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Teetotal

Teetotal

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Teetotal--full moonTeetotal means total or complete.

It refers most often to a person who never drinks alcohol. We call that person a teetotaler. Our family chose a teetotal life. Too many people we love have been ruined by alcohol.  We decided better safe than sorry.

We occasionally see teetotal written T Total. Either way we spell it, we stress total.

  • No question about it
  • No doubt at all
  • Absolutely

Teetotal also means certainty.

Someone may ask, “Are you sure?” or “Is that your final answer?” To stress our certainty, we answer, “Teetotally.” We are completely certain. We definitely gave our final answer.

Teetotal also means completely full.

  • A full moon lights up the night sky.
  • Our hearts fill with sorrow.
  • We eat all we can.
  • Joy makes our cup run over.

For the teetotally best life, we ask God to fill us with His love and power.

“You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence” (Acts 2:28 NIV).

Thanks to Betty Johnson for the suggestion.

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Easter Reflections play script, flower, and cross in backgroundCongratulations to Harriet Michael, whose name was randomly drawn from my blog subscribers for a free copy of “Easter Reflections.”  You can read a script preview or order the play from Christian Publishers.

Down to the Wire

Down to the Wire

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Down to the Wire--close horse raceDown to the wire means the last instant.

  • People put everything off until the last minute.
  • Or they near the end of a contest.

They have no more time.

This expression comes from horse racing.

Years ago, a wire marked the end of a horse race. When the race was close, the contest was down to the wire. No one knew the winner until the first horse reached the wire. That horse won by a nose.

People often work down to the wire to:

  • Complete homework
  • Finish a job
  • Prepare for guests

People who like to work down to the wire:

  • Almost always wait until the last minute
  • Don’t mind close deadlines
  • Work well under pressure

They usually:

People who hate to work down to the wire:

  • Want to be on time or early
  • Worry or get nervous when deadlines near
  • Work poorly under pressure

They usually:

  • Plan
  • Go by the book
  • Get the job done with plenty of time to spare.

I hate working down to the wire. What about you? Please comment below.

“My only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24 NIV).

Thanks to Brad Leverett for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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Loose Lips Sink Ships

Loose Lips Sink Ships

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Loose Lips Sink Ships--boat sinkingWe do well if we think before we speak.

Loose lips sink ships. If we talk too much, we:

  • Give information we should not give
  • To people who should not know

According to The Phrase Finder, this expression began during World War II.

The United States Office of War Information tried to keep information from enemy spies.

In times of war or peace, we want to watch our words.

Busybodies, as well as spies, cause much damage.

The children’s song “O Be Careful Little Eyes,” reminds us to be careful what we:

  • See
  • Hear
  • Say
  • Do
  • Think
  • Who we trust
  • And where we go

That sounds like good advice for any age.

Rather than put our foot in our mouth or hurt someone, let’s be careful what we say.

“In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise” (Proverbs 10:19 MEV).

Thanks to Kristy Robinson Horine for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Pixabay.

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

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Turn a Blind Eye

Turn a Blind Eye

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Turn a Blind Eye--child sneaking Christmas cookies off a plateTo turn a blind eye, we ignore something.

We pretend not to see it or know about it. However, we do see and know. We simply don’t want to do anything. We sweep it under the rug.

To turn a blind eye to small issues may cause no problem.

  • Children sneak a bit of food before dinner.
  • Families have small disagreements.
  • People make embarrassing mistakes.

To turn a blind eye to larger issues may cause great problems.

  • Children (or adults) have little or nothing to eat.
  • Family members suffer abuse.
  • People bully a disabled person.

We must take action when people suffer.

First, we figure out what we can do. Then we do it.

“Whoever gives to the poor will lack nothing, but one who turns a blind eye will get many a curse” (Proverbs 28:27 NIV).

Thanks to Frank Cheatham for the suggestion and to Barbara Snow for the picture.

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

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His Name Is Mud

His Name Is Mud

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His Name Is Mud--runner in mudMany children love to play in mud. Some animals roll in mud. However, no one wants to hear his name is mud.

Anyone whose name is mud is in trouble.

 The person’s bad situation makes him:

  • Unpopular
  • Dishonored
  • Have a bad reputation

Many believe his name is mud began with Dr. Samuel Mudd.

Dr. Mudd treated John Wilkes Booth’s broken leg after Booth killed President Abraham Lincoln. Dr. Mudd went to jail but was later pardoned. Many say he was innocent of any wrong. However, his reputation suffered.

His name is mud was a common expression before Dr. Mudd.

It often meant a person was a fool.

A person whose name is mud can come clean.

If guilty of bad behavior, he can:

  • Admit his mistakes
  • Ask forgiveness
  • Turn to God for guidance

If innocent of bad behavior, he can:

  • Live a life that shows his innocence
  • Explain what happened, if he thinks that will help
  • Show proof of his innocence
  • Watch his step to prevent future problems

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand” (Psalm 40:2).

Thanks to Terry Brewer 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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Pick Someone’s Brain

Pick Someone’s Brain

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Pick Someone's Brain cartoonWhen we pick someone’s brain, we get information from that person.

