I'm allergic to aspirin

Indicates that the speaker has an allergy to aspirin.

لَدَيَّ حَسَّاسِيَّةٌ مِنَ الْأَسْبِرِين

アスピリンにアレルギーを持っています

アスピリンにアレルギーをもっています


I'm deaf

我臭耳聾囉 /我臭耳聋啰

góa chhàu-hī-lâng--lo͘ / góa chhàu-hǐ-lâng--lo͘ / góa chhàu-hī-lâng--lo͘h / góa chhàu-hǐ-lâng--lo͘h / góa chhàu-hīⁿ-lâng--lo͘h

私は耳が聞こえません

わたしはみみがきこえません


I'm married

Indicates that the speaker has a spouse.

मैं शादीशुदा हूँ

ma͠i śādīśudā hū̃

私は結婚しています

わたしはけっこんしています


I'm single

Indicates that the speaker does not have a spouse or romantic partner.

ich bin nicht verheiratet

unmarried but possibly in a relationship


I'm sick

Indicates that the speaker has an illness.

मी आजारी आहे

mī ājārī āhe


who's calling

Used by a phone-call receiver to ask the identity of the caller.


I am ... year(s) old

I'm ... year(s) old
I'm ... year(s) old#English


do I know you

Used to ask the interlocutor whether or not he/she has met the speaker before.

我捌汝無？ /我捌汝无？

góa pat lí bô? / góa pat lír bô? / óa pat lú bô?


do you accept American dollars

Used to ask whether or not products or services may be paid for in American dollars.

otatteko vastaan Yhdysvaltain dollareita


it was delicious

Said to compliment a meal after eating it.

كَانَ لَذِيذ جِدًّا

phrase said to compliment a meal after eating it


I'm allergic to pollen

Indicates that the speaker has an allergy to pollen.

私は花粉症です

わたしはかふんしょうです


how much do you charge

Used to ask a professional the monetary cost of his/her services.

ско́лько вы берёте? (skólʹko vy berjóte?) (e.g. за (za) + accusative case)


I've burned myself

Indicates that the speaker is physically hurt due to contact with fire or heat.


I have a fever

Indicates that the speaker has an abnormally high body temperature, which is usually a symptom of a disease.


I'm bleeding

我出血了

wǒ chūxuè le, wǒ chūxuě le, wǒ chūxiě le

my head, hand, arm, leg/foot… is bleeding; it is more usual to name the specific body part that is bleeding

vérzek vérzik a fejem/kezem/karom/lábam/…

私は出血しています

わたしはしゅっけつしています


I'm mute

CAN'T SPEAK

tap left pointer with right pointer; hold flat hand with folded thumb towards your mouth, tap


I'll call the police

Indicates that the speaker is going to call the police, presumably to counter actions from the interlocutor.

я вы́зову мили́цию

in other former Soviet Republics where Russian is still spoken


it's an emergency

Indicates that the current situation is an emergency.


can I buy you a drink

Indicates the speaker wishes to buy the interlocutor a drink, in a bar.

puis-je vous offrir quelque chose à boire


you have beautiful eyes

Used by the speaker to compliment the interlocutor's eyes.


head

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-is that a gun in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me.wav

Attributed in various forms to Mae West, who said in a 1944 performance of the play Catherine Was Great, "Lieutenant, is that your sword or are you just glad to see me?" and in the 1978 film Sextette, "Is that a gun in your pocket, or are you just glad to see me?"

(humorous) Indicates the speaker has noticed an erection underneath the interlocutor's clothes.

indicates the speaker has noticed an erection

har du en banan i buksa eller er du bare glad for å se meg?

Isso é uma pistola em teu bolso, ou só estás feliz em me ver?

¿Tienes una pistola en el bolsillo o es que te alegras de verme?


I lost my wallet

Indicates that the speaker has lost his or her wallet.

