Tag: communication

A 'chip on one's shoulder' refers to holding a grudge or feeling resentful about a perceived wrong, often leading to a defensive or confrontational attitude. It's about worry and carrying emotional baggage, not shouting, enjoying, or hiding. The phrase suggests being ready to fight over past grievances.

'Cry wolf' means to make a fake complaint or raise a false alarm, from Aesop's fable about the shepherd boy who repeatedly falsely claimed a wolf was attacking his flock. It doesn't mean deep grief, being lonely, or being brave. The idiom warns against losing credibility through lying.

A dead ringer refers to someone or something that looks exactly like another - an exact duplicate or look-alike. The term comes from horse racing, where a ringer was a horse substituted for another to deceive, and dead meant absolutely or completely.

A dry run means a rehearsal, practice session, or trial of something without the actual consequences. The term suggests doing something without the usual elements - like running without actually moving anywhere, it's about testing procedures before the real event.

To eighty-six something means to cancel, remove, or get rid of it. The phrase originated in restaurants and bars, where item 86 on a menu was out of stock or unavailable. It now means to eliminate, reject, or indicate something is no longer available.

Getting your walking papers is an idiomatic expression meaning being fired or dismissed from a job. It refers to being given notice to leave - metaphorically, papers that let you know your time is up and you should walk away from your position.

Down to the wire means continuing until the last possible moment or finishing something at the very deadline. The phrase comes from horse racing, where the wire at the finish line determined the winner in close races - it describes situations with little time to spare.

To eighty-six something means to cancel, remove, or get rid of it. The phrase originated in restaurants and bars, where item 86 on a menu was out of stock or unavailable. It now means to eliminate, reject, or indicate something is no longer available.

At the drop of a hat means instantly, immediately, or without any hesitation. The phrase suggests something happening as quickly as a hat falling to the ground - it describes doing something without delay or requiring minimal provocation to begin.

A baker's dozen is 13 items - one more than a regular dozen of 12. This tradition originated from medieval bakers who would add an extra loaf to avoid legal penalties for selling underweight goods, ensuring customers received fair value for their purchase.