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Tag: idioms

Split Hairs

Split Hairs

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Split Hairs--top of head with teased hairDo you remember sky-high teased hairstyles? Or have you seen pictures of them? Can you imagine all the split hairs that caused? Worse damage occurs when we split hairs with our words.

When we split hairs, we fight about minor details that make no major difference.

We focus on the petty or unimportant.

This metaphor “was first recorded in the late 17th century,” according to The Free Dictionary.

Most of us have split a few hairs.

Yet why let anything that is neither here nor there steal our attention? No need to stress. No need to waste that time. If it will not matter six months from now, let it go.

Let’s focus on the worthy.

  • Do what needs to be done.
  • Forget what makes little or no difference.
  • Never let trivial matters get our goat.

A single hair should not overtake the rest of our body. Neither should one small detail overtake our minds, emotions, or relationships.

“Keep reminding God’s people of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen” (2 Timothy 2:14 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump for the suggestion and to Misty Durham for the photo.

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Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth

Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth

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Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth--two large cast iron pots hanging over an outdoor fire My husband and I lived in a college campus apartment for two years. It was so small we had to push our table against the wall to open the back door. Just as too many cooks crowded our kitchen, too many cooks spoil the broth.

When too many cooks add too many ingredients, broth tastes terrible.

The same applies to too many:

  • Managers
  • Coaches
  • Music conductors
  • Agencies

 Too many cooks spoil the broth offers a word to the wise.  

It cautions against several people trying to:

  • Do the same task.
  • Gain control.
  • Influence an outcome.

When that happens, the work:

  • Results in confusion.
  • May be ruined.
  • Has little chance of success.

The Phrase Finder lists a similar proverb in 1575 by English historian John Hooker.

In The Life and Times of Sir Peter Carew, Hooker wrote, “There is the proverb, the more cooks the worse potage.”

Several similar proverbs exist.

  • Too many cooks in the kitchen
  • (A shortened phrase) Too many cooks
  • Too many cooks spoil the soup (or stew).

Extra workers usually help. Extra managers often hurt.

Completing the work is more important than taking credit for it.

Whether we manage or not, let’s faithfully do what God calls us to do.

“His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’” (Matthew 25:23 NIV)

Thanks to Joyce McCullough for the suggestion.

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Whistle Past the Graveyard

Whistle Past the Graveyard

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Whistle Past the Graveyard-graves at Arlington National CemeteryI grew up near a graveyard. Later, my husband and I built a house across the road from one. We laughed and said we would have quiet neighbors. However, some people fear living so close to graves. They feel the need to whistle past the graveyard.

When we whistle past the graveyard, we hide our fear by acting calm.

We may be afraid of our own shadow. However, we don’t want anyone to know.

Whistling past the graveyard happens often.

In addition to passing a cemetery, we fear:

  • Public speaking
  • Competition for a championship
  • Any embarrassing situation

To whistle past the graveyard may increase courage.

Acting with courage often makes us more courageous. We survive what we fear, so the next time becomes easier.

The Bible tells us we have no need to fear death.

Followers of Jesus know that death and the grave are not the end. When Jesus arose from the grave, He conquered sin and death. We can share that same victory and look forward to an eternal home in heaven.

“Do not be amazed at this, for a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice” (John 5:28 NIV).

Thanks to Bobbie Smith Bryant and Martha Orlando for the suggestion. Image by Carol Colman from Pixabay

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Bigger Fish to Fry

Bigger Fish to Fry

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Bigger Fish to Fry-red plate filled with fried fish and lemon slicesDo you prefer small fish piping hot from the grill or oven? Or do you enjoy bigger fish to fry?

For non-food decisions, go for bigger fish to fry.

Bigger fish to fry means more important matters to manage.

You deal with:

  • Major activities rather than minor
  • Emergencies rather than routine
  • Long lasting rather than brief

Bigger fish to fry does not mean never having fun.

Meaningful moments include:

  • Relaxing
  • Resting
  • Focusing on relationships

Personal accomplishments do not equal success.

  • Quality time with family is more important than awards.
  • Helping people in need matters more than promotions.
  • Investing in lives outlasts investing in stocks.

How you spend your time and money reveals what you value most.

  • Will it make a difference?
  • Does it have eternal worth?

Be sure bigger fish to fry are worth the effort.

Focusing only on self often leads to fishy situations. Focusing on God’s will and helping others keeps you on the right track. Jesus said to follow Him and become fishers of people. All people. Everywhere.

“Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people” (Luke 5:10 NIV).

Thanks to Lindy Pierce for the suggestion and to Terry Pennington, owner of Creekside Restaurant, for the photo.

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No Rhyme or Reason

No Rhyme or Reason

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No Rhyme or Reason--globe puzzleDo you have trouble understanding our world today? Much that we see and hear has no rhyme or reason.

No rhyme or reason means decisions or actions make no sense.

We find no logical explanation for:

  • Documents filled with nothing but red tape
  • Decisions that hurt rather than help
  • Concern only for self

They puzzle us. Most make us out of sorts.

Similar expressions include:

  • Without rhyme or reason
  • No rhyme nor reason
  • Neither rhyme nor reason

The Free Dictionary says this expression “originated in French about 1475.”

English use began about one hundred years later.

We find no rhyme or reason for certain events beyond our control.

  • Unexplained medical problems
  • Unexpected severe weather

God can use every circumstance, including those that puzzle us.

We often see that in the Bible. For example, Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery. Yet God used their evil plans for good.

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20 NIV).

Thanks to Ann Klotz for the suggestion. Image courtesy of Pixabay.

Skinned Alive

Skinned Alive

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Skinned Alive--man who appears in pain with shaving cream on his face and holding a razorHave you ever been skinned alive? It is no fun, is it? We may not lose skin, but it hurts like we have.

