Idioms with a Common Word Trivia

1. What word completes the following Native American proverb? The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no ___ .

From Quiz The Rainbow and the Rose

Answer: Tears

This saying is a very old Native American proverb from the Cherokee people. Its origins are unclear, but it may have been handed down orally from generation to generation for centuries. It seems to suggest that beauty and joy are both all the more appreciated when one has also endured sorrow and loss. The Cherokee people came from North and South Carolina, Tennessee and Georgia, but their oral traditions say they originated from the area of the Great Lakes. This proverb is also claimed by the ancient people of Africa as well. Perhaps it doesn't matter from where it originated, but the timeless message it contains.

From Quiz Spit Fire!

Answer: Baptism

The term initially referred to martyrs being burned at the stake, though in Matthew 3:11 (KJV) it alludes to the granting of a grace when John (the Baptist) declares that, whilst he may baptise with water, a greater man will arrive who will baptise the people with fire and the Holy Ghost. That latter meaning has since faded by the wayside and the phrase grew to be applied to soldiers and their first confrontation with battle. This connection was strengthened when Barry E. O'Meara recorded in his 1822 book, "Napoleon in Exile": "I love a brave soldier who has undergone, le bapteme du fer, whatever nation he may belong to." You have been blessed with this question by Phoenix Rising team member pollucci19.

From Quiz Clean

Answer: Thoroughly cleaning her home

A spring clean is a big job. Annie will be cleaning everything (even behind the fridge) to thoroughly clean her home. The first recorded use of the phrase 'spring clean' was in the mid-nineteenth century. The idea of cleaning in spring may have originated in Ancient Persia, when people would clean their homes in preparation for the new year beginning on the first day of spring. The Jewish tradition of cleaning the house before Passover also occurs in spring. The phrase can be used as a verb or as a noun, but it metaphorically refers to any big clean, whatever the season.

From Quiz It's Better Left Unsaid

Answer: Not to be informed

If some one is left in the dark, they are not being informed of what is happening. Sometimes you hear the expression of "being out of the loop." That has a similar meaning.

From Quiz Twas a Cold, Cold Day

Answer: as a cold fish

In general, fish are known to be cold-blooded creatures. Interestingly, the blood of cold-blooded creatures is not really cold. Their temperature adjusts to the temperature of their environment. To describe someone who is lacking in warmth as a cold fish is quite apt.

From Quiz Wrong Turn of Phrase?

Answer: Got out of bed on the wrong side

This idiom dates back to Roman times, when it was considered bad luck to get out of bed on the left hand (or 'wrong') side. Apparently, to distinguish the left side and the right side, you lie facing upwards with your head on the pillow. Your left hand is on the left side of the bed. Hopefully this information will mean happier moods for everyone :-)

From Quiz Let's Talk Musical Sayings

Answer: Your own trumpet

In days of old, important people had a trumpeter to announce their arrival. This saying is advising you that as you have no trumpeter, you must announce yourself.

From Quiz Passing, Idiomatically

Answer: Wedding

Though considered by many to be rather archaic and old-fashioned, with the words "'til death parts us" being considered the more contemporary phrasing of the idiom, "'til death us do part" continues to be associated with wedding ceremonies. A common wedding vow, which dates back to (at least) the 1765 version of "The Book of Common Prayer", the phrase is indicative of the belief that only death can truly dissolve a marriage.

From Quiz The Ups and Downs of "Down" and "Up"

Answer: down for the count

"Down for the count" comes from the sport of boxing when a competitor has been knocked down or out by an opponent or cannot continue in a match. The boxing referee counts to ten; and if the faltering competitor cannot get up before the count of ten and return to the match, he or she is "counted out" by the referee and loses the match.

From Quiz Call It a Night!

Answer: to stay up late

The idea of a "night owl" was originally used as early as the 1500s for an owl with nightly activity. By the mid 1800s this idea was used to describe the human behavior of one who habitually stays up late at night.

From Quiz Where Is My Mind?

Answer: He'll be amazed

The phrase "blow your mind" became popular during the 1960s, and was sometimes used to describe the experience of taking the hallucinatory drug LSD.

From Quiz All Bark and No Bite

Answer: hand

If someone is trying to help you, do not turn against them. Feel free to have a chomp at anyone who is robbing your house, though!

From Quiz Hats Off to You

Answer: Get ready for what's coming!

The idiom 'Hang onto your hat!' is similar, and it also means to be aware of a surprise coming soon. Also, this saying can be a further reference to a situation with a rough road or future.

From Quiz Tipping the Scales

Answer: The weight of something or someone

Usually used with 'at', to tip the scales is also used to express the weight of a specific amount.

From Quiz In Other Words, Dumb

Answer: Not the sharpest tool in the shed

If you're not sharp, you're dull, which may seem paradoxical if your "lights are on". Either way, you were apparently "at the end of the queue when wits were handed out". Be warned that similar expressions often include: "not the sharpest knife in the drawer"; "not the sharpest pencil in the box"; "not the brightest light on the Christmas tree"; etc. Similarly, you could also be described as being "about as sharp as a bowling ball".

