Ginger’s Phrase of the Day provides you with a daily dose of interesting facts and trivia on some of the more, and less, common phrases in the English language. Learn the real meaning behind these phrases, when and how to use them and other less-known info behind each phrase.
The phrase pop the question is used when a guy to ask a lady to marry him. (Nowadays it’s also common that a woman asks the man to marry her).
Example in use: “Michael popped the question last night! Andrea is delighted, she is more than ready to get married and settle down.”
The phrase ‘Gilding the Lily’ indicates that something has been unnecessarily decorated or over-embellished.
Example in use: “You don’t need to wear so much makeup; it’s just gilding the lily.”
You use the term ‘Chick Flicks’ to indicate that a movie focuses on love and is usually of a romantic-comedy genre. The term is mostly used to describe movies that are primarily targeted toward a female audience.
Example of use: “We’re going to spend the evening eating pizza and watching chick flicks.”
The phrase out of the blue is used to say that the issue or situation was completely unexpected.
Example in use: “One day, out of the blue, he proclaimed that he was divorcing.”
The expression ‘Van Gogh’s ear for music’ is used to describe someone who is tone-deaf. The reason for this is the painter losing his ear, either by cutting it off himself, or by losing it during a fight with fellow artist Gauguin, depending on your source of information.
Example in use: “Jeff tried to sing, but he had Van Gogh’s ear for music and was soon ushered out of the audition.”
The expression “it’s anyone’s call” explains a situation in which any possible outcome is as likely as the next, where it is almost impossible to predict what will happen.
Example in use: “The score is so close that the game really is anyone’s call.”
You use the expression ‘Baby Boomers’ for people who were born during the temporary spike in birth rate that occurred shortly after World War II. The term is mostly used to describe those born in the United States and the UK.
Example in use: “Our radio station is mostly popular amongst baby boomers: we play a lot of hits from the ’60s and ’70s.”
The phrase ‘set in your ways’ is used to explain someone who refuses to change.
Example in use: “I tried to explain the new plan’s benefits, but she’s set in her ways and refuses to listen.”
You use the expression ‘liquor up’ to describe getting drunk. You can use the phrase to mean that you are getting drunk, or making someone else become drunk.
Examples in use:
“He liquored her up in hopes of getting her to dance with him.”
“If you want to really feel free tonight, you better liquor up!”
The expression “prick up your ears” is used to describe listening carefully to something that is being said or that is happening around you.
Example in use: “Prick up your ears, because I’m about to tell you what to study for the final exam.”