Idioms and Phrases are an integral part of the English language and are commonly used to make sentences fascinating. Idioms are often used in stories, poems and even in spoken words. The origins of these idioms are not always known, but they are said to originate from stories and creative writing and are modified over time. Phrases are unlike idioms, they are actually direct and to the point. They do not have figurative meanings, the expression means what the words indicate.
Idioms are the combination of words that
convey a separate meaning altogether. Idioms are an expression or way of
speaking that is used in the common vocabulary. For example, If you say you “Smell
a rat” you don't literally mean that you are smelling a rat. “Smell a rat” is
an idiom that means “to sense that someone has caused something wrong.”
Often the common phrases we say actually
have bizarre origins we never even think about. Some go way back, while some
may surprise you with their bizarre origin stories. I have in 4 previous blogs
discussed about similar English idioms and how they originated. You can
re-visit them by clicking on these hyperlinks:
https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2022/07/the-story-behind-english-idioms.html
https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2021/05/the-origin-of-common-english-idioms.html
https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2021/06/the-origin-of-common-english-idioms-2.html
https://surajitbrainwaves.blogspot.com/2023/05/the-history-behind-some-english-idioms.html
Could you imagine learning a new
language and hearing someone say 'it's raining cats and dogs'? This could be
very confusing to a new learner. Sometimes not even native speakers are able to
explain what these sayings mean. Let’s take a look at the origins of yet
another set of the most frequently used phrases.
1. Cat
Got Your Tongue
What it means: This phrase is said to
someone who remains silent when they are expected to speak.
Where it originated from: This saying is based on two stories. In the first one, it
says that one could have come from a whip called 'cat-o'-nine-tails' that was
used by the English Navy for flogging, which left victims speechless. In the
second story, this idiom is believed to have originated from Egypt where liars'
tongues were cut out as a punishment and fed to the cats.
2. The
Walls Have Ears
What it means: Take care of what you say
as people may be eavesdropping,
Where it originated from: The Louvre in France was believed to have a network of
listening tubes so that it would be possible to hear everything that was said
in different rooms. It was believed that this is how the Queen Catherine
de'Medici discovered political secrets and plots.
3. Bury
The Hatchet
What it means: To end a quarrel or a
conflict and become friendly.
Where it originated from: During negotiations between Puritans and Native Americans,
men would bury all of their weapons, making them inaccessible.
4. Cold
Feet
What it means: A loss of nerve or
confidence.
Where it originated from: This idiom stems from a military term where warriors who
had frozen feet were unable to rush into battle.
5. Big
Wig
What it means: This idiom refers to an
important person, especially in a particular sphere.
Where it originated from: Back in the 18th century, the most important political
figures would wear the biggest wigs, which is why today influential people are
called bigwigs.
6. Caught
Red-Handed
What it means: This idiom is used to
indicate that a person has been discovered in or just after the act of doing
something wrong or illegal.
Where it originated from: An old law stated that if someone butchered an animal that
didn't belong to him, he would only be punished if he was caught with blood on
his hands. But if he was caught with the meat but with clean hands, he would not
be punished.
7. Raining
Cats And Dogs
What it means: Raining very hard.
Where it originated from: This idiom has two stories attached to it. The first says
that the phrase comes from Norse mythology, where cats would symbolize heavy
rains and dogs were associated with the God of storms, Odin. According to the
second story, it says that in the 16th century England, houses had thatched
roofs which were one of the dew places where animals were able to get warm. On
days where it would rain heavily the roofs would get slippery and cats and dogs
will fall off, making it look like it's raining cats and dogs.
8. Barking
Up The Wrong Tree
What it means: To a pursue a mistaken or
misguided line of thought or course of action.
Where it originated from: This phrase refers to hunting dogs who chase their prey up
a tree. Once it climbed the tree, the dogs bark at them, though sometimes, the
dogs would continue to bark even if the prey was no longer there.
9. Don't
Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth
What it means: To find a fault with
something that has been received as a gift or favor.
Where it originated from: When buying a horse, people would determine the horse's age
and condition based on its teeth, and then decide whether they want to buy it
or not. Consequently, this is why this idiom is used to imply that it is rude
to look for flaws in a thing that was given to you as a gift.
10. Blood
Is Thicker Than Water
What it means: The most important
relationships and loyalties are the strongest.
Where it originated from: While this saying means that we should put family ahead of
friends, it actually meant the complete opposite. The full phrase initially was
'the blood covenant is thicker than the water of the womb', which referred to
warriors who shared the blood the shed in battles together. These 'blood
brothers' were said to have stronger bonds than their biological brothers
Some more interesting idioms:
1. Be hand and foot means to complete any task - In
all possible ways or by all means
2. Be in the swim means - To keep oneself
informed and up-to-date
3. Can’t cut the mustard means - Someone who is
not adequate enough to compete or participate.
4. Beat around the bush means - Trying to avoid a
subject/person/situation
5. Kill two birds with one stone means - Accomplish
two things with the same effort
6. Beating a Dead Horse means - Giving time or
energy to something that is ended or over
7. Costs an Arm and a Leg means - Something that
is overpriced or very expensive
8. Variety is the spice of life means - New
and exciting experiences make life more interesting.
9. Wag the dog means - to change the topic from
something that is more important to something that is not.
10. Thumb one's nose means - a gesture of
disrespect.
Let me fish out a few more idioms, and till
then, keep smiling!
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