write 10 idioms and story behind it
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Answers
1. Bite the bullet
Meaning: To endure something difficult or unpleasant.
Origin: This expression was first recorded in the 1891 novel, in The Light that Failed. It is said to have derived from the practice of having a patient clench a bullet between their teeth as a way to cope with the extreme pain felt during a surgical procedure without anaesthetic. It has also been suggested to have evolved from the British empire expression ‘to bite the cartridge’, dating back to the Indian Rebellion of 1857. In addition, the phrase ‘chew a bullet’, holds a similar meaning and dates back to at least 1796.
2. Break the ice
Meaning: To end conflict or initiate friendship.
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Origin: This phrase originates from the 1580s, referring to the carving of ice to create passages for ships on trade routes. Oftentimes, the ships would get stuck in the ice during the winter. The receiving country would send small ships to ‘break the ice’ in order to make way for the trade ships.
3. Butter someone up
Meaning: To praise or flatter someone excessively.
Origin: In ancient India, is was custom to throw butterballs of ghee (clarified butter commonly used in Indian cooking) at the statues of the gods to seek favour and forgiveness. Similarly, a Tibetan tradition dating back to the Tang Dynasty (618–907) involves the creating sculptures from butter for the New Year with the belief that such offerings would bring peace and happiness during the full lunar year.
4. Cat got your tongue?
idioms and their origins - cat got your tongueMeaning: When a person is at loss of words.
Origin: There are two possible sources for this phrase, both equally morbid, sadly. The first one refers to the use of the whip, cat-o’-nine-tails. Used by the English Navy, victims were left speechless from the pain inflicted upon them after a flogging.
The second possible source comes from medieval times. Liars and blasphemers were punished by having their tongues cut out and then fed to cats. In ancient Egypt, cats were considered to be gods and it was seen an offering to the gods to give them the tongue of a liar.
5. Turn a blind eye
Meaning: To ignore something.
Origin: During the Battle of Copenhagen in 1801, the commander of British forces, Admiral Sir Hyde Parker, signalled to Admiral Horatio Nelson to stop attacking a fleet of Danish ships using a system of signal flags. Nelson raised his telescope up to his blind eye and said, “I really do not see the signal” and continued attacking. After his success, Sir Hyde Parker was disgraced and Nelson became Commander-in-Chief of the fleet.
6. Bury the hatchet
Meaning: To end conflict, and make peace.
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Origin: This phrase comes from North America during the 1600’s. During peace talks between the Puritans (a group of English Reformed Protestants) and the Native American. After a peace agreement was made the chiefs of tribes buried all their hatchets, knives, clubs, and tomahawks, thus making all weapons inaccessible.
7. Caught red-handed
Meaning: To be caught in the act of doing something wrong.
Origin: Dating back to Scotland in 1432, this term refers to an old English law that sought the punishment of any person who butchered an animal that wasn’t his own. In order to be convicted, he had to be caught with the animal’s blood still on his hands.
8. Give the cold shoulder
Meaning: Disregarding someone.
Origin: This phrase stems from a particular way food was served to an unwanted guest in medieval England. At the time is was customary to serve a hot meal or roast that was fresh out of the oven. So, the act of serving an inferior cut of meat, such as a cold shoulder of mutton to the guest was a direct and subtle way to communicate that they had overstayed their welcome and should leave.
9. Let one’s hair down
Meaning: To relax or behave in an uninhibited manner.
Origin: This phrase was first reference in John Cotgrave’s, The English Treasury of Wit and Language published in 1655. During the 17th century, women were obliged to wear elegant hair-dos that were normally pinned up. It was only during brushing or washing that their hair was let down. The term used for this at the time was dishevelling. Today, the term dishevelled refers to someone who is untidy, however back then it applied specifically to hair which was unpinned.
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10. Pull someone’s leg
Meaning: To trick or fool someone.
Origin: This phrase stems from a method used by street thieves in 18th and 19th century London. Often working in pairs, one thief, known as a “tripper up,” was tasked with tripping up an unsuspecting victim using a cane, rope or piece of wire. The other thief robs the victim as he lay on the ground. Pulling your leg originally referred to the way the “tripper up” tried to make someone stumble. Today it only refers to tripping someone figuratively.
idioms and their origins - straight from the horses mouth
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