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To a T

To a T

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To a T--Janice Holt and Henry Giles cabin“You described my life to a T.” That was Judith Coopey’s response to one of my blog posts. As soon as I read her words, I knew I had to write about them.

I have used this expression all my life.

To a T means something is perfect.

Not close. Not almost. It is:

  • Exact
  • Correct
  • Complete

To a T can be used several ways.

It describes:

  • A situation: “That class meets my needs to a T.”
  • How something looks: “That dress fits to a T.”
  • A person: “Funny but loving describes her to a T.”
  • Likeness: “This pond reflects the cabin to a T. It is a spitting image.”

No one knows how this expression started. The Phrase Finder lists several possibilities.

Jesus’ sacrifice meets everyone’s greatest need to a T.

That fact makes each day a day of thanksgiving and a reason to count life’s blessings.

“For by one sacrifice he has made perfect forever those who are being made holy” (Hebrews 10:14 NIV).

Thanks to Judith Coopey 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.

Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

Grass Is Always Greener on the Other Side

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Grass is Always Greener on the Other Side--pony eating through fenceThe grass is always greener on the other side of the fence. Or so it seems.

That applies to both animals and people. Cows or horses stick their heads through fences to eat grass on the other side. People often try to reach the other side as well.

Many of us believe other people live a better life.

Therefore, we want what we don’t have:

  • Bigger homes
  • Nicer cars
  • Cooler clothes
  • Better-paying jobs
  • More travel
  • Well-behaved children

Life seems perfect for others, while we struggle from day to day. As a result, we get down in the mouth.

The grass is not always greener on the other side.

Most people have problems. No one may see those problems, but they are there. Their problems may differ from ours, but that does not make them any easier.

Happiness comes from within.

We never find happiness by:

  • Comparing our lives with others
  • Getting more than everyone else
  • Eating high on the hog

We find true happiness by:

  • Following God’s plan
  • Learning to be content in good times and bad
  • Valuing people more than things
  • Sharing what we have with those in need

Don’t believe the grass is always greener on the other side. It may be occasionally. Usually it is not.

“Godliness with contentment is great gain” (1 Timothy 6:6 NIV).

Thanks to Shirley Redding Rice for the suggestion. Photo courtesy of Unsplash.

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

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Search High and Low

Search High and Low

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Search High and Low-tree with holes high and lowIf we search high and low, we look everywhere.

We try our best to find something or someone. Examples of people who search high and low include:

  • Children playing “Hide and Seek”
  • Adults having a senior moment (forgetting where they put something)
  • Shoppers searching for the perfect gift

Similar expressions include:

My friend Laurel Blevins found this tree on a local walking trail. Animals can hole up high and low inside it.

Many of us search high and low for joy.

Yet, our search fails when we look for joy in:

  • Money
  • Power
  • Popularity
  • Drugs and alcohol
  • Anything that does not last

We don’t need to wear ourselves out searching. Look to God, our only source of true joy.

“The joy of the Lord is your strength” (Nehemiah 8:10 NIV).

Does this tree remind anyone else of a cookie commercial?

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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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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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Lock Horns

Lock Horns

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Lock Horns--Elk fightingIf you have seen elk or other animals lock horns, you know exactly what this expression means. Two animals fight one another. The fight often results in locked horns (or antlers).

A fight usually begins when the animals:

  • Face one another
  • Dig their feet in the dirt
  • Run toward each other
  • Hit their heads together

Two males often fight over a female.

If we lock horns with one another, we have conflict.

Our conflict may be:

  • Physical fights
  • Verbal arguments

Locking horns may also affect us:

  • Mentally
  • Emotionally
  • Spiritually

Conflict may arise over:

  • Money
  • Jobs
  • Relationships (romance, family, friends)
  • Silly disagreements

Sometimes we must lock horns.

We see wrongs that need to be made right. Our efforts may not be easy. Yet, we must figure out how to make necessary changes happen.

Usually, we want to avoid locking horns.

Much that we fight over is not worth the fight. We end up hurting others and ourselves. We get off on the wrong foot. Then we have to mend fences.

We can disagree without locking horns. That sounds like the better plan.

