Category: Phrase Analysis

Chaise Lounge

Meanings of “Chaise Lounge” The phrase “chaise lounge” means a type of American name for a sofa with backrest only at one end. These sofas are also called lounges. Lounge in English also means a “long couch”. Chaise lounge is…

Caught Red Handed

Meanings of “Caught Red Handed” The phrase “caught red-handed” means to be caught in the act of committing an offense or crime. The act itself is evidence of the crime. Origin of “Caught Red Handed” The phrase “Caught Red Handed”…

By The Short Hairs

Meanings of “By The Short Hairs” The phrase “by the short hairs” means to be caught, or get caught, or be held by the short hair. It also means the same thing in British English where it is used as…

By The Board

Meanings of “By The Board” The phrase “go by the board” means to finish something by throwing it overboard in the literal sense. In a figurative sense, it means to end or finish something entirely. Origin of “By The Board”…

Carry Coals To Newcastle

Meanings of “Carry Coals To Newcastle” The phrase “carry coals to Newcastle” means to say something, or do something that is entirely superfluous and pointless. This phrase is used in instances where doing something will not yield any results and…

Carbon Copy

Meanings of “Carbon Copy” The phrase “carbon copy” means an exact copy which is exactly similar to the first one. It also means similarity that is exact and beyond any doubt. It is said in the sense of exact copy…

Carpe Diem

Meaning of “Carpe Diem” The phrase “carpe diem” originally means “seize the day.” It is a Latin phrase often used by pedantic scholars. Carpe means “pluck”. In the literal sense, Carpe Diem means “pluck the day when it is ripe.”…

Camera Cannot Lie

Meanings of “Camera Cannot Lie” The phrase “camera cannot lie” is a modern phrase used for images and pictures. When clicking an image on a camera they show what they see. While this phrase has a literal meaning, it means…

Cannot Be Overestimated

Meanings of “Cannot Be Overestimated” The phrase “cannot be overestimated” is as same as “can’t be exaggerated.” In other words, it is used when something or someone is getting over-significance or importance than it really deserves, or that it is…

Card Sharp

Meanings of “Card Sharp” The phrase “card sharp” means a person who is an expert in playing, manipulating, and cheating at card games such as poker. They cheat so that they can win the money as if his or her…

Catch-22

Meanings of “Catch-22” The phrase “catch-22” means a paradoxical situation in which an individual finds himself trapped in a way that he does not have any escape. It is quite similar to the phrases -the devil and the deep sea,…

Call A Spade A Spade

Meanings of “Call A Spade A Spade” The phrase “call a spade a spade” implies speaking the truth or describe what the situation is in a plain, simple manner. It also means to say the truth whatever it may cost.…

Brownie Points

Meaning of “Brownie Points” The phrase “Brownie points” means to win kudos for some achievement, or win national recognition for some achievement, or performance. It is a mark of achievement for a creditable work. This phrase is also used as an…

Bronx Cheer

Meaning of “Bronx Cheer” The phrase “Bronx cheer” means to create a sound when ridiculing somebody. Most often, both lips are closed to blow a whistle by using the tongue as the piping organ to create a sound of disrespect.…

Bring Home the Bacon

Meanings of “Bring Home the Bacon” The phrase “bring home the bacon” means to earn money for the family, or succeed in making both ends meet. It is stated for a person who goes out in the morning and brings…

Between a Rock and a Hard Place

Meanings of “Between a Rock and a Hard Place” The phrase “between a rock and a hard place” means a person trapped in a very difficult situation. There are various idiomatic phrases having the same meanings such as catch-22, the…

Break The Ice

Meaning of “Break the Ice” The phrase “break the ice” means to break the silence in the groups, gatherings, or relationships. It also means to restart relationships between two friends or families. The phrase is also used to break the…

Bury The Hatchet

Meaning of “Bury the Hatchet” The phrase “bury the hatchet” is an English idiom. It means to settle disputes or choose to reconcile with the enemies. It is generally used when people want to forget the past and move forward…

Black on Black

Meaning of “Black on Black” The phrase “black on black” means the violent interaction between the African American or black community. However, it is often taken in the sense of criminality. This is a very sentence phrase to talk about…

Boxing Day

Meanings of “Boxing Day” The phrase “boxing day” means St. Stephen’s Day that falls on the 26th of December every year. This is stated as a public holiday and is part of the Christmas festivities. Originally, it was used to…