New Idioms at UsingEnglish.com

Slowly, slowly catchy monkey

Sat, 09 Mar 2024 11:31:10 +0000

Softly, softly, catchee monkey is a variation of "Softly, softly, catchee monkey". It is an Ashanti (Ghana) proverb quoted by Lord Robert Baden-Powell, Founder of the Boy Scouts.

From the people of Ghana, Baden-Powell learnt the phrase `softly softly catchee monkey' - and he learnt that he could get the best work out of his force by dividing it into small groups, or patrols, and giving responsibility to the captain of each group.

It's discussed in Eric Partridge's "Dictionary of Catch Phrases." Partridge says it means "Gently does it!" and probably appeared in the late 19th century. Origin is hazy because the phrase was largely "neglected by the editors of the relevant works of reference." Partridge quotes a paraphrase by Wilfred Granville, "Dictionary of Theatrical Terms" (1952): "Stalk your prey carefully; or, generally, to achieve an object by quiet application."

Young at Heart

Wed, 06 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0000

If you are 'Young at Heart', you think, feel or act like young person despite being older.

Example:

Despite being over seventy he keeps playing tennis every day. He is truly amazing and so young at heart!

Wrap your head around

Mon, 15 Apr 2024 23:59:59 +0000

If you are trying to 'wrap your head around' something, you are trying to understand something that is very foreign to you.

Examples:

"I can't wrap my head around quantum physics—it's so complex!"

"She finally wrapped her head around the new software update."

"They couldn't wrap their heads around the sudden policy changes."

"Once you wrap your head around it, chess becomes very enjoyable."

"He's struggling to wrap his head around the idea of moving abroad."

Try your hand at

Wed, 06 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0000

If you try your hand at something, you attempt something for the very first time.

Examples:

"After years of office work, she decided to try her hand at pottery."

"I thought I'd try my hand at writing poetry this weekend."

"They're trying their hands at digital photography to capture stunning landscapes."

"Why not try your hand at gardening? It's quite relaxing."

"They're going to try their hand at sailing during their holiday."

Stuff Your Face

Wed, 06 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0000

If you "stuff your face", you eat a lot of food.

Example:

He stuffed his face with sweets all day and felt very ill afterwards

Be in deep water

Wed, 06 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0000

To be in 'deep water' is to be trouble or in a difficult or serious situation:

Example: "The director knew he'd be in deep water if he didn't mention his wife in his acceptance speech."

Thief don’t like to see thief carry long bag

Wed, 06 Feb 2002 00:00:00 +0000

"Thief don’t like to see thief carry long bag" means that a dishonest person dislikes competition from other like-minded persons.

Editor's note: There are a few variations of this idiom found online, such as "Tief nuh like si neda man wid long bag" and "Thief neva like fi see thief with long bag", but they all express the same idea.

Go to the foot of our stairs

Can also be "go to our house" and is an expression of astonishment.

Tankie

Sun, 13 Mar 2022 12:39:02 +0000

Originally a western communist who supported Stalin's authoritarianism, usually backed by tanks, the modern tankie supports pretty much any authoritarian government or dictatorship that opposes the West.

Close to the vest

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 13:57:03 +0000

If you keep things close to the vest, you try to keep things secret or avoid taking risks.

Close to the chest

Sat, 12 Feb 2022 13:56:09 +0000

If you keep things close to the chest, you keep things secret or take no risks.

Pound sand

Tue, 14 Dec 2021 05:07:04 +0000

If someone's tells you to pound sand, they are telling you to get lost.

Read the runes

Wed, 17 Nov 2021 14:30:25 +0000

If you read the runes, you understand what is likely to happen because of the current circumstances.

Fishy

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 22:37:09 +0000

Strange and suspicious.

Example: When the security guard saw a light in the store after closing hours it seemed to him that there was something fishy going on.

Chew the fat

Say unimportant things

Punch above your weight

Fri, 08 Oct 2021 23:59:59 +0000

If you punch above your weight, you do or try to do things that should be beyond your abilities or expected capacity.

Off your oats

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 23:59:59 +0000

If you are off your oats, you don't have much of an appetite or energy to do much.

Trials and tribulations

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 23:59:59 +0000

Trials and tribulations are events that cause suffering and pain.

Get your oats

Mon, 13 Sep 2021 23:59:59 +0000

If you get your oats, you have sex with someone.

In fine fettle

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 23:59:59 +0000

If something or someone is in fine fettle, they are in very good condition or health