Problems Archives - Page 3 of 34

Get It Off My Chest

June 26, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

Sometimes a weightlifter tries to bench press too much. When that happens, the lifter may think or say, “Get it off my chest.”

We may not be weightlifters. However, we do occasionally need to get things off our chest.

To get it off my chest means to say something we have wanted to say a long time.

We may:

Confess a wrong.
Complain about or criticize an injustice.
Reveal hidden information.
Discuss a problem that worries us.

To get it off my chest usually results in relief.

We feel better when we let go of that excess baggage. The burden of emotional discomfort from pent-up feelings lifts.

When burdens weigh us down, seek support.

Life is too difficult to deal with on our own. Request help from:

Friends
Family
Support groups
Pastors
Counselors

Everyone can use extra encouragement. We never have to bear our cross alone.

Our greatest help comes from God. When we give all our lives—burdens, sins, hurts—to God, we gain a fresh start and the reassurance of God’s never-failing presence.

Thanks to Katherine Pasour for the suggestion. Photo by Michael DeMoya on Unsplash.

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Fiddlesticks

June 19, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 12 comments

Fiddlesticks often flies from my mouth. Not the actual bows used to play fiddles, but an expression of frustration. I say it when I:

Forget an important item or event.
Drop what I’m carrying.
Believe something is foolish.

Fiddlesticks expresses frustration or impatience.

It also means to be annoyed or to think something makes no sense. The situation or statement sounds or looks like garbage.

Fiddlesticks moments can change into creative ones.

We can turn our frustration or impatience into opportunity. If we don’t like the way things are, we do something about it. When we don’t have the resources we want, we use the resources we have.

For example, another little-known form of fiddlesticks exists. According to The Creole State Exhibit of Louisiana’s Living Traditions, fiddlesticks were “a traditional way of adding percussion…. As one person played the fiddle, another tapped out a rhythm on the strings.”

Wikipedia explains that the second person used “a pair of straws, sticks, or knitting needles to tap out a rhythm on the strings over the upper fingerboard (between the bow and the fiddler’s fingering hand).”

By using their existing resources, they added variety to their music.

We choose: Remain upset or adjust our circumstances.

Like the makers of the rhythmic fiddlesticks, we may have to make do with what we have. Yet, who knows what a difference we can make until we try?

“O my soul, don’t be discouraged. Don’t be upset. Expect God to act! For I know that I shall again have plenty of reason to praise him for all that he will do. He is my help! He is my God!” (Psalm 42:11 TLB).

Thanks to Laurel Blevins and Karen Hart for the suggestion. Image by Iryna Bakurskaya from Pixabay.

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Throw for a Loop

June 5, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 11 comments

My husband used to surprise me on a regular basis. One of his surprises literally threw me for a loop.

We visited an amusement park with friends. I was not a big roller coaster fan and usually preferred kiddie rides. However, he finally talked me into trying a bigger one.

The closer we walked toward the roller coaster, the more concerned I became.

My reaction: “That thing goes upside down!”

His response: A laugh and “It just looks that way.” He held onto my arm to keep me in line.

When we sat down and the safety bar locked in front of us, he offered to hold my hand. Both of my hands gripped the bar. I gave him an unmistakable, “No!”

Of course, the coaster did make loops. I promised myself if I ever got off that thing, I would never ride it again. And I have not.

Throw for a loop (or knock for a loop) means to shock or surprise.

We may be confused. Someone does something totally unexpected.

Throw for a loop may involve a pleasant surprise such as a:

Marriage or pregnancy announcement
Special activity with family
Gift for an extended vacation

It may also involve an unpleasant shock such as:

Job loss
Health crisis
Divorce
Death

Life may throw us for a loop, but a relationship with God keeps us secure.

Whether we are on top of the world or in the pits, God remains with us. God does not always remove negative circumstances. Yet, we can keep on keeping on because of God’s peace, joy, and comfort. Hope holds secure.

“Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid” (John 14:27 NIV).

Thanks to Janna Babak for the suggestion. Image by Paul Brennan from Pixabay.

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Kick Myself

May 22, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 5 comments

I hate to lose anything. When that happens, I could just kick myself.

