Questions tagged [idiom-request]
For requests for an idiomatic English expression for a certain situation, i.e. a word or phrase which is 'typical' for English and doesn't necessarily have an equivalent in other languages.
11
questions
10
votes
8answers
5k views
Is there an idiomatic way to say “go to the path of no way out”?
It seems that only "no way out" or "there's no way out" is common used, but I want to emphasize the action of entrapping/entangling oneself in the path of no way out. "Down to the rabbit hole" is ...
0
votes
2answers
9k views
Proverbs similar to “We're not rich enough to buy cheap things”
I'm looking for other proverbs similar to "We're not rich enough to buy cheap things". This is because I want to use it for a similar but a little bit different purpose. I want it to be meant that to ...
28
votes
16answers
13k views
Sarcastic Idioms for being slow to notice something
The scenario:
The power was out but it came back up. However, a friend or family member noticed that late and said:
Oh, the power is back up!
You noticed that long before they did (sometimes because ...
35
votes
14answers
10k views
Is there an English equivalent for the Italian saying “It's another pair of sleeves”?
In a meeting an Italian told a puzzled English audience: "It's another pair of sleeves".
It's an Italian way of saying: "it's another thing", or "this new argument is something different or off topic"...
24
votes
11answers
8k views
Is there an idiom that means that you are in a very strong negotiation position in a negotiation?
Is there an idiom that means that you are in a very strong negotiation position in a negotiation? If there's no such idiom can you think of an idiom that means that you are in a stronger position than ...
12
votes
2answers
7k views
Is there an idiom that means “revealing a secret unintentionally”?
I am thinking there could be an idiom that states that you or someone revealed a secret unintentionally? Can you think of an idiom like that? I am looking for an idiom I can use to write a blog post ...
1
vote
3answers
84 views
Does the sentence sound “I am an introvert with a bit pessimistic views of things” natural?
I am an introvert with a bit pessimistic views of things.
As pointed out by @Tᴚoɯɐuo in this thread, the part "with a bit pessimistic views of things" doesn't look idiomatic.
I am an introvert, ...
3
votes
5answers
1k views
Idiom to describe a text (or speech) which is too long
Let's say I ask someone to write a very short text, but I want to insist humorously that it should not be too long (less than 50 words).
Could be something like "Don't write the Bible" or "Don't make ...
3
votes
4answers
7k views
About the idiom in Hindi (चुल्लू भर पानी में डूब जा) that literally translate 'Go, commit suicide"!
There's an idiom in Hindi
चुल्लू भर पानी में डूब जा
This literally translates - go, die/commit suicide!
The context where it is used -
This phrase is always used in a sarcastic way advising ...
1
vote
3answers
5k views
A more positive term than “obsessed”
Below are four different situations describing people's obsessions
A friend who loves everything and anything to do with cats. She has five cats at home, and there's more cat food in the house than "...
0
votes
3answers
559 views
What are other ways to say “going down the path leading nowhere”?
There are many good answers in Is there a way to say "go to the path of no way out"?, but most of them imply that the subject is aware of the situation after making the mistake (like "Oh shit! I've ...
