Where did the expression stuffed to the gills come from?

Where did the expression stuffed to the gills come from?

It comes from the phrase "stuffed to the gills" which means "so full, you can't eat any more." This seems to have come from the fact that when you stuff a fish for cooking, you fill it all the way to the gills.

What does to the gills mean?

as full to the gills. : as full or as much as possible a suitcase packed to the gills.

What does sauced to the gills mean?

informal. fully; completely; totally. After that big meal we were all stuffed to the gills.

What does the idiom little green around the gills mean?

Also, green around the gills. Looking ill or nauseated, as in After that bumpy ride she looked quite green about the gills. The use of green to describe an ailing person's complexion dates from about 1300, and gills has referred to the flesh around human jaws and ears since the 1600s.

What does packed to the brim mean?

completely full Definition of filled/full to the brim : completely full The glass was filled/full to the brim.

What does eye to eye mean?

to have or come to the same opinion or point of view. The two did not see eye to eye on on certain political issues.

What does the saying packed to the rafters mean?

completely full The beams that usually support the roof are called rafters. So, when you say that a place is 'packed to the rafters', you mean it is completely full; it is overflowing with people/things.

What is the meaning of the idiom born yesterday?

Definition of wasn't born yesterday —used to say that someone is unlikely to believe something that is not true or to trust someone who is not trustworthy He said he'd pay me back, but I'll believe it when I see it. I wasn't born yesterday.

What does the idiom red herring mean?

a misleading clue something intended to divert attention from the real problem or matter at hand; a misleading clue.

What does blue around the gills mean?

Look ill or nauseated Blue Around the Gills Meaning Definition: Look ill or nauseated. This expression describes someone who is in need of fresh air because he or she looks sick or unwell and possibly wants to throw up.

What does it mean to be on the brink?

Definition of the brink : the edge at the top of a steep cliff —usually used figuratively to refer to a point that is very close to the occurrence of something very bad or (less commonly) very good He nearly lost everything because of his drug addiction, but his friends helped to pull him back from the brink.

What does spill the beans mean idiom?

Disclose a secret Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, as in You can count on little Carol to spill the beans about the surprise. In this colloquial expression, first recorded in 1919, spill means “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.

Do not cut corners meaning?

to do something in the easiest, cheapest, or fastest way: I don't like to cut corners when I have company for dinner.

What does packed to the gunwales mean?

extremely full If something is filled to the gunwales, it is extremely full: A crowd of 50,000 packed the stadium almost to the gunwales.

What does in the rafters mean?

The beams that usually support the roof are called rafters. So, when you say that a place is 'packed to the rafters', you mean it is completely full; it is overflowing with people/things. There are so many people packed in, the height of the roof has to be raised.

What does cat has your tongue mean?

unusually quiet The phrase 'Cat Got Your Tongue' is used to describe when someone is at a loss of words or being unusually quiet.

What is the meaning of go bananas?

to become very excited or angry Definition of go bananas : to become very excited or angry The crowd went bananas when the concert began.

What is the meaning of the idiom black sheep?

Definition of black sheep : a disfavored or disreputable member of a group.

What does the idiom a white elephant mean?

a possession unwanted by the owner but difficult to dispose of: Our Victorian bric-a-brac and furniture were white elephants. a possession entailing great expense out of proportion to its usefulness or value to the owner: When he bought the mansion he didn't know it was going to be such a white elephant.

What does green behind the ears mean?

inexperienced Green" means "inexperienced". " Wet behind the ears" means "inexperienced". " Green behind the ears" is a malapropism which clearly also means "inexperienced".

Can of Worms idioms?

Definition of open a can of worms : to create a complicated situation in which doing something to correct a problem leads to many more problems Our boss is reluctant to change the policy now because she doesn't want to open a can of worms.

What does the idiom on the blink mean?

Malfunctioning, out of order Malfunctioning, out of order, broken, as in The TV is on the blink again, or You drive—our car's on the bum.

What is the meaning of shedding crocodile tears?

to pretend to be sad or to sympathize with someone without really caring about them.

What does the idiom break a leg means?

good luck This is an expression used mostly in the world of theatre to mean 'good luck'. Actors and musicians are never wished 'good luck'; before they walk on to the stage, they are usually told 'break a leg'. This form of wishing people is beginning to be used in other contexts as well.

When the pigs fly idiom meaning?

something will never happen Definition of when pigs fly —used to say that one thinks that something will never happen The train station will be renovated when pigs fly.

What does mean at the drop of a hat?

Immediately, without delay Immediately, without delay, as in We were ready to pack our bags and go on vacation at the drop of a hat. This phrase probably alludes to signaling the start of a race or other contest by dropping a hat. [

What does stuffed to the gunnels mean?

extremely full idiom old-fashioned. If something is filled to the gunwales, it is extremely full: A crowd of 50,000 packed the stadium almost to the gunwales. Full.

What is full to the brim?

Definition of filled/full to the brim : completely full The glass was filled/full to the brim.

What means fascia?

Medical Definition of fascia : a sheet of connective tissue (as an aponeurosis) covering or binding together body structures also : tissue occurring in such a sheet — see deep fascia, superficial fascia. Other Words from fascia.

Where does the expression going to the dogs come from?

Origin: As far back as the 1500s, bad or stale food that was not thought to be suitable for human consumption was thrown to the dogs. The expression caught on and expanded to include any person or thing that came to a bad end, was ruined, or looked terrible.