This turn of phrase originated in the longer proverb the last straw breaks the camel’s back, a metaphor suggesting that there is a threshold to the burdens we can bear and that even the smallest additional burden beyond that threshold can break us.
Where does the expression the last straw come from? The origin of the idiom ‘the last straw’ can be found in the old English proverb, “it is the last straw that breaks the camel’s back.” It was first seen around 1755, and many different forms of the statement were used between then and about 1836, with the suffering animal occasionally described as a horse or an …
also, What is the meaning of it cost an arm and a leg? 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.
When you make your bed you must lie on it? If you say that someone has made their bed and must lie in it, you mean that since they have chosen to do a particular thing, they must now accept the unpleasant results of their action.
What does living high on the hog mean?
Also, live high on the hog. Prosper, live luxuriously, as in When Aunt Ida dies and they inherit her estate, they’ll be eating high off the hog, or Since their loan was approved, they’ve been living high on the hog. It alludes to the choicest cuts of meat, which are found on a pig’s upper flanks. [
similary What does hitting the sack mean?
slang. to go to bed; go to sleep. He never hits the sack before midnight.
What does overstepping the mark mean? Definition of overstep the mark/line
: to go beyond what is proper or allowed by something She warned us not to overstep the mark/line.
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 is fly by night means?
1 : one that seeks to evade responsibilities and especially creditors by flight. 2 : one without established reputation or standing especially : a shaky business enterprise. fly-by-night. adjective.
What does wet behind the ears means? Immature, inexperienced, as in How can you take instructions from Tom? He’s still wet behind the ears, or Jane’s not dry behind the ears yet. This term alludes to the fact that the last place to dry in a newborn colt or calf is the indentation behind its ears. [
What does the idiom playing with fire mean?
Take part in a dangerous undertaking, as in You’re playing with fire if you go behind his back and commit his department.
What does it mean when someone says you made your bed now lay in it? You made a decision and now must accept its consequences.
What is the meaning of the bitter end?
: until the end of something that may be very bad, unpleasant, etc. I knew she would stand by me to the bitter end. He vowed that he would keep fighting until the bitter end.
What is the meaning of the idioms nest egg?
Meaning: Savings set aside for future use. Example: Roger worked hard when he was young so that he could retire with a substantial nest egg in his fifties.
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 “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.
What does taking something with a pinch of salt mean? Definition of ‘to take something with a pinch of salt’
If you take something with a pinch of salt, you do not believe that it is completely accurate or true.
What does it mean to have an AXE to grind?
phrase. If someone has an axe to grind, they are doing something for selfish reasons.
What does plumb the depths mean? 1 literary : to examine (something) in a careful and complete way in order to understand it The play plumbs the depths of human nature. 2 : to experience a lot of (something) someone who has plumbed the depths of loss/pain.
What does open up Pandora’s box mean?
Definition of open a Pandora’s box
: to cause many troubles and problems Her parents are understandably afraid of opening a Pandora’s box if they buy her a car.
What does it mean to give a leg up? informal. 1 : to hold one’s hands together so that someone can step into them while climbing up onto something I don’t think I can get on this horse without help. Can someone give me a leg up? 2 : to give someone an advantage over others These skills will give you a leg up in the job market.
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 does Taken at face value mean? Definition of at face value
1 : for the price that is printed on something We bought the tickets at face value. 2 : as true or genuine without being questioned or doubted After all his lying, nothing he says now should be taken/accepted at face value.
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.
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