私は財布をなくしました

わたしはさいふをなくしました


where does this bus go

ʔilā ʔayna hiya ḏāhibatun hāḏihi l-ḥāfila?

إِلَى أَيْنَ هِيَ ذَاهِبَةٌ هٰذِهِ الْحَافِلَة؟

このバスはどこへ行きますか。

このバスはどこへいきますか。


there's been an accident

Indicates that an accident has occurred.


he's unconscious

Indicates that a male person is currently not conscious.


she's unconscious

Indicates that a female person is currently not conscious.


I don't eat pork

Indicates that the speaker does not eat pork.

我毋食豬肉 /我毋食猪肉

góa m̄ chia̍h ti-bah / góa m̄ chia̍h tir-mah / góa m̄ chia̍h ti-mah / góa m̄ chia̍h tu-bah / góa m̄ chia̍h tir-bah

私は豚肉を食べません

わたしはぶたにくをたべません


I lost my bag

Indicates that the speaker has lost his or her backpack.

Indicates that the speaker has lost his or her handbag.


I've been shot

I've been shot! We've been shot! Oh my God, help!
The last words from Pacific Air Lines Flight 773

Indicates one has been shot and may require medical attention.


I've been raped

Indicates that the speaker has been raped.


do you have a menu in English

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-do you have a menu in English.wav

A question used to ask for a restaurant menu in the English language

hal ladayka qāʔima li-l-luḡa l-ʔinglīziyya?

هَل لَدَيْكَ قَائِمَة فِي اللُغَة الإِنْجْلِيزِيَّة؟

hal ladayki qāʔima li-l-luḡa l-ʔinglīziyya?

هَل لَدَيْكِ قَائِمَة فِي اللُغَة الإِنْجْلِيزِيَّة؟

hal ladaykum qāʔima li-l-luḡa l-ʔinglīziyya?

هَل لَدَيْكُم قَائِمَة فِي اللُغَة الإِنْجْلِيزِيَّة؟

onko teillä englanninkielistä ruokalistaa

มีเมนูเป็นภาษาอังกฤษใช่ไหม?

Mī menū pĕn p̣hās̄ʹā xạngkvs̄ʹ chı̀ h̄ịm?


the line is busy

Indicates that the telephone line is busy.


I'm dying

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-I'm dying.wav

Indicates that the speaker believes that he or she is dying.

我欲死去囉 /我欲死去啰

góa beh sí--khì--lo͘ / góa beh sí--khì--lo͘h / góa beh sí--khù--lo͘h / góa berh sí--khìr--lo͘ / góa boeh sí--khì--lo͘h

(slang) Indicates that the speaker is laughing hard or uncontrollably.


I don't eat fish

Indicates that the speaker does not eat fish.


do you have children

Used to ask whether somebody is a parent of children.

bạn có con không? (replace bạn with an appropriate pronoun)


I need a guide

Indicates that the speaker needs a person to guide him or her.

Indicates that the speaker needs a book or document to guide him or her.


how do I get to the bus station

Used to ask for directions in order to go to a bus station.

אֵיךְ לְהַגִּיעַ לְתַחֲנַת הָאוֹטוֹבּוּס?


how do I get to the airport

Used to ask for directions in order to go to an airport.

كَيْفَ يُمْكِنُنِي الْوُصُولُ إِلَى الْمَطَار؟

空港へどう行ったらいいですか

くうこうへどういったらいいですか

공항에 가려면 어떻게 해야 돼요?

gonghang'e garyeomyeon eotteoke haeya dwaeyo?

bagaimana untuk pergi ke lapangan terbang


how do I get to the train station

Used to ask for directions in order to go to a train station.

bagaimana untuk pergi ke stesen kereta api?

bagaimana untuk pergi ke stesen keretapi?

kak dojéxatʹ do železnodoróžnoj stáncii?

как дое́хать до железнодоро́жной ста́нции?


can I come in

我會使入來𣍐？ /我会使入来𫧃？

góa ē-sái li̍p-lâi--bōe? / góa ē-sái ji̍p-lâi--bē?

