Questions tagged [expression-requests]
for questions looking for a specific expression.
561
questions
0
votes
1answer
23 views
How do you describe states of a change while the change is in progress? [duplicate]
For simplicity I will give an example.
I have a document with a title and my boss asked me to update it.
Before the change happened I would call the titles "current title" and "future ...
2
votes
1answer
217 views
A literary idiom/expression that means someone is worthless or express about this imagery ( he is not equal to stitch on the sole)
I have to translate a poem from Arabic into English, so I need an equivalent expression to Arabic imagery.
0
votes
2answers
30 views
Phrase for the belief that your field of study or project has higher merit
I'm trying to find a phrase for the act of rating one's activity greater then another person's activity.
An elementary school teacher might state that reading a chapter with your child is critical but ...
1
vote
2answers
43 views
What is a concise word or term for the cognitive ability to passively gather and recall personal minutiae about other people in one's life?
Examples of the minutiae at issue are things like a person's hometown, the name(s) of their partner(s) and/or children, which, if any, college they attended, occupation, etc. Any piece of personal ...
0
votes
1answer
35 views
Can you use “at dusk” in the meaning of “at the end”?
Can you use "at dusk" to describe something at its later or final stage?
E.g. Does "at the dusk of the 20th century" make any sense at all? If not, is there any expression that ...
1
vote
0answers
24 views
What's the expression meaning violate someone's interests?
I used to think that, for example, "He moved her cheese", would mean that he violate and threatens her interests. (I believe this expression comes from the popular book)
Today I found out ...
0
votes
0answers
39 views
Is there such a term as “modern street food era”?
I wonder if there is such a word as "modern street food era"? I do realize that street food was popular in ancient Rome and in Medieval Times, but can we just add the adjective "modern&...
0
votes
1answer
45 views
Word or expression to describe the tendency that one have to believe that everyone is like them or the act of doing it
This is something I noticed among some people I discuss with. When some opinion relative subjects are raised, they tend to imply that, according to their "normality", everyone is behaving ...
0
votes
1answer
64 views
Word or expression for “the most important point” [closed]
Words like "crux", "essence", etc. refer to an idea that is a synopsis of a whole larger idea. But if one writes an article about some subject including many details about it, the ...
1
vote
0answers
23 views
What are some heartwarming words you can think of? [closed]
Are there any heartwarming words you can think of? Words like "blossom," "mellow," and "melt" are good examples of what I am looking for. I don't need anything too major, ...
4
votes
4answers
79 views
Looking for a descriptive word(s)) to describe digest/summation/pocket culture
I am looking for a generic word(s) to describe summary digest cultural of modern society. (or a Neologism)
A word(s) for culture that describes "Take what is useful, discard what is useless"
...
0
votes
0answers
33 views
How to express the “multiple” of one thing's advantage over anotherļ¼
For example, car A runs at a speed of 30 km/h, and car B at a speed of 90 km/h. How can I express the multiple of B faster than A?
B has 3 times advantage over A in speed.
B has 2 times advantage ...
0
votes
1answer
45 views
Word for feeling threatened or wrathfully jealous because one believes another can be better than they are?
I am dissecting my dictionary to no avail for a word which would fit the context of how in Roman and Greek Mythology the mighty gods when challenged in one of their many magnificent talents, even at ...
0
votes
0answers
22 views
Is there a general expression similar in meaning to “at the rate things are going” or “at the rate at which x is going”?
Notice that those expressions are specifically about rate.
Like "if the way things have gone so far mean anything" but less awkward. Like "the way things have gone so far" but ...
1
vote
4answers
106 views
What word or phrase could describe the reaction one has to a bad joke/pun that they actually find funny?
Basically, how do you describe the feeling you have when you hear a joke that is just terrible but you still laugh, despite hating the fact that you're laughing the entire time? Dad jokes would be a ...
0
votes
3answers
62 views
Word or phrase for switching between multiple approaches
I seem to remember that there is a word or phrase to describe this following behavior, but I can't recall what it is.
The word describes a phenomenon where someone tries one approach to a problem, ...
0
votes
1answer
43 views
That moment when you think about a smarter reply that you could've given? [duplicate]
I remember reading this word or expression in a book that describes the feeling you have when you think about a reply that you could've given to someone, but you do it too late.
