10 Advanced Idioms With Origin, Explanation and Examples
To paint the town red
Meaning
The phrase "paint the town red" is an idiomatic expression that means to go out and have a wild, lively, and often extravagant time, typically involving partying, drinking, and general merriment.
Origin
It suggests a night of unrestrained celebration and enjoyment. The origin of this phrase is somewhat uncertain, but there are a few theories:
One popular theory is that the phrase originates from an actual event in the 19th century. It is said to be associated with the Marquis of Waterford, an Irish nobleman who went on a drunken spree with his friends in the town of Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, England. During this escapade, they reportedly painted various buildings in the town red with paint they found. While the historical accuracy of this story is debated, it has become a popular explanation for the phrase.
Another theory suggests that the phrase may have been influenced by the idea that red is a colour associated with excitement, energy, and passion. Thus, "painting the town red" could metaphorically represent creating an atmosphere of excitement and liveliness.
Regardless of its origin, "paint the town red" is a colourful way to describe a raucous celebration and fun night. It's often used to convey letting loose and enjoying oneself thoroughly.
Examples
"After a long week of work, Sarah and her friends decided to paint the town red on Friday night by going to a trendy nightclub."
"It's my birthday tomorrow, and I plan to paint the town red with a big party at my place."
"The whole town came alive during the annual festival, as residents and visitors painted the town red with parades, live music, and street performances."
"After their team won the championship, the fans celebrated by painting the town red, cheering, and waving flags in the streets."
"We haven't seen each other in years, so let's make the most of this reunion and paint the town red tonight!"
To take the bull by the horns
Meaning
The phrase "to take the bull by the horns" means to confront a difficult or dangerous situation directly and with courage.
Origin
Its origin can be traced back to the world of bullfighting, particularly in Spain and other countries with a bullfighting tradition.
In a bullfight, the matador (the person who faces the bull) has to control and ultimately defeat the bull. One of the most dangerous and dramatic moments in a bullfight is when the matador grabs the bull's horns and tries to manoeuvre it into a vulnerable position. This requires great skill, bravery, and the willingness to confront the powerful and potentially deadly animal head-on.
Examples
I was nervous about the job interview, but I decided to take the bull by the horns and prepare thoroughly. I researched the company, practised my answers, and went in with confidence.
After years of neglecting my health, I finally decided to take the bull by the horns. I started a regular exercise routine and cleaned up my diet to get back in shape.
Our family was facing serious financial problems, but we knew we had to take the bull by the horns. We created a budget, cut unnecessary expenses, and started saving for the future.
Instead of avoiding the problems in our relationship, we decided to take the bull by the horns and seek couples counselling. It was tough, but it helped us work through our issues.
I struggled in my math class but didn't want to give up. I decided to take the bull by the horns ask my teacher for extra help and study harder to improve my grades.
Loose cannon
Meaning
The idiom "loose cannon" refers to a person who is unpredictable, uncontrollable, or behaves recklessly, often to the detriment of themselves or others. The term is usually used to relate to someone who is impulsive and acts without considering the consequences of their actions.
Origin
The source of the idiom can be drafted back to naval warfare. In the age of sailing ships, cannons were essential weapons in maritime battles. A "loose cannon" was a cannon that had broken free from its moorings or restraints during a struggle and was rolling or sliding dangerously around the deck. This was highly hazardous to the crew because the cannon could collide with other equipment, breach the ship's hull, or injure sailors.
Examples
"You can't trust him with sensitive information; he's a loose cannon who might blurt it out to anyone."
"The new employee turned out to be a loose cannon, constantly challenging authority and creating conflicts within the team."
"The politician's erratic behaviour and controversial statements made him appear like a loose cannon in the middle of the election campaign."
"Her reckless driving on the freeway earned her a reputation as a loose cannon behind the wheel."
"In the business world, making impulsive decisions without considering the consequences can be seen as acting like a loose cannon."
The salt of the earth
Meaning
The idiom "the salt of the earth" is an expression used to describe someone considered exceptionally good, honest, and dependable. They are typically seen as a person of high moral character and integrity. The phrase often implies that such individuals are down-to-earth and humble despite their virtues.
Origin
The origin of this idiom can be traced back to the Bible, specifically in the New Testament. In the Sermon on the Mount, which is found in the book of Matthew (Matthew 5:13), Jesus says:
"You are the salt of the earth. But how can the salt be made salty again if it loses its saltiness? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot."
In this biblical context, Jesus used "the salt of the earth" to refer to his followers, emphasising their role in bringing goodness and flavour to the world through their righteous and virtuous actions. Over time, this phrase evolved into a common expression in English and other languages to commend individuals with similar qualities.