My dad often quoted the proverbial “a place for everything and everything in its place.” That does make life easier. However, things occasionally get misplaced.

Kick myself means I get upset or angry about something I did or failed to do.

I’m frustrated.
I scold myself, either aloud or in my mind.
I’m disappointed by my actions or inactions.

It also means to regret my behavior or failure.

Examples include when:

I miss an opportunity to help others.
My words or actions hurt anyone.
I forget an important occasion.

Rather than kick myself, I need to correct what I did.

I want to:

Search for what I lost.
Take advantage of future opportunities.
Use my words and actions to help rather than hurt.
Apologize for misdeeds.

No one is perfect.

As long as I am alive and kicking, I will make mistakes.

God offers a better way than to kick myself.

When I fail to follow God’s perfect way, confession is good for the soul. God extends forgiveness and the opportunity for a fresh start when I come clean.

God offers that same opportunity to you.

“‘I turned away from God, but I was sorry afterwards. I kicked myself for my stupidity. I was thoroughly ashamed of all I did in younger days.’ And the Lord replies: Ephraim is still my son, my darling child. I had to punish him, but I still love him. I long for him and surely will have mercy on him.’” (Jeremiah 31:19-20 TLB).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers for the suggestion and to Katherine Bonds for the photo.

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Hem and Haw

May 15, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 11 comments

A young cousin visited our family years ago. When no one was looking, she helped herself to Mom’s perfume. Lots of perfume. Stink-you-out-of-the-house strong. When Mom asked about it, Kim chose to hem and haw.

Kim looked at the ground, the sky, and the trees. Never at Mom. Regardless of what Mom said, she responded, “I’m just tired.”

Kim did not want to answer Mom’s question. She was not caught red-handed, but she was obviously guilty.

According to The Free Dictionary, to hem and haw is “to refuse to give a definite answer.”

“‘Hem,’ similar … to … ‘ahem,’ [means] to hesitate. ‘Haw’ [means] much the same…. Combine the two, and you have someone who’s stalling for time and hoping not to have to respond any further.”

Some people simply say “hem haw.”

To hem and haw also means to act with uncertainty.

Both meanings often involve:

Pauses
Unclear speech
Poor eye contact
Vague answers
Frequent throat clearing (a similar sound to the expression)

Such behavior occurs when people don’t know how to answer or don’t want to answer.

Rather than a direct reply, they stall with meaningless sounds or words.

Saying “I don’t know” or “I did it” sounds better than avoiding the truth.

Honesty helps keep people out of hot water. Choose the right way now to stay out of trouble now and later.

“Speak the truth to each other” (Zechariah 8:16 NIV).

Thanks to Terrie Wilson for the suggestion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

NOTE: While exploring related expressions, I discovered I used a similar introduction for beat around the bush. However, it works so well for both, I decided to keep it here too.

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Put to Bed

May 8, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

Following baths, brushed teeth, prayers, and other routines, children are put to bed every night.

Some of us also put our pets to bed. This puppy receives lots of love and care from its owner. A hand-made cherry bed waits anytime puppy needs a nap. Not a typical dog’s life.

We understand the literal meaning of put to bed.

People and animals need sleep. Going to bed may be voluntary or it may be required. Sometimes it serves as punishment for bad behavior.

It also means to stop discussing or arguing about an issue.

Whether we agree or disagree, we drop the subject. We let sleeping dogs lie.

It often means to complete all or part of an activity.

Final preparation begins or is already finished.

It’s a common saying for newspapers and other printing and means no more edits. Papers or books are ready to print.

The most important decision to put to bed is our eternal destination.

We don’t want to leave our relationship with Jesus up in the air. At the end of the day, nothing matters more.

“Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything” (James 1:4 NIV).

Thanks to J.D. Wininger for the suggestion and to Ina Ree Pickett for the photo.

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Up in the Air

April 17, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 12 comments

A friend’s car died during a recent out-of-town trip. It left her stranded on the side of the road. Her son took his car to her. The fate of her car was up in the air.

Could her car be fixed? Would she have to buy a new one? How much would either of those possibilities cost?

Up in the air means uncertain.

Something is not settled. It could change. The uncertainty may refer to such matters as:

Choice of school
Plans with friends
Work options
Food selections
Government decisions

Like clouds, anything up in the air floats around waiting for a decision.

