1.To hand down something (or hand something down) is to give or teach something to someone who is younger than you: someone who will be alive after you have died. Examples of use: a) This violin has been handed down from my great grandmother and my grandmother. b) My Christmas pudding recipe was handed down [...]
Idiom: keep your chin up
July 5, 2011 By Leave a Comment
To keep your chin up is to stay positive and cheerful in difficult circumstances. Keep your chin up is something you say to somone to try and cheer them up, and help them stay positive in difficult circumstances. This expression is often shortened to chin up. Examples of use: 1. Keep your chin up: your [...]
Idiom: led by the nose
May 11, 2010 By 2 Comments
To be led by the nose is to be dominated or controlled by someone or something. To lead someone by the nose is to dominate or control them. led (verb) – past tense and past participle of 'lead' Examples of use: 1. He was led by the nose by his father for years. 2. Should [...]
Idiom: nosy parker
May 2, 2010 By Leave a Comment
A nosy parker is someone who is very inquisitive and too interested in other people's private lives and business. Informal British English. This idiom can also be written as 'nosey parker'. The expression is used to show that you disapprove of, or find annoying, a person who is asking too many questions. The origins of [...]
Idiom: mud in your eye
April 19, 2010 By 2 Comments
Mud in your eye is something people say when they toast somebody or something. This idiom might have its origins in horse racing. Horses kick up mud when they are racing, and if a horse kicks mud into the eyes of the jockey behind they will not be able to see well and they will [...]
Idiom: in the twinkling of an eye
April 11, 2010 By Leave a Comment
In the twinkling of an eye means immediately. A twinkle in somebody's eye is a bright sparkle of light, especially when they are amused by something or feeling mischievous. Twinkle (verb) – to shine with a flickering or sparkling effect. Examples of use: 1. We saw a rare bird in the garden but in [...]
