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Throw Your Hat into the Ring

Throw Your Hat into the Ring

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Throw Your Hat into the Ring--two people throwing their hats into the air with the sun setting behind themDo you often throw your hat into the ring? Maybe for a group activity, fun event, or political office? You decide to give it a whirl.

If you throw your hat into the ring, you announce your decision to join or compete.

You may:

  • Enter a contest.
  • Make or accept a challenge.
  • Participate in a special event.
  • Start a new step in life.

Throw your hat into the ring began with boxing.

According to The Phrase Finder, “The expression dates from at least the early 19th century.” Boxing rings were “circular spaces in a crowd of onlookers.” No “square roped ‘rings’” like today. If someone wanted to compete, he threw his hat into the ring. That was easier than shouting above the noisy crowd.

Be careful before you throw your hat into the ring.

Many activities prove worthwhile. Others you want to avoid at all costs.

When Jesus calls, always follow.

The cost may be great, but the reward will be greater. Many believers endure persecution such as:

  • Ridicule
  • Job loss
  • Rejection from friends and family
  • Imprisonment
  • Death

Nevertheless, they throw their hat into the ring with Jesus. They prefer to suffer rather than deny their Savior.

“Join with me in suffering, like a good soldier of Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 2:3 NIV).

 Thanks to Lam DeBrot for the suggestion. Photo by Nabil Naidu with Pexels.

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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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Kick the Tires

Kick the Tires

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Kick the Tires--foot kicking a tireBefore we buy a car, we want to kick the tires. We check the car inside and out from one end to the other. We drive it and try all its gadgets to be sure they work.

To kick the tires means to test the quality of something.

With any purchase, that includes time to:

  • Inspect
  • Research
  • Analyze

We desire the best product for our money.

We also kick the tires to see if a product meets our personal needs.

What works for one person may not work for another. I prefer small cars close to the ground. A tall person usually searches for a large vehicle with more leg room.

Kicking the tires pertains to more than purchases.

  • Employers desire dependable employees.
  • Employees seek the best bosses.
  • Individuals search for lasting relationships.

We want the people in our lives to meet our standards.

If we fail to kick the tires, we may end up kicking ourselves.

A word to the wise: Let’s test before we commit.

Above all else, test for truth.

In every decision, large or small, seek God’s guidance. Especially for spiritual matters:

  • Study the Bible.
  • Pray.
  • Discuss with trustworthy friends.

“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1 NIV).

Thanks to Jennifer Annette Graham for the suggestion and to Stan Curry with AutoSmart of Campbellsville for the photo.

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So Tight They Squeak When They Walk

So Tight They Squeak When They Walk

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So Tight They Squeak When They Walk--Man's feet walking down stepsOne of my high school teachers could never sneak up on our class. We could hear his squeaky shoes from the far end of the hall. He was not like some people who are so tight they squeak when they walk. He simply had squeaky shoes.

So tight they squeak when they walk means extremely stingy.

Similar expressions include:

Turning loose of money or possessions hurts such people worse than a toothache. They refuse to give to others. Often, they fail to buy what they need themselves. They suffer rather than let go of what they own.

People so tight they squeak when they walk go far beyond thrifty.

Thrifty people save for a rainy day. They remain ready for emergencies. However, they also spend as needed now. Those so tight they squeak when they walk don’t want to spend even when emergencies arise.

They can’t take it with them, so why hang on so tightly now?

How sad to never experience the joy of sharing. Both they and a world of others lose when they ignore opportunities for good.

The owner becomes the owned.

“Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment” (1 Timothy 6:17 NIV).

Thanks to J.D. Wininger for the suggestion and to Laura Mitchell Wilds and Billy Joe Douglas with Mitchell’s for the photo.

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Cruising for a Bruising

Cruising for a Bruising

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Cruising for a Bruising--wrecked car against a treeIf we drive a car too fast, we are cruising for a bruising. Possible results include:

  • A speeding ticket
  • A wreck
  • Injury or death

Cruising for a bruising means headed for trouble.

Our behavior works against us.

  • Parents, teachers, or others in authority punish us.
  • People we insult or bully injure us.
  • Natural or logical consequences cause temporary or permanent pain.

Cruising for a bruising hurts in several ways.

  • Physical: Actual bruises or other injuries to our bodies
  • Emotional: Conflicts or losses
  • Spiritual: Lack of or a poor relationship with God
  • Financial: Reduction or total loss of economic resources
  • Mental: Decreased abilities

Many people shorten this expression to cruisin for a bruisin.

However we say it, the meaning remains the same. We suffer the costs of the trouble we pursue. If we don’t straighten up and fly right, we must face the music.

God forgives when we repent of our misbehavior.

We receive a new beginning, a fresh start. However, we must choose. Do we want to keep cruising for a bruising or turn to Jesus for healing and eternal life?

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19 NIV).

Thanks to Laura Leathers and the ladies in her Women on Mission group for the suggestion. Image by Rico Löb from Pixabay

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Tipping Point

Tipping Point

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Tipping Point--turtle climbing over the edge of water dishThis turtle has reached a tipping point. Small movements will pop him out of the water pan and onto the ground.

