This tag is for questions seeking a phrase that fits a meaning. If you're specifically seeking only a single word, see the "single word requests" tag too.
-1
votes
3answers
29 views
What phrase or word can I use to describe a bad mix of action?
This is in a Saudi YouTube series that I'm subtitling; I came across a colloquial word which means literally 'a mixture of melon juice, mango juice and corn', and figuratively expresses a bad course ...
4
votes
9answers
4k views
Is there a word similar to “condolences” that doesn't involve death?
This is related to the recent entry in the web comic xkcd: http://xkcd.com/945/
I never say, "I'm sorry," because people interpret that as if I feel at fault, when I don't.
I've been simply saying, ...
2
votes
3answers
49 views
Wording for threshold description (greater than or equal to)
I have a parameter for a program that is a threshold (T). I need to document it, and what I want its meaning to be is this:
If N >= T then Do Action
I don't want its meaning to be this:
If N > T ...
10
votes
8answers
405 views
English term for pre-thinker?
I was searching for an English translation for the German Vordenker. Basically a person, often a scientist, who began or further significantly developed a new concept or theory by contributing ...
4
votes
10answers
3k views
Synonym for “pissed off”
Can anyone help me find a little bit more polite way to say "I am pissed off at you"?
I know this is used to show anger or irritation, but this is bit harsh.
So, do you have any other option?
12
votes
12answers
906 views
Asks a question; never responds to answers/comments
What do we call someone who asks a question and never responds to answers/comments?
Think of it more as "a pattern of behavior" (somebody who has asked many questions and never responded).
I had ...
-2
votes
0answers
53 views
Whose window? - What's the idiom for unpredictable unknown beneficial opportunities that might come up?
I've heard an idiom that contains the word 'window' and I think it is of the form, somebody's window. Pandora's window or something. I don't remember the somebody.
It applies to beneficial unknown ...
1
vote
1answer
51 views
Word for unverified confidence without ambition
I'm looking for a word or phrase to describe the condition of someone who is fairly certain he could do _______ if he were to set his mind to it, but who has absolutely no intention of ever doing so.
...
3
votes
2answers
193 views
Word or a phrase that means your results could be biased toward what you predicted them to be
In psychology I recall we used a phrase or a word that meant that because you predicted the outcome of an experiment, then your results could be biased towards your prediction.
Either subconsciously ...
0
votes
2answers
53 views
Word meaning “to choose or take something as one's own”
I was having a conversation with an agent of an Internet service provider and the reason I called them was because I'm confused about a plan they have that is very similar to the one I currently have ...
2
votes
1answer
292 views
“expecting a baby”
Can I say "we are expecting a baby" when my wife is pregnant or does that sound funny to native English speakers, saying it as a man? (In German, the phrase has become somewhat common, but it stills ...
5
votes
3answers
298 views
Covering cars or vans with advertisement images, what is this called?
I have been working as a graphic designer for a while and we design and print advertisement material and cover cars / vans with it.
What do we call this in English?
I am preparing my CV and I don't ...
2
votes
4answers
441 views
Single word for “inhale using your mouth with force or power”
I want to express the following: "Inhale using your mouth with force or power". It does not sound good to me. Is there any single word or a good phrase to express this?
-1
votes
1answer
97 views
Why would you want to do that? [closed]
I recently shared with several coworkers that I wanted to go to a particular class. My coworker responded to me with the following question: "Why would you want to do that?" I responded with a ...
2
votes
2answers
146 views
Word or phrase for mere coincidence that brings happiness
I wish to state that my exposure to a certain area was a mere coincidence, and I am happy about the area. Moreover, I want to convey the idea that the incident was like a fairytale, something no one ...
2
votes
6answers
89 views
What is a term that means “to force into a particular form”?
I'm looking for a term that describes "forcing into a particular form", "forcing into looking like something else", or even "forcefully fitting into a category"
Ex:
"We (word) the ...
