Questions tagged [expressions]
This tag is for questions which a dictionary cannot answer asking the meaning of a particular expression.
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What does the expression "got smoked" mean?
The WEBP library got smoked. The exploit allows for arbitrary code execution. Update your browsers immediately!! —Twitter
Could anybody explain what does mean the expression "got smoked" in ...
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Is "words in <suffix>" correct?
As I was writing an answer in another SE language forum, I used "words in -act" for words ending in -act like impact or contact.
Words in -act are always pronounced /akt/
I said this both ...
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Is the expression "either overshoot or fall short" excellent English?
A. Medical treatments either overshoot or fall short.
B. Medical treatments either overshoot or fall short of the mark.
I would like to know if the figurative expression "either overshoot or ...
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Is "reach for help" a valid expression?
I have been using "reach for help" as an alternative to "seek help" or "ask for help" in a university paper I am writing. Someone pointed out that "reach for help&...
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Can "second only to something" express the two are similar?
There was this question in an IELTS reading passage (answer by true/false/not given):
The research found that scientists can make chimpanzees possess the same complex culture as human beings.
The ...
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Is "reacts and acts upon" correct?
I am trying to use the expression:
A reacts to and acts upon B.
The intended meaning is that B influences A ("A reacts to B"), and that A influences B ("A acts upon B"). However, ...
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Using "I'm wishing to.."
In my native language, we often use the expression "I'm wishing to [action]". As in, "I can't wait to X" , "I'm eager to X" . I'm finding that, in English, it's not used ...
ItsJustMe
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Which does the phrase "consider doing something" imply, suggestion or suppression?
When someone says "Consider doing something", which is implied, suggestion or suppression?
For example, "Consider eating more vegetables" sounds like a suggestion for me.
But how ...
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Take a taxi or catch a taxi?
Catch a taxi
Take a taxi
Catch a bus
Take a bus
What is the difference between these phrases in meaning?
Are they all correct?
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Article "a" in "as good a job as"
As a learner, "as ... as" is always a little confusing. Say somebody said the following.
You should do at least as good a job as them.
Now I can understand how there is a noun between two ...
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How to express 'speak either Chinese or English in a conversation but both idiomatically'?
During a Twitter conversation, I was misunderstood as recommending others speak Chinglish.
What I want to express is something like this:
You can speak either 英语 or Chinese idiomatically during our ...
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What does “thing” mean vs what is the meaning of “thing”?
In our ESL class a student asked teacher “what’s the meaning of “cough”?
The teacher replied “You might ask: What does cough mean instead of asking what is the meaning of cough?”
I asked why is the ...
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Using its been a slice idiom
It's been a slice. I don't see this idiom in any of the dictionaries online. Why could be that?
Separately, suppose I had an enjoyable time with my friends and then later that day somebody asks me how ...
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Leave him alone
Leave him alone.
I'm wondering if this expression can be used physically (to move away, depart), as well as mentally (don't interfere his choices).
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Why can we use the article "a" with 'a long history' when 'history' is uncountable?
There was a closely related previous question here but wasn't answered properly. Maybe the reason can be as simple as "because people use that way", but is there another clearer answer for ...
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"They've grown so much" vs "They've 'been' grown so much"?
In this sentences the difference is the been. I've been seen this two ways to write this same thing. In the translater, the two ways is right. Why?
"They've grown so much" vs "They've '...
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Does "BITEME" have any non-vulgar usage cases? (seen with other food-related words on printed wallpaper at a restaurant)
I need to explain the presence of "BITEME." mixed in with other short phases about food and the eating of it on printed wallpaper in a restaurant in a non-English speaking country.
It looks ...
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Can you paraphrase "How long do we give it" in the excerpt below?
I'm still developing my English so it's great if you answer my question in a very short and direct way; the shorter it is, the better.
I don't get the meaning of "HOW LONG DO WE GIVE IT" in ...
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Can I say, "Any help needed?" to offer my help?
I saw a lady on street who seemed lost. She was searching for somewhere by Google Map. I wanted to help her.
At that time, could I just say, "Any help needed?", which is grammatically not ...
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The expression "Eat in or take out" [closed]
whats the meaning of this expression?
(Eat in or take out)
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Formal term for pushing down the hourly rate by letting applicants undercut each other
Sometimes (a.k.a. pretty much every time for some), when a company looks for a contractor, the recruiter will inquire about the expected hourly rate. While there may be a few valid reasons to do so (...
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Is "Bring a surprise" always related to food?
I was watching this TV series, "Unstable" on Netflix.
In the 2nd episode, the CEO says to CFO, "Bring me a surprise. Make it a croissant!"
So, when I heard the first sentence, I ...
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Expressions with "and boy was I....." Idiomatic expression?
I'm having a hard time understanding this (idiomatic expression? maybe?) What does it mean, and why is it constructed like that? Why does the verb come first?
Why is it Boy WAS I.. and not Boy I WAS......
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What does mean the expression "he might dig his heels in"?
It’s not uncommon for the person or people who built a plan to resist
change, because it takes work to change a plan. For example, there may
have been a lot of effort put into breaking the work down ...
