Category: Phrase Analysis

Anchors Aweigh

Meaning of “Anchors Aweigh” The phrase “anchors aweigh” is specifically used for ships when they are prepared to leave. An anchor is a device used on ships when they are made to stay at the harbor. However, when they are…

An Englishman’s Home Is His Castle

Meaning of “An Englishman’s Home Is His Castle” The proverb “an Englishman’s home is his castle” is a British proverb. It means a home is the place of refuge and safety for a person. Specifically, for the English people, a…

Ankle Biter

Meaning of “Ankle Biter” This phrase “ankle biter” means a small child or a toddle. As children love to chew or bite things or sometimes people, they are nicked named ‘ankle biter’. Rarely, it is used in a harsh sense…

Annus Horribilis

Meaning of “Annus Horribilis” The phrase “annus horribilis” is a Latin phrase which means “a horrible or terrible year”. The phrase can be used when you experience an unwanted circumstance, loss of loved ones, or some horrible event taken place…

Another Think Coming

Meaning of “Another Think Coming” The phrase “another think coming” means to think over something again, or to be mistaken and need to rethink some decision that a person has determined to make. The phrase is often used as a…

Any Port in a Storm

Meaning of “Any Port in a Storm” The phrase “any port in a storm” or “any port in the storm” explains that when you are facing some difficulty, you need to accept any solution without waiting for a perfect solution.…

An Arm and a Leg

Meaning of “An Arm and a Leg” The phrase “an arm and a leg” means a considerable amount of money or something very expensive. Most often this phrase is used with the addition of the verb “cost” which points to…

Arms Akimbo

Meaning of “Arms Akimbo” The phrase “arms akimbo” means to stand straight and to place hands on hips and elbows pointed outwards. It is a typical style which shows the haughtiness or arrogance of the person. It is often used…

Ars Longa, Vita Brevis

Meaning of “Ars Longa, Vita Brevis” The phrase “ars longa, vita brevis” is a Latin version of the Greek proverb. It means ‘Art is long, life is short’. In simple words, the phrase means a piece of art lives longer…

As Cute As a Bug’s Ear

Meaning of “As Cute as a Bug’s Ear” The phrase ‘as cute as a bug’s ear’ or ‘cute as a bug’s ear’ means a small child or a person is very cute or beautiful. This phrase is mostly used for…

Accidentally on Purpose

Meaning of “Accidentally on Purpose” The phrase “accidentally on purpose” means to do something deliberately but pretend that it was an accident. In other words, it means that the person doing something intentionally and is successful in pretending that it…

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words

Meaning of “A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words” The proverbial sentence “A picture is worth a thousand words” is one of the famous and common proverbs. It means an artwork or an image can convey meanings more effectively than…

Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely

Meaning of “Absolute Power Corrupts Absolutely” The proverb, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely” means that whenever a person has power over other people or things, it makes him/her corrupt. It morally destroys their nature and fills them with destructive pride. However,…

Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder

Meaning of “Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder” The phrase ‘Absence Makes the Heart Grow Fonder’ is a complete sentence. It means that when a person is absent for a longer period, you wish meeting him or her very much.…

Abracadabra

Meaning of “Abracadabra” This is a meaningless phrase spoken by magicians. Magicians use ‘abracadabra’ when they play tricks on people and while performing various magical feats in the arena. This expression is also used when something seems magical. In most…

All at Sea

Meaning of “All at Sea” The phrase “all at sea” means confusion or being lost. In other words, when a person is highly confused, he/she cannot decide what to do in some situation. It is also important to note that…

Air Quotes

Meaning of “Air Quotes” Quotes or quotation marks (“ ”) stress upon the idea of meanings when they are used in a phrase, word or a sentence. Here air quotes are the gestures used while speaking. It could be ironic…

Age Before Beauty

Meaning of “Age Before Beauty” This phrase “age before beauty” means that old people should be served first, and the beautiful and young should be served or assisted later. However, it is mostly used by old people in a funny…

A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned

Meaning of A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned” A penny saved is a penny earned is a well-known proverb. It means it is crucial to saving money whenever possible. This idiomatic expression emphasizes the importance of saving money because…

Agree to Disagree

Meaning of “Agree to Disagree” The phrase “agree to disagree” is self-explanatory, and the meaning lies in the phrase. However, they are very tricky. A person must carefully listen and understand the conversation and understand the dialogue of a person,…