“Cold as ice” can mean literal coldness or lack of emotion. It is often used as an idiom to describe something as very cold, and is commonly used in song lyrics. It should not be taken literally. The phrase “cold as ice” has two basic meanings. In some cases, it means a person or object […]
Cheapest to deliver is a futures contract approach where sellers can substitute underlying assets to reduce delivery costs, potentially decreasing the contract’s value. Buyers can secure assets at set prices, but may receive lower quality assets upon contract expiration. “Cheaper to deliver” refers to an approach for some types of futures contracts where people can […]
The phrase “arrow in the quiver” is a sports metaphor for an additional resource to achieve a goal. Its origin is unclear, but it likely developed as an allegory for having ammunition on hand. The metaphor represents the need for different resources or strategies to handle challenges. Another archery metaphor is “strings to your bow,” […]
Associative meaning is a linguistic and psychological term that refers to how people attach meaning to language. It has six subcategories, including connotative, collocative, social, affective, reflective, and thematic meaning. It is useful for semantic analysis and can be applied in literary criticism and psychology. Associative meaning is a label applied to certain types of […]
Employee development involves improving skills and learning new ones through basic training, continuing education, and structured learning. It benefits both the employee and the company, leading to happier workers and better job performance. Development can occur through shadowing, job rotation, college education, seminars, and conferences. Employee development is a process by which an employee of […]
The German Aktiengesellschaft is a joint-stock company listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, with a two-tier management structure and employee representation on the board of directors. It is one of two main forms of organization in Germany, with the other being the more common GmbH. The German term “Aktiengesellschaft” is more accurately translated into English […]
Useful life estimates the number of years an asset can remain in service, and tax agencies expect taxpayers to use this when calculating depreciation for tax deductions. Assets may become unusable before their useful lives expire, and it is important to ensure that tax publications are up-to-date before referencing them. Taxpayers should be careful about […]
“Last man standing” refers to a situation where only one person remains in a competition or contest. Its origins are unclear, but it has been used in various contexts, including military drills, spelling bees, and tontines. It can refer to the winner of a contest or the last person pursuing a goal. The phrase is […]
The phrase “health is wealth” can be interpreted in various ways, including the value of physical and mental well-being over material possessions, the connection between health and achieving goals, the importance of using wealth, the impact of health on income, the value of health information, the importance of self-care, and the link between health and […]
The phrase “sleeping with the enemy” refers to non-adversarial relationships between normally hostile parties, such as business deals, joint projects, and political maneuvering. It can involve cooperation for a common goal or gaining an advantage. Examples include working with someone you don’t like to achieve an important goal, or working with a business rival while […]
The childfree movement is a diverse community of people who choose not to have children for various reasons. The term “childfree” distinguishes those who do not want children from those who want them but do not have them yet. The movement has grown since the 1970s, but there is tension and controversy among members. Childless […]
“Gone fishing” is an idiom used to describe someone who is mentally absent or taking a break from everyday life. It originated from signs placed on shop windows when the owner went fishing. It can also refer to someone who has physically removed themselves from a situation. “Gone fishing” is an English idiom that is […]
“Black and white” refers to clear answers or thinking in absolutes. Children often think this way, while mature thinking recognizes gray areas where context matters. Recognizing the gray area is important for making good decisions and understanding different perspectives. When something is “black on white,” it means that the answer is very clear, that there […]
The idiom “six ways to Sunday” means every way possible, and its roots are difficult to trace due to regional variations. The phrase emphasizes the inevitability of reaching Sunday and implies multiple methods of approach for any topic or situation. Its usage implies completeness or broad options and is commonly used in English-speaking countries. Before […]
The phrase “know your place” has various meanings, including showing respect to authority figures, not imposing on guests, and putting others before oneself. Its origins stem from strict rules of children being seen and not heard. However, it can also be used offensively towards women. Despite its negative connotations, knowing one’s place can have positive […]
“Heart of glass” means being easily influenced or hurt, especially in romantic situations. It is a common idiom in American English, used in music and film. The origin is unknown, but the fragility of glass and the human heart are similar. A person with a glass heart is emotionally fragile and needs special treatment. Having […]
A cap is a limit on the upward movement of prices in futures contracts to prevent uncontrolled speculation and volatility. Once the limit is reached, trading is halted until the price drops again. This can pose problems for investors and analysts, but eventually, trading returns to normal. A cap is a restriction on the upward […]
The name “Canada” comes from the Iroquois word for “village.” Many Canadian place names have Aboriginal origins. There were two Canadas, which were united in 1841 as the Province of Canada. Other suggested names for the country included “Tuponia,” “Colonia,” “Cabotia,” and “Mesopelagia.” The word “Canada” comes from the Iroquois word for “village.” An expedition […]
“Falling out of bed” in finance refers to an unexpected and rapid financial reversal that takes parties involved by surprise, such as sudden decreases in stock prices due to unanticipated events like key executive departures or cancelled mergers. Damage control can help slow and reverse the downward trend. In financial circles, “falling out of bed” […]
“Pushing a string” refers to the futility of government attempts to stimulate demand in an economy suffering from deflation. Lowering interest rates may not increase demand, as consumers may maintain their previous lack of interest in increasing consumption levels. The term “pushing a string” is attributed to John Maynard Keynes, a renowned British economist. The […]
