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Questions tagged [phrase-meaning]

This tag is for questions related to the meanings of phrases, particularly their definitions and nuances.

This tag is for questions related to the meanings of phrases, particularly their definitions and nuances.

Question checklist:

  • Is the question about the meaning of a certain phrase?
  • Does the question clearly describe the concern regarding the meaning?
  • Does the question explain what research you've already done?
1582 questions
53
votes
11 answers

Is the word "repeat" really used as a synonym of "vomit"?

I came across an online English language course where the teacher claimed that if one used the expression "Could you please repeat?" instead of "Could you please repeat that?" over the phone it would be interpreted by the person on the other end of…
Pete S
  • 713
24
votes
8 answers

What does the phrase, a person (who) is “a pair of khaki pants inside a Manila envelope” mean?

I came across the phrase, someone who wears “a pair of khaki pants inside a manila envelope” in Vanity Fair’s December 1st issue, which came under the headline,”Look at what we love. It’s on fire: Stephen Colbert on Trump trauma, leadership loss.”…
Yoichi Oishi
  • 70,211
24
votes
5 answers

What does "you're no rainbow-pooping unicorn" mean?

The following is a quote from the CNN news of October 10. Whether you're strapping lawn chairs between the seats to keep the kids from maiming each other or secretly fantasizing about that bottle of Chardonnay you're going to reward yourself with…
user49638
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18
votes
4 answers

alternative meaning of "pickle"

I've been reading a book by Sue Grafton titled "W is for Wasted" and have encountered a phrase "to pickle the average adult" I have looked up the meaning of the verb and that's what the Oxford Dictionary provided me with: 1) preserve (food or other…
Alex Herman
  • 335
15
votes
2 answers

Meaning of "retiring" in "free admission with retiring donations"

We recently attended a concert in a protestant church in England that was advertised as "free admission with retiring donations". The concert was indeed free with a voluntary (optional) donation. What is the meaning of retiring in this…
Kyle
  • 161
13
votes
5 answers

What's the meaning of "let it fly" in this context?

I'm an English learner and I'm reading this article from the NYT: College is the Goal. The Problem? Getting There. But I'm confused by one of its paragraphs: A dove hurtles out of the cedar trees, but Nate Triggs, in camouflage vest and cowboy…
Yin
  • 181
11
votes
3 answers

What does "in the world of unicorns" mean?

I was reading one article where founder was talking about his failure due to inability to raise money for his startup. He says: Every investor is chasing something shiny, they do not care for the ecosystem at all. In the world of unicorns it is…
John
  • 111
11
votes
6 answers

What's the difference between "He dumped her" and "He walked out on her"?

What's the difference between "He dumped her" and "He walked out on her"? Are there any different shades of meaning in these two phrases? Are they completely different?
brilliant
  • 8,970
11
votes
7 answers

A word to the wise?

I don't get the phrase "a word to the wise". Shouldn't it be "a word from the wise"? Isn't the person with the word the one with the wisdom? Isn't the person receiving the word the one in need of it?
oscilatingcretin
  • 443
10
votes
2 answers

Meaning of 'pretty man'

I use 'pretty man' as my nickname. But recently I have heard that the word 'pretty' is used only with women. Please tell me if 'pretty man' sounds good or it sounds weird and I should be embarassed? Maybe, it has some hidden meaning.
pretttyman
  • 109
10
votes
3 answers

One or two-way mirror?

I am looking for a correct and common definition of the glass that you can see through from only one side, like those you see in detective TV series. I could find the definition: one-way mirror from the AHD : A mirror that is reflective on one…
user 66974
  • 67,349
10
votes
6 answers

What is the nuance of the phrase “have never not liked”?

I was drawn to the phrase, “Anne Hathaway, who, for the record, I have never not liked, is extremely appealing” in the following paragraph in the review of movie, “The Intern,” of which source I forgot to take notes. "The adages of “The Intern”…
Yoichi Oishi
  • 70,211
10
votes
12 answers

Does "one of the only" actually mean anything?

I'm a little confused by the phrase "one of the only" - as far as I can tell, it just means the same as "one of the" with the vague implication that the number of things in the set is relatively small. For example, "Neil Armstrong is one of the only…
francis
  • 311
9
votes
1 answer

Dogma eat dogma

What does the phrase "dogma eat dogma" mean? What does "eat" mean literally? What part of speech does "eat" belong to? Is it a verb? What synonyms can it be substituted for, according to its literal meaning used in the phrase? If it is a verb, why…
user2683246
  • 237
9
votes
4 answers

What exactly does "up to 3 months before" mean?

When it says: You can apply for a visa up to 3 months before your date of travel to the UK. Source: gov.uk Does it mean the latest I can apply for a visa is 3 months before the travel date, or the earliest I can apply for a visa is 3 months before…
user38931
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