Wordwise Puzzler No 4 Trivia Quiz

Answer: A bunch of fives

"A bunch of fives" is a term associated with aggression. If someone threatens to give someone else a bunch of fives, then trouble is brewing. It means he's about to take a swing at him. It would be wise to intervene before that happens - but, just in case things don't cool down, remember to duck.

Answer: A diamond in the rough

"A diamond in the rough" describes someone who has a heart of gold or is a good egg on the inside, but without the social skills and graces to display his or herself to best advantage. Cut and polish hasn't been added to enable that person's true self to shine through. Of course we shouldn't judge people by their external trappings, but, sadly, human nature does indeed do just that.

Answer: All above board

"All above board" means that everything is done openly and honestly. There is no deceit or deception involved in whatever is being discussed or offered. Things are exactly as described or displayed. This term is said to spring from card games, when, if an opposing player or players kept their hands on the table for all to see, then no sleight of hand or switching cards was being carried out. "All on board" means that a ship or any vehicle of transportation has all its passengers present and accounted for. If applied in broader terms, say for a project of some sort, it means that everyone is in complete agreement.

Answer: A load of cobblers

"A load of cobblers" means that something is a pile of rubbish. You've just been told a cock and bull story, or a load of codswallop in other words. "Horse feathers!" you roar indignantly, "That's all mumbo jumbo, stuff and nonsense, and you're talking through your hat, sirrah!"

Answer: A man after my own heart

"A man after my own heart" is not a romantic term for the dreamers in our midst, sorry to say, but a term that means someone, man or woman, is someone with whom you get along with really comfortably, and with whom you are in total agreement. A kindred spirit in other words, as the lovely "Anne of Green Gables" (written in 1908 by L.M. Montgomery) was wont to say.

Answer: A plague on both your houses

"A plague on both your houses" is taken taken from the Shakespearian play that tells the story of the star-crossed pair of lovers, "Romeo and Juliet". Today, this expression means that two sides of any argument will never be resolved and that every attempt to do so has just been a huge waste of time and trouble for everyone.

The end result is usually much annoyance and irritation on the part of the mediators who have wasted their time for nothing, and who feel strongly inclined to tell both parties to go to blazes.

In the play, the ongoing feud between the two warring families of the Montagues and Capulets causes much sorrow and death, including that of Romeo and Juliet. Mercutio, Romeo's friend, has been fatally wounded as a result of a sword fight involving this feud. Angry and dying, he curses both the Montagues and Capulets families with that famous line with his last breath.

Answer: All at sea

"All at sea" means that anyone or everything is in a state of confusion and uncertainty. This is an old nautical term from the days of sailing ships, when few navigational aids were available and contact with land was out of the question if in the middle of the ocean. Any ship in that position was often in danger of becoming lost or very uncertain as to where next to go.

Answer: Abide with me

"Abide with Me" is of course a beautiful, somewhat sorrowful, old hymn which was written by Henry Lyte in 1847. It's often sung at funerals, which I think is a rather unfortunate choice, as it tends to set the mourners sobbing. You can't sing if you're sobbing.

It ruins the song. Today, if used in ordinary conversation, or in prayer, this term is a plea asking someone to stick by you or requesting that God guide you always.

Answer: A shot in the arm

"A shot in the arm" means that someone has just received a boost of some sort just when they needed it the most. It could be something as physical as a nice gift, or some happy news, or even a hearty belly laugh when you're feeling down in the dumps. This derives from the unpleasant medical experience of having a sharp and painful needle injected into some portion of your quivering and indignant flesh.

Answer: All fingers and thumbs

If anyone is described as being "All fingers and thumbs", it means that person is extremely clumsy and not very adept at all at manual dexterity. This expression, dating back to at least 1546 in the work "A dialogue conteinyng the nomber in effect of all the prouerbes in the Englishe tongue" (sic) by John Heywood, tells us that the expression was originally "All thumbs" only, so one can understand then why it is associated with clumsiness.