Table of Contents
What does the idiom hit the roof mean?
to become very angry. She hit the roof when her son was more than an hour late coming home.
What is the origin of hit the roof?
This is informal phrase has been in use since the 19th century in the present form. This is shortened/altered version of the original phrase ‘up on the roof/top’ which was in use from around the 17th century and was an expression of being infuriated to shouting so loud you could lift the roof off the house.
How do you use hit the roof in a sentence?
When Mr Smith saw all the mistakes his secretary had made, he really hit the roof. 21. When he saw all the mistakes his secretary had made, he really hit the roof.
What does it mean to be off the roof?
fall off the roof, to phr. [1960+] 1 to be sexually incapacitated. 2 to be menstruating. 3 (US gay) to be in a nervous, irritable state.
What does to throw in the towel mean?
To quit in defeat. The phrase comes from boxing, in which a fighter indicates surrender by throwing a towel into the ring: “After losing the election, he threw in the towel on his political career.”.
What does throw a wobbly mean?
Definition of throw a wobbly British, informal. : to become very angry or upset He threw a wobbly when he found out his flight was delayed.
What does forcing your hand mean?
: to make it necessary for someone to do something She’d intended to postpone her decision, but events forced her hand.
What’s the meaning of hit the floor?
: to drop down to the ground suddenly She hit the ground when the gunfire started.
What does spilling the beans mean?
Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, as in You can count on little Carol to spill the beans about the surprise. In this colloquial expression, first recorded in 1919, spill means “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.
What does hitting the sack mean?
hit the sack in American English slang. to go to bed; go to sleep.
What is the meaning of to be in hot water?
phrase. If you are in hot water, you are in trouble. [informal] The company has already been in hot water over high prices this year. Synonyms: in trouble, in a mess More Synonyms of in hot water.
What does the idiom hit the road mean?
phrase. If you hit the road, you set out on a journey. [informal] I was relieved to get back in the car and hit the road again.
What does off the hook mean slang?
: to allow (someone who has been caught doing something wrong or illegal) to go without being punished If you ask me, they let him off the hook too easily.
Is off the roof a saying?
euphemism To experience one’s menstrual period. She says she has cramps right now—she must have fallen off the roof.
What does it mean to be out of this world?
Extraordinary, superb, as in Her carrot cake is out of this world. This colloquial term refers to something too good for this world. [ Early 1900s].
Why do we say pay through the nose?
The origin of the phrase pay through the nose is quite murky, though it seems to be associated in some way to the paying of taxes. When the Danes conquered Ireland in the ninth century, they took a census by “counting noses”. Exorbitant taxes were imposed on each “nose”, thus one had to pay through the nose.
What does it mean when the tables have turned?
We say that the tables have turned when the roles between two people (or groups of people) have reversed and are now the opposite of what they used to be. It means that the person who once had the advantage in a situation now has the disadvantage, and vice versa.
What does that cost an arm and a leg mean?
Definition of cost an arm and a leg informal. : to be too expensive I want a new car that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg.
What does out on the lash mean?
From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English on the lashBritish English informal drinking a lot of alcohol in pubs or bars We went out on the lash last night.
What does lash mean slang?
Lash. This word can be used to mean a few different things. It can be used to describe heavy rain as in “Heavy rain lashes Dublin”. It can also be used to refer to making an attempt at something, as in “I’ll give it a lash”. Finally, it is commonly used in the phrase “on the lash” which means to go out drinking.
What does it mean to have someone in your corner?
If you have someone in your corner, you have their support or help.
What does giving an ultimatum mean?
Definition of ultimatum : a final proposition, condition, or demand especially : one whose rejection will end negotiations and cause a resort to force or other direct action.
What does it mean to drop someone’s hand?
(Ireland, dated) To engage in sexual petting.
What is the meaning of stay your hand?
stay your/somebody’s ˈhand (old-fashioned or literary) stop yourself/somebody from doing something; prevent somebody from doing something: He reached for his keys, but Rosa stayed his hand.
What is the meaning play fast and loose?
Definition of play fast and loose : to behave in a clever and dishonest way —usually + with He was accused of playing fast and loose with the truth. reporters playing fast and loose with the facts.
What is a red letter day means?
Definition of red-letter day informal. : a very happy and important day.
What is the meaning of handed out?
1a : to give without charge. b : to give freely. 2 : administer handed out a severe punishment.
What does egg on your face mean?
Definition of with egg on one’s face : appearing foolish usually because something one said would happen has not happened The unexpected election result left a lot of journalists with egg on their faces.
What does it mean to have an AXE to grind?
phrase. If someone has an axe to grind, they are doing something for selfish reasons.
What does a penny for thoughts mean?
Definition of (a) penny for your thoughts —used to ask what someone is thinking about “A penny for your thoughts?” “Oh, I’m just thinking about what I want to do over the weekend.”.