6
votes
2answers
80 views
Word or phrase for a person who does something because a loved one asks, not because it's necessarily correct
I'm looking for a way to describe someone who does something not because it's correct, but because someone they care about asked them to. For example:
"Please keep the light on so the monsters can'...
10
votes
9answers
1k views
Looking for a phrase or idiom to say that only guilty people act guilty
I'm wondering if there is an idiom, phrase, expression or other figure of speech that would replace the following:
"People who are innocent, don't ever act guilty (therefore you must be hiding ...
0
votes
3answers
87 views
Equivalent of 'open mic', but for web camera
A lot of us who are WFH are still learning how to adapt to the current situation. I am printing up some warning signs for our "crew" who are stuck in the house with me and sharing space.
...
1
vote
3answers
86 views
Is there an expression that describes looking for something that probably isn't there, or looking in unlikely places for a solution [duplicate]
I am looking for an idiom or phrase that describes, in a humorous or funny way, the act of looking for something that probably isnt't there, or the act of looking for a solution in a place where it is ...
7
votes
11answers
2k views
Word or expression for the noise in a busy house with kids?
Need words or expression that get the meaning right without resorting to using simple ones like "shouting" . I'm trying to describe a house with kids where a lot of activity is happening
0
votes
1answer
24 views
Natural expression for “I hope I'll be of help”?
Let's say
There are some pressing matters at hand
and
I want to say I want to/will participate in dealing with those. (together with other people)
From what I've been searching, expressions like "...
0
votes
0answers
14 views
Expressions for “a wish dedicated to one self”
I was translating a short story about a mortician (someone who does makeup for the dead) when I came across an idea I don't know how to express. In the story, the protagonist was talking about her ...
2
votes
4answers
119 views
Any idiom for someone who tends to do things in too much of a hurry?
"Were you born at six months?" is a kind of expression we use in Persian about someone who's not patient enough and tends to do things in too much of a hurry!
Is there anything like that in English? ...
7
votes
16answers
2k views
Is there a word or phrase for one mistaken belief leading to a web of false ones?
I'm looking for a phrase or expression to describe a certain kind of cognitive bias. Specifically, I have in mind a situation where someone is convinced that something false is actually true, and ...
0
votes
0answers
35 views
What is the opposite colloquial expression of eating cheap?
I heard people using colloquial expressions like "I like to eat cheap". What is the opposite colloquial expression of eating cheap? Is it eating expensive? I tried googling "eat expensive", but found ...
0
votes
0answers
75 views
As … as possible, as soon as possible
Recently I had to write the following to indicate significance of both the urgency and completeness regarding some task to be done:
We would like to be able to install as many parts of the system ...
0
votes
0answers
15 views
The usage/application aspect of the reference implementation of an API
In programming, we call a realization of an application programming interface (API) the "reference implementation" of the API if it's widely accepted, or officially recognized as behaving correctly ...
2
votes
1answer
60 views
Idiomatic way to express “you bought an apple and complain it's not a pear”
Consider the following two examples:
You're discussing a particular tablet. When you bought this tablet, you expected that you would not need your phone any more because you can call with the tablet, ...
1
vote
2answers
80 views
Is there any fixed expression meaning spending a lot of time and visiting a lot of shops?
I do not mean "retail therapy" or "a shopping frenzy". I am looking for a verbal expression. I guess this would be close to "hit the town" or "hit the shops" but I am unsure about using these two. Is ...
0
votes
1answer
40 views
How do I say this naturally?
I want to express this idea but have never gotten to a point where I feel it's natural.
It would be better for us if I took it instead of him
It would be better for us if I took it than him taking it
...
0
votes
2answers
56 views
Does a term or expression exist for the phenomenon where a person treats unclear future risk as non-important?
Does a term or expression exist for the phenomenon where a person treats unclear future risk as non-important? As in:
I will ignore the coronavirus threat because I'm unlikely to contract it or get ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
A formal term/phrase for “geeking out”?
I'm trying to convey in an essay that I often find a piece of information (an esoteric mathematical equation, to be exact) and get really excited. Is the following sentence not appropriate for a ...
1
vote
2answers
100 views
Phrase describing a debate with a misinformed person
Can anyone think of a word/phrase/idiom/expression or anything else I am missing that describes when someone is attempting to lecture, convince, or try to change your mind on something that you know ...
-1
votes
1answer
54 views
How the way to respond to “You want something?”