我會做入來𣍐？ /我会做入来𫧃？

góa ě-chòe li̍p-lâi--bǒe? / góa ē-chòe li̍p-lâi--bōe? / góa ě-chòe lia̍k-lâi--bǒe?


it figures

(idiomatic, Canada, US) Used to indicate that a preceding event or statement by another is an unsurprising accompaniment of known facts and circumstances.


that figures

(idiomatic) Alternative form of it figures


you're right

Indicates that what the interlocutor said/says is correct.


I'm looking for a job

Indicates that the speaker is looking for a job.


quot homines tot sententiæ

From Latin, echoing line 454 of Terence’s Phormio: quot (“how many”) + hominēs (“men”, “people”; nominative plural form of homō: “man”, “person”) + tot (“so many”) + sententiae (“opinions”, “thoughts”; nominative plural form of sententia: “opinion”, “thought”).

Different auditors, as he observes, have different habitudes; so that, were we to put this assertion to the proof by particular applications, we should possibly find quot homines tot sententiæ.

1995, Brian Vickers, William Shakespeare: The Critical Heritage, page 133:

There are as many opinions as there are people who hold them.


I'm fine

Conventional response to "how are you?", indicating that one is well.

我好勢 /我好势

góa hó-sè / góa hó-sì / óa hó-sè / óa hó-sì


I'm sorry

(with an upward inflection) Indicates that the speaker is confused or requests information to be repeated; come again?, say again?, I beg your pardon?; see also Thesaurus:say again


kiss me

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-kiss me.wav

I informally request that you kiss me—that you touch my lips with your lips or press the lips against, as an expression of love or affection.


the story goes

The story goes that they won the day.

James Kirkwood's play P.S. Your Cat Is Dead! opened nearly three years ago on Broadway, and, so the story goes, was promptly killed by critics — presumably because of its gay material.

1978 April 8, Robert Chesley, “The Cat Burglar Returns”, in Gay Community News, page 11:

The story is usually depicted as follows.


what date is it today

What is the date? (used to request the current date)


two beers, please

Indicates the speaker wishes to buy two beers.


do you accept credit cards

Used to ask whether or not products or services may be paid for by credit card.

هَل تَقْبَلُونَ بِبِطَاقَات الاِئْتِمَان؟

你哋收唔收信用卡呀？

nei⁵ dei⁶ sau¹ m⁴ sau¹ seon³ jung⁶ kaat¹ gaa³?

apakah Anda menerima pembayaran dengan kartu kredit?

クレジットカードは使えますか (クレジットカードはつかえますか, kurejittokādo wa tsukaemasu ka, literally “can credit cards be used?”)


is there a smaller size

Indicates that the speaker needs a smaller size (of clothes or shoes).

有較細無？ /有较细无？

ū khà sòe bô? / ǔ khà sòe bô? / ū khah sòe bô?


the bill, please

Indicates the speaker wishes to pay the bill (e.g. in a restaurant).


do you have any pets

Used to ask whether the interlocutor is an owner of pets.

tartasz valamilyen állatot?

to avoid a farm connotation, kisállat (literally “small animal”) might be specified, which excludes large dogs


I like you

Indicates that the speaker likes the interlocutor.

我愛汝 /我爱汝

góa ài lí / góa ài lír / góa ài lú / óa ài lí / óa ài lír

te quiero

decidedly a step below "I love you"; more like "I desire you"


I lost my glasses

Indicates that the speaker has lost his or her glasses.

