Tea Break

Jan 13,2016

To let the cat out  of the bag

To reveal a secret or a surprise by accident. Etymology It is not very clear : two suggestions are that the phrase refers to « the cat o’nine tails » or « the pig in the bag» scam*. The first origin story comes from the British infamous Royal Navy, when sailors who did not perform Read More

Around 1 minute and 16 seconds to read

Sep 13,2015

When the rubber meets the road

When something is about to begin, get serious, or be put to the test. I’ve been training my body for months so that I could run the upcoming marathon, but tomorrow, when the race actually begins, that is when the rubber hits the road and I find out how conditioned I really am. Etymology Now Read More

Around 1 minute and 19 seconds to read

Août 12,2015

To throw  in the towel

To give up, to avoid further punishment when facing certain defeat. Etymology This little expression derives from boxing. When a boxer is suffering a beating and his corner wants to stop the fight they literally throw in the towel to indicate their conceding of the fight. It was basically a way to surrender. This citation Read More

Around 1 minute and 12 seconds to read

Juin 23,2015

A bird in your hand is better than two in the bush

The meaning > A smaller advantage which can be taken now is better than a greater one at some uncertain time in the future. In essence, don’t be greedy and stick with what good things you already have, instead of going after something you’ll probably never get. If I were you I would accept the Read More

Around 1 minute and 3 seconds to read

Juin 20,2015

To kill two birds with one stone

The meaning > To kill two birds with one stone simply means to complete two actions in one. Essentially, you are solving two objectives (perhaps a problem, a task or a challenge) at the same time or with one single action. We can kill two birds with one stone by combining our honey-moon with our Read More

Around 52 seconds to read

Juin 13,2015

The early bird catches the worm

The meaning > This idiom is used to say to someone that if he wants to be successful he should do something immediately. Success comes to those who prepare well and put in effort! If you see a job that interests you, apply as soon as possible. The early bird catches the worm. This proverbial Read More

Around 52 seconds to read

Juin 05,2015

To be as free as a bird

The meaning > Most birds are free to go where they want, unless they are in a cage or an aviary, in which case they are not free as a bird. Completely free to do what you want and without any worries. I was free as a bird when I finished my final school exam Read More

Around 53 seconds to read

Mai 28,2015

To talk through one’s hat

The meaning >Talk nonsense, especially on a subject that one professes to be knowledgeable about but in fact is ignorant of. Nothing of what he said made sense – he was talking through his hat. Etymology > This began life in the USA, in the late 19th century, with a slightly different meaning from the Read More

Around 1 minute and 27 seconds to read

Mai 26,2015

Pigs might fly

The meaning >A humourous, sarcastic remark, used to indicate the unlikeliness of some event or to mock the credulity of others. – I might make a start on papering the bedroom tomorrow. – Yes, and pigs might fly! Similar phrases in English include «when hell freezes over», the Latin expression «to the Greek calends». Etymology Read More

Around 1 minute and 9 seconds to read

Mai 25,2015

You can’t make a silk purse of a sow’s ear

The meaning > IIt is not possible to produce something refined, admirable, or valuable from something which is unrefined, unpleasant, or of little or no value. To make chairs that’ll last, you need good strong pieces of wood. You can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. One can also say “to put Read More

Around 54 seconds to read

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