“Shot across the bow” is a nautical term originating from the 18th century, used to identify a ship’s country. It has a literal and figurative meaning, and is now used as a warning shot in modern times. Expressions in the English language come from various sources, such as foreign languages. Another popular source of colorful […]
The idiom “all that glitters is not gold” means that attractive things aren’t always good, and valuable things aren’t always attractive. Shakespeare’s version appears in The Merchant of Venice, and the theme is echoed in Thomas Gray’s poem and Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring. Even SpongeBob SquarePants learns that shiny new things aren’t always […]
“King of the castle” is an English idiom referring to someone in a position of power or control. It can also describe someone in a comfortable or advantageous position in their personal or work life. The phrase plays on the power of kings and provides color to conversational English. Someone described as the “king of […]
Poetic waxing is using flowery language to describe a simple topic. The word “wax” means “to grow.” Stanley Livingstone first used “wax poetics” in 1872. It can be effective in advertising. It helps people picture the product or experience in their minds. Poetic waxing means using flowery or expressive language to describe a relatively trivial […]
Valuing land involves complex calculations to determine its worth, including independent of buildings, future development, and appreciation or depreciation. Various methods are used, including comparable sales and deployment cost models. Valuation is important for buyers and governments, and computer-assisted massive evaluation programs can help. Valoración de la terra generally involves numerous calculations to determine how […]
“Count your blessings” is an idiom that encourages focusing on positive aspects of life. It can remind us to appreciate happy times and encourage positivity during difficult times. It’s important to be careful when using this phrase and to remember that everyone’s experiences are different. Keeping a gratitude journal can help with mental illness. “Count […]
“Will call” is a service where customers order goods and pick them up at their convenience. It’s commonly used for event tickets and groceries. Customers can order and pay upfront, avoiding long lines and selecting preferred seats. Online ordering and printing of tickets is becoming more common. “Will call” is a term which is used […]
Obsequious means being overly eager to follow, obey, and serve, often with negative connotations. It comes from the Latin “to follow” and originally had positive connotations. Obsequious behavior can be common in some professions, but it can also be viewed negatively. Different cultures have their own versions of obsequiousness and tolerance levels for it. If […]
Adaptive expectations use past performance to predict future performance, with adjustments made based on actual results. It fell out of favor in the 1970s due to limitations, and was replaced by rational expectations which take into account current trends. Irving Fischer created adaptive expectations but also contributed to the economic field in other ways. Adaptive […]
“To each his own” is an idiom meaning everyone is entitled to their own preferences. It is often used when disagreeing with someone’s choice but not worth arguing. The phrase may have originated from a Latin phrase and is criticized for its improper use of the pronoun “they”. Variations of the saying include “whatever floats […]
“Blow out of the water” is an idiom that means to overwhelmingly defeat an opponent, originating from naval warfare in WWII. It is commonly used in sports and other competitive situations, but can be confusing for non-native speakers due to its figurative meaning. “Blow out of the water” is an idiom that means to defeat […]
The idiom “hot-headed” describes someone who quickly loses their temper without thinking of the consequences, often leading to trouble. It is one of many idioms related to anger and heat, and is used to denote someone with serious anger issues. “Hot-headed” is an English idiom used to describe someone who quickly loses his temper in […]
