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About This Quiz
Ain't the English language grand! Not only is it packed full of adjectives and verbs that describe a whole galaxy of different activities, but it also contains some of the most inventive common phrases to ever find their way into our vernacular. From the quaint and charming to the truly cutting, it's tough to get through the day without using one of these advanced common phrases that infuse our daily discourse.
Even so, it takes a special kind of wordsmith to be able to dissect these exciting turns of phrase and be able to articulate what each of them means. Some of our most cherished common phrases come from the medieval era, and their original application has been lost in modernity. Others are regionalized phrases that were used instead of more cutting insults; like Southern people saying "bless your heart" instead of what is really on their minds (hint, it is not pleasant).
From little maxims about how to live your life to the fullest, to cautionary tales about the world and those in it, these common phrases are the colorful building blocks of our beautiful language. Would you care to toss your hat into the ring and prove your mettle?Â
Be content with what you have, rather than risking everything to get more.
This common saying refers to being happy with what you have, rather than attempting to get more and losing it all. The birds in the bush are not really yours, only the ones in your hands are.
Hold on tight to your birds, or else they will fly away.
Bushes are bad places to store birds.
Don't squeeze your birds too tightly, or they might suffocate.
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A countenance more in sorrow than in anger.
The buck stops here.
The writing is on the wall.
When someone says that the writing is on the wall, they're referring to something unpleasant that can't be avoided. Usually, this means that something was put into effect long ago, and it's too late to change now.
A camera doesn't lie.
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You have a filthy mind.
You are a disgrace.
The phrase, "your name is mud" is used to refer to someone who has disgraced, embarrassed or ostracized themselves. It is a derogatory common phrase that has been used for centuries.
You have a terrible family name.
You are down to earth.
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He's a tempest in a teapot.
He's a wolf in sheep's clothing.
Wolves in sheep's clothing are dangerous people who appear innocent. This phrase is a warning, acknowledging that the person looks harmless but indicating that they really are not.
He takes the mickey.
He is the tail wagging the dog.
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Someone can't change their character.
Leopards can't change their spots, just like people can't change their characters. This common phrase is often used to warn that when someone shows you who they really are, you should believe them.
Big cats are not to be messed with.
Leopards shouldn't be mistaken for housecats.
Humans should try to be more like leopards.
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Smiles
Pants
Charms
Bells
If you are super excited about an event or party, you'll be attending with "bells on." This simple statement goes back centuries and is still used to indicate excitement and enthusiasm.
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Kiss
Wing
When something doesn't have a very good chance of succeeding, it's said that it's operating on a wing and a prayer. This common phrase calls on luck to be able to pull a feat off.
Wish
Thought
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A day at the races
A run of the mill
A wild goose chase
A wild goose chase refers to a pointless endeavor. Anyone who has ever encountered wild geese knows that it's pointless to chase them, so this common phrase actually makes a lot of sense.
A summer picnic
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True friends never really need you.
Someone who helps out in a tough time is a reliable friend.
You've probably heard the phrase "fair-weather friend." This common quote actually refers to the opposite; friends who stick with you when the going gets tough and when you need them most.
All friends will be in need at least once a year.
Some friends need you more than others do.
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Cows
Sheep
Pigs
"When pigs fly" refers to something that will never happen. This common quote is also a delightful visual gag, with movies often pairing the phrase alongside a graphic of a flying pig.
Fish
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A fly in the ointment
Flies in the ointment put a sour spin on a celebration. This common phrase is generally used when something irritating or bittersweet happens during an otherwise exceptional occasion.
A reading of the riot act
A sandwich short of a picnic
A pound of flesh
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He's an expert swimmer.
He's a manipulative person.
He's lacking experience.
This common phrase actually has its roots in human birth. When babies are born, they are wet, so if someone is wet behind the ears they are totally inexperienced — just like a baby!
He's a treasured advisor.
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Drop
The phrase "a drop in the ocean" refers to a small amount that really won't make much of a difference. It's usually used to convey exasperation and frustration with what needs to be done.
Fish
Wave
Bouy
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She's one sandwich short of a picnic.
He's up the creek without a paddle.
If you're up the creek without a paddle, you are in serious trouble and you have no way of getting yourself out of the situation. It's used as a cautionary phrase about what can happen.
She's the pot calling the kettle black.
He's a pretty kettle of fish.
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He's much ado about nothing.
He's moving the goalposts.
He's a diamond in the rough.
Diamonds in the rough might not appear to be all that great at first, but their incredible character always shines through, even if their exterior happens to be exceptionally rough.
He makes a virtue of necessity.
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You can eat faster with two heads.
When you use more of your brain, you can be smarter.
Always get advice from people who think like you.
It's helpful to have a second opinion when working out a problem.
When you have a particularly stubborn problem, it is a good idea to ask for the help or advice of a trusted friend. You'll have a better chance to solve the issue because two heads are better than one!
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You're telling the truth.
You're keeping your eyes open and your mouth shut.
You're pretending not to notice.
