What does spilling the beans mean?

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 u201cdivulge,u201d a usage dating from the 1500s.

Also Where did the term spill the beans come from? Spilling the beans: According to the Scholastic Dictionary of Idioms, by Marvin Terban, (via the Write Blog), this probably dates back to the ancient Greek method of placing black or white beans in a jar to cast votes. If someone spilled the jar of beans, the election results would be known prematurely.

Likewise What does beating around the bush mean? to avoid giving a definite answer or position. Please stop beating around the bush and tell me the full story.

What does hitting the sack mean? hit the sack in American English

slang. to go to bed; go to sleep.

Can’t cut the mustard meaning?

What does “cut the mustard” mean? … Most often, the phrase is used in negative constructions for when something doesn’t live up to expectations or can’t do the job, e.g., The quarterback couldn’t cut the mustard in the playoffs.

What does breaking the ice mean? To remove the tension at a first meeting, at the opening of a party, etc.: “That joke really broke the ice at the conference; we all relaxed afterward.

What does a dime in a dozen mean? So plentiful as to be valueless. For example, Don’t bother to buy one of these—they’re a dime a dozen.

What does it cost me an arm and a leg mean? 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 does egg on your face mean?

Definition of with egg on one’s face

: appearing foolish usually because something one said would happen has not happened The unexpected election result left a lot of journalists with egg on their faces.

What does taking something with a pinch of salt mean? If you take something with a pinch of salt, you do not believe that it is completely accurate or true.

Why do we say 40 winks?

As a blink lasts for a fraction of a second, forty winks take a few seconds. Hence the phrase ”forty winks” has come to mean a few moments of sleep, or a very short nap, especially taken during the daytime, while not in a sleeping position.

What does FAT CITY mean slang? Definition of fat city

US slang. : a very comfortable condition or situation in life He thinks he’s going to win the lottery, and then he’ll be in fat city.

What does the term Bob’s your uncle mean?

Definition of and Bob’s your uncle

—used to say that something is easy to do or use Just complete the form, pay the fee, and Bob’s your uncle!

What does don’t leave me hanging mean?

to keep someone waiting for your decision or answer: I was left hanging, waiting for the college to tell me whether I got a scholarship or not.

What is the meaning of grease the palm of? Give someone money in exchange for a favor; also, bribe someone. For example, If you want you luggage to make the plane, be sure to grease the porter’s palm.

What does the expression bury the hatchet mean? See synonyms for bury the hatchet on Thesaurus.com. To agree to end a quarrel: “Jerry and Cindy had been avoiding each other since the divorce, but I saw them together this morning, so they must have buried the hatchet.”

What does catch 40 winks mean?

: a short sleep : nap.

Why do we say hit the hay? Hit the hay and hit the sack are two idioms that mean to go to bed. The assumption is that hit the hay and hit the sack come from the fact that mattresses used to consist of cloth sacks stuffed with hay. … In the early 1900s, hit the hay came to mean to go to bed in general, wherever that may be.

What does the idiom no dice mean?

No, certainly not; also, impossible. For example, Anthony wanted to borrow my new coat, but Mom said no dice, or We tried to rent the church for the wedding, but it’s no go for the date you picked, or Jim asked Dad to help pay for the repairs, but Dad said no soap.

What does give an inch take a mile mean? said to mean that if you do a small favour for someone, they will become greedy and ask you to do bigger and bigger favours for them and make you regret doing the first favour. Be tough and uncompromising – if you give colleagues an inch, they will take a mile.

What is the meaning of the idiom bring home the bacon?

Definition of bring home the bacon

informal. : to earn the money that is needed to live He worked hard all week to bring home the bacon for his family.

What is the meaning of Elvis has left the building? “Elvis has left the building” is a phrase that was often used by public address announcers at the conclusion of Elvis Presley concerts in order to disperse audiences who lingered in hopes of an encore.

What does egg on your chin mean?

to be very embarrassed because of something you said or did: He told everyone the deal was happening, and if it falls through now he’ll have egg on his face.

What do you want egg in your beer? Egg in beer refers to the practice, literally or figuratively, of cracking a raw egg into a glass of beer. The term is used metaphorically, commonly as “what do you want, egg in your beer?” implying that the listener already has something good but is asking for undeservedly more.

What is the meaning of face fell?

—used to say that someone looks unhappy or disappointed Her face fell when I told her the bad news.

Do’t forget to share this post !

Was this helpful?

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top