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Tag: idiom

From Pillar to Post

From Pillar to Post

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From Pillar to Post--old fence posts beside dirt road that leads through a field with a mountain and clouds beyondOur family loves to travel from pillar to post. Beaches, mountains, and plains all beckon to us. Yet, we don’t like to change where we live. When our travels end, we want to return to the house where we’ve lived for years.

From pillar to post means from place to place.

It also means from:

  • Person to person
  • Thing to thing
  • Position to position

Similar expressions include:

From pillar to post often refers to random movement.

It may have little or no purpose. We see this in people who never:

  • Stay anywhere long
  • Keep the same job
  • Maintain relationships

Such movement often fails to bear fruit. It wastes both time and effort.

The origin of this phrase remains uncertain.

The Free Dictionary offers two theories.

  1. It may come from old style tennis courts with pillars and posts where the ball could be bounced.
  2. It may have “originally meant from whipping-post to pillory (punishment to hanging).”

Whether we go from pillar to post or stick like glue, let’s always follow the direction God gives.

“For in him we live and move and have our being” (Acts 17:28 NIV).

Thanks to Debbie Tapscott for the suggestion and to Jeri Stone for the photo.

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Dirt-poor

Dirt-poor

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Dirt-poor--wildflowers among grass and leavesAlthough I did not know it, our family was close to dirt-poor during my early childhood. In addition to our share of my grandparents’ farm, Dad bought surrounding farmland.

Dirt-poor means extremely poor.

Since we had the basics for survival, we were not extremely poor. However, we had little cash and few luxuries.

Yet, who needed luxuries? The farm provided:

  • Woods and fields to explore
  • A large yard for play
  • Animals, a garden, and an orchard for food and milk

We also enjoyed lots of books (We were book poor too!), games, and family time.

Our financial resources grew over the years, but I would take nothing for those early lean years.

Rather than dirt poor, many families today are house poor.

They may not have much land, but they buy large houses with large mortgages to match. Like our young family, that leaves them little extra money.

Evidence fails to support a popular internet story that dirt poor relates to dirt floors.

Although it makes an interesting story, it offers no proof.

Financial wealth holds no eternal importance.

If all we do is hoard our money, it does no good. Remember, you can’t take it with you when you die.

Whether poor as a church mouse or filthy rich, let’s use the resources we have to make our world a better place.

“Defend the weak and the fatherless; uphold the cause of the poor and the oppressed” (Psalm 82:3 NIV).

Thanks to Gail Gosser for the 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.

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Good Taste

Good Taste

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Good Taste--table decorated in front of two stained-glass windows

What qualifies as good taste? That’s a great question, but it has no single correct answer. We vary from one another and so does our description of good taste. Yet, we can agree on two general definitions.

Good taste means a sense of what is proper and pleasing in social activities.

Acceptable behavior in some settings causes great discomfort in others. Wise choices and tactfulness outweigh personal preferences.

Good taste also means wise beauty, art, and intellectual choices.

We know how to make ourselves and our surroundings attractive. We find examples in:

  • Housing
  • Decorations
  • Food
  • Clothing
  • Music
  • Books

Yet, what we consider refined or sophisticated, other people consider snobbish or laughable. We may be dressed to the nines for our neck of the woods. Yet, the same attire would be inappropriate or highfalutin in other settings.

Love and respect for others are always in good taste.

Jesus set the perfect example in word and deed. May we faithfully follow.

“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in him “ (Psalm 34:8 NIV).

Thanks to Joe and Ann Klotz for the suggestion and to Jeri Stone for the photo.

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Hightail It

Hightail It

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Hightail It--Chipmunk with tail upIn our neck of the woods, we see chipmunks, squirrels, deer, and other critters hightail it across our yards.

Whether they chase food, one another, or something else, we love to watch them.

To hightail it means to go quickly.

The meaning comes from certain animals raising their tails when running. This may happen when they rush forward or run away. In both instances, they leave in a hurry.

People, as well as animals, hightail it.

We sometimes rush toward a goal. Other times, we flee from someone or something.

  • We hurry when late for a meeting.
  • Students rush from class when the bell rings.
  • We head for safety if dangerous weather approaches.

In old western movies, cowboys jump on their horses and hightail it out of there. They leave immediately and ride as fast as they can.

Sometimes God tells us to run. Other times, God tells us to stand firm.

 When tempted to do wrong, we want to run from it. However, when tempted to back down from truth, God calls us to remain strong and courageous.

“Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart” (2 Timothy 2:22 NIV).

Thanks to Marita Smeathers Mantooth for the suggestion.

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In My Wheelhouse

In My Wheelhouse

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In My Wheelhouse--wheel in wheelhouse on a boatMiguel Mendez said when he was a child, he and his dad worked on cars together. When Miguel asked how he knew certain things, his dad would say, “It’s in my wheelhouse.” He was familiar and comfortable with what he did.

In my wheelhouse means something matches our skills or interests.

Miguel’s dad understood cars. Other people understand electronics, agriculture, or additional specialties.

What’s in my wheelhouse differs from yours.

We vary in our skills and interests. Many situations fall outside my ability to deal with them. I’m thankful for talented people who help when my:

  • Laptop has problems
  • Car needs service
  • Roof leaks

These and more require the aid of specialists in those areas.

However, if we study, our talents grow.

With hard work, we increase our expertise.

A wheelhouse is a pilothouse on a boat.

 A pilothouse includes the wheel, compass, and other navigation equipment.

According to Miriam Webster dictionary, a wheelhouse also means “a place or center of control or leadership.”

