FITS AND STARTS When someone is progressing in an erratic manner, they are making progress in fits and starts. This phrase describes periods of apparent progress followed by periods of stagnation. The expression “fits and starts” is used to describe periods of success where the person or company experiencing them will experience failure, stop for…
FIRST-RATE First-rate is typically used to indicate that something is of the highest quality. It can be used as an adjective or adverb and can also be used as a noun, meaning “one who is of the best quality.” As an adjective, first-rate indicates that something is excellent. For example, “a first rate school” means…
FILTHY RICH Filthy rich is an idiom that describes someone wealthy. It can also be used to describe something as repulsive, dirty, or disgusting. This term has its roots in the Middle Ages where the wealthy had their clothes washed by people that were considered lower class. These people would then use dirty water to…
FIELD DAY A field day is a way to show off what one has achieved. It is also an event where people are invited to be part of the planning and execution. In the U.S., a “field day” refers to an outdoor activity in which students from a school gather to compete against one another…
FEATHER (ONE’S) NEST The idiomatic expression “feather one’s nest” is often used to mean that one has done something dishonest or unethical in order to create a comfortable life for themselves. For example, if someone manages to get an unfair promotion, they would be seen as feathering their own nest. The idiom is based on…
FAR CRY FROM (SOMETHING) The phrase “far cry from” is an idiomatic expression meaning “very different.” For example, “the political climate in the US is a far cry from the stable democracy we want to emulate. A far cry from something idiom is a situation in which one thing is completely different from another, such…
FALL FOR (SOMEONE) Falling for someone is a figure of speech that refers to developing strong feelings for someone. For example, “I fell for her just walking into the classroom.” These types of feelings are typically romantic in nature and often lead to a relationship. Committing oneself to a person, such as falling in love…
FAIR-WEATHER FRIEND A fair weather friend is someone who only hangs around you when you are doing well. When things are going badly, they are nowhere to be found. A fair weather friend is someone who you can rely on to be there for you during good times, but won’t stand up for you during…
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…