我唔見咗我副眼鏡 /我唔见咗我副眼镜

ngo⁵ m⁴ gin³ zo² ngo⁵ fu³ ngaan⁵ geng³⁻²

我兮目鏡拍無去 /我兮目镜拍无去

góa ê ba̍k-kiàⁿ phah-bô--khì / góa ê ba̍k-kiàⁿ phah-bô--khìr

我兮目鏡拍毋見 /我兮目镜拍毋见

góa ê ba̍k-kiàⁿ phah-m̄-kìⁿ / góa ê ba̍k-kiàⁿ phàng-kìⁿ / góa ê ba̍k-kiàⁿ phàng-kiàn


I know

A response used to indicate that speaker was in agreement with the preceding statement before it was made.

𐔰𐔰𐔵𐔰

response indicating agreement with prior statement before it was made


I lost my keys

(US) Indicates that the speaker has lost his or her keys.

我兮鎖匙拍無去 /我兮锁匙拍无去

góa ê só-sî phah-bô--khì / góa ê só-sî phah-bô--khìr

我兮鎖匙拍毋見 /我兮锁匙拍毋见

góa ê só-sî phah-m̄-kìⁿ / góa ê só-sî phàng-kìⁿ / góa ê só-sî phàng-kiàn


I lost my backpack

Indicates that the speaker has lost his or her backpack.


I lost my handbag

Indicates that the speaker has lost his or her handbag.


I'm a Christian

Indicates that the speaker is a Christian.

मैं ईसाई हूँ

ma͠i īsāī hū̃

میں عیسائی ہوں

ma͠i īsāī hū̃


I'm a Muslim

私はイスラム教徒です

わたしはイスラムきょうとです


I'm Jewish

Indicates that the speaker is of Jewish ethnic descent.

я євре́йка

note that the former жид (žyd) is more common in Western Ukraine but may sound pejorative in Eastern Ukraine

Indicates that the speaker is a follower of Judaism.


I'm not religious

Indicates that the speaker is a not a follower of any religious doctrines.


I'm an atheist

Indicates that the speaker is an atheist.


I'm a Buddhist

Indicates that the speaker is a Buddhist.


can you help me

汝會使鬥我𣍐？ /汝会使斗我𫧃？

lí ē-sái tàu góa--bōe? / lí ē-sái tàu góa--bē? / lír ě-sái tàu góa--bǒe? / lú ē-sái tàu óa--bē?

汝會做鬥我𣍐？ /汝会做斗我𫧃？

lí ē-chòe tàu góa--bōe? / lí ě-chòe tàu góa--bǒe? / lír ě-chòe tàu góa--bǒe?

tud/tudna nekem segíteni?

the second variant is more polite in both


it's too expensive

Indicates the speaker thinks that the price is too high.

se on liian kallista

non-specific, like type of service, mass object

આ બહુ મોંઘું છે (ā bahu moṅghũ che, literally “This is too expensive”)


I'm allergic to penicillin

Indicates that the speaker has an allergy to penicillin.


I'm a Catholic

Indicates that the speaker is a Catholic.


two can play at that game

two can play that game
two can play that game#English

Alternative form of two can play that game


do you believe in God

Used to ask whether the interlocutor believes in God.


do you have a boyfriend

Used to ask whether the interlocutor has a boyfriend.


I have no money

Indicates that the speaker has no money.

私はお金がありません

わたくしはおかねがありません

私はお金がないんです

わたしはおかねがないんです


misfortunes never come singly

Bad things or situations always come in groups or streaks, they never come in a single way.


a cat can look at a king

a doctrine which James characteristically parodied as the belief that a cat cannot look at a king unless some higher entity is looking at them both.

1982, A J Ayer, “Pragmatism”, in Philosophy in the Twentieth Century, page 71:

a cat may look at a king
a cat may look at a king#English

Alternative form of a cat may look at a king


that's the spirit

I may have failed this job interview, but there will be many more opportunities in the future. ― That's the spirit!

Ibanez shook out her jumpsuit sleeves. "Delta, the guy, was no great shakes; he rolled around with Lil, tried to roll me, and I put one of his own bullets between his eyes. Sorry."

