Clumsy or awkward: “Where plumbing is concerned, Walter is all thumbs.”
What does cut to the quick mean? Definition of cut to the quick
: very hurt She was cut to the quick by their insults.
also, Why do I have two left feet? Be clumsy, as in I’ll never get the hang of this dance; I’ve got two left feet. This expression conjures up an image of feet that are not symmetrical, as left and right are, therefore causing imbalance or stumbling. It was first recorded in 1915.
What does Ants in Your Pants mean? 1. Be extremely restless, uneasy, impatient, or anxious, as in This child just can’t sit still; she must have ants in her pants. This rhyming idiom calls up a vivid image of what might cause one to be jumpy. [ Slang; 1920s]
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.
similary What does the idiom dead heat mean?
Definition of dead heat
: a tie with no single winner of a race broadly : tie.
What does the saying on tenterhooks mean? The phrase “on tenterhooks” means “waiting nervously for something to happen.” A tenterhook is literally a sharp hook that fastens cloth to a tenter, a frame on which cloth is stretched, like a tent, for even drying to prevent shrinkage. … Other property owners in the area remain on tenterhooks.
What does it mean when someone calls you a philistine? Definition of Philistine
(Entry 1 of 2) 1 : a native or inhabitant of ancient Philistia. 2 often not capitalized. a : a person who is guided by materialism and is usually disdainful of intellectual or artistic values. b : one uninformed in a special area of knowledge.
What is the meaning of get cold feet?
A loss or lack of courage or confidence; an onset of uncertainty or fear. To “have cold feet” is to be too fearful to undertake or complete an action. … Loss or lack of courage or confidence.
What does right foot symbolize? For the far majority of people the right foot will store the past and how one is in the world. The left foot stores more of the internal or self representation – it contains the vital energy for the moral and spiritual growth and understanding.
What does got off on the wrong foot mean?
Definition of get/start off on the wrong foot
: to begin a relationship badly They got off on the wrong foot when they first met and they’ve disliked each other ever since.
What does crawling with ants mean? Ants in one’s pants: to be so excited, nervous or anxious about something that it’s hard to be still and calm. Notes: Ants are very small insects that often sting. If ants were crawling around inside or on your pants it would be very difficult to sit still and be calm.
What are pants rabbits?
dated Body or pubic lice. You gotta stop going round those brothels, Harry, or you’ll end up with pants rabbits—or worse!
Where did ants in your pants come from?
To have ants in your pants
Origin: This expression originated from the United States, where “underwear” is known as “pants”, but no logical explanation has ever been found. However, it’s easy to imagine a person who starts fidgeting and wiggling when ants or any insects invade those hidden areas.
What does hitting the sack mean? slang. to go to bed; go to sleep. He never hits the sack before midnight.
What is a handed out? 1a : to give without charge. b : to give freely. 2 : administer handed out a severe punishment.
What does come out of the blue mean?
phrase. If something happens out of the blue, it happens unexpectedly. One of them wrote to us out of the blue several years later.
What is the meaning to throw up the sponge? Give up, acknowledge defeat, as in I can’t move this rock; I’m throwing in the sponge, or Bill decided to throw in the towel and resign from his job. This idiom comes from boxing, where formerly a fighter (or his second) conceded defeat by throwing the sponge or towel used to wipe his face into the ring. [ c. 1900]
What does bull in a china shop mean?
: a person who breaks things or who often makes mistakes or causes damage in situations that require careful thinking or behavior As a politician, he was a bull in a china shop and often had to apologize for his rough speech.
What is to throw a fit? Definition of throw a fit
: to express extreme anger Dad will throw a fit if he finds out. Don’t have a fit if it doesn’t turn out as you want.
What does it mean to have your druthers?
druthers • DRUH-therz • noun. : free choice : preference – used especially in the phrase if one had one’s druthers. Examples: If I had my druthers, I’d be relaxing at the beach this weekend instead of cleaning out my garage. ”
What does on the boil mean? Definition of on the boil
1 British, informal : in a state of activity or development The deal is still on the boil. kept their romance on the boil. 2 : on a hot burner/stove so that a liquid would boil She put the kettle (of water) on the boil.
Is Cattywampus a real word?
Cattywampus is a variant of catawampus, another example of grand 19th century American slang. In addition to “askew” catawampus may refer to “an imaginary fierce wild animal,” or may mean “savage, destructive.”
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