Questions tagged [phrase-request]
This tag is for questions seeking a phrase that fits a meaning. If you are looking for a word, or don't care, see the "word-request" tag too.
2,552
questions
4
votes
1
answer
233
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Using "an out of line train" to describe a train which is going out of rails
I want to describe a train which is going out of rails. In Farsi/Persian language we say an "out of line train" but I am not sure about English. I found something about out of rails not out of line or ...
- 2,199
39
votes
8
answers
194k
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How do native speakers say 'the light bulb has stopped working'
Lets say, I want to tell my roommate that one of the lightbulbs has stopped working, I usually say
The light bulb is gone or broken down.
I did some search related to these expression and it ...
- 8,484
4
votes
2
answers
192
views
Usage of "attach" for human
I know this term is used for tags, labels, emotional connections, etc., but I am not sure I can use it for a sarcastic purpose to express my negative idea about a person who follows me everywhere and ...
- 2,199
6
votes
3
answers
1k
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How do I politely turn down other people's gestures?
I live with two roommates and often we have lunch/dinner together. One thing that happens frequently my roommates offering me something and me turing it down. It often goes like this
Friend: Dude ...
- 8,484
4
votes
1
answer
360
views
Phrase for "Holding [something] steady"?
I want to instruct a person (using a contactless payment system) to hold the card "longer/more carefully/steadily" in front of a designated area, in case it is removed too early (before the process ...
- 195
6
votes
7
answers
2k
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Is there an English equivalent to this Japanese proverb?
My boss asked me if his translation of a Japanese proverb was accurate the other day. Unfortunately, I don't have the Japanese written down with me, but I can describe it. His translation was "better ...
- 77
5
votes
2
answers
12k
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What is the verb for putting the cap of a bottle on?
Lets say I want to ask someone to put the cap of either a soft drink or a ketchup bottle on, One way of saying that is
Can you please put the cap back on.
However I want to know what is the verb ...
- 8,484
4
votes
2
answers
365
views
What is a better equivalent for "a prejudiced follower"?
Is there any specific term to describe a person who is a follower inherently because of his/her weak personality and in any discussion, debate or disagreement tries to find a leader or a majority to ...
- 2,199
4
votes
2
answers
688
views
What is the opposite of 'go down the road'?
Let's say I am in my car, and I have to give directions for a place located two-three miles behind the car. How should I describe it?
From what I know, if the something is located at some distance ...
- 8,484
11
votes
7
answers
12k
views
What do you call a person who usually talks about a matter he/she doesn't know much about?
I thought to terms below and found them inappropriate:
Ignorant = A person who doesn't know generally = incorrect
Talkative = A person who may know a lot too! = incorrect
Awkward = A person who may ...
- 2,199
27
votes
5
answers
1.3m
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What is the expected response to "What's up?"
When somebody ask me What's up? I answer I am well, thank you.
Is that the expected answer, or should I answer something else?
What does a native speaker understand when I reply like that?
- 20.7k
2
votes
1
answer
10k
views
Can I say 'get off that/the chair'?
I am supposed to ask someone to remove himself from a particular place like a couch or a chair,Can I say get off that chair or get off the couch?
Is it correct? If not can anyone please some related ...
- 8,484
5
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Can "give birth" be used figuratively?
Reading a question, I was reminded of an Italian expression: La montagna ha partorito un topolino (literally, "the mountain gave birth to a little mouse").
Similar expressions are ha partorito un ...
- 20.7k
8
votes
7
answers
829
views
What is an equivalent expression for "having the moon across" (Italian)?
When somebody is nervous, or easily irritable, in Italian you would say avere la luna di traverso which Google Translate translates with "have the moon across." (It seems Google Translate gives the ...
- 20.7k
3
votes
2
answers
165
views
Can I figuratively use "jump" when talking about conclusions?
In Italian, saltare ("jump") is a verb that is figuratively used in many cases, such as in saltare a certe conclusioni, which is used when somebody, basing on some known facts, deduces something that ...
- 20.7k
4
votes
1
answer
2k
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A bad swimmer: like a beer bottle in water
"Beer bottle" is a Korean idiom for a poor swimmer. You could express it as 저는 물에서 맥주병입니다 which would translate literally to "I, in water, am a beer bottle."
The phrase obviously derives from the ...
- 17.7k
5
votes
4
answers
7k
views
What is the word for "practice/habit of giving false hope"?