2022 October 4, HarryBlank, “Drilling Down”, in SCP Foundation, archived from the original on 2024-05-23:

Used to encourage someone's positive attitude.


do not disturb

Used to indicate that somebody does not wish to be disturbed, e.g. a sign on a hotel room door, or a "busy" mode of an instant messenger.


what languages do you speak

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-what languages do you speak.wav

What are the languages which you can understand and which you can speak or write in?

مَا هِيَ اللُّغَات اَلَّتِي تَتَكَلَّمُهَا؟

مَا هِيَ اللُّغَات اَلَّتِي تَتَكَلَّمِينَهَا؟


do not enter

Used on various signs to indicate that an area should not be entered, e.g. a military installation, or a hotel room.

毋通入去

m̄-thang li̍p-khì / m̄-thang ji̍p-khì / m̄-thang li̍p-khìr / m̄-thang lia̍k-khì

毋通入來 /毋通入来

m̄-thang li̍p-lâi / m̄-thang ji̍p-lâi / m̄-thang lia̍k-lâi

莫入去

mài li̍p-khì / mài ji̍p-khì / mài li̍p-khù

甭入去

mang li̍p-khì / mang li̍p-khìr / mang ji̍p-khì / mang lia̍k-khì

甭入來 /甭入来

mang li̍p-lâi / mang ji̍p-lâi / mang lia̍k-lâi

Used on a road sign to indicate a one-way street that cannot be entered from the direction one is facing when seeing the sign.


you win

Okay, you win. I can't spend all day arguing over such a small detail.

Used to express resignation, or concede defeat even though one is not convinced of the opposing arguments.


I've lost my keys

(UK) Indicates that the speaker has lost his or her keys.


there we go

This key doesn't seem to fit the lock... ah, there we go; it's starting to turn now.

When's this film supposed to begin? Ah, there we go; the lights are dimming now.

(informal, idiomatic) said after an action has been performed successfully


I don't eat meat

Indicates that the speaker does not eat meat.


I'm allergic to nuts

Indicates that the speaker has an allergy to nuts.

allergiás vagyok a dió-, mogyoró- és gesztenyefélékre


don't mind if I do

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-don't mind if I do.wav

Would you like a biscuit? ― Don't mind if I do!

(informal) Used to express acceptance of something offered to the speaker.

好的

used to express acceptance of something offered to the speaker


every silver lining has a cloud

A great partnership isn't a self-maintaining entity. Perseverance and persistence make it thrive. For every silver lining has a cloud. Ignorance of this reality is not an option.

2007, Diab A. Shetayh, Actuality : The Reality Requiem:

Every good situation has the potential to turn bad.

elk voordeel heeft zijn nadeel

every good situation has the potential to turn bad


the thick plottens

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-the thick plottens.wav

The thick plottens in the checker scandal. Our expert along those lines, whose monicker is thinly veiled, in the subscription to the appended document, evidently knows more than he is of a mind to spring at this time.

1909 February 3, “In the wake of the news: Weaving the net”, in Chicago Daily Tribune, page 12:

"The thick plottens, Gilly," he observed in great good humor. "Decidedly, the thick plottens!"

1942, Vincent Starrett, "The Case of the Two Flutes", Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine, No.2, p.96

Meanwhile, the thick plottens. It involves renegade US Treasury agents, vast amounts of money, lots of gunplay, crashing and exploding planes and the capture of Hal by a gang of serious ne'er-do-wells [...]

