
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2answers
2k views
Where does the phrase “Scare the Dickens out of…” originate from?
Where does the phrase "Scare the Dickens out of..." originate from? And does it refer to Charles Dickens?
13
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3answers
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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 ...
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5answers
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“Hear hear” or “here here”
Which one is it really: hear hear or here here? Where does the saying really come from?
