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Category: Wisdom

Give Up the Ghost

Give Up the Ghost

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Give Up the Ghost--Sunset rays over a field and under dark cloudsFor years, I knew only one meaning for give up the ghost. However, according to The Free Dictionary, the expression has at least three. All three mean an end.

To give up the ghost means to die.

This was the definition I knew. Other death idioms include:

The Free Dictionary further explains, “The ghost here is the soul … separated from the body upon death.”

To give up the ghost also means something stops working.

No physical possession lasts forever. All eventually wear out. Therefore, we must keep buying:

  • Appliances
  • Cars
  • Phones

To give up the ghost also means to quit trying.

We cancel plans we think will fail. This may include:

  • Work
  • Trips
  • Special events

Although our bodies die, our souls can soar!

We choose our destination for this life and life after we give up the ghost. If we accept Jesus as Savior and Lord, we have the promise of an everlasting home in heaven.

“Man dieth, and wasteth away: yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where is he?” (Job 14:10 KJV).

Thanks to Bobbie Smith Bryant for the suggestion.

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A Pig in a Poke

A Pig in a Poke

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A Pig in a Poke-piggy bank in a burlap bagA friend recently bought a pig in a poke. (A poke is a bag or sack.) She did not receive what she thought she purchased.

A pig in a poke means we buy something without first inspecting it.

Scammers profit when we fail to take precautions. If the offer sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

A pig in a poke originated years ago.

Sellers of piglets displayed real pigs. However, they put other small animals, such as cats, in customers’ pokes. Anyone who revealed their trick let the cat out of the bag.

Let the buyer beware.

This precaution translates from the Latin phrase “caveat emptor.” We want to make wise decisions.

  • Examine the product.
  • Read reviews or talk with previous customers.
  • Buy from trusted sellers.

Online purchases increase the risk of buying a pig in a poke.

We cannot inspect the product in person. That makes reading reviews and buying from trusted sellers even more important.

From cars to cats, houses to hats, and power tools to pigs, be careful. We want to be sure we receive:

“Do not steal. Do not lie. Do not deceive one another” (Leviticus 19:11 NIV).

Thanks to Emily Akin and Carole Fite for the suggestion and to Debbie Tapscott for the photo.

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Rough around the Edges

Rough around the Edges

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Rough around the Edges--Bryce CanyonWe all know people who are a little rough around the edges. Although wonderful, they have flaws.

Rough around the edges means not perfect but good.

The description relates to:

  • Places
  • Possessions
  • Feelings
  • People

Many tourist destinations are rough around the edges.

We see that at:

  • Bryce and other canyons with unusual rock formations
  • Beaches in out-of-the-way places
  • Mountains altered by avalanches

Their rugged nature increases their appeal.

Favorite possessions are often rough around the edges.

  • Antiques with scratches and other imperfections
  • Children’s security blankets
  • Well-worn shoes and clothes

They may not look the best, but they function well.

We often feel rough around the edges.

That happens if we:

Such days make us appreciate the easier ones.

Some of the best people I know have flaws.

Those include:

  • Poor social skills
  • Pasts filled with unwise choices
  • Limited education

Yet, they make up for what they lack with caring attitudes and actions.

Before we pass judgement on other people, we might want to look in the mirror.

We all have rough edges. We make mistakes and must live with their consequences.

The world becomes a better place when we love and support one another. Jesus taught those characteristics with words and example. I pray we follow.

“We all stumble in many ways” (James 3:2 NIV).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

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Stick Your Neck Out

Stick Your Neck Out

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Stick Your Neck Out--one giraffe, head high, standing in front of several zebras

It’s risky to stick your neck out. Joining the crowd — looking and acting like everyone else — is safer and easier.

If you stick your neck out, you risk getting in trouble.

You attract attention. Even if other people agree with you, they fear joining you. They don’t want to face:

  • Danger
  • Criticism
  • Anger
  • Job loss
  • Rejection

This expression’s origin remains unknown.