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turning on the tap water and adjusting the flow
When you turn on the tap water, you also adjust the flow of the water. The flow can be high or low or average according to how much you turn the faucet.
Now let's say I'm giving instructions to ...
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The opposite of "far ago"?
While I was having a conversation, I used "far later" to mean "far in the future" but I didn't feel like this is a common expression. Is there the direct opposite of "far ago&...
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Is there an expression that I can use instead of "he knows all the way"?
I don't know if this sentence is right:
He knows all the way from being a shy adolescent to a professional whose daily life is to help people understand technology as a simple thing.
I want to say ...
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Is it correct to say "for every X" instead of "every X"?
Suppose I want to say something like this
The graph is updated every code commit.
Now because I feel like "every code commit" may sound incomplete or vague, I'd like to add "for" ...
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Banned/censored books go to the "pulp mill"?
Would it be accurate to say that an author's censored books were "sent straight from the press to the pulp mill", i.e. shredded by the government? I got this translation from a translation ...
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What does "rounding a corner" mean?
What does "rounding a corner" mean in the following paragraph? Does it simply mean the action of turning? If so, I still don't get it.
"The idiom, 'cutting corners' was first seen in ...
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What does "modernity and technology" mean?
What does "modernity and technology" mean?
I've encountered this example:
The seating capacity varies and so do furniture and services while
keeping modernity and technology at state-of-the-...
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Can "give X more room" be used about abstract things?
If I want to say that we need to listen to and consider certain ideas/views/approaches etc. to a greater extent than we're currently doing, can I use "give X more room" for this, or can that ...
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Which is best: to light up 'with,' 'from,' or 'off'?
I am trying to write a sentence that conveys the idea of lighting something up (a cigar, cigarette) using the flame of a candle. What is the correct form?
to light up with a candle
to light up from a ...
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"Chip in (-,on,to) the conversation"
Say I'd like to describe a situation where I naturally (not abruptly) join a conversation. I think the closest expression is "chipping in", but which preposition should I use? (Or do I need ...
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How do you say that a teacher/researcher at the university "belongs" to a certian subject?
If I want to say which subject a teacher at the university "belongs" to, how do I say this in idiomatic English? Can I use "belong to", or is there a more idiomatic way of saying ...
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Other words for "help"
I want to express the meaning of:
Something comes as a help (or support) to another thing.
Could we say...?
Comes to back up the other thing
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Can I omit articles after 'in the middle of'?
This kind of issues is what I'm constantly coming across. Say I'd like to say something like this.
In the middle of the video, a ghost pops up from nowhere.
What I'm confused is whether I should add ...
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"being a doctor would be a great occupation in many countries" - is the sentence correct?
Here is the context: I have a friend who wants to relocate to another country. He is a doctor and he is worried about his career. So I said:
"doctor" would be a great occupation in many ...
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"I forgot if we have ever talked about this"
I forgot if we have ever talked about this.
Simply, I'm trying to tell a friend that I don't remember if we have discussed a topic, and this is what sounds best to my ear. But Google doesn't yield a ...
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Using 'either' in place of 'regardless of'
I know I can say 'Either way,' instead of 'Regardless,', but can I use 'Either ...' in place of 'Regardless of ...' to describe what is unconditional? For example, is this idiomatic compared to the ...
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Is the word [that] here correct in part of the whole sentence "those of 【that】 were not organic were found to be 52%“
The original sentence in an essay example is "According to a study conducted on corns and berries grown organically, the antioxidant levels were found to be at 58%, while those of [that] were not ...
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The "knowledge of knowledge transfer" in technical / non-technical English
I need to know whether there is any technical term to refer to the specific knowledge and ability which is used to transfer the knowledge itself; i.e. I am looking for a (perhaps) technical term that ...
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The expression when you want to correct something you just said
Do you use 'no' when you say something wrong and want to correct it?
I got up at 10 PM, no no, 10AM!
If not, what do you use in informal context?
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it is the final rubber stamp on his status
Messi celebration is most-liked Instagram post
Lionel Messi's Instagram message celebrating Argentina's World Cup win has become the most popular post in the social media platform's history, with 56 ...
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Can you express opinion about something external with "I feel like"?
Can you express opinion about something external with "I feel like"?
E.g. 1. I feel like this solution won't resolve the problem
Also, how about: 2. I feel that this solution won't resolve ...
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Is it correct to say I came by car today? [closed]
Is it correct to say I came by car?
I work in the centre of Sydney where there are not enough car parking. So, i and my colleagues often talk about how they came to work.
Is it correct to say
I came ...
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May your buildings go condo
In Beetlejuice (1988) the host of the party proposes a toast
May your buildings go condo
I don't understand this expression.
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Where should "only" be in the sentence: " She died at age 21"?
I wrote an essay and in one sentence:
"She died [only] at [only] age [only] 21"
I don't know where the adverb "only" should be. Can someone help me?
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Is this expression incorrect? Why?
Could you explain why is this news report using "sift signal from noise" instead of "sift the signal from the noise"? According to some native speakers, it is utterly incorrect to ...
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About the expression "sweep a kiss"
This expression appears in the song "Achilles Last Stand" of Led Zeppelin and Google displays it in a couple more results. Is this expression about the same as "give a kiss"/"...
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