Like the title says, I want to know what the word/expression for "practice/habit of giving false hope" is. The context is, for example, the owner of a factory who doesn't want to pay his employees. So ...
- 6,351
6
votes
3
answers
1k
views
Which phrase should I use to interrupt a person who is speaking?
When instant-messaging with a friend of mine (born in the USA), I used to say wait to interrupt her because I didn't understand something she said, or because she was talking about something for which ...
- 20.7k
3
votes
1
answer
956
views
What does "You are talking through your hat" mean? [closed]
I heard this phrase when I was following a hot loud debate by two Americans in a restaurant:
You're talking through your hat!
What is an equivalent expression?
If you find it interesting for ...
- 2,199
6
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Colloquial way of saying 'I choose'
If someone asks me
Does 8:30 am work for you for the meeting, or should have it 2 in the afernoon?
I want to say, of these two options I choose the 2pm one. What is the colloquial word/expression ...
- 8,484
1
vote
1
answer
2k
views
"Go over the flyover/overpass"
I have to tell someone to take a flyover, rather than the road that is besides it to avoid the traffic.
Should I say "Go over the flyover"? This can also mean go to the other side of the flyover.
...
- 8,484
2
votes
1
answer
837
views
phrase "enter into"
Regards to the phrase "enter into" being used in the two sentences, does it express the meanings accurately?
Many contemporary undergraduates who just enter into society are still lack of ...
- 2,506
4
votes
4
answers
5k
views
How to translate "dropped my heart"?
There's a phrase in Thai, ตกใจหมดเลย [tòk-tɕɑi-mòt-lɤːi], which means "to be frightened", as if someone suddenly broke a glass on a floor behind your back.
Literally, it can be translated "dropped-...
- 8,025
7
votes
3
answers
25k
views
Expression to use for somebody very lucky
In Italian, to mean that somebody is very lucky, we say nato con la camicia (literally, "born with the shirt").
Is there an expression I could use in English that is more colorful than very lucky?
- 20.7k
5
votes
5
answers
1k
views
Is there any expression/word for "almost inaccessible"?
Inaccessible means, with respect to a place -"unable to be reached". But I want a word or expression that signifies that a place is "almost inaccessible but can be reached ultimately with great effort"...
- 6,351
13
votes
5
answers
5k
views
What is the equivalent expression for "parla come mangi" ("speak as you eat"), used to tell someone they are speaking too formally or technically?
In Italian, when somebody speaks using words that are too erudite, too formal, or too complicated for the context, we say parla come mangi (literally, speak as you eat).
What phrase should I use in ...
- 20.7k
9
votes
5
answers
4k
views
How can I say that not noticing something was very difficult?
How can say that something was very difficult not to be noticed?
I was thinking of the opposite of "I could barely notice that." on the lines of "I could not not notice that." which doesn't seem ...
- 20.7k
9
votes
5
answers
6k
views
Is there any term about morning laziness?
As we all know, some people are lazy when they wake up in the morning.
Is there any term in English expressing "laziness in mornings", maybe like "hangover without alcohol"?
- 191
11
votes
2
answers
4k
views
Does the saying "speaking English like a Spanish cow" exist in English?
In French we have an expression which is:
Parler (une langue, l'anglais par exemple) comme une vache espagnole
which literally translates to:
Speaking (a language, like English) like a Spanish ...
- 111
26
votes
2
answers
5k
views
Terms to refer uniquely to each of the grandparents
In Swedish, there are different words to refer to grandparents which explain whether they are on your mother's side or your father's side. The words are (and literally translate to)
Mormor - ...
- 1,383
2
votes
3
answers
514
views
How to improve: "not a friend, not a foe, just so"?
I was recently trying to explain to my U.K. friend lyrics of a famous song by a Soviet poet, V. Vysotsky, "Song About a Friend". I found an excellent translation here. However, I find a major ...
- 8,025
2
votes
1
answer
405
views
What is a table/list/overview/... of an edge or thumb index?
There is the "Table of Contents" and the "List of Figures (Tables, Symbols, Abbreviations,...)". What is the denomination for a table/list/overview/... of an edge index? Is it the same phrase for a ...
- 919
4
votes
2
answers
166
views
Expressions similar to "to the core"
Consider these expressions:
The whole firm is a sham to the core.
Their football team is gutsy and resolute to the core.
What expressions similar to "to the core" can I use here?
