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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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Not for Love nor Money

Not for Love nor Money

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Not for Love nor Money--$20 bill shaped like a heart held by girls with long red fingernailsMany things in life we would never do – not for love nor money. Few of us would:

  • Walk a tightrope over Niagara Falls
  • Swim with sharks
  • Run with the bulls in Spain

Not for love nor money means never.

  • Under no circumstances
  • Regardless of what happens
  • Impossible

Similar expressions include:

  • Not for love or money
  • Not fer love ner money (country slang)

Sometimes we must do hard things even if we rather not.

They are so important, we take the risk. Forget hemming and hawing. No ifs, ands, or buts. We simply hunker down and do it.

Not-for-love-nor-money decisions may be outside our control.

Whether we want to do something or not, we may be unable to do it. However, nothing lies beyond the control of the one and only God who is:

  • All-powerful
  • All-knowing
  • Everywhere present

What we cannot do, God can.

“Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible’” (Matthew 19:26 NIV).

Thanks to Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion and to Piper Atwood for assistance with the photo.

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Eat the Frog First

Eat the Frog First

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Eat the Frog First--Frog on a lily pad facing a flowerEat the frog first sounds disgusting. Although frog legs taste good, the image of a live frog gives me the heebie-jeebies.

Eat the frog first means to tackle our toughest job first.

That job is often:

  • Most important
  • Easiest to put off
  • Most satisfying when finished

Eat the frog first tells us not to procrastinate.

Get the worst work done. Then relax and move on to:

  • Other tasks
  • A well-deserved break

When we finish a job, we no longer dread it.

Mark Twain frequently receives credit for this expression’s origin.

Several sources quote him with, “Eat a live frog every morning, and nothing worse will happen to you the rest of the day.”

However, according to Quote Investigator, the expression probably began much earlier.

The full article lists those possibilities.

Whatever the origin, eat the frog first makes good sense.

However, it still sounds gross! I cannot imagine the plague of frogs mentioned in the Bible.

“The Nile will teem with frogs. They will come up into your palace and your bedroom and onto your bed, into the houses of your officials and on your people, and into your ovens and kneading troughs” (Exodus 8:3 NIV).

Thanks to Tillie Cowherd for the suggestion. Image by Couleur from Pixabay.

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Cut to the Chase

Cut to the Chase

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Cut to the Chase--Nine children running in a field with trees behind themChildren know how to cut to the chase. They abandon boring activities and hightail it to their next adventure.

Cut to the chase means to get to the point.

We don’t bother with:

  • Trivial details
  • Information overload
  • Unnecessary actions

We address only what matters most. Forget the minor. Focus on the major.

We often wish people would cut to the chase.

Those brave among us tell them to quit dillydallying, to stop wasting our time. The not-so-brave endure their rabbit chasing until the end finally comes.

This expression has a motion picture history.

When a scene ends and another begins, they “cut” from one scene to the next. This may occur in filming or editing. To cut to the chase means to get to the exciting part of the film. They move from a slow scene and focus on an action shot. Think in terms of:

  • Car chases
  • Police raids
  • Helicopter fights

Movie producers want to keep their audiences interested.

Let’s cut to the chase with our lives.

We do well if we:

  • Focus on the most important.
  • Use every word, action, and attitude to live for and point others to our loving God.

“What I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3 NIV).

Thanks to Alma Haste for the suggestion and to Kelsi Wilson and Lorie Richerson for the photo.

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Down Pat

Down Pat

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Down Pat--open books with pen and pencil holders beside themDo you know people who appear to have life down pat? Everything they do, they do well.

  • They excel at athletics.
  • Music flows from them.
  • Academic awards cover their walls.
  • They smile through every hardship.

Down pat means you have learned something well.

The Free Dictionary defines it as “Learned, mastered, or understood perfectly, to the point of requiring little or no focus to do, recall, or accomplish.” You hit the bull’s eye.

To get anything down pat usually requires extra effort.

Before you make it look easy, you must:

  • Work hard
  • Study
  • Practice
  • Memorize

You need to develop your natural abilities.

Talent alone rarely gets you where you want to go. Experts were once students. When you study hard, your skills grow.

God gives the talent. People add the elbow grease.

“I applied my heart to what I observed and learned a lesson from what I saw” (Proverbs 24:32).

Thanks to Katherine Pasour for the suggestion.

Honoring God with My Body book coverDo you have an expression you want explained or thoughts about this one? If so, please comment below.

Subscribe to receive my weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.” On 8-23-25, I will randomly select one name from my mailing list to also receive a free copy of Katherine Pasour’s book, Honoring God with My Body: Journey to Wellness and a Healthy Lifestyle. If your name is already on the mailing list, you are automatically entered. Please encourage your friends to subscribe.

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Off the Top of My Head

Off the Top of My Head

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Off the Top of My Head--two facing head outlines filled with booksHave you ever felt swamped with work, and someone asked you a question? Perhaps you began your response with, “Off the top of my head …”

Off the top of my head means you reply with little thought.

Your answer requires minimal brain power. However, if you fail to check your memory, your guess might not be right.

Off the top of my head works best if you know your subject well.

The most reliable information comes from experts in the field.

  • Plumbers know how to fix leaky faucets.
  • Doctors understand health issues.
  • Chefs prepare tasty food.