1993 May 28, Bill Taylor, “Credibility left dangling in Rocky vs. Rockies”, in Toronto Daily Star, page C6:

the plot thickens
the plot thickens#English

(humorous) Spoonerism of the plot thickens


where there's muck there's brass

(UK, Ireland) There is money to be made even in unpleasant, dirty jobs.


en-proverb

that which doesn't kill you makes you stronger

what doesn't kill you makes you stronger#English

Alternative form of what doesn't kill you makes you stronger


what doesn't kill you makes you stronger

From German Was mich nicht umbringt, macht mich stärker, which has been variously translated, from Friedrich Nietzsche's Twilight of the Idols.

der

Friedrich Nietzsche
Twilight of the Idols

was dich nicht umbringt, macht dich stärker


no good deed goes unpunished

According to the website Grammarist, there is no one origin for the phrase "let no good deed go unpunished." However, it also lists several written examples from the 20th century, starting with a 1942 phrase attributed to Walter Winchell, in which he wrote (in a column) "[It] reminds me of the line diplomats use: ‘No good deed goes unpunished in Washington.” On top of that, it lists one from Dante's "The Divine Comedy" ("love is the seed in you of every virtue/and of all acts deserving punishment."). This can be found at the website https://grammarist.com/proverb/no-good-deed-goes-unpunished/.
Meanwhile, the website Quote Investigator gives several older examples of these phrases, including one from a 12th-century text that was translated into English in 1923, and which discussed a malevolent, though the website indicated that it wasn't written like it was a proverb. As well, two came from 1927 (one of which used the word "kindness" in place of "good deed") and another from 1938 ("Every good deed brings its own punishment"), which was the earliest match that website found which it considered to be strong. This can be found at the website https://quoteinvestigator.com/2018/04/30/good-deed/.

Beneficial actions often go unappreciated or are met with outright hostility or demands for further work.

好心沒好報 /好心没好报

beneficial actions often go unappreciated etc.

každý dobrý skutek je po zásluze potrestán

idővel minden jótett elnyeri méltó büntetését

ni odnó dóbroje délo ne ostajótsja beznakázannym

ни одно́ до́брое де́ло не остаётся безнака́занным


no good deed ever goes unpunished

no good deed goes unpunished
no good deed goes unpunished#English

Alternative form of no good deed goes unpunished


a good deed is its own reward

One should not expect a reward for good deeds, but should perform them merely for the satisfaction of doing so.

贈人玫瑰，手有餘香 /赠人玫瑰

one should not expect a reward for good deeds


head

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-that's for me to know and you to find out.wav

(informal, colloquial, somewhat childish) A phrase used to reply to a question whose answer the speaker does not want to reveal.

a phrase used to reply to a question whose answer the speaker doesn't want to reveal

dat is voor jou een vraag en voor mij een weet

это тайна за семью печатями (Eto tayna za semyu pechatyami, literally “It's a secret behind seven seals”)


as above, so below

The concept was first laid out in the Emerald Tablet of Hermes Trismegistus: "That which is Below corresponds to that which is Above, and that which is Above, corresponds to that which is Below, to accomplish the miracles of the One Thing."

(occultism) What happens on a higher level of reality also happens on lower levels; the microcosm and macrocosm behave alike.

Emerald Tablet
Hermes Trismegistus
as above, so below

jak nahoře, tak dole

what happens on a higher level of reality also happens on lower levels

ce qui est en haut est comme ce qui est en bas

quod est superius est sicut quod est inferius


what are you doing

汝咧創啥？ /汝咧创啥？

lí le̍h chhòng siáⁿ? / lír lér chhòng siáⁿ? / lí lé chhòng siáⁿ? / lí teh chhòng siáⁿ?

汝咧做啥？

lí le̍h chòe siáⁿ? / lí teh chòe siáⁿ? / lí lé chòe siáⁿ? / lír lér chòe siáⁿ?

汝咧作啥？

lí le̍h chò siáⁿ? / lí teh chò siáⁿ? / lú le̍h chò siáⁿ? / lú teh chò siáⁿ? / lú le̍h chòe siáⁿ?

