trouble Archives - Diana Derringer

Mayday

July 14, 2025 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

Old movies often show someone in trouble who calls, “Mayday! Mayday! Mayday!”

Mayday is an internationally recognized radiotelephone signal for help.

The person, usually on a ship or in an airplane, is in crisis. Problems may include:

A fire
Engine trouble
A collision

If the person in the thick of it survives, it may be on a wing and a prayer.

According to The Free Dictionary, mayday originated with the French phrase, m’aider.

M’aider means “Help me.” Danger threatens.

Mayday now includes other difficulties or dangers.

Most of us have experienced the stress of major and minor disasters.

Storms destroy property.
Appliances stop working.
Cars break down.
Electronics die.

Mayday should not be confused with May Day, the May 1 springtime celebration.

May 1 is also Labor Day in some countries.

When emergencies arise, God directs us to help one another.

God comforts us. Yet, God also guides us to help the hurting. Shared love and support encourage us to get a grip and keep on keeping on.

“The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him” (Nahum 1:7 NIV).

Thanks to Mike Bertoglio 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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In a Pickle

July 7, 2025 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

A 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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Cruising for a Bruising

January 6, 2025 Diana Derringer Comments 10 comments

If we drive a car too fast, we are cruising for a bruising. Possible results include:

A speeding ticket
A wreck
Injury or death

Cruising for a bruising means headed for trouble.

Our behavior works against us.

Parents, teachers, or others in authority punish us.
People we insult or bully injure us.
Natural or logical consequences cause temporary or permanent pain.

Cruising for a bruising hurts in several ways.

Physical: Actual bruises or other injuries to our bodies
Emotional: Conflicts or losses
Spiritual: Lack of or a poor relationship with God
Financial: Reduction or total loss of economic resources
Mental: Decreased abilities

Many people shorten this expression to cruisin for a bruisin.

However we say it, the meaning remains the same. We suffer the costs of the trouble we pursue. If we don’t straighten up and fly right, we must face the music.

God forgives when we repent of our misbehavior.

We receive a new beginning, a fresh start. However, we must choose. Do we want to keep cruising for a bruising or turn to Jesus for healing and eternal life?

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord” (Acts 3:19 NIV).

Thanks to Laura Leathers and the ladies in her Women on Mission group for the suggestion. Image by Rico Löb from Pixabay

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Hunker Down

September 9, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 13 comments

During recent storms, many of us had to hunker down in more than one way. We protected ourselves from the storms’ initial danger. Afterwards, we worked hard to recover from any damage.

The Free Dictionary gives four meanings for hunker down.

“Literally to squat.” We bend our knees to lower ourselves.
“To seek refuge.” We find shelter when dangers arise.
“To work or begin to work … in a determined manner.” We clean up after a disaster or we study hard.
“To stubbornly maintain some belief.” We refuse to compromise, change our mind, or admit when we make a mistake.

Although I have heard this expression used all four ways, I usually think of the second one. Similar to a ship’s crew that battens down the hatches, we prepare for a storm.

Storms occur in all areas of life.

Physical—Bad weather, health problems, or accidents
Mental—Illness, educational challenges, or overload
Emotional—Relationship issues, stress, or uncertainty
Spiritual—Persecution, false information, or poor choices

Whatever storm we face, we never have to hunker down alone.

If we turn to God, God remains with us. One of my favorite old gospel songs promises, “No, Never Alone.”

“The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged” (Deuteronomy 31:8 NIV).

Which meaning of hunker down have you heard or used?

Thanks to Judy Glen Corbin for the suggestion. Image by Didier from Pixabay.

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At Loggerheads

July 1, 2024 Diana Derringer Comments 7 comments

At loggerheads has nothing to do with loggerhead turtles. Although we might enjoy finding the so-ugly-they-are-cute turtles, they give no insight into the idiom. Unless they fight.

At loggerheads means in conflict.

We disagree or argue and fail to resolve the problem. Probably one of the best-known examples of conflict between families is the Hatfield and McCoy feud.

Usually no one wins when at loggerheads.

