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Tag: Life Lessons from English Expressions

Neither Here nor There

Neither Here nor There

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Neither Here nor There--sign post with signs "This Way" and "That Way"Many things that steal our attention are neither here nor there. They take our time but matter little or not at all.

Neither here nor there means unimportant.

The information or action:

  • Does not relate to the circumstances
  • Will not change anything

Therefore, who cares?

Think of daily activities that are neither here nor there.

  • Time on social media
  • Scrolling through television channels
  • Trying to be more important than one another

Frequent decisions are neither here nor there.

Either choice is okay, six of one and half a dozen of another. Examples include:

  • Where or what to eat
  • Which outfit to wear
  • What games to play

According to The Free Dictionary, “this term dates from the sixteenth century.”

Although not the first to use it, Shakespeare included it in The Merry Wives of Windsor and Othello.

When choices do matter, choose wisely.

  • Invest in what lasts.
  • Show respect for everyone.
  • Follow God’s direction.
  • Share God’s love.

“As for those who were held in high esteem—whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not show favoritism—they added nothing to my message.” (Galatians 2:6 NIV).

Thanks to Rita Smalley for the suggestion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

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Onward and Upward

Onward and Upward

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Onward and Upward--Old Faithful geyserOur family loves to visit Yellowstone National Park. We always watch the Old Faithful geyser erupt. Several times a day, Old Faithful moves onward and upward.

This wonder of nature reminds us of the importance of our own faithfulness.

Onward and upward means to keep moving forward.

We work toward:

  • Improvement
  • Progress
  • Success

Onward and upward often means steady rather than sudden growth.

Old Faithful begins with a sputter but then grows higher and higher. We don’t have to start fast either. However, we do want to keep going and growing.

Onward and upward encourages us not to give up.

We all face difficulties and disappointments. Yet, we advance one step at a time. Failure teaches us what does not work. To reach our goals, we keep on keeping on.

This challenge applies to every age and circumstance.

  • Youth graduating from school
  • Adults seeking the right job
  • Retirees beginning a new stage in life

As long as we live, we have meaning and purpose. May we always seek to find and fulfill them to the best of our abilities.

Our greatest advancement occurs when we step from this life into the next.

If we follow Jesus’ plan for our lives, we find the best now and through eternity. Let’s keep moving onward and upward.

“In keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells” (2 Peter 3:13 NIV).

Thanks to Joy S. Taylor for the suggestion.

Flash in the Pan

Flash in the Pan

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Flash in the Pan--musket pistol and other antiquesI thought flash in the pan originated with gold mining.

If a miner saw glitter in his pan, he became excited. Rather than gold, what he often saw was only a flash in the pan.

I was wrong.

According to The Phrase Finder, flash in the pan originated with flintlock muskets that had small pans for gunpowder. When gunpowder flared but no bullet fired, it was called a flash in the pan.

The expression, “hang fire,” has a similar origin.

Flash in the pan refers to a promise of success that fails.

  • Authors write only one bestseller.
  • Musicians record one hit but no others.
  • Actors star in only one major movie or play.
  • Athletes lose their positions after a brief career.
  • Businesses boom and then go bankrupt.

They make a splash, but their success does not last.

Doing our best beats trying to impress.

Let’s use our abilities, great or small, to make the world a better place. Now, that’s success!

“May the God of peace …  equip you with everything good for doing his will” (Hebrews 13:20-21 NIV).

Thanks to Frank Cheatham for the flash in the pan suggestion and to Brad Leverett for hang fire. Image by Alexander Lesnitsky from Pixabay.

Flash in the Pan--flintlock rifleDo you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

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UPDATE: Thanks to Warren Johnson who noticed that the pistol in my photo is a percussion pistol, not a flintlock. See his comments below for more interesting details about his flintlock rifle pictured here.

Heart of the Matter

Heart of the Matter

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Heart of the Matter--Wood Christmas carving with a red T to represent a crossMost of the time, we want people to get to the heart of the matter. Quit beating around the bush. Stop wasting our time. Cut to the chase.

The heart of the matter refers to what is most important.

It is the:

  • Main point
  • Central issue
  • Primary problem

We require our physical hearts to live and function. Likewise, we focus on the heart of the matter to be most effective.

To deal with a situation, we must address it.

Dillydallying does no good. If a problem exists, work on it. If people do a good job, tell them. Concentrate on what matters most.

The cross is the heart of the matter in Christmas.

We love to celebrate Jesus’ birth. Yet, our music, gifts, and decorations mean nothing if we forget why Jesus came. We must look beyond the manger to the cross.

The Savior of the world came into our world to save us from our sins.

The Christmas message finds fulfillment at Easter. Jesus:

  • Lived a sinless life
  • Gave his life for our sins
  • Rose from the grave in victory over sin and death

Will you give your life to the one who loves you that much?

“I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:10-11 ESV).

Thanks to Beckham Wilson for the suggestion.

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Filled to the Brim

Filled to the Brim

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Filled to the Brim-Coffee pot filling a Christmas coffee mug to the topThis time of year, our lives become filled to the brim. That can be both good and bad.

Filled to the brim means completely full.

We have no room left for anything else. Our cups run over.

Christmas often results in:

  • Activities that crowd every minute
  • More food than we can possibly eat
  • Music, lights, and decorations that leave us in awe

All that overflow results in emotional highs and lows.

  • We love time with friends and family. Yet, we need quiet moments too.
  • The food tastes wonderful. But overeating leaves us sluggish and makes our tummies hurt.
  • Sights and sounds lift our spirits. However, they eventually leave us exhausted.

Filled to the brim also means totally satisfied.

We frequently search for satisfaction in things and activities. Yet, they always fall short.

True satisfaction comes only through a relationship with Jesus.  

