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Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Thursday, August 6, 2009
A dime a dozen
Those are a dime a dozen. Cashiers are a dime a dozen.
This phrase is used to describe things that are cheap, plentiful, or easily obtained. It is a price. Perhaps it was once the price of donuts. Maybe you could get 12 donuts for a dime. Now it would cost more. Prices are sometimes worded this way. A dollar each. Five dollars a pair. But the idiom is "a dime a dozen", a dime for a dozen.
If you are choosing a career, you may find that your area has too many people in one profession, so their wages are driven down and they are less valued by employers. They are now a dime a dozen.
I don't want to be another programmer. Programmers are a dime a dozen these days.
Maybe someone could say that if their area is full of programmers and it seems like everyone is doing it, so they aren't paid as well as they once were, and companies consider them inexpensive and easy to hire.
Can I borrow one of these? You can keep it. They're a dime a dozen.
This means that the object is so cheap or inexpensive that the person is willing to give it away.
This idiom can also refer to things that have no price at all, particularly to people of a particular description, not just related to work.
Depending on the context, this idiom can be somewhat offensive, because it can sometimes imply that something is not only inexpensive or easy to obtain, but also that it is of little value.
This phrase is used to describe things that are cheap, plentiful, or easily obtained. It is a price. Perhaps it was once the price of donuts. Maybe you could get 12 donuts for a dime. Now it would cost more. Prices are sometimes worded this way. A dollar each. Five dollars a pair. But the idiom is "a dime a dozen", a dime for a dozen.
If you are choosing a career, you may find that your area has too many people in one profession, so their wages are driven down and they are less valued by employers. They are now a dime a dozen.
I don't want to be another programmer. Programmers are a dime a dozen these days.
Maybe someone could say that if their area is full of programmers and it seems like everyone is doing it, so they aren't paid as well as they once were, and companies consider them inexpensive and easy to hire.
Can I borrow one of these? You can keep it. They're a dime a dozen.
This means that the object is so cheap or inexpensive that the person is willing to give it away.
This idiom can also refer to things that have no price at all, particularly to people of a particular description, not just related to work.
Depending on the context, this idiom can be somewhat offensive, because it can sometimes imply that something is not only inexpensive or easy to obtain, but also that it is of little value.
Tuesday, August 4, 2009
Nail in the coffin
It was just another nail in the coffin. That was the nail in the coffin. It was kind of a nail in the coffin.
In the old days, coffins were just wooden boxes, which were nailed shut just before burial. So when someone says that something is a "nail in the coffin", that person usually means that it really finalizes something. Usually, it's something negative, like a loss. If a football (American football, not soccer) team is already up by ten points in the fourth quarter, another touchdown for that team might really put the nail in the coffin. They were already winning, and it was already clear that they would probably win, but now it is that much more clear. It might end any realistic chance of the other team winning. So it is a nail in the coffin of the other team's winning chances.
It was just another nail in the coffin. That was the nail in the coffin. It was kind of a nail in the coffin.
This idiom should probably not be used to describe situations that actually relate to death, injury, or severe illness. It may offend someone. It would also be an unusually strong and perhaps offensive way to talk to a person about their own losses or your own victories.
In the old days, coffins were just wooden boxes, which were nailed shut just before burial. So when someone says that something is a "nail in the coffin", that person usually means that it really finalizes something. Usually, it's something negative, like a loss. If a football (American football, not soccer) team is already up by ten points in the fourth quarter, another touchdown for that team might really put the nail in the coffin. They were already winning, and it was already clear that they would probably win, but now it is that much more clear. It might end any realistic chance of the other team winning. So it is a nail in the coffin of the other team's winning chances.
It was just another nail in the coffin. That was the nail in the coffin. It was kind of a nail in the coffin.
This idiom should probably not be used to describe situations that actually relate to death, injury, or severe illness. It may offend someone. It would also be an unusually strong and perhaps offensive way to talk to a person about their own losses or your own victories.
Monday, August 3, 2009
Saturday, August 1, 2009
Circular file
Put it in the circular file. She put it in the circular file. I think it went in the circular file.
This phrase refers to the trash can, and is often used in office settings.
Other terms related to "trash can" are "waste basket", "waste paper basket", and "garbage can". You can also just say "trash" or "garbage."
He threw it in the trash. It's in the garbage.
"Trash can" and "trash" are more common.
"Threw it away" is also extremely common, and "threw it out" is sometimes used.
She threw it out. Please throw this away.
This phrase refers to the trash can, and is often used in office settings.
Other terms related to "trash can" are "waste basket", "waste paper basket", and "garbage can". You can also just say "trash" or "garbage."
He threw it in the trash. It's in the garbage.
"Trash can" and "trash" are more common.
"Threw it away" is also extremely common, and "threw it out" is sometimes used.
She threw it out. Please throw this away.
Friday, July 31, 2009
A piece of cake
It's a piece of cake. That will be a piece of cake.
This refers to something that is easy.
Submitting a question is a piece of cake, just click "Submit your Question" on the side-bar under "Navigation" and enter it in the "comments" window.
Sometimes people say "Piece of cake" as a whole sentence, without the "a", but if any other words come before the phrase,you should use the "a".
Can you do all of these things?
Sure. Piece of cake.
"It's a" is implied.
"It's piece of cake" would be wrong because you need an "a".
Sometimes people use even shorter ways of saying it.
It's cake. Cake.
In this case we use no "a". It is not a cake (a whole cake), it is the substance,the uncountable noun, cake. English uses the same word for both. The countable "piece of cake" is like the countabe "easy task", and the uncountable "cake" is like the uncountable "easy work".
This usage is very casual.
Sometimes other words are added in. One very casual example would be the following.
It's total cake.