“If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone” (Romans 12:18 NIV).

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

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If the Shoe Fits, Wear It

If the Shoe Fits, Wear It

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If the Shoe Fits, Wear ItIf the shoe fits, wear it sounds like a shoe ad. However, we usually mean something much different:

If people say anything bad, but true, about us, admit it.

We may not like to hear it. Yet, if we complain, someone may say, “If the shoe fits, wear it.” In other words, if it applies, accept it. Face the music.

If the shoe fits, wear it may follow:

  • “He called me lazy.”
  • “She said I can’t cook.”
  • “The doctor said I need to exercise more.”

Perhaps we need to change shoes.

Just because a shoe fits, we don’t have to keep wearing it. We can choose other shoes.

If we have a bad habit, we don’t have to keep doing it. We can come clean. We can choose a different way to live.

  • Work harder, if we don’t want to be called lazy.
  • Take cooking lessons, if our food tastes bad.
  • Exercise more to get a better doctor’s report.

We may have our work cut out for us, but we can do it.

Choose the best shoes for the best fit.

“Wear shoes that are able to speed you on as you preach the Good News of peace with God” (Ephesians 6:15 TLB).

Thanks to Carole Fite 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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Johnny on the Spot

Johnny on the Spot

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Johnny on the Spot--flowersA Johnny on the spot helps anytime he is needed.

He remains:

  • Prepared
  • Willing to work

Every day he gets up ready to put his hand to the plow.

According to the NTC’s American Idioms Dictionary, a Johnny on the spot is “in the right place at the right time.”

Employers love such workers.

The workers:

  • Have the tools they need
  • Get to work on time
  • Do a good job

Johnny on the spot can refer to anyone of any age or position.

Whether men, women, boys, or girls, they decide to do their best at whatever they do.

  • Gardeners remain ready to garden.
  • Drivers remain ready to drive.
  • Students remain ready to study.

A Johnny on the spot teaches by example.

He helps keep everyone else on their toes:

  • Younger workers learn good work habits.
  • Older workers decide to work harder.
  • Bosses often learn as well.

Like the pictured flower garden, a Johnny on the spot bears good fruit. He also encourages others to do the same.

“Remind them … to be ready for every good work” (Titus 3:1 NKJV).

Thanks to Joyce Cordell 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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On the Square

On the Square

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On the Square-Kristy HorinePlease welcome my friend Kristy Robinson Horine as today’s guest writer. Kristy and I met at Kentucky Christian Writers Conference, where she serves on staff. Kristy makes her life in Paris, Kentucky with her husband, Eric, and is mother to four children – Hanson, Anna, Emily, and Sadie. Her professional and creative work has been published in newspapers, magazines and anthologies in Kentucky and beyond. Kristy can be reached via email: kristyhorine@gmail.com.

On the Square--Patrick Joseph Moran plaque

 

In the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame Museum, a bronze plaque and statue honor former Reds manager, Patrick Joseph Moran.

The plaque lists Moran’s achievements. It also says, “He played life’s game on the square, beloved by both players and the public.”

Many Squares

In real life, we try not to end up as a square peg in a round hole. However, no one can escape the reality of a square life. We often have:

  • Square roots in math
  • Public squares in politics and speech
  • Square deals in business and trade

Or,

  • We can be squared away when we tie up all our loose ends.
  • We can square off against opponents in any area.

On the Square: 2 carpenter squaresPerhaps the best kind of square is like the one a carpenter uses.

Carpenter squares come in many sizes and are made of varied materials. They have a 90-degree right angle. Some have a cross bar between the angle’s two sides for additional measurement.

To be squared up against a carpenter’s square is to be true, steady, and wise.

  • A wall that is not square poses a danger to those inside or out. Angles that are too wide (obtuse) or too narrow (acute) cannot support weight without falling eventually.
  • A floor that is not level causes objects to slide, roll, or lose balance.

Walls, floors, and lives built on the square:

  • Are not in danger of toppling over
  • Do not cause others to slide, roll, or lose balance
  • Bear up well under weight.

May we all live our lives as if we were built by the best carpenter of all time – Jesus Christ.

“In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands” (Psalm 102:25 NIV).

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

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