In addition, it refers to “the section of the strike zone where it is easiest for the [baseball] batter to hit the ball well.”

We can use our wheelhouse to help others.

 We grow as we:

  • Gain new experiences
  • Study
  • Read our Bibles
  • Tackle new challenges

When those we know need help, our gains become theirs as we share and encourage.

“A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (Proverbs 11:25 NIV).

Thanks to Miguel Mendez for the suggestion. Image by Michael Drummond from Pixabay.

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Dressed to the Nines

Dressed to the Nines

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Dressed to the Nines-an old photo of couple with four children in dress clothesYears ago, on Easter and other special occasions, people dressed to the nines. They wore new or favorite old dress clothes. Women often wore hats and men wore ties. Children squirmed in their stiff fancy attire.

Many people still dress up for special days. Others skip new clothes and donate the money they save.

Dressed to the nines means to wear formal or stylish clothes.

The clothing usually:

  • Draws attention
  • Meets the latest fashions
  • Looks elegant and glamorous

The origin of this expression remains uncertain. The Free Dictionary and The Phrase Finder offer possible explanations.

Dressing up occasionally feels good.

When life overwhelms, and people need relief, an improved appearance often leads to an improved mood. Grubby clothes feel good physically, but dress clothes often feel good emotionally. Dressing to the nines helps people feel like they are on cloud nine.

Regardless of outer appearance, always dress to the nines inwardly.

The description “beautiful inside and out” directs attention to people’s inward beauty. As another expression explains, pretty is as pretty does,

“As God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience” (Colossians 3:12 NIV).

 Thanks to Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion.

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Kiss of Death

Kiss of Death

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Kiss of Death--statue of Judas kissing JesusA kiss of death means something that causes failure or ruin.

It may be:

  • Actions. Poor attitudes or behaviors often result in the loss of jobs, friendships, or other positions.
  • Relationships. Associating with troublemakers frequently leaves people in trouble.
  • Events. Being in the wrong place at the wrong time can destroy plans.
  • Poor timing. Failures frequently occur because people begin too early or too late to accomplish their purposes.

A kiss of death may look good but result in great harm.

Damage often occurs even if intentions appear helpful. A handshake or endorsement from the wrong people kills countless business deals and reputations.

This expression relates to Judas Iscariot’s kiss that betrayed Jesus.

When religious leaders wanted to rid themselves of Jesus, they enlisted Judas, one of Jesus’ followers, for help. Matthew 26:48-49 records it. “The betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him” (NIV).  A kiss of death has also been called a Judas kiss.

Not every kiss of death ends in permanent harm.

Although Jesus died on the cross, He arose from the dead on the third day. His death and resurrection conquered sin and death. All who place their faith in Jesus also receive victory over sin and death. That’s the message of Easter. Jesus offers everyone a fresh start, a new beginning.

“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said” (Matthew 28:6 NIV).

Thanks to Terrie Wilson for the suggestion. Photo by Francesco Alberti on Unsplash

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A Hard Pill to Swallow

A Hard Pill to Swallow

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A Hard Pill to Swallow--three calcium pills in hand next to a glass of water

Calcium can be a hard pill to swallow. A relative and a good friend found the task almost impossible. The relative now takes calcium in a different form. My friend required surgery when a pill became stuck.

A hard pill to swallow means an unpleasant reality.

We don’t like it, but we can’t avoid it. It is what it is. Although hard to deal with, we have no choice.

We often face circumstances that are a hard pill to swallow.

  • Loss of a job or failure to get a job
  • A relationship breakup
  • Financial ruin
  • A life-threatening diagnosis

Sometimes all we can do is accept reality and move on.

Although we can’t have what we want, we keep going. Often, our disappointment is a blessing in disguise. We discover greater options, such as:

  • Employment with better benefits
  • Strength within ourselves and stronger bonds with others
  • Recognition that inner peace outweighs financial gain
  • A new appreciation for life and good health

Find the opportunity in every hard pill to swallow.

Life is not always easy, but it can still be good. Become a tough cookie ready to tackle whatever hardship occurs.

“In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity” (2 Corinthians 8:2 NIV).

Thanks to Karen Atwood and Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

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A Fine Kettle of Fish

A Fine Kettle of Fish

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A Fine Kettle of Fish--An iron kettle filled with fish boiling over an open fireWhether we know it or not, we have all probably ended up in a fine kettle of fish. Life gets messy, and we suffer as a result.

A fine kettle of fish means a difficult situation.

It may be:

  • Awkward
  • Worrisome
  • Frustrating
  • Puzzling
  • Confusing
  • Unpleasant

A pretty kettle of fish means the same.

A fine kettle of fish applies to a variety of circumstances.

A few examples include:

  • Special plans suddenly fall apart.
  • People who dislike one another must work together.
  • Car trouble occurs in the middle of a long trip.
  • Unexpected bills exceed a family’s ability to pay.

This expression probably originated from a Scottish custom.

According to The Free Dictionary, a riverside picnic was called a kettle of fish. Freshly caught salmon were boiled in a kettle over an open fire. The picnics were messy, because everyone ate out of their hands.

People later applied the expression to other messy situations.

When we end up in a fine kettle of fish, we don’t have to stay there.

Our messes may be blessings in disguise. Look for the opportunities they offer.

When possible, let’s turn our messes into ministry.

We often learn the most from our hardest circumstances. In the process, we:

  • Grow stronger.
  • Discover new and better ways to live.
  • Learn how to help others who encounter similar problems.

“For Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:10 NIV).

Image by shumkovpro from Pixabay. Thanks to Laurel Blevins and Karen Hart 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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