It can also be used to reference someone who is better than average at anything. Just today, I was telling a friend that her progress with her New Year's resolutions were far better than the average bear.
Enjoy your new idiom of the day!
Smarter Than the Average Bear
I came across a fun idiom today that I had to share with you ... Smarter Than the Average Bear. All it really means is that the person being talked about is smarter than average. But, you may be asking where the "bear" came from. That would be Yogi Bear, a vintage cartoon character from the 20th Century.
This bear lived in Jellystone Park (a reference to Yellowstone Park in the United States), and he would trick the tourists out of their picnic lunches because ... he was "smarter than the average bear."
It can also be used to reference someone who is better than average at anything. Just today, I was telling a friend that her progress with her New Year's resolutions were far better than the average bear.
Enjoy your new idiom of the day!
It can also be used to reference someone who is better than average at anything. Just today, I was telling a friend that her progress with her New Year's resolutions were far better than the average bear.
Enjoy your new idiom of the day!
Down in the Dumps
It's been quite a while since I've shared an idiom here, but this morning I was inspired. I found myself writing the phrase Down in the Dumps. It means to be depressed or sad with great intensity.
One of the things that can be confusing is that a "dump" can be a term for a central garbage location. Down in the dumps does not have anything to do with that.
Though I've got to admit that the times that I have been down in the dumps, I might have felt like garbage ... or that I wanted to be buried in a hole. But that's a different thing.
So, that's your idiom for today. As always, if you have an idiom that's causing confusion, Please, comment. I'd be happy to help!
Though I've got to admit that the times that I have been down in the dumps, I might have felt like garbage ... or that I wanted to be buried in a hole. But that's a different thing.
So, that's your idiom for today. As always, if you have an idiom that's causing confusion, Please, comment. I'd be happy to help!
Zip Your Lip
Zip Your Lip can have two meanings depending on the context. In both, the image means to keep your mouth closed (as if it were zipped).
In the first, it means to keep a secret. The person talking to you is asking or instructing you not to tell anyone else. Can you keep your lip zipped about it? It could be a secret, rumors, or gossip. Those are always good to zip your lip about, don't you think?
The second is just a request (or command) to keep quiet in general. If the person is extremely frustrated, they might use a shorter form. Zip It! ;)
An alternative that means the same thing is Button Your Lip (or Button It!).
Question, comments, suggestions ... please don't hesitate to let me know. Until next week! :)
In the first, it means to keep a secret. The person talking to you is asking or instructing you not to tell anyone else. Can you keep your lip zipped about it? It could be a secret, rumors, or gossip. Those are always good to zip your lip about, don't you think?
The second is just a request (or command) to keep quiet in general. If the person is extremely frustrated, they might use a shorter form. Zip It! ;)
An alternative that means the same thing is Button Your Lip (or Button It!).
Question, comments, suggestions ... please don't hesitate to let me know. Until next week! :)
Sweep It Under the Rug
This is a fun one. Sweep It Under the Rug means to try to hide or ignore a problem rather than dealing with it or cleaning it up.
It is usually obvious that the problem still exists. Usually, not a good idea. You might be called on the carpet, which I will save for another day. ;)
Put Your Best Foot Forward
I realize that it's been a while, but now that I'm back in the routine back at school again, it's time to get back to the idioms! Though I'm sorry to say, this semester it might have to be a once a week thing.
This week's is a fun one, and I have no idea where it came from. It's Put Your Best Foot Forward.
What it means is doing your best to make a good impression. You might do this on a job interview or going out on a date with someone you admire. This is strictly for American English. Apprantly, it means something completely different in British English, but I won't confuse you with the details.
Until next time!
This week's is a fun one, and I have no idea where it came from. It's Put Your Best Foot Forward.
What it means is doing your best to make a good impression. You might do this on a job interview or going out on a date with someone you admire. This is strictly for American English. Apprantly, it means something completely different in British English, but I won't confuse you with the details.
Until next time!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)