Experts often consult with one another since two heads are better than one.

Verifying usually works best.

Therefore:

  • Reliable plumbers check leaks.
  • Trustworthy doctors perform tests.
  • Top chefs try recipes before they share them.

They investigate before they act—a valuable lesson for everyone.

“Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. (Ecclesiastes 5:2 NIV).

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

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On the Tip of Your Tongue

On the Tip of Your Tongue

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On the Tip of Your Tongue -- dog with tongue outHave you ever had someone’s name on the tip of your tongue? You know the person well, but the name simply will not come to mind.

On the tip of your tongue means something you can almost remember.

The thought is nearly there but not quite. When you start to say it, it disappears. You could kick yourself, but that would do no good.

On the tip of your tongue refers to more than names.

People often forget:

  • Answers to questions
  • Thoughts
  • Quotes
  • Words

The inability to recall information affects everyone.

However, certain conditions make the situation worse.

  • Age
  • Stress
  • Multi-tasking
  • Distractions
  • Illness

Those and other circumstances often make the brain work at a snail’s pace.

Humor helps when anything remains on the tip of your tongue.

Like water off a duck’s back, let it go. Learn to laugh at yourself. You are not alone.

Aren’t you glad God never forgets?

Never has. Never will.

“Before a word is on my tongue you, Lord, know it completely” (Psalm 139:4 NIV).

Thanks to Lindy Pierce for the suggestion and to Chelsey Stone for the photo.

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In a Pickle

In a Pickle

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In a Pickle--two shelves of assorted picklesA friend recently said, “I don’t like to put you in a pickle.” She did not want her plans to cause me trouble.

In a pickle means in a difficult situation.

Similar expressions include in a jam or in hot water.

We often end up in a pickle or in a jam through no fault of our own.

  • Circumstances work against us.
  • People’s actions hurt us.
  • Weather destroys our property.
  • Sickness strikes our family.

We have no control over those situations.

Occasionally we get ourselves in a pickle or in hot water.

Our actions work against us when we:

  • Mistreat others
  • Break laws or rules
  • Refuse to work

Sometimes we add words to this expression.

Examples include:

  • In a pretty pickle.
  • In a right pickle.
  • In a real pickle.

However we say it, we get in a mess.

Simple steps may help us out of our messes.

  • Request help from friends, family, or coworkers.
  • Apologize for mistakes.
  • Pray for God’s guidance.

“I cling to your commands and follow them as closely as I can. Lord, don’t let me make a mess of things” (Psalm 119:31 TLB).

Thanks to Rita Smalley for the suggestion and to Gail Gosser for the photo.

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Half-baked

Half-baked

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Half-baked--strawberry cupcakesI don’t like half-baked food, do you? Instead, like these beautiful cupcakes, bake everything until fully done. Yum!

Half-baked means partly baked.

Half-done food:

  • Rarely tastes good
  • May not be safe

Anything half-baked, food or nonfood, is incomplete.

Poor planning and practice doom our projects. Success requires good judgement in preparation and procedure.

Half-baked also means foolish.

Ideas are:

  • Impractical
  • Uninformed
  • Unrealistic

Impolite descriptions include:

  • Stupid
  • Crazy
  • Brainless

Such ideas often result from a lack of maturity or experience.

However, age and ability don’t guarantee wise judgement. Neither do youth and a lack of experience mean certain failure.

At any age or skill level, we gain when we:

  • Take our time.
  • Plan well.
  • Work hard.

If we want to take the cake, we can’t use half-baked ideas.

God never offers partial plans.

In a recent sermon, our pastor described a half-baked or half-done scheme. Because of poor planning and performance, it failed.

However, God never does anything halfway. We find the ultimate example of God’s complete work in Jesus. Sent to earth as the perfect sacrifice for our sins, Jesus saves us entirely and eternally.

God gives the best. Never settle for less.

“My people mingle with the heathen, picking up their evil ways; thus they become as good-for-nothing as a half-baked cake!” (Hosea 7:8 TLB).

Thanks to Pastor Dwayne Norman for the idea and to Carol Sullivan for the photo.

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Where Bees Are, There Is Honey

Where Bees Are, There Is Honey

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Where There Are Bees, There Is Honey--two people in protective suits capturing a swarm of honeybees

My dad loved taking care of bee hives. A cousin continues Dad’s tradition. He knows that where bees are, there is honey.

Where bees are, there is honey has a clear literal meaning.

Honeybees produce honey.

We sometimes hear a less grammatically correct version of this expression: Where there’s bees, there’s honey.

Bees work hard, and their hard work pays off.

In addition to providing a natural sweetener, they pollinate plants.

  • Flowers
  • Vegetables
  • Fruits

Without bees, we suffer.

Where bees are, there is honey also applies to people.

Where we find people busy as a bee, we find results.

Success and better pay usually follow hard work. Hard work also makes our world a better place.

Bees teach us to work together.

Large numbers in bee swarms make their efforts faster and more effective. Likewise for people, many hands make light work.

May we learn from bees and from all God’s creation.

“The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous. They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold; they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb” (Psalm 19:9-10 NIV).

Thanks to Kristy Horine for the suggestion and to Jewell Withers Wade for the photo.

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