Possibilities include:

  • Horse racing
  • Turtles sticking their heads out of their shells
  • Barnyard animals with their necks on a chopping block
  • People on a guillotine
  • Boxers protecting their necks and heads by holding them in

In all these examples, extending the neck makes it vulnerable.

You can stick your neck out personally or professionally.

You take chances when you:

If you stick your neck out, don’t take unnecessary risks.

God commands people to stand tall and stand firm for what is right. Yet, boldness is not always wise or necessary.

  • Weigh the evidence.
  • Pray for guidance.
  • Choose carefully.

“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen” (1 Peter 4:11 NIV).

Thanks to Terri Wilson for the suggestion. Image by Danièle Konsbruck from Pixabay.

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Eat the Frog First

Eat the Frog First

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Eat the Frog First--Frog on a lily pad facing a flowerEat the frog first sounds disgusting. Although frog legs taste good, the image of a live frog gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Eat the frog first means to tackle our toughest job first.

That job is often:

  • Most important
  • Easiest to put off
  • Most satisfying when finished

Eat the frog first tells us not to procrastinate.

Get the worst work done. Then relax and move on to:

  • Other tasks
  • A well-deserved break

When we finish a job, we no longer dread it.

Mark Twain frequently receives credit for this expression’s origin.

Several sources quote him with, “Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

However, according to Quote Investigator, the expression probably began much earlier.

The full article lists those possibilities.

Whatever the origin, eat the frog first makes good sense.

However, it still sounds gross! I cannot imagine the plague of frogs mentioned in the Bible.

“The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs” (Exodus 8:3 NIV).

Thanks to Tillie Cowherd for the suggestion. Image by Couleur from Pixabay.

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Cut to the Chase

Cut to the Chase

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Cut to the Chase--Nine children running in a field with trees behind themChildren know how to cut to the chase. They abandon boring activities and hightail it to their next adventure.

Cut to the chase means to get to the point.

We don’t bother with:

  • Trivial details
  • Information overload
  • Unnecessary actions

We address only what matters most. Forget the minor. Focus on the major.

We often wish people would cut to the chase.

Those brave among us tell them to quit dillydallying, to stop wasting our time. The not-so-brave endure their rabbit chasing until the end finally comes.

This expression has a motion picture history.

When a scene ends and another begins, they “cut” from one scene to the next. This may occur in filming or editing. To cut to the chase means to get to the exciting part of the film. They move from a slow scene and focus on an action shot. Think in terms of:

  • Car chases
  • Police raids
  • Helicopter fights

Movie producers want to keep their audiences interested.

Let’s cut to the chase with our lives.

We do well if we:

  • Focus on the most important.
  • Use every word, action, and attitude to live for and point others to our loving God.

“What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3 NIV).

Thanks to Alma Haste for the suggestion and to Kelsi Wilson and Lorie Richerson for the photo.

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Hurkle-durkle

Hurkle-durkle

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Hurkle-durkle--sleeping baby with open hand against faceThis little guy knows how to hurkle-durkle. We could all probably take a lesson from him.

I had never heard this expression until recently. However, it has become popular on social media.

What is hurkle-durkle?

According to a Good Housekeeping article by Arricca Elin SanSone, hurkle-durkle is a Scottish expression. It means “to lie in bed or to lounge after it’s time to get up or go to work.”

It allows extra time to rest and relax before starting the day.

Is hurkle-durkle a good practice?

Yes and no.

We all need more rest occasionally. Especially after a tiring day or week.

However, we don’t want to overdo a good thing. Too much dillydallying can result in:

  • Job loss
  • Missed opportunities
  • Unfinished chores

Don’t waste time.

Rest to stay healthy. A lazy day now and then uplifts body and soul. Too many days sleeping in leave us out of shape physically and spiritually.

“‘Let me sleep a little longer! Sure, just a little more!” (Proverbs 6:10 TLB).

