FAIR AND SQUARE The idiom “fair and square” has its origins in the rule of law. Prior to the invention of modern philosophy, the people would take justice into their own hands. This led to many injustices which were resolved through self-defense. Fairness was key in the sense that if someone was killed over something…
ETERNAL TRIANGLE The phrase “eternal triangle” generally means a love triangle that is unending and unfixable. For example, the three main characters of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet are in an eternal love triangle with tragic results. The eternal triangle idiom is used to describe any three-sided romantic relationship that cannot be resolved. It shines light…
EAT OUT OF (SOMEONE’S) HAND The idiom is used using the phrase “to eat out of someone’s hand” to indicate that they are in control of the situation, they have everything under their jurisdiction. The person who has this power over someone is the one with their hand. They are figuratively feeding them, controlling them,…
EAT CROW/HUMBLE PIE In social settings, this idiom is often used when someone is humbled by an experience and does not have a choice but to accept the result. It can also be used in more general contexts, for example when giving a presentation where someone exceeds expectations or a competitor performs better than expected….
DUTCH TREAT {GO DUTCH} The term “go dutch” is an idiomatic phrase meaning to divide the cost of a date between two people. This is usually done by one person offering to pay for half of the cost of the date before it commences, or alternatively, splitting the bill afterwards. The phrase is also used…
DRESSED TO KILL One might say that a person is dressed to kill when they are wearing clothes that are appropriate for the occasion, especially if the outfit is something fancy. The idiom originates from the phrase “to dress (someone) up to kill” meaning to prepare someone for an event or task that will take…
DOWN TO THE WIRE Down to the wire is a term that describes the last few seconds before the deadline. This phrase became popular in the late 1800s when people would use telegraphy to send messages across long distances. The phrase “down to the wire” is a colloquialism used in reference to when time left…
DOWN IN THE DUMPS Some people are down in the dumps because they are experiencing a kind of depression. Their lives are not going as planned and they can’t seem to find meaning in anything that they do. They feel hopeless and cannot find relief from their negative thoughts plaguing them. This is an idiom…
DO (SOMEONE) A GOOD TURN Doing someone a good turn is the act of helping someone out without expecting anything in return. While it sounds like a cliché, doing someone a good turn can actually be very beneficial for both parties involved. There is the psychological effect that the person who is helped feels good…
DOG DAYS (OF SUMMER) The dog days of summer are an idiom meaning the hottest time of the year, often observed by canine behavior. This period is thought to be due to the position of Sirius, also known as the Dog Star, in the eastern sky at this time. The theory is that it heats…