The expression-requests tag has no usage guidance.
0
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0answers
18 views
How to phrase Guess the date in a less vague kind of way?
We are trying to come up with a poster for an afternoon lunch party in the office for Christmas. The party will be held on the 12/12/18, no one knows yet.
We will be holding a "Guess the Date?" ...
0
votes
2answers
41 views
Things you stick your face through for photos
What is the name of those things where you put your face in a hole and someone takes a picture so it looks like you're something else? E.g. a cardboard/wooden stand with a picture of a pirate and a ...
1
vote
0answers
22 views
“Unless instructed to do so” vs “Unless instructed otherwise” preferred usage
I want to give a short but clear instruction like:
1. Please do NOT perform X unless instructed to do so.
2. Please do NOT perform X unless instructed otherwise.
Which one would be a better option ...
0
votes
0answers
21 views
“Have they got any plans about making year 10–13 available?”
I want to ask someone about the school if they have got any plans to make year 10–13 available.
The school has got only year 1 to year 9 but I've got no idea how to ask.
Which one is ok?
Do ...
26
votes
6answers
8k views
What do you call the gesture whereby you rest your palms on the side of your hips?
What do you call the gesture whereby you rest your palms, the front of your fist, or your wrist on the side of your hips?
Kind of like these examples:
Update: Guess I should've made it clear: I did ...
4
votes
2answers
56 views
What's the word or phrase for how one's body's health or behavior is unique to them?
Each person has their own physiological sense of smell or taste, which makes them like some foods and hate others (e.g. my family thinks durians smell like heaven, my chem teacher finds them ...
5
votes
2answers
106 views
A term for: When a taste or smell of a product is being concealed by another product
Let's say, we create a smoothie and some ingredients are much stronger than others and they literally beat out the taste/smell of the other ingredients.
a. We can't add durian because it will ...
3
votes
1answer
47 views
Is there funny term or an idiom for this
To describe or criticize a person who is not capable of doing easy tasks but want to do a harder task, just because he sees some professional doing it??
0
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0answers
27 views
What are the alternatives for “the former” and “the latter” for lists of more than two items?
What are the alternatives for "the former" and "the latter" for lists of more than two items? Say I've listed 3 things, like "item A, item B, item C", I want to refer back to the second one again ...
1
vote
3answers
105 views
What is the English equivalent of the Arabic expression “she melts the iron”?
If I want to express that
I was angry with my friend, and then she threw a party for my birthday, which is unexpected.
So what she did makes me not angry any more 😊 ....
What idiom or expression ...
0
votes
4answers
52 views
How to say “and more!” in a more professional sense
We are in the process of writing an ad that details our curriculum, and the ad goes something like this - "...fall prevention, medical emergencies, AND MORE!" I keep thinking there has to be a better ...
2
votes
1answer
58 views
What's the hand stacking gesture called?
What is it called, the gesture whereby a team stack their hands on top of each other's with their palms face-down, then swing their arms quickly backwards, and go "Yeah!" or something, before they ...
3
votes
5answers
108 views
What's the opposite of “last-minute (Christmas) shopping”?
The question is in the title. I'd like to know if there is an idiom or phrase used for someone who does not buy at the “last minute”, the hyperbolic expression is often used when purchasing gifts, ...
1
vote
1answer
54 views
Email subject line is all the information I want to convey. How to instruct the sender (in the subject line itself) to not open the email body?
I want to write an email (to my boss) in which all the information is conveyed in the subject line itself:
"Won't be doing the Strawberry Project"
"Your work is in process"
"Come quick. Party ...
4
votes
3answers
111 views
Missing part of an idiom or expression I heard “Have you lost the [something] you were born with”
I am writing a story and my character is being scolded for doing something stupid. I have an expression on the tip of my tongue, but part of it keeps evading me! "Have you lost the [thing that keeps ...
0
votes
2answers
32 views
“draft invoice” or “upcoming invoice”?
If I have a provisional document that is listing the items that will be billed for this month (subject to change, because the month is not yet finished), then what is the better term? "draft invoice" ...
1
vote
2answers
85 views
Word for short-term license
I'm looking for a word or expression for a short term license for an app. Users will pay for a license to use the software for a couple of hours or days. I have considered some words but none seem to ...
