Richard is an English teacher with over 25 years of experience. He has dedicated his life and career to his passion for English, literature, and pedagogy, guiding multiple generations of students on their journey to discovery.
The phrase ‘apple of my eye’ is an idiom, which means that you can’t deduce the meaning of the phrase through the individual words, and you have to view the phrase as a whole. In…
“It is what it is” – it’s a phrase you hear anywhere and somehow it means nothing but also means something. Confused? If so, you’re not alone. This article however, is going to change that….
You occasionally hear the phrase “for the birds” or “strictly for the birds” when the circumstances have nothing to do with birds at all. This is because the two phrases are idioms not to be…
If you’re wondering why ‘DINKWAD’ in the title is in all caps it’s because it’s an acronym rather than a word. But even if you were to try and guess what it stands for, it…
People use the phrase “when in Rome” so much that it’s become cliche. But it’s only one half of the whole saying, and people are rarely in Rome when they say it. So, if you’re…
“Top of the morning” is a frequently heard (and spotted) greeting both in person and online, but the true origins of the phrase may surprise and enlighten you. This article is ongoing to cover what…
You often hear the phrase “bite the bullet” in everyday conversation. It’s an idiom that’s not meant to be taken literally. In this article, we’re going to break down what is meant by “bite the…
Most people have heard the word “launch”, but if you haven’t heard of a soft launch before, you are not alone. However, you don’t need to worry because this article is going to break it…
“Knock on wood” is a very common expression and an idiom that’s somewhat cliche. But the term is derived from such an old superstition that youngsters may not understand where this concept comes from. If…
The phrase “diamond in the rough” may not be one that you hear everyday. However, it certainly has its place as an English idiom, and has even been used in Disney films. In this article,…
The phrase “tread lightly” is a word of advice and caution, but if you don’t know what’s meant by it, then what are you supposed to do? The good news is that this article will…
The phrase ‘guilty pleasure’ is one you’re likely to hear again and again. But it raises questions. What exactly is a guilty pleasure? Are guilty pleasures really such a bad thing? In this article, we…