8
votes
10answers
591 views
“You get what you deserve nothing more nothing less”
In this world we reside, what we acquire depends on what we can acquire. In other words, if we have the money to, we can buy a house; if we have the necessary educational qualifications to, we can get ...
0
votes
3answers
70 views
Non-financial costs
I am interviewing someone about the newly proposed bike paths in our city.
I want to ask them not only how much the paths will cost financially, but also find out what other costs (such as the ...
-2
votes
2answers
40 views
How would you concisely express 'the range of dates in which something is expected to happen'?
I need a conside expression for "the range of dates in which someone expects something might happen". For instance,
I called John to ask him for a more precise period in which he estimated he ...
25
votes
13answers
35k views
More formal way of saying: “Sorry to bug you again about this, but …”
I was wondering if there was a more formal and polite way of saying:
Sorry to bug you again about this, but we still have not received a response about X ....
(if we still have not received any ...
1
vote
2answers
82 views
Word for describing the emotion of helping someone
I am looking for a word which describes the emotion that one experiences on helping someone (friend, colleague, family, stranger). This helping out is not in the context of charity, but more of as ...
7
votes
13answers
2k views
Idiom, word, or expression meaning an easy-to-do task
I am looking for a term, expression, word, or idiom to describe a task as an easy one to do or to go through.
What I’d normally say is:
Actually it’s not difficult, it’s as easy as drinking a ...
-1
votes
0answers
32 views
'fleeting glimpse' alternate phrases? [closed]
"Fleeting glimpse" is a brilliant phrase, but like all brilliant phrases, it's become clichéd beyond belief. What are your favourite alternatives?
0
votes
0answers
36 views
Using noun + noun [closed]
Can I use a word-combination - "play overflow". Is it correct? And, if yes, then what does it mean in english?
0
votes
3answers
84 views
The Phrase “dont worry” is rather overused [closed]
Does anyone have any other ways of saying 'don't worry' or 'don't worry about it'?
I feel the phrase is overused and implies that people actually do worry which in a lot of cases they don't.
I want ...
2
votes
3answers
122 views
Is there a word which describes the experience of not being able to comprehend new sensory input?
Is there a word which describes the experience of not being able to comprehend new sensory input?
Specifically, I am trying to find a word which describes my experience whenever I listen to a new ...
1
vote
2answers
65 views
How to express “some place for children to play in restaurant or other public”?
I found some translations but am not sure if there are better and shorter alternatives:
"children playground" — I am thinking about a small place inside, not a large playground;
"corner for ...
0
votes
4answers
187 views
A word to express “removing some parts of history from history books by authorities”
In some countries some parts of history books of students have been removed by authorities of the time. For example, it has happened for Achaemenid Empire (a part of ancient Iran history) 2 years ago ...
-1
votes
1answer
65 views
Is “I need to deposit my checks” correct? [closed]
I haves a few checks and I want put them into my bank account.
What's the approriate and natural sentence to describe my intention at a counter?
Is "I need to deposit my checks" correct?
What is ...
2
votes
4answers
272 views
Is there an idiom about wasting money and a window?
Is there an equivalent to the french idiom
Jeter l'argent par la fenêtre
which means throwing money through a window? (I'm not sure about the translation, especially through.)
2
votes
1answer
109 views
Does a truism need to be true to be a truism?
I frequently hear people quoting widely-used idioms or proverbs as if they are fact, simply because they are used frequently by many people. For example, "An apple a day keeps the doctor away."
Can ...
1
vote
3answers
567 views
Is describing someone as “higher-educated” awkward?
I’m updating my résumé and would like to convey in a condensed manner the fact that I have a Masters degree in a particular branch of the humanities (politics and society of the Middle East, but ...
-3
votes
2answers
82 views
Minimum amount of time a job needs to wait before executing again [closed]
I am looking for a single word or a phrase for the minimum amount of time a job or task needs to wait before executing again.
1
vote
1answer
32 views
A term for non-player targetted information
I'm looking for a term that would describe the information that is not supposed to be known by players, not essential for their gaming experience.
Like a game object (or feature) that isn't actually ...