- 8,484
14
votes
5
answers
122k
views
How to politely ask someone to repeat what they said after they've already repeated it once?
If you do not clearly hear what another person said, you can say "Excuse me" or "Pardon me" to ask them to repeat it politely.
But if you still don't get it, what should you say to ask them to repeat ...
user448
2
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Alternatives to 'I have got it'
Let's say I am carrying a couple of bags or something like that and some random stranger offers to carry one of them.
Do you want me to hold one of these?
I have seen in movies that if you don't ...
- 8,484
8
votes
2
answers
2k
views
Does English have an expression for "Straw Enthusiasm"?
In Polish there's an expression Słomiany zapał which is a play on words, Straw enthusiasm and Straw going ablaze.
The idea is that straw burns with a very bright flame but the fire dies out very ...
- 10.1k
2
votes
4
answers
2k
views
Terms regarding “travel allowance”
You made a journey by train, where the ticket cost $100 and no additional costs arose.
Afterwards somebody (who is in no way liable to give you a cent for the journey) is so kind as to give you some ...
- 919
15
votes
6
answers
39k
views
How would a native say "just looking around"
You are walking around in a shopping mall or some sort of store, even though you might buy something, you don't have anything specific in mind and you are walking around the store, to have a look.
If ...
- 389
14
votes
4
answers
15k
views
Is "what the hell" considered offensive?
Is "what the hell" used as just an expression, or is it considered offensive? In what situations is it "okay" to use it? If it is offensive, is there a more "polite" alternative which expresses the ...
user207
8
votes
4
answers
7k
views
Phrase for states having a common border
In Italian, the word for two states which share part of their border is confinante (its plural is confinanti). For example, I could use that word for Italy and France, Spain and Portugal, or France ...
- 20.7k
16
votes
2
answers
1k
views
Saying for distracting someone with other activity?
There's a Polish saying jak pies je to nie szczeka, which (literally translated) means "when dog is eating, it is not barking."
What is the English saying with the same meaning, used to mean that if ...
- 5,770
6
votes
2
answers
2k
views
What's the saying that those who scream loud aren't the most dangerous ones?
There is a Polish saying
Im pies mniej szczeka, tym bardziej gryzie.
Literally translated:
The less dogs barks, the more it bites
which means that not those people are the most dangerous, ...
- 5,770
32
votes
4
answers
259k
views
"Thank you in advance" - how to replace?
When writing emails, I often ended it with "thank you in advance". Even more, I used to have it in my signature for a certain time (mea culpa).
However, recently I've been told that it is not ...
- 8,025
4
votes
3
answers
622
views
Expression to differentiate between listening problem and understanding problem?
If during conversation, I face problem in understanding what the other speaker is saying, I may come with following polite statements:
"Sorry...?"
"Sorry, could not get you..."
&...
- 6,351
10
votes
2
answers
6k
views
Use "woman" or "person" for female version of "how to be a good man"?
A friend of mine is reading a English textbook in which a girl thanks her mother. In the letter, one of the things she said was "thank you for teaching me how to be a good man".
The English textbook ...
- 5,837
12
votes
7
answers
56k
views
What can I say politely when something bad happens? [closed]
I am looking for a short phrase that I can say when something bad happens. For example, when my mouse breaks or my computer is hanging.
I know the expression damn it but I need something more polite.
- 2,154
17
votes
6
answers
1k
views
What is the saying to use when someone has long worked for an accident to happen?
What is the English saying/phrase to use when someone has long worked for something bad to happen to him?
For example he was so long involved in risky activities, or he was treating other people ...
- 5,770
5
votes
3
answers
877
views
A single term for city and town, but not village?
Is there a single term (word or phrase) for city and town, as opposite to village?
In my language there's no distinction between city and town, so having one word for both of them is quite natural (...
- 5,770
29
votes
4
answers
333k
views
Can you reply "you too" to wishes such as "Good luck"?
Suppose someone is saying to you:
I wish you Merry Christmas!
or
Good luck!
Is it meaningful to reply "You too"?
Or should you respond "Same to you"?
- 1,242
4
votes
3
answers
259
views
What's the shortest phrase to describe Q&A sites like Stack Exchange?
What's the shortest phrase to describe sites like Stack Exchange? It's not a forum, it's Questions-and-Answers site, which is quite a long phrase, and not very precise (because it's the site with ...
- 5,770