Where did the saying right as rain originate?
The allusion in this simile is unclear, but it originated in Britain, where rainy weather is a normal fact of life, and indeed W.L. Phelps wrote, “The expression 'right as rain' must have been invented by an Englishman.” It was first recorded in 1894.
What does the statement right as rain mean?
in excellent health or condition Definition of (as) right as rain informal. : in excellent health or condition After a few days of rest, you'll be right as rain again.
Is right as rain a metaphor?
The phrase as right as rain is an idiom. We will examine the meaning of the idiom as right as rain, where it came from and some examples of its use in sentences. As right as rain describes someone in fine health, something in good working order, an idea that is correct, or a process that flows smoothly.
What does spilling the beans mean?
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.
What does sick as a dog mean?
very sick Definition of sick as a dog informal. : very sick.
Where did the saying fit as a fiddle come from?
The phrase fit as a fiddle dates back to the 1600s in British English, but had a slightly different meaning then. The word fit had as its primary meaning 'well-suited, apt for a particular purpose'.
What’s the difference between idioms and metaphors?
An idiom is a group of words established by usage as having a meaning not deducible from those of the individual words (Examples: barking up the wrong tree, once in a blue moon, see the light ). A metaphor is an expression representative or symbolic of something else, especially something abstract.
What is rain a metaphor for?
Rain metaphors can often relate to God, Noah's Ark, or the delivery of fate (especially for farmers). Other metaphors for rain relate to personification. We can consider rain to be acting upon us – be it spitting, punishing or entertaining!
What does the saying When Pigs Fly mean?
that 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 let’s play it by ear mean?
Definition of play it by ear : to do something without special preparation I don't know how they'll react to our proposal, so we'll just have to play it by ear and hope for the best.
What does neck of the woods mean?
Definition of neck of the woods informal. : the place or area where someone lives He's from my neck of the woods. How is the weather in your neck of the woods?
What is meant by beyond the pale?
A last "ditch" attempt to thwart cattle rustlers. But once you passed "the Pale," you were outside the authority and safety of English law, and subject to all the savageries of rural Ireland. "Beyond the pale" then became a colloquial phrase meaning "outside the limits of acceptable behavior or judgment."
What does his finger in every pie mean?
: to have an interest or share in something a sharp talent agent who has a finger in nearly every pie in show business.
What does the idiom a frog in one’s throat mean?
Definition of have a frog in one's throat : to be unable to speak normally because one's throat is dry and hoarse.
Is a couch potato an idiom?
0:094:16Meaning of the English idiom Couch Potato – YouTubeYouTube
What’s the difference between hyperbole and idiom?
Main Difference – Hyperbole vs Idiom Hyperbole and Idioms are two devices whose figurative meanings are important than their literal meaning. Idiom is a phrase or a fixed expression whose figurative meaning different from its literal meaning. Hyperbole is the use of exaggeration in a literary work.
What does rain mean in a relationship?
In the context of our connection with others, RAIN is a very specific way of giving ourselves what we need to feel accepted, appreciated and loved so that we can give them to others.
What does it mean if it rains on your baby shower?
So, rain is taken as a symbol of rebirth and renewal. If this baby is your first, then you will have an exciting new life ahead of you (renewal). If it's not your first, then you have a feeling of having done this before but it's slightly different this time (rebirth).
What is meant by miss the boat?
Fail to take advantage of an opportunity, as in Jean missed the boat on that club membership. This expression, which alludes to not being in time to catch a boat, has been applied more widely since the 1920s. 2. Fail to understand something, as in I'm afraid our legislator missed the boat on that amendment to the bill.
Is the cat out of the bag meaning?
To disclose a secret: “The mayor's visit was to be kept strictly confidential, but someone must have let the cat out of the bag, because the airport was swarming with reporters.”
What does nothing to sneeze at mean?
something that deserves serious attention, esp. an amount of money: An extra two thousand bucks a year is nothing to sneeze at.
What is the meaning of paper over the cracks?
to hide problems Definition of paper over the cracks : to hide problems We have to acknowledge these problems. We can't just paper over the cracks.
What does talk nineteen to the dozen mean?
to speak rapidly and without stopping Definition of talk nineteen to the dozen British, informal. : to speak rapidly and without stopping He showed us around the house while talking nineteen to the dozen.
What does dig in my heels mean?
to refuse to change your plans idiom. to refuse to change your plans or ideas, especially when someone is trying to persuade you to do so.
Is on the fence meaning?
not able to decide something: Many consumers are still on the fence, waiting for a less expensive computer to come along.
What does the bane of my existence mean?
source of misery To say that something or someone is “the bane of my existence” means that the person or thing is a constant irritant or source of misery.
Why do we say fit as a fiddle?
The violin was picked out as the exemplar because of the alliteration of fit and fiddle, and because the violin is a beautifully shaped instrument producing a very particular sound. But then fit came to mean 'in good physical shape' and so fit as a fiddle came to mean 'in good condition physically'.
What is the meaning of it cost an arm and a leg?
to be too expensive Definition of cost an arm and a leg informal. : to be too expensive I want a new car that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.
What is the meaning of can’t cut the mustard?
To cut the mustard is “to reach or surpass the desired standard or performance” or more generally “to succeed, to have the ability to do something.” For instance, Beyoncé really cut the mustard in her new song.
What is the meaning of kicking the bucket?
have died phrase (VERB inflects) If you say that someone has kicked the bucket, you mean that they have died. (informal) Synonyms: die, expire, perish, pass away More Synonyms of to kick the bucket.