Turning a blind eye means pretending not to notice something. Often this common phrase is used to indicate negligence or calloused indifference to a real problem that needs our attention.
You're trying not to be vain.
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Truth is stranger than fiction.
We can thank Mark Twain for the common phrase "truth is stranger than fiction," which refers to situations where our actual reality is much more bizarre than anything we can cook up in our imagination.
You can't handle the truth.
Your unicorns aren't really all that impressive.
It's a big fish tale.
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You need to walk in someone else's shoes.
All journeys must come to an end sometime.
You need to start your journey by taking a single step.
This common phrase, "A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step" actually comes from a Chinese proverb that indicates that if you want to accomplish a feat, you have to make that first move.
Going by land will keep you more grounded than traveling by boat.
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I wouldn't look a gift horse in the mouth.
I wouldn’t touch that with a 10-foot pole.
The phrase "I wouldn't touch that with a 10-foot pole" means that someone is planning on avoiding something altogether. It's used to refer to tricky social situations and toxic people.
I wouldn't let him pull the wool over your eyes.
I wouldn't put that past her.
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The bad things that you have done in the past will come back to haunt you.
When the bad things that you've done in the past come back to haunt you, your chickens are coming home to roost. It's often used when the unpleasant past springs up out of nowhere.
If you save your money, you'll see more of it in the future.
Always follow animals on the trail.
Teach a man to cook a chicken and he'll eat for his whole life.
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Spacemen
Blossoms
Peas
The phrase "two peas in a pod" refers to two things that are so similar that it's tough to distinguish between them. It generally refers to people who are a lot alike or enjoy the same things.
Humans
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Store it in the ocean
Keep it under your hat
Keeping something under your hat is keeping it secret. The origins of the phrase are a little murky, it most likely comes from a trick that medieval archers used to keep things safe during rainstorms.
Leave it by the side of the road
Whisper it only to those you must
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Fish that look delicious but are deadly.
Someone that has plenty of fish to share
We need to take care of endangered oceanic animals.
Someone or something that is not like the rest.
When we say "a different kettle of fish," we are using a folksy phrase to refer to someone or something that isn't like the rest. It's usually used as a cautionary phrase to tread lightly.
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You're upsetting the apple cart.
"Upsetting the apple cart" refers to disturbing the status quo, or ushering in a new era of doing things. It can be used in both a negative and positive fashion depending on the context.
You're polishing the peach.
You're stomping around the blackberry patch.
You're peeling the orange.
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Plus their peg leg
Monsters included
Warts and all
Everyone has some unattractive qualities or attributes — nobody is exempt! If you're able to tolerate or love certain people despite their many flaws, you love them "warts and all."
Snores and sores
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When you're waiting for something to happen it can seem to take forever.
This saying is often misinterpreted as one that means to watch your temper, but that's not the original meaning. Back in the 1700s, this phrase was coined as a way to express how long things will take if you're anticipating them!
Cooking is a difficult and sometimes tedious task.
Always use stainless steel pots so that your water boils properly.
Water only boils at a specific temperature.
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Sludge rolls downhill.
A true leader understands their role.
A fish rots from the head down.
The saying "a fish rots from the head down" is a colorful way to express that often dysfunction starts at the leadership level. It's often used to describe dysfunctional or toxic businesses.
Find time to smell the flowers and your company will grow.
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If you eat your cake, you need to exercise.
You can't have it both ways.
It might seem totally counter-intuitive to use the phrase "you can’t have your cake and eat it too," as of course, you'd want to both have and eat the delicious cake. It refers to not having something both ways.
You need to share the cake with other people.
If you bake the cake you can eat it.
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Mimicry is the sincerest form of flattery.
Swim with the fishes to warmer waters.
Travel makes the heart sing.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do.
We can credit Saint Ambrose for this phrase, which means to go with the flow and follow the customs and traditions of the place that you're visiting. Generally, it's shortened to "when in Rome."
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Smarter
Going
"When the going gets tough, the tough get going" refers to the tendency of mentally strong people to become more determined in the face of adversity. It's usually used for encouragement.
Tougher
Packing
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Everything
This common phrase actually goes back to the early days of the United States and it refers to something that is all-encompassing, or everything all included together in one package.
A win in football
A yard of cloth
To go bowling
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Swim across the English Channel
Get blood out of a stone
Sometimes this common phrase goes "you can't get water out of a stone." It is used to refer to someone or something that is unwilling to give up information or perform a specific task.
Travel to the moon and back
Wrestle an octopus in the deep
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Dogs are not as bright as people.
When people are set in their ways, you can't get them to change.
This common phrase is often used to refer to someone who is very set in their ways or reluctant to change. It's sometimes used to write off very unpleasant or out-of-date behavior.
Only puppies can learn new tricks, so don't even try!
If you want to teach someone a trick, you need to give them a treat.
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Barrel
Fence
Person
Chain
This phrase refers to teamwork. The chain represents the team or group, and each individual person is a link. Since the chain is only as strong as its weakest link, the team is only as powerful as its weakest person.
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