1
vote
6answers
201 views
Polite/professional alternative to 'It turns out'
I have been tasked with coming up with a nicer phrase to use than 'It turns out'. It is to be used in situations like the below:
'It turns out' that we cannot...
'It turns out' that we ...
-2
votes
3answers
89 views
Phrase similar to “friend or foe”. I want to the reader to ask themselves the question [closed]
I am looking for a phrase similar to the phrase "friend or foe".
I have come up with "help or hindrance" but I am hoping you might come up with something else.
edit - I am writing an article on ...
2
votes
5answers
116 views
Expression for “resource paralysis” - can't do anything because you have too much?
Is there any word, expression or proverb for the condition or state where you can't do anything because you have too much? I have heard a professor of English refer to this as "resource paralysis" ...
8
votes
5answers
238 views
Is there a word/expression that would correspond to something like “self-distance”?
In Swedish there is a term called självdistans, which would be directly translated to "self-distance", which means possessing a certain objectivity towards yourself, to be ego-less or not taking ...
2
votes
1answer
96 views
An event that occurs only once
What do you call an event that occurs only once in its environment?
For instance, birth and death are two events that occur only once in the lifetime of a living thing.
I am looking for a word or ...
-1
votes
1answer
84 views
Can I say 'I feel connected' when I think a movie tells my story?
Recently I saw a movie that tells a story very similar to mine. I wanted to tell my friends about it and said 'I felt connected'. They doubted if that is the right word to use, since the word ...
1
vote
6answers
1k views
What's the phrase for things that get better with age?
What's the phrase for things that (seem to) get better with age?
For example:
JJ Abrams Star Trek is to TNG as Lucas's prequels were to Star Wars.
-2
votes
2answers
68 views
Is there a word for the desire to care for an injured or vulnerable person or animal? [closed]
Specifically, I'm looking for a word or phrase that captures the feeling of wanting someone to need you to care for them, and feeling guilty that the desire implies that you want the other person to ...
5
votes
3answers
293 views
What's proper English for 'experimentee'? [closed]
What is the English word / phrase for things / persons that are experimented on? I think of experimentee but I believe there may be more common words.
2
votes
4answers
136 views
Is there a word for when a problem's understood complexity grows exponentially as you work on it?
Example:
Hey Joe, can you fix simple problem A?
Sure, Sally, no problem! After all it's simple, right?
But A is then found to have dependent sub-problems B and C; B to have dependent ...
5
votes
3answers
474 views
Is there an English equivalent for the Swedish expression “the droplet that caused the beaker to overflow”?
In Swedish, the expression "det var droppen som fick bägaren att rinna över", directly translated to "the droplet that caused the beaker to overflow", is used to express that enough is enough. Is ...
5
votes
3answers
160 views
Phrase synonymous to “a general understanding”?
I am writing a goal where I would like to replace the phrase "a general understanding" with something synonymous.
The whole line reads:
Writes clean and concise code that reflects a general ...
7
votes
4answers
310 views
What is the English equivalent to the Japanese word 学者バカ, “Scholar’s fool”?
I’m interested in the words “instant omniscience,” which Calvin Trillin, a former editor for Time magazine, used in a New Yorker magazine article (March 20) entitled "Time Edit":
“There were some ...
20
votes
23answers
9k views
An idiom meaning someone's doing something useless and has no result at the end
In my native language, we use an idiom to warn someone that they're doing something which has no result at the end:
Trying to convince him is like squashing water ...
Is there any idiom in ...
2
votes
2answers
94 views
Is there a single word or a phrase that can be used to denote either Before or After? [duplicate]
I am looking for a word that does not refer to now, but can refer to either before or after. In case of phrases, the lesser the words, the better is.
It is to name a Java class file whose basic task ...
5
votes
6answers
489 views
word that means: causing a paradigm shift, new era, revolution
I can't think of the word and it's driving me nuts. I'm looking for a word that can be used when some technology is discovered, way of thinking, or even event happening that causes a big change in ...