Examples
"Mary is truly the salt of the earth; she's always there to help others in their time of need."
"In a world filled with pretentious people, John remains the salt of the earth, always true to his values."
"The volunteers who dedicate their time to feeding the homeless are the real salt of the earth."
"You can always count on Sarah; she's the salt of the earth and never lets you down."
"It's people like James, who work tirelessly to support their family and community, who are the salt of the earth."
To dress to the nines
Meaning
The idiom "dressed to the nines" means elegantly or wearing one's finest clothes.
Origin
While the exact origin of this phrase is not entirely clear, there are a few theories about its source:
One theory suggests that the phrase originated from the world of tailoring. In the 18th century, tailors often used "to the nines" to describe a perfect fit. The number nine was considered the highest, and dressing "to the nines" meant that your clothing fit perfectly and looked impeccable.
Another theory is that the phrase may have been influenced by the fact that the number nine is often associated with completeness or excellence. People might have started using "to the nines" to describe someone impeccably dressed, emphasising their outstanding appearance.
Examples
"Dressed to the nines, she attended the gala in a stunning evening gown and diamond jewellery."
"He always arrives at formal events dressed to the nines, wearing a perfectly tailored suit and polished shoes."
"At the wedding, the groom and his groomsmen were dressed to the nines in classic black tuxedos."
"Even on casual Fridays, he couldn't resist dressing to the nines with a stylish blazer and designer jeans."
"The actress walked the red carpet dressed to the nines, turning heads with her elegant gown and glamorous accessories."
To grin and bear it
Meaning
The phrase "to grin and bear it" means to endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with a show of good humour or without complaining.
Origin
Its origin can be traced back to the 18th century. The exact origin of the phrase needs to be well-documented, but it likely evolved over time through common usage. It reflects the idea that sometimes we face difficulties and discomfort with a positive attitude and a smile, even if we're not feeling pleased about the situation.
Examples
Despite the heavy rain on their wedding day, the couple decided to grin and bear it, making the best of their special day.
Even though the project was challenging and required long hours, the team members grinned and bore it, knowing their hard work would pay off.
She had to attend a family gathering with relatives she didn't get along with, but she decided to grin and bear it to keep the peace.
The students had to take a challenging final exam but knew they had to grin and bear it to succeed in their course.
When faced with a delayed flight and a long layover, he chose to grin and bear it by reading a book and making the most of his time in the airport.
To let the cat out of the bag.
Meaning
The phrase "to let the cat out of the bag" is an idiom that means to reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept hidden. The origin of this phrase needs to be clarified, but there are a few theories about its origin.
Origin
One theory suggests that the phrase has its roots in the practice of fraud in the marketplace. In the past, when people bought goods, particularly livestock, they would often be sold in sacks or bags. Sometimes, unscrupulous sellers would substitute a lower-value animal, like a cat, for a more valuable one, like a pig, and then try to pass it off as the real thing. If someone were to "let the cat out of the bag," it would reveal the deception.
Another theory relates to the British Royal Navy. In this version of the origin story, the "cat" refers to a "cat-o'-nine-tails," a whip used for flogging sailors as punishment. The "bag" referred to a cloth container that held the whip. Supposedly, if a sailor were to reveal information about the upcoming sentence, it would be the equivalent of "letting the cat out of the bag," as the punishment would no longer be a surprise.
Examples
Sarah accidentally let the cat out of the bag when she mentioned the surprise party to the birthday girl.
The company's CEO let the cat out of the bag about the upcoming merger during a press conference, surprising everyone.
We were supposed to keep the project details confidential, but someone let the cat out of the bag, and now it's all over the office.
Don't let the cat out of the bag about our vacation plans; we want it to surprise the kids.
Tom couldn't resist letting the cat out of the bag when he learned about the new product launch; he's terrible at keeping secrets.
To make ends meat
Meaning
The phrase "to make ends meet" means to have enough money to cover one's basic expenses or to make a living. It is often used when someone is struggling financially.
Origin
The origin of this expression is believed to be from the late 16th century in England.
In the 16th century, "end" referred to a piece of money, such as a coin. "Meat" in this context is not about food but is derived from the Old English word "mete," which meant food in general or provisions. So, "making ends meet" originally meant ensuring that one had enough money to buy the basic necessities of life.
Over time, the phrase evolved to its modern form, where "ends meet" no longer explicitly refers to money or coins but more broadly to meeting one's financial obligations and covering expenses. It's a common expression used to describe the challenges of managing one's finances and ensuring that income is sufficient to pay for the necessities of life.
