CHANGE HORSES IN MIDSTREAM A common translation of this phrase is “changing one’s mind in the midst of a course of action.” However, this translation does not account for the nuances of the phrase and its usage. The original Greek proverb is “metaphorical and depicts a battle scene where a general would switch horses just…
CATCH (SOMEONE) RED-HANDED [GET CAUGHT-RED HANDED] Catching someone red handed is when you are caught in the act of committing a crime or doing something wrong. The term “red-handed” comes from the Ancient Rome custom that criminals are presumed guilty if they are caught with blood on their hands. If someone is not found guilty…
CARRY A TORCH (FOR SOMEONE) To “carry a torch” for someone means to have romantic feelings for them, but not acting on them. Carrying a torch can refer to having romantic feelings for someone you are not in a relationship with. It can also be used as an analogy for someone carrying the emotional baggage…
CALL A SPADE A SPADE This idiom is used when one wants to be straightforward about someone or something, in opposition to being euphemistic or avoiding the subject. The phrase has origins in ancient Rome, when spades were used in games including trump cards. A “spade” is a shovel used for digging. A spade can…
BY WORD OF MOUTH This means that information is transmitted through speech and orally, as opposed to written text. People who can understand the language of those speaking will be able to understand what the message is, but those who cannot need some form of translating. This type of communication can be lost by people…
BY THE BOOK, GO A person who “goes by the book” might be someone who does things in a very systematic way. Such people are always following procedures to the letter, not taking any risks or side-stepping any rules. It is important to go by the book, or to follow the rules. Without following the…
BUTTER (SOMEONE) UP A buttering up is a tactic that an individual can use to get on someone’s good side. The use of this term may be derived from the practice of applying butter to bread and other food items in order to make it more palatable. A lot of times, people will butter someone…
BURNING QUESTION A question that is often asked is about how to have a better understanding of public opinion. It can be helpful to use polls that are open-ended, where respondents are able to provide their own responses. This might help avoid unintentional biases, for example on the part of the pollster. A burning question…
BURN THE CANDLE AT BOTH ENDS Burning the candle at both ends is a colloquial phrase that means to do two things in quick succession at both ends of the spectrum with no break in between. It is generally used when someone is working too hard or partying too much, which can cause burnout or…
BUM STEER, GIVE SOMEONE A A bum steer is when someone intentionally misdirects someone else to prevent them from reaching their destination. For instance, if you are driving and the person next to you has a map, they will give you directions that will not take you to your destination. The phrase originates from cattle…