Tipping point means a critical moment when small actions cause great change.

That change may be in:

  • Ideas
  • Behavior
  • Words

It may affect one person or thing, or it may affect many.

Tipping points occur in all areas of life.

  • Businesses
  • Governments
  • Homes
  • Churches

The change may be gradual at first.

This turtle inched his way to the edge of the pan. Little happened when he started. However, he has now reached a decisive moment. What happens next is up in the air. Will he continue forward or go back?

Some tipping points result from the choices of others.

They may or may not seek input from those they affect.

 Other tipping points result from personal choices.

Everyone has influence, whether small or great. Everyone also lives with the results of their choices.

Stay on the right track. Choose well the direction your life will take.

“Choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve … But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for the suggestion and the photo.

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Right Off the Bat

Right Off the Bat

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Right Off the Bat--Batter hitting a ballWhen a batter hits a ball, that ball flies right off the bat. While the ball soars through the air, the batter runs toward first base without delay.

Right off the bat means immediately.

We don’t hesitate. Instead, we act:

  • Instantly
  • First thing

Rather than sit and ponder the possibilities, we move almost spontaneously.

We value first responders who act right off the bat.

Their speed often makes the difference in life and death.

  • Fire fighters
  • Law enforcement
  • Medical personnel

We don’t want precise workers to act right off the bat.

Their speed results in costly errors or conclusions.

  • Scientists
  • Accountants
  • Builders

For them, haste makes waste. If we demand their work immediately if not sooner, we suffer in the end.

May we always choose wisely between patience and speed.

Much in life is worth the wait. Yet, we never want to postpone decisions that require an immediate response.

Without delay [Jesus] called them, and they … followed him (Mark 1:20 NIV).

Thanks to Darrin Jenkins for the suggestion and to Richard Robards for the photo.

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It’s Your Nickel

It’s Your Nickel

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It's Your Nickel--wooden bowl of changeHow often do we see people throw away money? They may not actually throw cash in the trash, but they waste it. In frustration, we say, “It’s your nickel.”

Many times, money burns a hole in their pocket. They fail to save for a rainy day.

It’s your nickel means people can spend their money as they please.

We may:

  • Disagree with their choices.
  • Wish they budgeted better.
  • Caution them about their purchases.

However, they choose.

It’s your nickel expresses concern but recognizes the other people’s ownership.

Since the money is not ours, neither is the decision. If they choose to:

  • Spend money before they get it, we can’t stop them.
  • Buy luxuries rather than necessities, they live with the consequences.
  • Ignore responsibilities, regret may lie down the road.

Like everyone else, our financial decisions affect us and others.

As we save, invest, and spend, we profit or lose. We also set an example with our words and actions. With all our nickels, let’s remain wise as an owl.

“Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?” (Isaiah 55:2 NIV).

Thanks to Laurel Blevins, Karen Hart, and Judy Glen Corbin for this suggestion.

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Have Your Cake and Eat It

Have Your Cake and Eat It

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Have your cake and eat it--young woman holding the top layer of a wedding cake.

To have your cake and eat it refers to two things you can’t have or do at the same time.

 A less puzzling earlier version of the expression is to “eat your cake and have it.” You can have cake and then eat it. However, if you eat the cake, you no longer have it.

When my husband and I married, we froze the top layer of our wedding cake until our first anniversary. The first year, we had our cake. At the beginning of the second year, we ate it. We could not enjoy the benefit of keeping and eating our cake at the same time. Each year, we made a choice.

You may want to enjoy both, but you can’t.

For example, you can’t have:

  • Government benefits without tax payments
  • Good grades without study time
  • A new house without a financial investment

You must choose between your desires.

Do you keep your cake, or do you eat it?

All of life requires choices. Seek God’s guidance and choose wisely, since you reap what you sow.

“Who, then, are those who fear the Lord? He will instruct them in the ways they should choose” (Psalm 25:12 NIV).

Thanks to Lam DeBrot for the suggestion.

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

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Burn the Midnight Oil

Burn the Midnight Oil

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Burn the Midnight Oil--chest with burning oil lamp, "Be Still" plaque, trinkets, and BibleThe night before final exams, students often burn the midnight oil. They study late hoping to make good grades.

To burn the midnight oil means to stay up late studying or working.

Before electricity, people used oil lamps or candles for light after dark. If they stayed up until midnight or after, they used extra oil.

This expression appeared in a 1635 poem, “Emblems,” by Francis Quarles.

People often burn the midnight oil because they fail to study or work during regular hours.

If they work harder earlier, they enjoy a job well done plus a good night’s sleep.

Work or study occasionally requires extra effort.

In those cases, late work must be done to complete the task.

Whether we burn the midnight oil or complete our work early, we need occasional breaks.

Instead of burning the candle at both ends, we need time to:

  • Be still in God’s presence.
  • Let God’s peace fill us.

“At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws” (Psalm 119:62 NIV).

Thanks to Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion and to Jeri Stone 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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