1
vote
4answers
75 views
Alternative to “winner takes it all” or “first-past-the-post”
Consider the scenario of two scientists independently and concurrently working on a problem. The first one to achieve the breakthrough and have his or her results published will eventually be the one ...
2
votes
4answers
128 views
Is there an English proverb similar to the Hindi “Elephant goes to the bazar; Thousands of dogs bark”?
There is a proverb in Hindi language
हाथी चले बाज़ार कुत्ते भौंकें हज़ार
Literal English translation:
Elephant goes to the bazar; Thousands of dogs bark
It figuratively means when a person ...
5
votes
1answer
212 views
Specific word for piecing two facts together
This has been bothering me all day. I'm having that problem where a specific word just disappears from your vocabulary for whatever reason. Google is incredibly unhelpful.
The word is used when two ...
43
votes
8answers
15k views
What informal English expression would you use to let a couple know that they are being too intimate in public?
I am looking for an expression used in the US or the UK for that situation, for example, where you are in a park where there are people of all ages, and a couple starts to be intense with the kissing ...
0
votes
3answers
75 views
Is there a word or expression for limiting users intentionally [closed]
I was discussing the phenomenon of when different platforms has an arbitrary limit (140 signs in a tweet or 7 second video on Vine), that the end users embrace in a way that ends up shaping the ...
0
votes
4answers
45 views
“With that out of the way” synonyms
I'm writing a text in which I'd like to explain a concept. In order to explain that, I must explain another concept first which is necessary to understand the first one.
After explaining this other ...
5
votes
1answer
64 views
How do you say the saying “Para o povo, não há cangalha que sirva.” in English?
In Portuguese, the expression "Para o povo, não há cangalha que sirva" is used to describe a situation where people blame others for their own failure even being obvious that the results are their own....
2
votes
2answers
74 views
Looking for an expression or idiom for a weak person who can be easily bullied or intimidated
In my native language we have this expression for a weak person - " a low fence " implying that anybody can jump over it ( fig. humiliated or treated badly ) Is there a similar expression or idiom in ...
16
votes
5answers
3k views
What is the third option beside 'accept' and 'reject' on a ballot?
Members of Parliament (MPs) in most countries have three options while voting for a law proposal. The third option means neither 'accept' nor 'reject', but recorded for quorum.
'Accept'
'...
0
votes
2answers
136 views
Someone who “despite the disgrace, still refuses to admit mistake and instead portrays the event as a victory”
What is the English idiom, expression, or proverb to express that even if I am proved wrong by all the members in the room, still I flaunt a false pride as if nothing happened?
In Hindi, there is a ...
6
votes
2answers
2k views
An expression for you get stuck in small position in big places vs jump to big positions in small cities
Is there an English expression or idiom for:
You can jump places and secure a higher position if you are in small community (country or city as political figure, organization as a manager, school ...
-1
votes
4answers
137 views
What is a fire that is not a wildfire?
Do we have "civil(-ized) fire"?
Wildfire is a forest fire, an uncontrolled fire, and metaphorically, anything that is uncontrolled and destructive.
Fire also occurs other than in the wild, may ...
4
votes
2answers
82 views
Words associated with collecting money into a jar
Sometimes you see people collecting money into a "jar" with a hole for coins in it. This may or may not be intended for charity (e.g. it could also be used by someone playing a guitarr on the street).
...
1
vote
2answers
41 views
Metalanguage to describe expressing an idea in many different ways
I am looking for a term to describe expressing an idea in many different forms yet the meaning remains the same in each rendition.
An example of this:
The Australians, Australians, the Australian ...
2
votes
3answers
90 views
Is there a concise English translation of the Russian word and concept samochuvstvie?
I am rereading accounts of the 1996 climbing disaster on Everest. Two books by Anatoli Boukreev, The Climb and Above the Clouds put emphasis on a climber's samochuvstvie.
Above 5,000 meters the ...
-1
votes
1answer
37 views
Word for encouraging someone to do something that's a bit of work but it will be good for them
I have been asked to translate into English the Spanish word animarse, as in
Se animó a venir al cine.
That could be translated into English as "he decided to come to the movies". The verb "to ...
