Questions tagged [expression-requests]
for questions looking for a specific expression.
0
votes
0answers
18 views
What are some better way to say “You have already picked, 28 hours 29 minutes left until you can see the results” in waiting dialogs? [on hold]
Somehow this sounds too long, what will be shorter way to say this?
This phrase is going to be used when customer picks the answer to multi answer problem, where solution is picked based on most ...
0
votes
1answer
15 views
Expression/Idiom of talking on a wide range of topics
Is there an expression you could use to describe the contents you have in your mind when you can talk about a wide range of topics to people or you're a good talker? Or better words for topics/...
2
votes
1answer
42 views
Expression or word that means “a tactic is stolen by the enemy and used against oneself” [duplicate]
I'm looking for something different from Word for “to use someone's own tactics against them”. I'm considering a scenario in which one intends to use a certain tactic to defend oneself against some ...
6
votes
10answers
2k views
Phrases for two methods that are different but both can solve the same task?
I want to describe a type of pairs , that method1 and method2 have different implementations/settings, but both can be used to solve the same task.
My questions are:
Is there any terms/phrases or ...
0
votes
0answers
31 views
Egoistic emotions [closed]
I'm working on sentiment analysis and currently struggling with egoistical emotion detection on a phrase level. So far, I detect the following phrases:
"I'm the best"
"I'm
rich/powerful/beautiful/...
-1
votes
1answer
44 views
Is there a better way to say “infallable to oblivion”? [closed]
What is a good, high-style way to say a thing or a person is not fallable to oblivion?
I considered the following variants which I found inadequate:
Unforgettable - this basically means "impressing" ...
-4
votes
3answers
59 views
An expression, idiom, or phrase meaning “I lied” or “they are lying” or “to tell a lie”, etc? [closed]
Looking for an expression, idiom, or phrase that would indicate a lie is being told, or was told, etc.
I will not be using this phrase as part of a sentence, so I can't give an example. I just ...
3
votes
2answers
70 views
Word or phrase meaning to criticise or mock someone without mentioning their name
Is there a word or phrase meaning to criticise or mock someone without mentioning their name?
On Twitter, people are able to search the site for references to their own name, so people often '...
0
votes
1answer
23 views
Please give me some suggestions [closed]
I am a new student to learn English. But I can't make
sentence good enough. So suggest me please, how can I .
-3
votes
1answer
36 views
Word/expression request & expression explanation [closed]
First: What's the term for someone who lives a very simple life with just enough to survive on?
Second: What's the meaning of the expression "a life of roots"?
0
votes
1answer
36 views
Is there a word for two (or more) people who aren't identical but would sound like the exact same person if described?
For example: "Caucasian, stout with dark brown hair and full facial hair" would fit both people but when seeing these people in person they are clearly not identical
1
vote
4answers
68 views
Correct word for hiding/roaming
Imagine the cops are looking for a criminal. That criminal is hiding but not for long in one place. He is changing places all over the world and continuously hiding . What is the correct word or ...
0
votes
3answers
43 views
Word for disappointed and dejected (slightly irritated too?) at the same time
So imagine you ask a person a serious question, and they make light of it.
You feel a certain emotion which I'm trying to find the name for. Your shoulders may slump. Face and body seem to relax. ...
1
vote
3answers
49 views
Different ways to smile?
As the title indicates, I was looking for ways to poetically, or idiomatically describe ways to smile, or interesting ones anyway. I find that I always switch back to the most basic descriptive ways ('...
1
vote
3answers
25 views
Formulation for making a binding choice in an online application
I need a formulation that clearly indicates that a binding choice is made by pressing a button. The expression is written on a Button, so it has to be concise.
I currently use "Select X bindingly", ...
2
votes
3answers
67 views
Is there an olfactory equivalent expression to “the scenic route”?
"Taking the scenic route" implies taking a less direct alternative to the most direct route toward some destination for the purpose of experiencing more interesting scenery along the way. So, is there ...
0
votes
1answer
38 views
When somebody pushes a chair over, how do you instruct him to put it up back so it stands?
My child sometimes pushes a chair over so that the chair lies flat on the floor. I'd like to instruct the child to make the chair stand again.
Pull up a chair seems to be more close to the meaning of ...
0
votes
1answer
39 views
Term for people in the same life situation
What is a term for people in the same life situation?
Like, people who have the same health issue, or pregnant women.
7
votes
3answers
177 views
Word/phrase for copying down incorrectly
I'm looking for a word or phrase to describe when someone copies something down incorrectly.
Specifically, the situation I am thinking about is when someone is solving a problem (using pencil and ...
0
votes
1answer
70 views
Alternative sentence of “May I come in, please?”
What do you usually say in the UK when you come into the class while the teacher is teaching. Is it ok to say "excuse me, sir or miss" or "May I come in, please"? are there any other ways to say this?
4
votes
2answers
62 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
55 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 ...
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
64 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 ...
1
vote
3answers
64 views
Any phrase or idiom for a person who tries to copy a professional's act without any of the skills needed
A person who tries to copy a professional and skillful person's act, without possessing any skills or experience needed
5
votes
2answers
109 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
50 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??
1
vote
3answers
109 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
77 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
74 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
147 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
70 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
115 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
39 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
92 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
146 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
220 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
16k 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
112 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
68 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
67 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
136 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
181 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
vote
3answers
141 views
Metaphor for conflict of interest
I'd like a metaphor/allegory which depicts a situation where one is compelled to not act. As an example (of such a situation), a company CEO, surrounded by and probably partial towards protecting ...
-1
votes
4answers
144 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
89 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
43 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 ...
