Can You Finish These Common Phrases?

When something "rings a bell," that means it's familiar to you. This common phrase is applicable in most situations or encounters, or if you're trying to jog your memory about any particular information. But its usage during introductions has to be tactful enough so as not to offend anyone.

The phrase "neck of the woods" pertains to a specific area, locality, or a general place of reference. The scope of the area referred to largely depends on the nuance of the conversation and the details being discussed.

To be a "jack of all trades" is to be skilled in many areas. It means the person is knowledgable enough in a variety of areas to be able to accomplish a certain project. However, this phrase also implies that the person is not necessarily a topnotch expert in any of the areas in which they are skilled.

To "read between the lines" means to look for hidden meanings or other implied concepts within a written piece or spoken lines. There are times when these hidden meanings were intentionally woven in, and times when the reader merely "over-reads" for meanings.

Two or three persons (or even more) are considered as "peas in a pod" when they all exhibit the same uncanny traits, share many favorite things or generally agree upon specific topics or themes. It's like they all came from the same pea pod. That's why they're very much alike.

When someone "lets their hair down," it means to relax and enjoy, take a break or pause from doing hard work to engage in a leisurely activity for a change. The use of this phrase also implies that the person doesn't regularly or normally take time out to relax, hence this suggestion.

To "fly off the handle" means a person has the penchant for going a bit berserk during unexpected moments. This sudden outburst can be a "seasonal display," meaning it rarely happens, or it can also pertain to a person who has such a bad temper, they can get mad easily.

When something "runs in the family," it means a certain physical trait, personality characteristic or behavior manifests in members of a particular clan. It can also refer to diseases or sicknesses evident in one clan. This phrase pertains to both negative and positive characteristics.

To be "as fit as a fiddle" means to be in good health, and ideally to be in great physical shape as well. It can also refer to someone who feels strong and energetic. Its exact origins are unknown, but experts speculate that it may allude to how musical instruments need to be kept "fit" for playing.

When you know someone who "eats like a bird," chances are, that person eats in very small bites, or eats very little. It may be a conscious decision to do so, or that person is just not built to have a huge appetite.

A person who admits their own wrongdoing is "eating humble pie" since they became modest enough to admit they were wrong or committed mistakes. It suggests that a person displayed accountability, if that is the case.

To "go off the deep end" suggests that a person is in a state of near breakdown, whether of the seriously debilitating kind, or the person is just about ready to get mad and have an emotional outburst. This is the idiom that relates to the concept of "flying off the handle."

When someone suggests to "play it by ear," it means things are still "up in the air," and plans could change later, depending on the circumstances. You use this idiom if you don't want to fully commit to an engagement or plan. That way people can't hold you accountable if you bail out later.

When someone reminds you to "mind your Ps and Qs," it means you should check your behavior, or simply mind your manners. This phrase is given as a gentle reminder to someone before engaging with specific people (usually VIPs) or before entering a formal event.

Two warring parties who "bury the hatchet" decided to come to a truce and stop their bickering or disagreement. When they end their quarreling or conflict, no matter if it's longstanding or fairly recent, it doesn't necessarily mean that they are at peace with this decision, though.

To be "on cloud nine" means you're like floating around and about, feeling light and happy, or even giddy and excited. It's also like saying your "head is in the clouds" or you're in "seventh heaven," which all mean the same thing.

To be "a sight for sore eyes" means someone is truly glad to see you. It means your presence gives them relief, or they have missed you so much prior to that moment.

To have a "feather in your cap" means you won an award, accolade or honor, and it's usually a prestigious one. It can also apply to a great achievement where winning something specific is not necessarily included in the equation, such as being the lucky representative to an important event.

When you need to go "back to square one," it implies that a project or a plan of action is not doing well, and it's futile to go on with the next steps. To become more successful in the next effort, you can go back to the very first step, and proceed from there.

It became customary for people to say "break a leg" to a performer before they start with their scheduled show. This greeting is often used in theatrical performances, but it can be said to any kind of performer, like a musician.

For an object to be labeled as "a dime a dozen" can imply a negative thought, since this term means "to be very common." When something is that common, it loses its value, and is considered cheap and easily available for anyone to buy.

People can "race against time" by working on a huge task at hand, and finishing the task in a relatively short period of time. This is similar to what they call "crunch time" or "beating the deadline" in work circles.

As "sharp as a tack" is a phrase that means someone is very bright, clever, or astute. It's a North American phrase that experts say dates back to the early 1900s. The tack in this phrase refers to a small kind of pin, like a thumbtack.

When someone "can't see the forest for the trees," it means the person has been focusing too much on the details and missing out on seeing the bigger picture. It's like when you're lost inside a forest; you really can't see the entire forest, since individual trees are immediately more visible.

"Heads will roll" implies that people will be laid off or get fired in the near future. This phrase is used in a negative sense, since it also implies that the people who will get fired did something wrong or committed grave mistakes that caused the company many problems.

To "give their two cents" means someone is sharing their thoughts on specific topics, and they want to weigh in on things. It's like saying "giving you a piece of my mind" but that phrase often has a more negative meaning or implication.

A newcomer has to "learn the ropes" in order to gain enough experience and expertise on a specific job, task or position at hand. It refers to learning things on your own, but one can also have a mentor to coach them on learning the ropes.

When you own a business and your items are "selling like hotcakes" it means business is doing great. Your items are fast-moving, and they are being bought by many consumers. This common phrase usually applies to physically sold items.

It's good to be "on the same page" with someone since it implies that you see eye to eye on a specific issue or you agree on a certain aspect of life. The phrase can also pertain to having the same goals and objectives with someone, whether they are friends, colleagues, or even lovers.

Something deemed "in the pipeline" suggests that this particular plan, idea, concept, or project is already in the development phase, and will be worked on soon enough. It can mean it's already next in line to be tackled or it will be dealt with in the near future.

Records show that the phrase "start with a clean slate" refers back to the days when schools only used chalk and small boards to write on, and they needed to erase the boards to start over. These boards were referred to as slates.

When something becomes a cause for concern, it is said to be "raising red flags" as a sign of warning or caution. These red flags can symbolize real or perceived threats or problems, depending on the situation at hand.

To "drive a hard bargain" means you're determined to get what you want, and you won't budge when a counteroffer is presented to you. The concept is parallel to the act of bargain hunting wherein you are steadfast in convincing the seller to sell you an item for a lower price.

The modern meaning of "burn the candle at both ends" refers to living with a hectic schedule or pace. One starts working early and continues late into the night, leaving little time for rest or sleep. Its origins literally referred to burning a candle at both ends, which was considered wasteful.

To be "out of the loop" means you are not up-to-date on something on which you need to be updated, such as specific details or plans in your work setting. It can also refer to not being up-to-date on current events or news in any arena, like pop culture, world politics, or other similar topics.