Why Do We Say That (For Adults): The History and Origin of 101 Idioms, Expressions, and Sayings

By Jackie Bolen

Why do we use, "A dime a dozen" to describe something common? What about, "A needle in a haystack" to describe something difficult to find? Why does, "Spill the beans" refer to telling a secret? 

 

You've probably used dozens of these idioms and phrases without ever giving them a second thought. Have you ever thought about where they come from? Find out all the origins and meanings of more than a hundred popular American English expressions and phrases. 

 

Pick up a copy of "Why do We Say That for Adults" by Jackie Bolen if you want to . . .

• Have some fun with words.
• Find out why "Hold your horses" means to wait.
• Give a nice birthday gift or stocking stuffer to someone who loves reading.
• Expand your vocabulary.
• Have something interesting to read.
• Ace your next trivia night!

 

Click the BUY NOW button to have some fun with word origins! Unravel the mysteries of 101 popular American English idioms.  

 

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jackie Bolen
• Release date: Jan 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798215767900

Book preview

Why Do We Say That (For Adults):

The History and Origin of 101 Idioms, Expressions, and Sayings

Jackie Bolen

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Copyright © 2023 by Jackie Bolen

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical means without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher/author at the following address: Jackie Bolen: [e-mail].

Table of Contents

About the Author: Jackie Bolen.....................................................6

A bee in my bonnet...............................................................7

Turn a Blind Eye.................................................................8

A dime a dozen..................................................................9

Back to square one...............................................................10

Straight from the horse's mouth.....................................................11

Beat around the bush.............................................................12

Blow off some steam.............................................................13

Caught Red-Handed.............................................................14

Crack the whip..................................................................15

Barking up the wrong tree.........................................................16

Eat Humble Pie .................................................................17

Under the weather...............................................................18

In the dog house.................................................................19

Pull out all the stops.............................................................20

At the eleventh hour.............................................................21

Caught between a rock and a hard place..............................................22

Back to the drawing board.........................................................23

All roads lead to Rome...........................................................24

Cut to the chase.................................................................25

By the skin of his teeth...........................................................26

Got up on the wrong side of the bed.................................................27

Make a mountain out of a molehill..................................................28

It's not rocket science.............................................................29

In deep water...................................................................30

Go the extra mile................................................................31

In a pickle.....................................................................32

I've got my work cut out for me....................................................33

Got a taste of his own medicine....................................................34

Needle in a haystack.............................................................35

Get the ball rolling...............................................................36

No pain, no gain................................................................37

Not going to fly.................................................................38

Missed the boat.................................................................39

Pick up the slack................................................................40

Paying through the nose..........................................................41

Money to burn..................................................................42

Learn the ropes.................................................................43

Once in a blue moon.............................................................44

Step up to the plate..............................................................45

Stealing my thunder..............................................................46

The ball's in your court...........................................................47

Spill the beans..................................................................48

When it rains, it pours............................................................49

About Face.....................................................................50

The last straw...................................................................51

Through the grapevine............................................................52

Throw in the towel...............................................................53

Alive and kicking...............................................................54

Call the shots...................................................................55

At the drop of a hat..............................................................56

Keep it under wraps..............................................................57

Hold your horses................................................................58

Jump through hoops.............................................................59

Jump ship......................................................................60

(It’s) the best thing since sliced bread................................................61

Let the cat out of the bag..........................................................62

Have the upper hand.............................................................63

Has the cat got your tongue?.......................................................64

Hard to swallow.................................................................65

Cry wolf.......................................................................66

Go down in flames...............................................................67

Get off scot-free.................................................................68

Push (someone’s) buttons.........................................................69

Monkey business ...............................................................70

Sitting on the fence..............................................................71

Take a crack at (something).......................................................72

Ripped Off.....................................................................73

Fly off the handle................................................................74

Victory lap.....................................................................75

Double down...................................................................76

Everything but the kitchen sink.....................................................77

Hit the sack....................................................................78

Knuckle down..................................................................79

Throw (someone) for a loop.......................................................80

In the blink of an eye ............................................................81

Get hitched.....................................................................82

Through thick and thin...........................................................83

Neck and neck .................................................................84

Couch potato...................................................................85

Take a rain check ...............................................................86

Mad as a hatter..................................................................87

Lighten up .....................................................................88

Cutting corners .................................................................89

Out of hand ....................................................................90

Chew the fat....................................................................91

On the ball ....................................................................92

A perfect storm .................................................................93

Get your act together ............................................................94

Add insult to injury..............................................................95

Can't make heads or tails of it......................................................96

Bring home the bacon............................................................97

It's raining cats and dogs..........................................................98

Break the ice ...................................................................99

Butter someone up..............................................................100

Costs an arm and a leg...........................................................101

Riding shotgun ................................................................102

Pull someone's leg..............................................................103

Till the cows come home ........................................................104

Pass with flying colors...........................................................105

Happy as a clam................................................................106

Sleep tight ....................................................................107

Before You Go................................................................108

About the Author: Jackie Bolen

I taught English in South Korea for 10 years to every level and type of student. I've taught every age from kindergarten kids to adults. In my spare time, you can usually find me outside surfing, biking, hiking, or snowshoeing. I now live in Vancouver, Canada.

In case you were wondering what my academic qualifications are, I hold a Master of Arts in Psychology. During my time in Korea, I completed both the Cambridge CELTA and DELTA certification programs.

I truly hope that you find this book useful. I would love it if you sent me an email with any questions or feedback that you might have.

YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/jackiebolen

Pinterest: www.pinterest.ca/eslspeaking

Facebook: www.facebook.com/eslspeaking

Email: [e-mail]

Have some fun learning about the history of 101 common idioms and expressions! Some of them even go back thousands of years. This book is written in, American English.

A bee in my bonnet

Intro: Have you ever been annoyed or angry about something and you kept thinking about it, and thinking about it? You had a bee in your bonnet.

Other forms: A bee in her/his/your bonnet.

Meaning: When a person talks or focuses too much (obsesses) about something. If a bee is in your bonnet (a hat), it buzzes and might sting you; this can be like a thought, feeling, etc., that continually buzzes around your mind. Some people can ignore a bee buzzing around their head, and others can only focus on the bee.

Origin: Likely came from the earlier Scottish idiom, "A