汝咧啥潲？

lí le̍h siáⁿ-siâu? / lí lé siáⁿ-siâu? / lír lér siáⁿ-siâu? / lí teh sáⁿ-siâu?

bạn đang làm gì? (generic, replace bạn with the appropriate pronoun)

Anna! Hi! What’re you doing?
Audio (US): (file)

2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)

Used to ask what the interlocutor is currently doing.


are you single

Used to ask whether the interlocutor does or doesn't have a (romantic) partner.


is anyone sitting here

Used to ask whether a seat near the interlocutor is currently occupied (by someone temporarily absent).


sorry I'm late

Used to apologise for not arriving on time.

entschuldigen Sie bitte, dass ich mich verspätet habe


it's raining

落雨囉 /落雨啰

lo̍h-hō͘--lo͘ / lo̍h-hō͘--lo͘h / lo̍h-hǒ͘--lo͘


idle hands are the devil's workshop

This proverb is thought by some to originate from the Bible, the book of Proverbs chapter 16 verse 27 (Proverbs 16:27). Yet this is probably a misreading driven by an application of Protestant theological assumptions. The King James version of the verse refers only to ungodliness: An ungodly man diggeth up evil: and in his lips there is as a burning fire.
Only The Living Bible of 1971 injects the idea of idleness into its translation: Idle hands are the devil’s workshop; idle lips are his mouthpiece. (TLB also adds the literal translation: A worthless man devises mischief; and in his lips there is a scorching fire.)
Proverbs 16:27 may have inspired St. Jerome to write in the late 4th century: fac et aliquid operis, ut semper te diabolus inveniat occupatum, or “engage in some occupation, so that the devil may always find you busy.” This was later repeated by Chaucer in the Canterbury Tales, which was probably the source of its popularity.

One who is idle will likely come to do evil.

lediggang er roden til alt ondt

l’oisiveté est la mère de tous les vices

douleiá den eíche o diávolos, gamoúse ta paidiá tou

δουλειά δεν είχε ο διάβολος, γαμούσε τα παιδιά του

douleiá den eíche o diávolos kai épnige ta paidiá tou

δουλειά δεν είχε ο διάβολος και έπνιγε τα παιδιά του

cuando el diablo no tiene qué hacer, mata moscas con el rabo


I've never heard it called that before

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-I've never heard it called that before.wav

The word "it" refers to a sex act, bodily organ, etc. for which the speaker's phrase might be construed as a euphemism.

is that what the kids are calling it these days

(informal) Used to draw attention to a possible, and usually unintentional, double entendre in the immediately preceding utterance of another speaker.


a wild goose never laid a tame egg

en-au-a wild goose never laid a tame egg.ogg

(idiomatic) Most things are inherited and predetermined.

les chats ne font pas des chiens

most things are inherited and predetermined


here be dragons

Evidence of the use of this term as a notation on actual historical maps is lacking. The only known appearance of an equivalent phrase in any language on a historical map is of Latin HC SVNT DRACONES (“here are dragons”), placed on the east coast of Asia, on the Hunt-Lenox Globe, which dates from c. 1510. The phrase is simply a variation on HIC SVNT LEONES ("here are lions"), the classical phrase used by medieval cartographers to denote unknown territories on maps.

uder

It's like in those old maps of the world, where the mapmakers wrote, "Here be dragons" on the unexplored parts of the globe.

1994, Steven Henry Strogatz, Nonlinear Dynamics And Chaos: With Applications To Physics, Biology, Chemistry, and Engineering, page 11:

The awakening world scrawled ‘Here Be Dragons’ across the unknown territory.

2004, Nornie Campbell, No Dragons Here, page 253:

When the old seafarers encountered uncharted territory, they would find those blank areas on the map marked with the phrase “Here be Dragons” and the image of a sea serpent or a similarly ferocious creature.

2011, Susie Vrobel, Fractal Time: Why a Watched Kettle Never Boils, page 255:

A fanciful notation, commonly attributed to historical maps, held to indicate either the belief that unknown dangers exist in a certain location on the map, or that actual dragons can be found there.


boom goes the dynamite

Coined by Brian Collins, a college student from Ball State, during a collegiate basketball sportscast.

Brown and Paden ride the Silverado chairway to heaven. And...boom goes the dynamite.