Examples
Sarah works two part-time jobs to make ends meet and pay her bills.
Despite their tight budget, the Smiths always find a way to make ends meet each month.
After losing his job, John had to dip into his savings to make ends meet.
Mary took on freelance work and her full-time job to make ends meet after her rent increased.
It's a challenge for many single parents to make ends meet while providing for their children.
No pain, no gain
Meaning
The phrase "no pain, no gain" is a famous motivational slogan encouraging people to push through difficult or uncomfortable situations to achieve success or improvement.
Origin
While it has become widely associated with sports and fitness, its origin is not definitively tied to any source.
However, it is often attributed to Benjamin Franklin, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States. In his 1745 essay titled "The Way to Wealth," Franklin wrote, "There are no gains without pains." While this does not match the modern phrase, it conveys a similar idea.
Over time, the phrase has evolved and taken on various forms, with "no pain, no gain" being the most commonly used version. It has been adopted in sports, fitness, and self-improvement contexts to emphasise the idea that hard work, effort, and perseverance are necessary to achieve success and personal growth.
Examples
"She knew that to achieve her fitness goals, she had to push herself during every workout, adhering to the motto 'no pain, no gain.'"
"The artist spent countless hours refining her skills, often working through the night, believing that 'no pain, no gain' was the key to success in the art world."
"To excel in his studies, he maintained a strict study schedule, often sacrificing leisure time because he believed that 'no pain, no gain' also applied to academics."
"The team endured gruelling training sessions in the scorching heat, understanding that 'no pain, no gain' was the path to victory on the field."
"The entrepreneur faced numerous setbacks and challenges while building her business, but she always reminded herself that 'no pain, no gain' was part of the journey to success."
Once in a blue moon
Meaning
"once in a blue moon" describes a rare event or occurrence. It is not tied to the actual colour of the moon but rather to the frequency with which certain lunar events happen.
"blue moon" traditionally refers to the third full moon in a season with four full moons instead of the usual three. Typically, there are three full moons in a season, one each month. However, because a lunar month is approximately 29.5 days long, occasionally, a season will have an extra full moon. This is known as a "blue moon," which happens roughly once every 2.7 years on average.
Origin
The phrase "once in a blue moon" likely originated from this rare lunar event, which is relatively infrequent compared to the regular monthly full moon. Over time, it came to be associated with any rare or unusual event, not necessarily tied to the occurrence of a blue moon.
Examples
I only see my old college friends once in a blue moon because we all live in different cities now.
She's not a fan of horror movies, but once in a blue moon, she'll watch one with her friends.
Grandpa used to tell us stories about his adventures in the army, but he only shared them once in a blue moon.
Eating fast food regularly is unhealthy; indulging once in a blue moon is okay.
The company throws a big party for its employees once in a blue moon to celebrate its success.
To spill the beans
Meaning
The phrase "to spill the beans" is an idiomatic expression in English, and it means to reveal a secret or disclose confidential information unintentionally or prematurely. When someone "spills the beans," they share information that was supposed to be kept hidden or secret, often without realising the consequences of their actions. It implies that the information has been revealed, possibly to the detriment of someone or something involved.
Origin
The phrase "spill the beans" is not entirely clear, but several theories about its origins exist. One popular idea dates back to ancient Greece, where beans were used as a voting method. In ancient Athens, people would cast votes by placing a white bean in an urn to signify a cheerful voice and a black bean to signify a negative vote. If someone accidentally knocked over the urn and spilt the beans before the votes were counted, it would reveal the outcome of the secret ballot prematurely. This theory suggests that "spilling the beans" meant revealing a secret or disclosing confidential information prematurely.
Another theory points to a custom in some cultures where beans were used in divination or fortune-telling practices. It was believed that the position of spilt beans could reveal information about a person's future. In this context, "spilling the beans" might have referred to inadvertently revealing one's future or secrets.
Yet another theory suggests that the phrase originated in the United States in the early 20th century. It is thought to have been used about a spill during a card game. If a player accidentally knocked over a container of beans, it could reveal their cards and strategy, leading to a disadvantage in the competition.
Regardless of its precise origin, "spill the beans" has come to mean revealing information or secrets that were meant to be kept confidential or hidden. It's a common idiom used in everyday language to describe someone accidentally or intentionally disclosing sensitive information.
Examples
Sarah accidentally spilt the beans about the surprise party to John, ruining the surprise.
The journalist promised not to spill the beans about the confidential source's identity.
Wait to spill the beans about our new project until we're ready to make the official announcement.
My little sister can't keep a secret; she always spills the beans to our parents.
I didn't want to spill the beans, but I had to tell my best friend about the job offer I received.
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