COME OFF IT!, COME OUT OF (ONE’S) SHELL, COME OUT SMELLING LIKE A ROSE: American English Idioms #46

COME OFF IT!

In this idiom, the phrase “come off it” is a colloquialism that indicates a request for someone to stop deceiving themselves. It is often accompanied by a rhetorical question, inviting the person to stop denying the truth or to admit that they are wrong.

The phrase come off it is an idiomatic way to express someone’s disbelief about what the other person said. It means, “Stop pretending; you know that can’t be true.

People use this idiom to express their disbelief in a situation. They may also use it when someone is being dishonest or too superficial. In academic jargon, coming off it means to get out of the way of something. When people get close enough to a tree, they get out of the way so their clothes don’t get caught on the branches.

The phrase, “come off it!” is used to call out somebody who is not telling the truth. It can also be used to express skepticism about an idea or expectation that somebody may have.

COME OUT OF (ONE’S) SHELL

This idiom is often used when someone who has been introverted begins to become more extroverted.

Revealing oneself to the world may be an uncomfortable experience for some, but when they “come out of their shell” they are able to express themselves in ways that they would not otherwise do.

Ruminating on my social situation has led me to believe that I am an introvert by nature, and this has affected many aspects of my life.

The idiom “come out of one’s shell” is used metaphorically to describe someone who has been shy or introverted, who has become more social and confident. It can also be used as a verb, as in “she finally came out of her shell.”

Defensive behavior, such as withdrawing from social interaction, keeping emotions bottled up inside, or constantly trying to please others at your own expense, can leave you feeling isolated and regretful.

The phrase ‘come out of one’s shell’ has many different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. In most cases, the phrase is used to describe somebody who is introverted and reserved, but becomes more sociable when around people they are comfortable with. Examples include shy children, or someone who usually keep themselves to themselves in social settings.

COME OUT SMELLING LIKE A ROSE

When someone comes out of a situation smelling like a rose, it means they emerged unscathed and in good standing. Moreover, the idiom is derived from the flower-like appearance of roses when they are dried.

This phrase is used to describe someone who has succeeded despite being surrounded by adverse circumstances. A person could have experienced an agonizing failure (for example, having one’s business go bankrupt) but still come out smelling like a rose if they manage to land a new job quickly afterward, or if they are able to avoid any major legal ramifications for the failed business.

If someone comes out smelling like a rose, it means that they are the victor of the situation. The idiom is derived from ancient times when people used to put flowers on their head for protection against many different diseases that are caused by bad smells.

The phrase come out smelling like a rose, means to have achieved a positive outcome from a difficult situation. It can be applied to an individual or a business. In the context of an individual, the equivalent is to have gotten away with something or been let off without being punished.

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