This means it is very easy, or even extremely easy. It seems like slang.
"Cake" is also used as an adjective in slang.
It's a cake job.
It's an easy job.
This refers to something that is easy.
Submitting a question is a piece of cake, just click "Submit your Question" on the side-bar under "Navigation" and enter it in the "comments" window.
Sometimes people say "Piece of cake" as a whole sentence, without the "a", but if any other words come before the phrase,you should use the "a".
Can you do all of these things?
Sure. Piece of cake.
"It's a" is implied.
"It's piece of cake" would be wrong because you need an "a".
Sometimes people use even shorter ways of saying it.
It's cake. Cake.
In this case we use no "a". It is not a cake (a whole cake), it is the substance,the uncountable noun, cake. English uses the same word for both. The countable "piece of cake" is like the countabe "easy task", and the uncountable "cake" is like the uncountable "easy work".
This usage is very casual.
Sometimes other words are added in. One very casual example would be the following.
It's total cake.
This means it is very easy, or even extremely easy. It seems like slang.
"Cake" is also used as an adjective in slang.
It's a cake job.
It's an easy job.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
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Idioms
A complete list of our idioms can be found on the side-bar to your left, under the header, "Idioms", or you can view them in chronological order from newest to oldest by clicking "Idioms" under the "Labels" header in the side-bar.
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Back and forth (also "wearing a hole in the carpet", and "around and around")
I keep going back and forth. She's going back and forth. He will be running back and forth.
As used here, back means backward and forth means foreward.
This phrase can have a few meanings. In the sentences above, it refers to going from one place to another and then returning, usually repeating the process a time or two, or maybe many more. By adding "keep" (or, in some sentences, the word, "keeps"), we have a sentence that conveys a feeling that it is continuous, or that it may be annoying, frustrating, or a little too much. Maybe it is becoming tedious.
Some people also walk back and forth when they are thinking. This is sometimes refered to as pacing, but pacing has other meanings, too. People also pace when worried or waiting for something. No matter what the reason is, if a person is pacing a lot, or very quickly, someone may say, "You are wearing a hole in the carpet." Wear, as used in this sentence, means to erode or cause deterioration.
Our phrase can also be used metaphorically.
I need him to make a decision, but he keeps going back and forth.
He is not moving from one place to another, but from one idea to another.
It can also be used to refer to an argument or disagreement.
They keep going back and forth. They keep going back and forth about it.
One person supports one idea and the other person supports the other, so they are pushing in opposite directions: back, and forth. This can also be refered to as going around and around. This refers to a prolonged discussion that is some kind of argument or disagreement. It is like walking in circles. Sometimes you walk and walk but never really get anywhere. Refering to an argument this way may make people think that you are impatient, so use it carefully. Both "back and forth" and "around and around" are often, but not always, used when people are frustrated.
As used here, back means backward and forth means foreward.
This phrase can have a few meanings. In the sentences above, it refers to going from one place to another and then returning, usually repeating the process a time or two, or maybe many more. By adding "keep" (or, in some sentences, the word, "keeps"), we have a sentence that conveys a feeling that it is continuous, or that it may be annoying, frustrating, or a little too much. Maybe it is becoming tedious.
Some people also walk back and forth when they are thinking. This is sometimes refered to as pacing, but pacing has other meanings, too. People also pace when worried or waiting for something. No matter what the reason is, if a person is pacing a lot, or very quickly, someone may say, "You are wearing a hole in the carpet." Wear, as used in this sentence, means to erode or cause deterioration.
Our phrase can also be used metaphorically.
I need him to make a decision, but he keeps going back and forth.
He is not moving from one place to another, but from one idea to another.
It can also be used to refer to an argument or disagreement.
They keep going back and forth. They keep going back and forth about it.
One person supports one idea and the other person supports the other, so they are pushing in opposite directions: back, and forth. This can also be refered to as going around and around. This refers to a prolonged discussion that is some kind of argument or disagreement. It is like walking in circles. Sometimes you walk and walk but never really get anywhere. Refering to an argument this way may make people think that you are impatient, so use it carefully. Both "back and forth" and "around and around" are often, but not always, used when people are frustrated.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
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Cat got your tongue?
Cat got your tongue? Has the cat got your tongue? The cat's got my tongue. The cat has my tongue.
This common idiom refers to a situation when you cannot think of the word or name you want, even though you know it very well.
"He's at..um...oh, I can't remember the name of it! The cat has my tongue. I'll think of it in a second. I go there all the time."
It can also be used to refer to a general inabilty to express thoughts clearly.
It is also used rhetorically when someone is expected to speak, reply, or respond, but does not, or when the response is started, but is a choppy, stumbling response that never finishes. ("It's a very- I think- well he never- well, I mean, if you- I don't really-") This person has started several sentences but can't seem to decide what to say.
What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?
This rhetorical usage can be a friendly joke, or very confrontational, so use it carefully. Tone of voice, the speaker's relationship with the other person, and the situation can help make the meaning more clear.
This common idiom refers to a situation when you cannot think of the word or name you want, even though you know it very well.
"He's at..um...oh, I can't remember the name of it! The cat has my tongue. I'll think of it in a second. I go there all the time."
It can also be used to refer to a general inabilty to express thoughts clearly.
It is also used rhetorically when someone is expected to speak, reply, or respond, but does not, or when the response is started, but is a choppy, stumbling response that never finishes. ("It's a very- I think- well he never- well, I mean, if you- I don't really-") This person has started several sentences but can't seem to decide what to say.
What's the matter? Cat got your tongue?
This rhetorical usage can be a friendly joke, or very confrontational, so use it carefully. Tone of voice, the speaker's relationship with the other person, and the situation can help make the meaning more clear.
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