A saying is something that is said, notable in one respect or another, to be "a pithy expression of wisdom or truth."
2
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2answers
190 views
looking for a certain quote/saying about winning, luck and practicing
I'm not sure if this the correct forum, but I can't seem to be able to google it so you guys are my only hope.
I know there is a saying that means something like "you have to be lucky to win, but ...
2
votes
4answers
2k views
“They know not of what they speak.”
Is this phrase wrong? Shouldn't it be,
they know naught of what they speak?
2
votes
4answers
236 views
What is a more politically correct way to call something a “Red-Headed Step-Child”?
I can't use the phrase "second-class citizen" either.
This is for a professional blog post, so I'd rather stay away from "red-headed step-child". I can't use "second-class citizen" because I'm ...
2
votes
2answers
830 views
2
votes
2answers
288 views
Ways to ruin a hobby
Variations
The best way to ruin a hobby is to make it a career.
The fastest way to ruin a hobby is to try to make money with it.
The quickest way to ruin a hobby is to make it a job.
What's the ...
2
votes
1answer
543 views
Idiomatic expression related to “cat-putting” [closed]
I lived in a scholarship house for all of one year when I was in college (in the US). At the end of every year, they held an event that they called "The Cat-Putting" in which a few residents would ...
1
vote
2answers
180 views
Meaning of a saying about the difference between L.A. and New York [closed]
What is the meaning of the following?
The difference between L.A. and New York is that in New York when you
get robbed, you see the gun...
UPD:
Below is a part of the original discussion:
...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Put two and two together…and got five?
I know the phrase "put two and two together", and in fact someone has already asked a question regarding its origin. However, I recently heard someone say the phrase with an addition of the humorous ...
1
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2answers
332 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?
1
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4answers
137 views
Is there a saying like “Plum trees bloom most beautifully as they stand and overcome the cold severe winter.”? [closed]
Is there a saying like "Plum trees bloom most beautifully as they stand and overcome the cold severe winter."? It is a part of Japanese poem translated into English. It basically means a great ...
1
vote
4answers
456 views
What does “When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth” mean? [closed]
I found this quote by George Bernard Shaw:
When a thing is funny, search it carefully for a hidden truth.
Can anyone please explain the meaning of this sentence?
1
vote
6answers
319 views
A phrase for ignoring the disparity at a low level, while seeking commonality at a high level
I'm having a hard time describing the phrase I'm looking for, so I think the best way to ask the question is to simply present the problem.
At work I've been tasked with merging the guidelines (the ...
1
vote
2answers
882 views
Sayings similar to “a picture is worth a thousand words”
I' m looking for a common saying or catchphrase that has the same meaning as "a picture is worth a thousand words". I need this as a title for an article that illustrates that point in a specific ...
1
vote
2answers
146 views
Is there an idiom beginning “when a dog is cornered”?
Is there any saying in a complete sentence including “a dog which is cornered”? I have tried to find a complete one, but there seems to be no one.
Actually, what I want to know is how to explain the ...
1
vote
1answer
109 views
1
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2answers
825 views
“The crying baby gets the milk”
Where does the saying "The crying baby gets the milk" come from? I don't think it's from English.
1
vote
2answers
149 views
“Maybe I have colored it too much”
Is that understandable in English? Or maybe there is a better way to illustrate what I want to say.
What I want to say is that maybe I have exaggerated.
For example,
God is always good.
He ...
1
vote
1answer
168 views
Is the [blank] worth the shake? [closed]
I remember someone once telling me a saying in the form: "Is the [blank] worth the shake?"
The meaning was similar to the saying, "Is the end worth the means?"
I can't remember what the [blank] word ...
0
votes
6answers
411 views
“Through difficult to defeat” [closed]
There is a saying that when translated from my language is Through difficult to defeat. Is it correct to say it this way? I know that the correct saying is To stars through difficulties.
It is very ...
0
votes
4answers
411 views
What is the meaning of “Set us up the [noun]”?
Why would someone frequently say "Someone set us up the (thing)" when referring to things done to or for them.
For example:
"Someone set us up the breakfast."
"Someone set us up the ...
0
votes
1answer
46 views
Which is correct? “not to” or “to not” [duplicate]
I was writing a blog post just now and I couldn't help but hesitate at the following snippet: "...causing this to not work as expected"
And I couldn't decide if that's correct or if I should use ...
0
votes
2answers
265 views
How long is “in a second”? [closed]
When someone says "give me a second", or "one second please", how long do they actually mean?
Do they mean "will give you a response as soon as I can", or "in a short time, around 5 minutes"
-1
votes
8answers
175 views
Non-offensive equivalent to KISS [closed]
Is there a non-offensive way to tell someone:
is better to (k)eep (i)t (s)imple, (s)...
Update
Let's say someone came with his part of the homework done, then it turns out to be a rather ...
-1
votes
1answer
83 views
What is the saying to express a certain situation? It is like, you will find nails everywhere when you have got a hammer [closed]
I am looking for a saying to express a situation that one is apt to apply anything instantly when it is at hand. I do not remember the saying. It seems to be that 'you will find nails everywhere when ...
-1
votes
3answers
816 views
Lost in the Midst vs Mists of Time [closed]
Which of the following is more correct, and why? My attempts at Googling haven't produced a definitive answer, and all seem as sensible as each other going from base definitions.
Lost in the mists ...
-1
votes
2answers
202 views
How to pronounce 3:1 ratio? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
How do I pronounce “ratio 1:1”?
What is the correct pronunciation of 3:1 (as a ratio)? I know this might be simple enough to be answered by any native ...
-2
votes
2answers
409 views
What does “USA intellectualism: a mile wide, an inch deep” mean? [closed]
I read "USA intellectualism: a mile wide, an inch deep", what's the meaning?
-2
votes
2answers
200 views
What is the difference between “say to her” and “talk to her”? [closed]
I don't know the difference between "say to her" and "talk to her".
Please explain to me the answer if you know it.
