I am looking for an idiom that can be used when someone is trying to make fun to alleviate of a unpleasant situation. Example: Stockholm City has a big construction in its center that clearly affects both locals and tourists and of the way to make fun of this is through nice and funny banners. … Read more
I have just watched a movie named “The Equalizer 2”. There is a scene when the main character asked an old friend’s wife to lift him to a station and then she said “Help and Company”. What does it exactly mean? The scene is at 2:43 and here is the link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BgZFaMJRxM Answer He will … Read more
In sentence of form Something must be reported prior to the first working day next to the reporting month. does “next to” strictly means “after reporting month” or it can be treated as one before the reporting month? I’d also like to know is it valid to use “next to” idiom with date/time periods, and … Read more
This question is related to these two posts (please read those answers too): "Get to do something" What is difference between GOT TO and HAVE TO For example: “I got to spend time with my wife.” Does that sentence mean “I had the opportunity of spending time with my wife.”? Or does it mean “Now … Read more
I was studying English, so I downloaded a comprehension reading test and I found a phrase which I can’t understand: Seat belts save lives and that’s a fact. That’s why I don’t drive anywhere until mine is on tight. I think that it’s an idiom because I don’t find word definitions that help me understand … Read more
In the second season, episode 4 of Derry Girls, in the last two minutes, the girls are caught trying to get rid of ‘happy’ scones, flushing them through the toilet, which gets clogged. In the next scene, someone asks Erin kindly: How are your scoots now, Erin, love? Considering the scene before it, I’d assume … Read more
I’m looking for an idiom that means something like “making something too obvious”, specifically hinting at an event in the future in such a way that it spoils the surprise. “Spelling something out” is very similar, but not quite the idiom I’m looking for. The context I’m using it in is describing a badly-written plot … Read more
During a marriage ceremony, a priest pronounces a couple “man and wife”. This is preceded by a particular ritual through which the priest says some verses from the holy book and sometimes requires the couple to repeat the same after him. What is this last stage called? Can I say “the marriage formula was pronounced?” … Read more
I remember reading something like “out from something’s mouth/jaws (like a dragon) and into another…” Answer It’s not a dragon, but it’s nevertheless very warm: Out of the frying pan into the fire The phrase out of the frying pan into the fire is used to describe the situation of moving or getting from a … Read more
the fourth line : gravity-defying: I think i can figure what it means – their pay is so high – but I don’t get it that the way the two words combine. I mean, I can’t see these two words’ relation. the seventh line hold fat cat’s paws to the fire … what?? is it … Read more
