Definition of Quatrain In poetry, a quatrain features four lines of verse. A quatrain is a foundational poetic device because it is compatible with different rhythmic patterns and rhyme schemes. As a literary device, a quatrain in poetry is a…
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Colloquialism
Definition of Colloquialism Colloquial language is a language that is informal and conversational. A colloquialism is a word or expression that is commonplace within a specific language, geographic region, or historical era. Colloquialisms are useful in many ways as literary…
The Scarlet Letter
Introduction The Scarlet Letter This historical novel of American Romanticism was written by Nathaniel Hawthorne and published in 1850. It created a lot of controversy in literary circles. It showed the settings of the Puritan region of Massachusetts Colony of…
The Pearl
Introduction to The Pearl A short novelette, The Pearl, is considered a masterpiece of the phrase-coiner, John Steinbeck. The story was published in 1947. The story explores man’s defiant behavior against accepted social conventions. It also is a perfect example…
Anagnorisis
Definition of Anagnorisis Anagnorisis refers to a moment of insight in a story’s plot in which a character, usually the protagonist, shifts from ignorance to awareness. The moment of anagnorisis may be a realization about the character’s self, their situation,…
Two Heads are Better than One
Meanings of “Two Heads are Better than One”. The phrase “two heads are better than one” means two people working together can reach a better solution to the problem than a single person. In other words, more heads are better…
Touch and Go
Meanings of “Touch and Go” The phrase “touch and go” means a risky or precarious situation. It especially refers to a delicate happening, or circumstance where the slightest change can bring disastrous conclusions such as death. Origin of “Touch and…
The Life of Riley
Meanings of “The Life of Riley” The phrase “life of a Riley” means a pleasant and easy life. It also refers to a carefree and enjoyable way of living. Origin of “The Life of Riley” The phrase “life of a…
Talk to the Hand
Meanings of “Talk to the Hand” The phrase “talk to the hand” means a rude interjection that intends to dismiss or interpret what another person is saying. When you outstretch your vertical palm, you are saying, “I have no interest…
Cry Havoc And Let Slip The Dogs Of War
Meanings of “Cry Havoc And Let Slip The Dogs Of War” The phrase “cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war” means to start a war after raising a slogan of charging. However, for every army, this slogan could…
Crop Up
Meanings of “Crop Up” The phrase “crop up” means to merge, happen, or occur accidentally or unexpectedly. It also means to emerge suddenly. Origin of “Crop Up” The phrase “crop up” seems to have emerged from the allusion of the…
Crocodile Tears
Meanings of “Crocodile Tears” The phrase “crocodile tears” means to weep as a pretension after committing the offense. The full phrase is ‘to weep crocodile tears.’ The phrase is commonly used when someone is caught faking an emotion or when…
Crime Doesn’t Pay
Meanings of “Crime Doesn’t Pay” The phrase “crime doesn’t pay” means that crime or any illegal methods of earning is not a profitable venture, or rather it is never beneficial. Its implied meaning is that it always invites punishment. A…
Crackpot
Meanings of “Crackpot” The phrase “crackpot” refers to a crazy person or a crank. It also means an entirely brainless person or an idiot. Origin of “Crackpot” The phrase “crackpot” is stated to have originated from two words crack and…
Country Bumpkin
Meanings of “Country Bumpkin” The phrase “country bumpkin” refers to someone who is dupe, awkward, or quite rustic in manners and looks. It could also be used for a clown or an unsophisticated person. Origin of “Country Bumpkin” The word…
Count Your Chickens
Meanings of “Count Your Chickens” The phrase “count your chickens” means not to be hasty or depend on your current assets with overconfidence. The phrase is also used to warn people for not being in a rush to evaluate a…
Cotton Picking
Meanings of “Cotton Picking” The phrase “cotton picking” means disapproval. However, it is mostly used in the sense of ‘damned’ with severe intensity. Hence, it is a somewhat derogatory term. Origin of “Cotton Picking” The phrase “cotton picking” is stated…
Cor Blimey
Meanings of “Cor Blimey” The phrase “cor blimey” is British slang and it used to express exclamation, amazement, wonder, or surprise. Cor blimey also means God blind me, which was used when someone’s attire was unusual. Origin of “Cor Blimey”…
Cop An Attitude
Meanings of “Cop An Attitude” The phrase “cop an attitude” means to show an attitude like a policeman or become aggressive, hostile, or unfriendly. It also means to demonstrate antagonistic bearings. Origin of “Cop An Attitude” The phrase “cop an…
Cool Britannia
Meanings of “Cool Britannia” The phrase “cool Britannia” means to signify the perfection of the British culture during the 90s when the United Kingdom was witnessing the peak of its success. It also means the contemporary good British culture. Origin…