The metaphor may also refer to flying birds.

Some decisions matter little.

The choices are six of one and half a dozen of the other. Fairly equal, either choice makes no great difference.

Dark chocolate or milk chocolate
A long walk or two short walks
A long book or two short books (or both)

Major decisions must be made.

Failure to decide is to decide to leave results in the hands of others. Riding the fence rarely works.

Choose well. Choose with eternal consequences in mind.

“How can men be wise? The only way to begin is by reverence for God. For growth in wisdom comes from obeying his laws. Praise his name forever” (Psalm 111:10 TLB).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson and Rita Smalley for the idea.

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Pep Talk

April 3, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 9 comments

We encourage with our actions. We also encourage when we listen. One of our greatest methods of encouragement is with our words. A pep talk works wonders.

When we land down in the dumps, we need a good pick-me-up.

A pep talk encourages or builds confidence.

We see this during sports events. Coaches gather their teams around them and rouse them to:

Get back in the game.
Do their best.
Never give up.
Win, win, win!

Cheerleaders lead fans to cheer their teams to victory. Schools or teams hold pep rallies to prepare for big games.

Pep talks occur in more than sports.

Parents encourage children.
Teachers inspire students.
Friends support one another.
Churches nurture members and the world around them.

Everyone needs encouragement.

Hard times come. That’s life. We can’t encourage everyone. That’s reality. Yet, we can urge those around us to keep on keeping on. That’s hope.

“Encourage one another daily, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness” (Hebrews 3:13 NIV).

Thanks to Joyce Cordell for the suggestion and to Parker Davis for the photo.

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Take Down a Peg or Two

March 13, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

Many of us have personal experience related to take down a peg or two.

My childhood friends and I knew the expression well. When we became too big for our britches, our parents put an end to our high and mighty behavior.

Their discipline took several forms:

The look of disapproval
Scolding
Time out
Loss of privileges
Other methods of loving but stern correction

To take down a peg or two means to deflate our pride or ego.

When we think too much of ourselves, we need a good dose of humility. No one is better than anyone else.

If we mistreat others, we may eventually get a taste of our own medicine. Our time for shame will probably come.

Wanting to do well is okay but not at the expense of others.

Hurting anyone in order to succeed spoils true success. Getting ahead never justifies:

Rudeness
Injury
A superior attitude

Take down a peg or two has a maritime connection.

According to The Free Dictionary, the expression “alludes to lowering a ship’s colors … by means of pegs. The higher the colors … the greater the honor.”

Refuse to become arrogant and self-centered.

Choose instead to straighten up and fly right. God, who is Love, calls us to love and help one another.

“Do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, nor be weary when reproved by him.
For the Lord disciplines the one he loves” (Hebrews 12:5-6 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for sharing this expression following her maritime museum tour.

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Make Up for Lost Time

March 6, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

Most of us have had to make up for lost time. We plan to complete tasks. Yet, other events interfere with those plans.

To make up for lost time means to spend time doing what we should have done earlier.

Because of our delay, we have to work quicker or longer to get the job done. For example, we:

Leave late and drive faster to arrive on time. (I don’t recommend this.)
Fail to complete a work assignment and have to work harder later.

We occasionally make up for lost time in our relationships.

After years apart or with little time together, we focus on one another.
When illness prevents favorite activities, we spend extra time on them after we heal.

Too often, we waste time.

That looks different for each of us. We dillydally when we:

Delay a task we don’t want to perform
Sleep late
Spend excess time on fun but useless activities

We also make up for lost time through no fault of our own.

We simply have more to do than we can do.

Emergencies occur.
We complete the work other people failed to do.
Unexpected requests or assignments arise.

God gives each of us twenty-four hours a day.

Will we:

Use it wisely?
Keep our priorities in order?
Do our best?

As John Wooden said, “If you don’t have time to do it right, when are you going to have the time to do it over?”

“I trust in you, Lord; I say, ‘You are my God.’ My times are in your hands.” —Psalm 31:14-15

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion and to Beverly Ennis for the photo.

Do you have an expression you want explained or a thought about this one? If so, please comment below.

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