As with the Hatfields and McCoys, strong disagreement often causes great suffering on both sides including violence or death.

In addition to families, quarrels or disputes occur among:

Friends
Co-workers
Countries
Organizations

The Free Dictionary gives two possible origins for the expression.

“A ‘logger’ is a 16th-century term for a block of wood, so a ‘loggerhead’ is a blockhead or fool.”
Loggerhead is also a late 1600s term for “a long-handled iron poker with a bulb-shaped end that was heated in the fire and used to melt pitch.” This “may have been alluded to as a weapon.”

Rather than remain at loggerheads, let’s seek solutions.

Compromise when possible.
Agree with the other person when we realize we are wrong.
Stand firm when necessary.
Follow Jesus’ example of self-giving love.

“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs” (Proverbs 10:12 NIV).

Thanks to Sarah Burns Hampshire for the suggestion. Photo by Amy Farías with Pexels.

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

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All Hands on Deck

September 11, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 8 comments

If a ship requires help from the entire crew, it calls for all hands on deck. Everyone must get in position to batten down the hatches. They prepare for the storm ahead. The crisis may result from:

Severe weather
Enemy attack
Mechanical problems

According to The Free Dictionary, a ship’s crew members are also known as hands. The ship’s floor is its deck.

However, the definition for this expression has expanded beyond ships.

All hands on deck means everyone needs to help.

After recent natural disasters, calls came for assistance from every available resource. Troubles included:

Floods
Wildfires
Earthquakes
Drought
Tornadoes

In addition to government agencies, volunteer groups assisted.

Several in our church help with disaster relief services. They keep supplies and vehicles ready to go when calls come.

This expression applies to small problems as well as large ones.

Everyone has a role to play in:

Families
Sports teams
Offices
Schools

In every situation, many hands make light work.

Whatever our position, God calls us to remain ready.

That applies regardless of our age, abilities, or social status. God’s call is not always easy. However, it is always worthwhile.

“Stand steady, and don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Bring others to Christ. Leave nothing undone that you ought to do” (2 Timothy 4:5 TLB).

Thanks to Jane Ashley Pace for the suggestion. Image by Brigitte Werner from Pixabay

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

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Out of Sorts

August 28, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 22 comments

Please 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. She offers encouragement for each day through her book, In a Season of Mondays: A 30-Day Devotional Journal.

I knew before I came into the kitchen, I was in trouble. My daily responsibilities took longer than anticipated. I still had to put away groceries and unload the dishwasher before I could start supper. My day had not gone as planned, and I was out of sorts.

To be out of sorts means to be jumbled together or mixed up.

Sometimes, being out of sorts happens the moment our feet hit the floor in the mornings. There is no rhyme or reason for the feeling. It just happens.

Sometimes, being out of sorts happens because of other people’s decisions:

A child volunteers to bring cookies to an event but doesn’t tell us until the night before.
A co-worker drops the ball, and we are left to pick up the pieces.
Another driver gets distracted and crashes into our car.

Other times, being out of sorts happens because of the decisions we make:

We forget to unload the dishwasher at the right time.
We say yes to too many things.
We don’t communicate well, causing chaos and conflict.

Whether being out of sorts comes from within us or from others, we can still choose to act in a way that pleases God.

We find clues in one of my favorite passages in the Bible.

“Since many have undertaken to set in order a narrative concerning those matters which have been fulfilled among us, even as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word delivered them to us, it seemed good to me also, having traced the course of all things accurately from the first, to write to you in order, most excellent Theophilus, that you might know the certainty concerning the things in which you were instructed” (Luke 1:1-4 World English Bible).

Learning from this passage, we can easily get back on track, even though we find ourselves out of sorts. We can:

Listen to those who have been there.
Look at our situation with accuracy.
Lead others to know the truth.

What are ways you find yourself out of sorts? Can you listen, look, and lead to put things right?

Subscribe to receive Diana’s weekly posts by email and receive a free copy of “Words of Hope for Days that Hurt.” On September 9, 2023, one name will be randomly selected from Diana’s mailing list to also receive a free copy of Kristy’s In a Season of Mondays. If your name is already on the mailing list, you are automatically entered. Please encourage your friends to subscribe.

