Common and Not-So-Common Sayings Quiz

Answer: Bone

The Bible has made references to dry bones. "The valley...was full of bones...and, lo, they were very dry." Dry bones of long-dead creatures in the hot sun in a desert give an image that has become cliche. You can't get much drier, hmmm, are you feeling thirsty?

Answer: Chin

This comes from an old expression not to expose yourself or your own vulnerability to danger. The saying originated in boxing. If you expose your 'chin' to someone they will probably take advantage of it and get the better of you.

Answer: Shoulder

This idiom is used in relation to someone who is angry because of something that has happened in the past. In days gone by, people would look for a fight by carrying a chip of wood on their shoulder and daring someone to "knock it off". Carrying a block of wood on your shoulder was practiced in the 1800s and is still in today's language.

Answer: Sleeve

This is a saying used if your feelings are readily apparent. Shakespeare used it in his play "Othello" - "I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at".

Answer: Moon

This is a term used to describe a really rare event. A blue moon was originally cited as something that was impossible and later used to describe something that was just unlikely. The moon has actually appeared blue after a volcanic eruption and unusual weather features. When there are two full moons in a calendar month the second full moon is referred to as a "blue moon".

Answer: Cracked

This saying is used when something is rather disappointing, or less than you expected it to be. It may have originated as a reference to cracking open a nut, and being disappointed by the contents of the shell.

Answer: Nutty

If you're eccentric, odd, or mentally unbalanced, then chances are you've had this one said to you. Depending on how you say it, it can be a fun jab, or a bit of an insult.

Answer: Red

To hear the saying "Today is going to be a red letter day" says it is going to be a memorable day indeed. It comes from a custom dating back to the 15th century, where holy days that were important to the church were printed in red on the calendar.

Answer: Punches

You have to be able to adjust to adversity to have this said about you. From what I can find out, this is a saying which came about when speaking about a boxer who has learned to move his body with a punch to lessen its impact.

Answer: Blind

You'll hear this one said if you don't know which direction you're headed. Alleys are used in this context as they are considered 'blind'. They have no through passage and you can't see past the end.

Answer: Peeled

If you're looking for something, stay alert and watchful. Keeping your eyes peeled is a descriptive term for keeping your eyes open rather than closed. There is an Australian Aboriginal saying which is similar to this one "Keep your eyes on the sun and you will not see the shadows", ie, you will find exactly what you are looking for if you keep your eyes open and on task.

Answer: Bread

You need to be nice to 'the hand that feeds you' and keep in mind where your best interests lie to receive the better things in life. From my research, the person who originated this saying was John Heywood (1497-1580).

Answer: Quo

Is something that is given in return for a previous item of equivalent value - 'tit for tat'. Quid pro quo is Latin for 'something for something'.

Answer: Bridge

You shouldn't worry unduly about problems that have yet to happen. This is a wise saying in anyone's terms!

Answer: Coals

You might say this to someone if you are about to discipline them quite severely. This quip originated in the Middle ages. Heretics were tortured by being hauled over a bed of burning coals and if they managed to survive this, they were proclaimed innocent. If they didn't survive, they were deemed to have been guilty.

Answer: Finger

To say your food is finger licking good is a real compliment! This was used in an advertising slogan for the Kentucky Fried Chicken company. 'Finger licking good' translated in China means "eat your fingers off".

Answer: Pinch

You'll say this if you're suffering hardship or financial difficulties. Noteably, this saying was also used in the Bible and in Shakespeare's "King Lear".

Answer: Vinegar

Even in the 1600s people in Europe were using this idiom. Flies like sweet things (like honey). If you want something from someone, being sweet will get you more of the things you want. So never be bitter or sour.

Answer: Petard

This idiom means you are caught in your own trap. It is a karmic understanding that what 'goes around - comes around', so if you commit a terrible act, you will be hoist with your own petard and receive a form of justice that will reflect what you deserve.

Answer: Cucumber

This idiom is used to describe a person who is very calm and not flustered or worked up - a 'cool' person. When thermometers were invented, scientists proved that cucumbers were usually 20 degrees cooler inside the cucumber than the outside air on a hot day.