We need ideas or advice. Therefore, we ask questions, sometimes lots of questions. A few of us probably drive parents and teachers wild with all our questions.

I recently picked several people’s brains.

My blog needed a new theme. Although I love to write blog posts, I hate the technical work. It makes me feel:

I was ready to throw in the towel before I got started.

As much as I wanted to give up, I did not. After picking lots of brains, I finally have a new theme.

Now, I need to pick your brain.

Will you check out the different pages on my site? You don’t have to know any technical information. Just see if it looks okay or if I need to make any changes.

You can comment below or contact me by email.

Thank you for your help.

“Wisdom is found in those who take advice” (Proverbs 13:10 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.

Easy Does It

Easy Does It

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Easy Does It--gentle streamEasy does it tells us to move slowly and carefully.

 Like gently flowing water, we:

  • Take our time
  • Work around hard spots
  • Go with the flow

If we move too fast, we quickly learn that haste makes waste.

Sometimes easy does it relates to work.

We remain careful when we:

  • Move a heavy piece of furniture
  • Carry a special painting or piece of pottery

We don’t want to drop or break any of those.

Other times easy does it relates to our emotions.

When we feel out of control, rather than blow off steam, we:

  • Calm down
  • Relax
  • Control our temper
  • Treat everyone as we want to be treated

Ways to stay in control include:

  • Taking deep breaths
  • Lowering our shoulders, so our muscles relax
  • Closing our eyes and thinking of a favorite place
  • Praying
  • Asking if what upsets us will matter in ten years

Easy does it works well for everything and everybody.

“The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23 NIV).

Thanks to Janna Babak 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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Nip It in the Bud

Nip It in the Bud

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Nip It in the Bud--plant with flowers and buds“Nip it in the bud. Just nip it in the bud.” Barney Fife on The Andy Griffith Show said that over and over. We laughed at Barney’s many messes. However, he did get a few things right.

We often need to nip it in the bud.

 We want to:

  • Stop something at an early stage
  • Prevent a problem before it happens
  • End a problem before it gets bigger

Taking action now may prevent regret later. Better safe than sorry.

If we don’t want a flower to bloom, we nip it in the bud.

We cut or break off the bud before it blooms. Sometimes, cold weather nips a flower in the bud.

Like flowers, some situations need nipping. To prevent problems or danger:

  • Parents punish their children’s bad behaviors.
  • Bosses fire lazy workers.
  • We quit bad habits.

Whether we nip buds or let them bloom, we can trust the Creator of them all. 

Also, with God’s help, we can always bloom where we’re planted.

“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will be joyful in God my Savior” (Habakkuk 3:17-18 NIV).

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

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Up a Stump

Up a Stump

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Up a Stump--stump I always thought up a stump meant the same as stumped. My friend Patty Cooper Emerson explained a difference in the two.

Stumped means confused or puzzled.

We cut a few trees in our back year. I was stumped about what to do with the stumps. Should I:

  • Dig them up
  • Burn them
  • Leave them alone

Up a Stump--honeysuckle-covered stumpWith one stump, I let nature take control. Honeysuckle grew near it. I allowed the honeysuckle to keep growing. Now, it covers the stump and blooms all summer. Problem solved.

No longer stumped, I have a pretty stump.

Up a stump means a situation too big to manage.

I cannot solve the problem. I:

  • Have no choice
  • Must live with it

Patty gave the example of a young man who arrives 30 minutes late to work every day. If he is my sister’s son, I might feel up a stump – like I can do nothing.

What makes me feel up a stump may not make you feel that way.  

  • You may be comfortable firing your sister’s son.
  • I may feel comfortable with a problem you cannot manage.

Nothing leaves God up a stump. Rather than tying myself in knots or becoming a worry wart, I can take all my problems to God. So can you.

“A life devoted to things is a dead life, a stump; a God-shaped life is a flourishing tree” (Proverbs 11:28 MSG).

If you use up a stump and stumped, do you mean the same? Please comment below.

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

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You Can’t Squeeze Blood from a Turnip

You Can’t Squeeze Blood from a Turnip

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You Can't Squeeze Blood from a Turnip--basket of turnipsYou can’t squeeze blood from a turnip means something is extremely hard to do.

You may also hear:

  • It is like getting blood from a turnip.
  • You can’t draw blood from a turnip.
  • It is like getting blood from a stone.

All usually deal with efforts to get money or information from someone.

 The person:

  • Has what we need but will not share or help
  • Or has little or no money or information

Often a person has a bill but no way to pay it.

A few businesspeople understand. Others do not.

During my social work years, a doctor cared for a couple and their children. One day we discussed their many needs. The doctor said, “You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip.” He knew the family was poor as a church mouse. They would probably never be able to pay his bill.

However, the doctor continued to treat the family. He also gave them the same respect he gave everyone else. The family paid him $1 every month. He admired their effort to pay what they could.

You can’t squeeze blood from a turnip. You can treat everyone with respect.

 Count your blessings. Then share those blessings with others.

“Whoever oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God” (Proverbs 14:31 NIV).

Thanks to Rhonda Wade Royster 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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