Jesus:

  • Came to earth as a baby
  • Lived a perfect life
  • Gave His life as a sacrifice for our sins
  • Rose from the grave in victory over sin and death
  • Offers forgiveness and eternal life to all who accept Him as Savior and Lord

That, my friend, is a filled-to-the-brim life.

And that is what Christmas is all about.

“Jesus said to the servants, ‘Fill the jars with water’; so they filled them to the brim” (John 2:7 NIV).

Thanks to Tracy Crump 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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Look Like a Million Bucks

Look Like a Million Bucks

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Look Like a Million Bucks--two older womenMom and Aunt Ersie always wanted to look like a million bucks. On their worst days, they still liked to look good. At Aunt Ersie’s eightieth birthday celebration, they certainly achieved their goal.

If we look like a million bucks, we look great.

A million bucks means a million dollars. That’s looking good! An attractive appearance, like we just stepped out of a band box, usually makes us feel better. Try it.

If we feel like a million bucks, we feel great.

Other steps for a happy and healthy life include:

  • Exercise
  • A balanced diet
  • Plenty of water
  • A regular sleep schedule

Positive thoughts help us look and feel better.

Likewise, negative thoughts lead to negative appearances and emotions. For the best life, avoid stinking thinking.

We never want to look like a million bucks but treat others poorly.

Remember, pretty is as pretty does.

God gives us worth and beauty.

We are all different, but God loves every one of us. That’s worth more than a million bucks!

“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes.  Rather, it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter 3:3-4 NIV).

Thanks to Margaret Jane Cleasby 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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On Pins and Needles

On Pins and Needles

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On Pins and Needles--pin cushion with pens, needles, and threadHave you ever been on pins and needles?

Physically, our hands or feet may become numb. When we move them, a feeling like pins and needles runs through them. That tingle results from the blood returning.

On pins and needles emotionally means nervous or anxious.

We get tense.

That often occurs when we wait for results such as:

  • School exams
  • Medical tests
  • Job applications

We wonder what will happen.

Few of us like uncertainty, so we tie ourselves in knots while we wait for the next shoe to drop. An unknown often makes us more nervous than a known problem.

Anniversaries of difficult times also make us anxious.

  • The death of a loved one
  • A family tragedy
  • Accidents

This expression occasionally appears as sitting on pins and needles.

The meaning remains the same.

God offers the best cure for uncertainty.

Rather than pins and needles, God provides peace and rest.

“In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly” (Psalm 5:3 NIV).

Thanks to Laura Lee Leathers 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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Do or Die

Do or Die

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Do or Die-little girl using chairs and stools to reach cabinet topHave you watched people fight to succeed when failure seemed certain? Their final effort is do or die. This little one was determined to get to her uncle’s chewing gum. She succeeded with her extra effort.

Do or die means we give our best to succeed and avoid failure.

We keep on keeping on despite:

  • Difficulties
  • Danger
  • Death

We refuse to give up.

Do or die also means our last chance.

  • Ballgames hinge on the last play.
  • Companies depend on end-of-year sales to stay in business.
  • Relationships rely on a final effort to stay together.

Results rest on our willingness to do our best.

We cannot depend on:

  • Past success
  • Reputation
  • Other people

Like the little girl above, let’s refuse to give up.

We all face hard times. That’s life. Turn to Jesus who helps us through every challenge and every storm.

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Psalm 73:26 NIV).

Thanks to Chris J. Beam for the suggestion and to Debbie Tapscott for the photo.

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

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Chasing Squirrels

Chasing Squirrels

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Squirrel in fall leaves around a tree rootWe love watching squirrels in our neck of the woods. However, chasing those squirrels never works. Smaller and faster, they disappear before we can get out the door.

Yet we often succeed at chasing squirrels in other ways.

Chasing squirrels means we lose focus.

We get distracted and as a result, waste time. Rather than concentrate on our work, we notice everything else around us. For example,

  • “Oh, look! I saw a squirrel.”
  • Or butterfly
  • Or cute baby
  • Or airplane
  • Or anything except what we should see.

Chasing squirrels differs from chasing rabbits.

Chasing squirrels means we get distracted. Chasing rabbits means we get off subject. Both can be fun. Both can also cause problems if we fail to refocus or get back on subject.

After our squirrel moments, we want to hightail our minds back where they should be.

Always look in the right direction.

That includes to:

  • The work before us
  • The needs around us
  • God’s plan for us

“We fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Corinthians 4:18 NIV).

Thanks to Melissa Henderson 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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Scapegoat

Scapegoat

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Scapegoat--goat lying in field, face to cameraHave you ever been a scapegoat? Something bad happened. It was not your fault, but you received the blame. Or have you ever scapegoated someone else?

A scapegoat receives all the blame or punishment for the wrongs of others.

The person may be innocent or only partially at fault. However, they receive total blame.

  • Family members accuse a relative for all their problems.
  • Company leaders condemn an employee for the company’s losses.
  • Team members blame one player for their team’s defeat.

We don’t like to be accused when innocent.

Neither do other people.

We find the background for a scapegoat in the Bible.

God gave Moses directions for the Day of Atonement. Aaron, Israel’s first high priest, took two male goats for a sin offering. One goat was sacrificed. The other (the scapegoat) had the sins of the people symbolically placed on it. It was then driven into the wilderness.

Rather than condemn others unfairly, let’s:

  • Take responsibility for our own actions.
  • Encourage one another to make wise choices.
  • Forgive the mistakes of others and ask forgiveness for ours.

Let’s not hang one another out to dry. Instead, let’s treat others like we want to be treated.

“He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task.  (Leviticus 16:21 NIV).

Thanks to Karen Atwood for the suggestion and to Lori Carmicle for the photo.

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

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