To be skinned alive means to be severely scolded or punished.

Many of us think scolding hurts the most.

People of all ages receive threats to be skinned alive.

  • Children who break their parents’ rules
  • Employees who fail to do their work
  • Friends or family who break promises

This phrase comes from the cruel “practice of flaying a live prisoner.”

The Free Dictionary dates it to the mid-1800s.

The threat to skin alive often comes with the strength and power to hurt others.

However, we never want to harm anyone.

Encouraging people to straighten up and fly right is okay. Blowing our top is not.

When people threaten to skin us alive, we want to make necessary changes.

However, if we have done nothing wrong, we may need to say so. Regardless of how they treat us, we want to treat them with respect. Two wrongs don’t make a right.

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds” (James 1:2 NIV).

Thanks to Kristy Robinson Horine for the suggestion. Image by Sammy-Sander from Pixabay.

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Lie Like a Rug

Lie Like a Rug

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Lie Like a Rug--Jumbled multicolored arrows with truth or lie on themMy dad loved to play with words. He would deliberately use the wrong word to give a sentence a totally new meaning. I’m sure some people thought he did not know better. However, he knew exactly what he was doing. Lie like a rug was one of his favorite expressions.

Lie like a rug is a pun, a usually funny play on words.

Puns use words that are alike or nearly alike but have different meanings. “Lie” can mean either to tell an untruth or to rest in a flat position. Lie like a rug combines those two meanings since a rug lies flat on a floor.

If we lie like a rug, we lie boldly and shamelessly.

Our untruth is no mistake. We deliberately lie. Sometimes we know that no one will believe us but lie anyway.

If we repeat an untruth often enough, we may persuade some people to believe.

We sound ridiculous. Yet repetition eventually convinces those unwilling to look at the evidence. If not convinced, they may choose not to confront us or face the truth.

Always weigh the evidence.

Take what sounds like a lie with a grain of salt. Search for truth and follow it.

“Whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God” (John 3:21 NIV).

Thanks to Melissa Henderson for the suggestion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

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

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Carry Someone Somewhere

Carry Someone Somewhere

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Carry Someone Somewhere--large boy carrying small girl on his backI still remember a college professor saying he had to carry someone somewhere. His statement puzzled me. I knew he could not carry the grown man on his back. Instead, he meant he had to transport the man in his car.

To carry someone somewhere means to take the person somewhere.

Like my college professor, we may take others to:

  • Appointments
  • Church
  • Family gatherings
  • Wherever they need to go

When the need arises, we don’t hem and haw.  We do what needs to be done. That kind of carrying takes time but is easier on our backs.

To carry someone somewhere also means to accompany the person.

Whether we provide transportation or not, people do not have to go alone. We escort them for:

  • Safety precautions
  • Fun times
  • Dates

The key to both meanings is to be there.

At times, we meet needs. Other times, we simply enjoy one another’s company. Either way, we share friendship and fellowship.

“Then Esau said, ‘Let us be on our way; I’ll accompany you.’” (Genesis 33:12 NIV).

Thanks to Joyce Cordell for the suggestion and to Crystal Gosser for the photo.

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Chew the Fat

Chew the Fat

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Chew the Fat--family around a table for ThanksgivingOur family loves to meet and eat. Thanksgiving, Christmas, special birthdays, or for no reason at all. We also love to chew the fat, spending hours talking and laughing.

To chew the fat means to have long, relaxed conversations.

  • No rush
  • Easy laughter
  • No schedule

We enjoy leisure from the daily grind.

To chew the fat involves little or no heavy discussion.

We simply shoot the breeze. Chats stay:

  • Friendly
  • Relaxed
  • Informal

Conversations may occasionally include bits of gossip. When tempted to gossip, we need to bite our tongue.

Two other expressions share similar meanings.

  • Chew the rag
  • Chew the cud

Origins for chew the fat and chew the rug are unknown. People have guessed possibilities but with no certainty. We find a simpler explanation for chew the cud.

According to Phrase Finder, a cud is the food cows “bring back into their mouths from their first stomach to chew at leisure.” We see that slow chewing while cows graze in pastures.

Enjoy special time to chew the fat with friends and family.

Make memories and strengthen relationships. They are gifts from God.

“I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers” (Ephesians 1:16 NIV).

Thanks to Gail Gosser and Regina Graham 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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Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels

Don’t Take Any Wooden Nickels

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Don't Take Any Wooden Nickels--wood bowl filled with loose change

I remember my dad saying, “Don’t take any wooden nickels.” At the time, I had no idea what he meant. I knew wooden nickels were not real money. So, why would he make such a strange statement?

Don’t take any wooden nickels warns us not to be conned or swindled.

A wooden nickel is:

  • Fake
  • Worthless
  • Suspicious

Don’t be fooled.

Take precautions. Never accept anything unless you know it is the real thing.

Don’t take any wooden nickels offers a word to the wise.

Before trying anything new, check with people who:

We often hear this primarily American phrase when people say goodbye.

The speaker means:

  • Be careful.
  • Take care of yourself.

According to The Free Dictionary, it probably originated in the early 20th century. “Country residents visiting the city were considered easily duped.” Therefore, they needed to protect themselves from being deceived.

Banks used wooden nickels for promotions during and after the Great Depression.

They redeemed the fake coins for prizes.

 Don’t cheat and don’t get cheated.

We never want to hornswoggle or be hornswoggled. Instead, let’s stay so honest that people can take it to the bank.

“If you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches?” (Luke 16:11 NIV).

Thanks to Sharon Berry, Laurel Blevins, Karen Hart, Judy Glen Corbin, Beckham Wilson, and Rebecca Stafford 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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