I got a friend who wanted to go to the store. Before leaving he told us like this:
A: "guys, I'm going to grab some drink. You guys want something?
then, one of my friend made a response with:
B: "...
0
votes
2answers
50 views
Expression for “repeat placement in storage” or “conditioning for storage”
From a Russian National Standard for medical equipment:
8.1.5. ŠŠ°ŃŠŗŠøŃŠ¾Š²ŠŗŠ° ŠæŠ¾ŃŃŠµŠ±ŠøŃŠµŠ»ŃŃŠŗŠ¾Š¹ ŃŠ°ŃŃ ŠøŠ»Šø ŃŃŃŠ»ŃŃŠ¾Š² Š“Š¾Š»Š¶Š½Š° ŃŠ¾Š“ŠµŃŠ¶Š°ŃŃ:
- Š³Š¾Š“ Šø Š¼ŠµŃŃŃ ŠæŠµŃŠµŠŗŠ¾Š½ŃŠµŃŠ²Š°ŃŠøŠø ŠæŃŠø Š½ŠµŠ¾Š±Ń
Š¾Š“ŠøŠ¼Š¾ŃŃŠø;
i.e., "The ...
0
votes
2answers
116 views
Idiom / expression to tell someone to not overthink something
Something like : āgo to your headā
Thank you
0
votes
3answers
78 views
Word for “soft blow/slap” (in a physical sense)
I would like to find a word for when you hit someone, but in a playful "no hard feelings" kind of way.
Like when you see a friend, you slap them in the arm or whatever, or the sort of thing you would ...
0
votes
1answer
36 views
A word for someone succeeding at something due to a series of coincidences
"Lucky" can apply to any fortunate situation.
What I'm thinking is a situation where two people of equal skill face off in a competition of sorts. They have never faced each other before and have no ...
0
votes
1answer
46 views
Is there a word or term to describe “persons, hazards, valuables, and/or features of interest” in the context of thievery/spycraft?
I'm writing a fiction piece where a thief (of sorts) is being "shown the ropes" by a more experienced peer. One of the instructor's primary goals is to instill an awareness of all the elements of a ...
0
votes
1answer
27 views
The core difference between phonetics and phonology [closed]
What are the differences between phonetics and phonology?
2
votes
2answers
178 views
Translation for German word “Kür” as in “Pflicht und Kür”
I am trying to find a crisp translation of the German phrase "Pflicht und KĆ¼r. deepl.com yields "Duty and freestyle" as translation for "Pflicht und KĆ¼r" which irritated me.
In my (business) context "...
13
votes
6answers
2k views
Is there a word for someone that gets constantly deceived and never learns? ex. Charlie Brown always falling for Lucy's “pull away the football” gag? [duplicate]
I was thinking that it would be useful to have some potent way of expressing that a person, population, nation, organization, species.. Any entity. Is susceptible to being constantly duped by some ...
20
votes
6answers
7k views
When you want to learn 'A', but before you learn 'A' you need to learn 'B', and to learn 'B' you have to learn 'C', etc [closed]
Is there a term or expression for this besides prerequisite? The main idea to convey is that the topic is spiraling out of control.
1
vote
1answer
77 views
Is there an adjective to say “will be maintained up-to-date”?
I would like to say the following:
an up-to-date database which will be maintained up-to-date
This sentence is nested within a larger sentence, therefore I would like to keep it as short as ...
-1
votes
1answer
69 views
My character always fails me
Are there any expressions or idioms in English that mean someone whose character always fails them?
For example: I believe in people but they often cheat me. Every time I promise myself that I won'...
0
votes
1answer
56 views
Word for person ahead of time
Is there an expression or word for a person who is or was ahead of time technologically (for example N. Tesla or O. Heaviside in electrical engineering). The person is or was inventor of technology ...
0
votes
1answer
92 views
How to describe someone who likes to play word games *dissect every word you say - literally and/or non-literally*
Sometimes we use certain words out of habit and not really intend to mean what it intends to mean. We may encounter people who will try to play with your choice of words either for fun with no ill ...
2
votes
2answers
662 views
What do you call the first letter of a syllable?
Random Example:
Superman
The word Superman has 3 syllables. S, P and M are the first letter of each syllable. Is there a term for S, P and M?
If I were to describe I form an acronym S.P.M from ...