From Quiz All About Mind

Answer: matter

The idea of using your "mind over matter" says that people can by the efforts of their thinking make real changes in circumstances. The American writer Mark Twain once famously said, "Age is an issue of mind over matter. If you don't mind, it doesn't matter." Mind and matter (or body) were often considered totally different. Today, people are studying the powers of the mind and coming to some exciting conclusions about its potential strengths in the areas of telekinesis and concentration. See for one Jeffrey M. Schwartz and Sharon Begley, "The Mind and the Brain: Neuroplasticity and the Power of Mental Force" and Theresa M. Kelly, "Telekinesis - The Metaphysical Manipulation of the Electromagnetic Force and Electrostatic Fields" as well as the article by VA Benassi, PD Sweeney, GE Drevno: "Mind over Matter: Perceived Success at Psychokinesis, "Journal of Personality and Social Psychology," 1979.

From Quiz All About Fall

Answer: fall upon one's feet

"To land upon one's feet" implies becoming stable or centered. Sometimes the two terms, "to fall upon one's feet" and "to land upon one's feet", are used interchangeably. They may refer to the cat and its well-known ability to land upon its feet. Cats have a combination of their anatomy, muscles and bone structure, amazingly good internal balance and vision, among other things, which allows them to turn about feet-first quickly and to position themselves so that they land, gliding down, on their four feet.

From Quiz Going Dutch In English

Answer: double Dutch

Many of these expressions probably arose in the period after the Act of Navigation when the Dutch and English navies were at war with each other.

From Quiz The Rainbow and the Rose

Answer: Blossom

China is one of the oldest civilisations in the world. It sprang up around the banks of their mighty Yellow River and dates back some 250,000 years. Much of this large and beautiful nation remains a mystery to the rest of the world. This proverb, with an exact origin that is unknown, takes some thinking about initially before its essence can be absorbed. In its simplest meaning, it tells us that if you go searching for trouble, trouble is certainly going to find you. It could also mean that there are some things, some secrets, that man is not yet ready to know because he doesn't have the capacity to deal with them yet. Or, giving it a more modern slant, it could be saying that if you damage nature too much, it will surely strike back. The beauty about this proverb is that it can be interpreted on many levels.

From Quiz Spit Fire II

Answer: A fire hose

The idiom "drinking from a fire hose" is used to describe a situation in which a person is overwhelmed by more than what one is capable of handling. The phrase is thought to have originated from former Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) President Jerome Wiesner, who remarked that obtaining an education from MIT is like drinking from a fire hose. Comically, in 1991, a group of MIT students connected a fire hose to a water fountain. This question was hosed by Phoenix Rising team member purelyqing.

From Quiz Spit Fire!

Answer: It is all smoke and mirrors

Smoke and mirrors is a "magical" illusion that makes an entity appear to hover in empty space. The illusion is created with a hidden projector (called a magic lantern) and a smoke machine. It was used as early as 1770 and this sort of illusion seemed to be a highlight of "magic" shows, even in contemporary society. The phrase "smoke and mirrors" has entered the English lexicon to refer to any proposal that proves to be an illusion when scrutinised. This question was conjured up by Phoenix Rising team member 1nn1.

From Quiz Clean

Answer: squeaky clean.

When referring to Mr. Noir's bath, 'squeaky clean' means very clean. When referring to Mr. Noir's reputation or personality, it means that he is untainted and acts in a morally good way. If Mr. Noir had just got out of the bath after washing his hair, it could be described as squeaky clean (the strands might squeak when rubbed). The use of 'squeaky clean' dates back to the 1960s.

From Quiz Money In Idioms, or This Quiz Is a Dime a Dozen

Answer: You want to state your opinion

A person who is putting in his two cents worth is stating his opinion. The implication is usually that the opinion is unsupported and may not be worth much. For example, one might say, "I don't think the Yankees have a chance at winning the pennant this year, but that's just my two cents worth." You might also hear, "That's just my two cents; you can believe what you like."

From Quiz It's Better Left Unsaid

Answer: Dancing

This phrase usually applies to a person who cannot navigate the dance floor. It combines awkward dance moves and a few sore toes of the partner. That guy danced like he had two left feet and they were both standing on my toes!

From Quiz Twas a Cold, Cold Day

Answer: excluded

A person who is left out in the cold is unaccepted by those around them and shut out of a particular group or activity. These people usually develop poor self esteem. A doormat is the idiom that is usually used to refer to an abused person. For example, Dora has become a doormat for her older brother, who criticizes her mercilessly every day.

From Quiz Let's Talk Musical Sayings

Answer: To stop harping on about it

The probable meaning of this is that harp strings vibrate for long after they have been played and often need to be stopped with the hand. Your friends are saying they are tired of listening to you on this subject.

From Quiz Passing, Idiomatically

Answer: Bucket

Simply put, to "kick the bucket" means to die, and the origin of the phrase has long divided etymologists, as several different theories abound, each with their own merits. One of the most popular of these dates back to the Middle Ages, when the condemned were forced to stand on top of a bucket, with a noose placed around their necks. This bucket would then be kicked away, resulting in death by hanging.

From Quiz The Dark Is Light Enough

Answer: blackball

This term came into common usage from the Masons; however, its derivation comes from the ancient Roman practice of voting on someone's guilt in court using black and white pebbles. A majority of black pebbles meant a conviction. While "blacklist" has a similar meaning, it does not mean to be excluded through a vote. Both terms are considered pejorative.

From Quiz Settle Down

Answer: Chips

You normally find out who your friends are "when the chips are down". This is at a time when things have gone from bad to worse, or if your situation is at a disadvantage, and you need a helping hand to get back on course.

From Quiz Call It a Night!

Answer: enjoy the nightlife

The Australians might say, "We went out on the town and had a lash with our mates." In USA, having a "night out on the town" usually refers to drinking, dining, and dancing type activities.

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Last Updated Dec 28 2024 5:56 AM

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