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Have Something Up Your Sleeve

Have Something Up Your Sleeve

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Have Something Up Your Sleeve--hand with ace of diamonds sticking out of sleeveHave you ever had someone say you have something up your sleeve? Or maybe that you always have something up your sleeve?

To have something up your sleeve means you have a secret plan.

That hidden goal will work to your advantage. It remains ready for use at the right time.

This phrase often relates to cheating while playing cards.

You hide a card, often an ace, up your sleeve. When you need it, you play it.

According to The Free Dictionary, this expression “dates at least from the sixteenth century, when clothes generally had no pockets, and sleeves were a usual storage place.”

You may have something up your sleeve other than cards.

Secret plans often exist in:

  • Business schemes
  • Legal tactics
  • Military maneuvers

You keep people in the dark. Most relationships hold potential for such secret moves.

Rather than have something up your sleeve, why not stay honest and open?

When you plot against one another, everyone loses. Instead, roll up your sleeves and work together. If you must keep secrets, be sure they help rather than hurt.

“You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence” (Psalm 90:8 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion.

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

In the Thick of It--He Meant You to be You book coverSubscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.” Congratulations to Karen Radjunas, whose name was randomly drawn from my mailing list for a free copy of J.J. LeVan’s book, He Meant You to Be You. 

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Hornswoggle

Hornswoggle

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Hornswoggle-two little girls in sunsuits, one with a mischievous smileSome of us hornswoggle. Others of us get hornswoggled.  I don’t know about you, but I belong in the second category.

I am gullible from head to toe. Just ask my sister. When we were children, she tricked me into washing dishes for her over and over again.

Can’t you see the fun oozing out of her little body? We still get good laughs from her tricks.

Hornswoggle means to trick or cheat.

Other words describe it as:

  • Deceive
  • Dupe
  • Hoax
  • Bamboozle
  • Swindle
  • Hoodwink

Many hornswoggle experiences are harmless.

No one gets hurt. Laughter usually follows.

  • Surprise parties
  • Jokes

Enjoy those times.

However, other experiences cause great harm.

  • Scams and other money schemes
  • Relationship deceit

Watch out for snakes in the grass who hurt others with their deceptive ways.

The greatest harm comes from religious deceit.

Religious wolves in sheep’s clothing pretend to be someone or something they are not. They look and sound harmless but lead people the wrong way.

We want to be sure we follow the right path in life. We also want to direct others to it. Follow Jesus, “the way, and the truth, and the life” (John 14:6 NIV).

“[Jesus] replied: “Watch out that you are not deceived. For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am he,’ and, ‘The time is near.’ Do not follow them” (Luke 21:8 NIV).

Thanks to Jonna J. LeVan for the idea. Read how her son hornswoggled her on Tracy Crump’s Caregiver Corner.

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Play with Fire

Play with Fire

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Play with Fire--child in fireman's outfitMatthew knows he should never play with fire. He does not want to get hurt. Neither does he want to hurt others.

Instead, Matthew may become a fireman when he grows up. Rather than play with fire, he hopes to prevent and put out fires.

No one should play with fire.

It is both dangerous and foolish. Most of us would never play with a physical fire. Yet, many of us play with fire in other ways. We take risks when we:

  • Choose bad relationships
  • Cheat
  • Disobey the law
  • Practice bad health habits

When we play with fire, we get burned.

 We may:

  • Hurt or lose those we love
  • Gain a bad reputation
  • Go to jail
  • Suffer poor health

Instead, let’s prevent or put out fires when we can.

Let’s watch our steps, make good choices, and help others do the same.

“Can a man scoop fire into his lap without his clothes being burned?” (Proverbs 6:27 NIV)

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

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Photo courtesy of Tammy Seyfried.

Snake in the Grass

Snake in the Grass

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Snake in the Grass--a snake's head coming out of grassI don’t like to get too close to a snake in the grass.

I’m not afraid of most snakes. They help keep mice away. However, I don’t want snakes to hide in my yard.

A few snakes can kill with their bites. I am afraid of them.

I prefer not having a person who is a snake in the grass near me either.

A snake in the grass cannot be trusted. That person will:

  • Cheat
  • Lie
  • Steal
  • Hurt others to get what he or she wants

Like a dangerous snake (animal) hiding in the grass, a snake in the grass person tries to hide bad behavior. The person attacks or hurts others when they least expect it.

God offers a better way.

I pray that everyone who tries to trick and hurt others will choose God’s way. Just as God forgives me when I confess my wrongs, God will also forgive them. Sometimes we all need a fresh start.

“Let the wicked forsake their ways and the unrighteous their thoughts. Let them turn to the Lord, and he will have mercy on them, and to our God, for he will freely pardon” (Isaiah 55:7 NIV).

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

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Photo courtesy of Pixabay.