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.
This phrase ‘To fall off the wagon’ is usually said on a recovering alcoholic, which means that someone has returned to drinking alcohol after a passé of abstinence.
Example in use: “Anna hadn’t had a beverage in a decade, but when her husband of eleven years left her, she fell off the wagon again.”
The phrase ‘fall at the first hurdle’ is used to say when someone fails at an early phase of a task.
Example in use: ‘The idea could fall at the first hurdle if they fail to secure the investors approval”
The phrase ’round of drinks’ is usually said on someone who purchases alcoholic beverages for a group of people.
Example in use: It’s my birthday! The first round of drinks is on me!
The phrase ‘deep pockets’ means that someone is very wealthy or has a lot of money.
Example in use: One of our partners has deep pockets, we are hoping that his money will help us fund the startup.
The phrase ‘match made in heaven’ is usually said when a couple look like they are just perfect for each other.
Example in use: Looks like Michael and Shir are about to get hitched soon, they are really a ‘match made in heaven’.
The phrase ‘To Groom Someone ’ means that someone is being prepared for a specific position or situation.
Example in use: “Ronen is grooming Alex for the new position within the company”.
The phrase ‘cup of tea’ is used to define something you like, or perhaps something you’re good at doing.
Example in use: “Fiction novels aren’t really my cup of tea. To be frank, I prefer crime thrillers or historical books.”
You use the phrase ‘Cold Turkey’ to talk about the sudden and total withdrawal from a substance like alcohol or cigarettes, as well as the psychological or physiological effects resulting from that withdrawal. Going ‘Cold Turkey’ means literally stopping such a habit abruptly and completely.
Example in use: “I’m going to quit smoking, cold turkey. It’s faster than stopping gradually and I’ll get healthy quicker.”
The phrase ‘If you can’t take the heat’ indicates that if one is unable to cope with a stressful situation, then one should leave it to someone else who can handle it. The expression is also commonly used as ‘If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen’.
Example in use:
Sam: “I’m really stressed about all the cold calling I have to do for work.”
Mark: “Maybe you should find a different job. You know what they say: If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.”
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.”