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

Down the Drain

July 24, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 15 comments

We love to watch water fall into a river. However, we rarely want to watch water go down the drain. We lose that water, and it costs us.

Down the drain means wasted.

Our resources have:

Failed
Disappeared
Ruined

This may apply to:

Companies
Finances
Relationships
Personal or professional plans

Sometimes, we control what goes down the drain.

We do that when we:

Make risky investments.
Spend money recklessly.
Fail to nurture relationships.
Focus only on ourselves.

Other times, we have no control.

Banks or companies make poor decisions.
Thieves rob us.
People desert us.

Whether we have control or not, we lose.

Similar metaphors include:

Down the tubes
Down the pan
Down the toilet
Down the plughole

Life constantly changes.

With all its ups and downs, we look for a constant. We find that in a relationship with Jesus. Whatever the situation, Jesus remains with us and will guide us through it.

Circumstances may go down the drain. With Jesus, our eternity remains secure.

Thanks to Beckham Wilson 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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Get to the Root of

July 10, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 6 comments

For trees or other plants to grow, they need good roots. If they start to die, we look for a reason. We get to the root of the problem.

Recently, we had two large trees cut. We loved the trees. However, they were dying. Their roots no longer supplied what they needed to survive.

If we find the source of any problem, we get to the root of it.

We may not find physical roots like a tree. Yet, any problem has a cause.

My husband suffered several physical symptoms in 2003 and 2004. No one found a reason at first. Because we did not give up, doctors finally got to the root of it. He had a brain tumor.

We get to the root of most problems the same way.

We determine:

Signs of the problem
Probable causes
The actual cause
Ways to correct it

Those steps apply to a variety of difficulties.

Medical
Relationship
Employment
Property

We often need experts to help us get to the root of it.

Regardless of our abilities, none of us has all the answers. Two heads are better than one. Especially if one of those heads has special training and skills. Even more so, if both heads bow in prayer to seek God’s direction.

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, And whose hope is the Lord. For he shall be like a tree planted by the waters, Which spreads out its roots by the river, And will not fear when heat comes; But its leaf will be green, And will not be anxious in the year of drought, Nor will cease from yielding fruit. (Jeremiah 17:7-8 NKJV).

Thanks to Becky Nash Rowe for the suggestion. Photo by Jeremy Bishop on Unsplash.

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

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Hem and Haw

May 15, 2023 Diana Derringer Comments 12 comments

A young cousin visited our family years ago. When no one was looking, she helped herself to Mom’s perfume. Lots of perfume. Stink-you-out-of-the-house strong. When Mom asked about it, Kim chose to hem and haw.

Kim looked at the ground, the sky, and the trees. Never at Mom. Regardless of what Mom said, she responded, “I’m just tired.”

Kim did not want to answer Mom’s question. She was not caught red-handed, but she was obviously guilty.

According to The Free Dictionary, to hem and haw is “to refuse to give a definite answer.”

“‘Hem,’ similar … to … ‘ahem,’ [means] to hesitate. ‘Haw’ [means] much the same…. Combine the two, and you have someone who’s stalling for time and hoping not to have to respond any further.”

Some people simply say “hem haw.”

To hem and haw also means to act with uncertainty.

Both meanings often involve:

Pauses
Unclear speech
Poor eye contact
Vague answers
Frequent throat clearing (a similar sound to the expression)

Such behavior occurs when people don’t know how to answer or don’t want to answer.

Rather than a direct reply, they stall with meaningless sounds or words.

Saying “I don’t know” or “I did it” sounds better than avoiding the truth.

Honesty helps keep people out of hot water. Choose the right way now to stay out of trouble now and later.

“Speak the truth to each other” (Zechariah 8:16 NIV).

Thanks to Terrie Wilson for the suggestion. Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay.

NOTE: While exploring related expressions, I discovered I used a similar introduction for beat around the bush. However, it works so well for both, I decided to keep it here too.

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

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