2
votes
1answer
93 views
Idiom for being neutral in a fight [closed]
Is there an idiom or expression in English about being neutral in a fight, dispute or confrontation, trying not to offend either sides. In broad terms - to have a diplomatic attitude towards ...
0
votes
1answer
70 views
Word or phrase for waving your fists around without hitting the opponent [closed]
What is a word or phrase for waving your fists around without hitting the opponent?
You just wave your fists around but can't hit the opponent missing almost every time. Or you fight with your hands ...
0
votes
1answer
93 views
Word or phrase to describe music that 'transports' you somewhere
Looking for a word or phrase for a feeling of being 'transported' somewhere, particularly when listening to music, but that doesn't necessarily describe the emotions of happiness or sadness.
I've ...
4
votes
3answers
135 views
How to reference to a numbered list item
In my language when I need to add more context/explanation to an item in a numbered list, I write it like so:
First.
Second.
ad 1. [text augmenting Item 1].
The ad is from Latin; thus,...
2
votes
2answers
49 views
Word or expression for a shared feeling of constant distrust, paranoia and anxiety of failure within a group of workers
I am looking for a word that would describe a feeling among a group of workers who are distrustful of one another and overly paranoid of an impending group breakdown & failure.
For context, ...
3
votes
1answer
251 views
Word or phrase for fake appearance or posturing
I'm looking for a noun (it has to be an object) that expresses the concept of fake appearances.
In Spanish, we can express that with the word "facade" understood as the front of a wall (but part of ...
0
votes
2answers
52 views
Phrase/expression for something that is insignificant compared to something else
In Norwegian there is a phrase, piss i havet, that directly translated means; piss in the ocean. This phrase is used when talking about something that might usually be significant, but looked at in ...
2
votes
1answer
43 views
“all [object]'s [properties]” vs “[object]'s all [properties]”
Which form is correct and why?
"all [object]'s [properties]" OR
"[object]'s all [properties]"
Here's an example:
In order to use all the machine's available cores.
In order to use the machine's all ...
0
votes
2answers
141 views
Phrase to describe a potential positive future for a person? [closed]
I am describing a person whose recent performance has been excellent and whose future has potential.
What expression can be used other than "future looks potential" or "has a bright future"? It ...
0
votes
2answers
113 views
Word or phrase for “shooting an arrow with a bow”
What's the right way to refer to the act of using a bow and an arrow to shoot?
Imagine a situation, in which Jack gave a bow and an arrow to John and asked him to shoot. John did, but since he had no ...
0
votes
1answer
107 views
A person who doesn’t drink much to control others? [duplicate]
I think I've heard it some time ago but I can't remember. Is there an English word or idiomatic expression for "A person who doesn’t drink much to control others"?
0
votes
2answers
91 views
Word for “a change not noticable, transparent to users”
I'm making a change in the software which should be unnoticeable to users. What would be a single word that describes it best? I'm after an adjective that fits into sentence such as 'This change will ...
0
votes
1answer
44 views
Which is more appropriate, “contest,” “contestation,” or a different word? [closed]
I'm in the process of submitting a request for a late assignment's grade to be re-evaluated. Is it more appropriate to use the word "contest," "contestation," or another word in this context? For ...
14
votes
11answers
2k views
Expression or idiom about someone who has all the news [closed]
What do you call someone who knows all the gossip and stories about people in his neighborhood or surroundings, someone who’s always informed. It doesn't have to be expressed in a word. Could be a ...
0
votes
3answers
101 views
How can “in a way that is similar to that of” be shortened? [closed]
Originally the text was:
Energy is delivered to the charging system similar to that during
normal power operation.
I came up with the following solution:
Energy is delivered to the charging ...
1
vote
5answers
104 views
A secular version of fate/destiny? [closed]
The Wikipedia page for destiny states:
Destiny, sometimes referred to as fate (from Latin fatum – destiny), is a predetermined course of events. It may be conceived as a predetermined future, ...
0
votes
4answers
70 views
How to explain a dream like state
I have this character who after committing a murder, gets up slowly and walk away.
I want to say that he does the getting up and walking away part in a dream like state of mind (unwittingly or not ...