Thanks to Carol Edwards for the suggestion and to Savannah Gregory Ramos for the photo.

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Half-baked

Half-baked

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Half-baked--strawberry cupcakesI don’t like half-baked food, do you? Instead, like these beautiful cupcakes, bake everything until fully done. Yum!

Half-baked means partly baked.

Half-done food:

  • Rarely tastes good
  • May not be safe

Anything half-baked, food or nonfood, is incomplete.

Poor planning and practice doom our projects. Success requires good judgement in preparation and procedure.

Half-baked also means foolish.

Ideas are:

  • Impractical
  • Uninformed
  • Unrealistic

Impolite descriptions include:

  • Stupid
  • Crazy
  • Brainless

Such ideas often result from a lack of maturity or experience.

However, age and ability don’t guarantee wise judgement. Neither do youth and a lack of experience mean certain failure.

At any age or skill level, we gain when we:

  • Take our time.
  • Plan well.
  • Work hard.

If we want to take the cake, we can’t use half-baked ideas.

God never offers partial plans.

In a recent sermon, our pastor described a half-baked or half-done scheme. Because of poor planning and performance, it failed.

However, God never does anything halfway. We find the ultimate example of God’s complete work in Jesus. Sent to earth as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, Jesus saves us entirely and eternally.

God gives the best. Never settle for less.

“My people mingle with the heathen, picking up their evil ways; thus they become as good-for-nothing as a half-baked cake!” (Hosea 7:8 TLB).

Thanks to Pastor Dwayne Norman for the idea and to Carol Sullivan for the photo.

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With a Grain of Salt

With a Grain of Salt

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With a Grain of Salt--teaspoon spilling saltSocial media content should be taken with a grain of salt. Along with helpful information, we find untruths and half-truths.

To take with a grain of salt (or a pinch of salt) means with hesitation.

We verify rather than accept without reservation. Especially if we don’t know the information source. Such caution applies to more than social media.

  • Many sources remain reliable and honest.
  • Others, not worth their salt, share unreliable and dishonest material.

Unreliable sources often make a bad situation worse.

They harm instead of help. Although we want to believe information, we often find:

  • Exaggeration
  • Deliberate deceit
  • Unintended untruth

According to The Free Dictionary, with a grain of salt “is a translation of the Latin cum grano salis.”

Pliny used it to describe “Pompey’s discovery of an antidote for poison (to be taken with a grain of salt).”

Let’s always speak truth and guide others to do the same.

Season rather than harm. Preserve rather than destroy.

“Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” (Colossians 4:6 NIV).

Thanks to Joyce McCullough for the suggestion.

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Something Is Afoot

Something Is Afoot

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Something Is Afoot--Tim and Diana Derringer at Shell Canyon in Big Horn MountainsMy husband and I loved walks in national, state, and local parks for years. My sister and her husband also enjoyed this area in the Big Horn Mountains. Something is afoot may simply mean someone or something is walking. We travel on foot. However, the expression usually means more.

According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, afoot also means “in the process of development.”

It is underway but not complete. Sometimes we know the plans but not always. Occasionally, it means people have something up their sleeve, a secret plan.

Unknown activity makes us curious.

We try to figure out what is happening. When no one knows, we guess. Anticipation grows.

  • Parents give hints but no details of a planned vacation.
  • Teachers promise a fun activity but leave students in the dark until it begins.
  • Friends take friends on a wild goose chase before a special celebration.

Much is afoot in our world today.

  • Plans have been made.
  • Work is in progress.
  • People look forward to or dread the future.

However, all that can change in an instant.

Unexpected events turn the tables.

  • Storms
  • Wars
  • Illness
  • Death

We want to prepare ourselves for whatever the future holds.

Our lives and our world frequently change. God remains the same.

When we give our lives to God, everything else eventually works out regardless of what is afoot.

“Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand” (Proverbs 19:31 ESV).

Thanks to Cathy Chinn for the suggestion.

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

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