Nip It in the Bud

Tough Cookie

Cross a Bridge When We Come to It

Expressions like these fill the English language, but what do they mean?

They confuse people with a non-English background. They amuse those who speak English as their first language.

Welcome to Words, Wit, and Wisdom: Life Lessons from English Expressions

This site explains the meaning of many English idioms and other expressions. The idea came from Chia Lin (Jenny) Kuo.

Jenny and I walked together most mornings when she was a Campbellsville University student. She asked me to explain the meaning of a new slang expression every day.

For Jenny and other ESL (English as a Second Language) friends, I hope my posts help. I also hope readers with English as their first language enjoy these moments of word play.

Most blog posts have three parts:

• The expression (title)
• An explanation and related life lesson
• A closing devotional thought

I post once a week on Monday nights.

Expressions can have more than one meaning.

Meanings vary based on such things as:

• Family background
• Where a person lives
• Use among friends

Posts reflect my understanding based on my experience.

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