2006 November, Susan Schnier, “The Bomb Squad: A day in the boots of Squaw Valley's snow-safety patrol”, in Skiing, page 126:

"Fine, have it your way." ¶ And boom goes the dynamite! ¶ I had won the battle.

2006, Bradley Myers, I Was a Teenage Dumpeal, page 161:

Boom goes the dynamite, scores are tied, and we are even-steven!

2010 November 22, David Hoselton, “Small Sacrifices”, in House:

In the next second, that is exactly what happened. Big Man made a wide Texas swing, left his chin open and boom! goes the dynamite.

2011, Adrianne Byrd, King's Promise, page 69:

Indicating that something spectacular has happened, particularly where a plan or an effort has successfully culminated.


don't worry

A: What about the late fee? B: Don't worry about it — it's only a little bit.

Indicates to the interlocutor not to worry (feel anxiety) about something.

لا تقلق m. sg.

indicates to the interlocutor not to worry about something

毋通煩惱 /毋通烦恼

m̄-thang hoân-ló / m̄-thang hoân-hó / mang hoân-ló / mang hoân-hó


I'm a Protestant

Indicates that the speaker is a Protestant.


is there a grocery store nearby

Indicates that the speaker wants to know whether a grocery store is nearby.


I'm looking for a grocery store

Indicates that the speaker is looking for a grocery store.

estou buscando unha tenda de comestibles

スーパーやコンビニを探してるのですが

sūpā ya konbini wo sagashiteru no desu ga

estoy buscando una tienda de comestibles


consider it done

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-consider it done.wav

Used to indicate an intent to fulfil a request or order promptly.


do the right thing

en-verb

do the right thing (third-person singular simple present does the right thing, present participle doing the right thing, simple past did the right thing, past participle done the right thing)

does the right thing (present singular third-person)
doing the right thing (participle present)
did the right thing (past)
done the right thing (participle past)

There was a lot of money in the wallet I found, but I did the right thing and handed it in.

In the dispute with the RMT about scanning tickets, Jackson said it was the right thing to do to pay conductors something to scan tickets. Northern pays two pence per scan, Jackson noted, adding that ticket scanning helps to cut fraud and increase staff visibility.

2024 February 7, Philip Haigh, “Network News: TPE MD: consider impact of strikes on passengers”, in RAIL, number 1002, page 11:

(set phrase) To do what is ethical or just.


I was born in ...

narodila jsem se v ... f (the place name is in the dative case)

γεννήθηκα στο ...

the genders apply to the place name, not the speaker

…-ban/-ben születtem (the place name is in the inessive case or, in case of some Hungarian cities/towns/villages, in the superessive -on/-en/-ön/-n case)

urodziłam się w ... f (the place name is in the dative case)

я родила́сь в ... f (ja rodilásʹ v ...) (the place name is in the prepositional case)


you could have fooled me

What you now tell me is true I thought was false, or I nonetheless think is false; I don't believe you.

ettet vain huijaa minua

what you now tell me is true I thought was false


the damage is done

By the time Jack can get there it will be too late. The damage will have been done.

The harm has occurred, and nothing can be done to prevent it now; it might have been preventable, but cannot be prevented retroactively.

you can't put the toothpaste back in the tube


every dark cloud has a silver lining

every cloud has a silver lining
every cloud has a silver lining#English

Alternative form of every cloud has a silver lining


fans are slans

From slan and the novel Slan (1940) by A. E. Van Vogt. By analogy to the superior but persecuted mutants of Van Vogt's novel.

Under the title "Stfans -- Race of the Future", Joquel dissects the "fans are slans" theme which back in 1941 was being considered with a surprising amount of seriousness, and comes up with the obvious conclusion of phooey.

1950 March, F. Towner Laney, “Fanzine Scope”, in Spacewarp, number 36, pages 10–17:

FANS ARE SLANS Literally understood, "fans are superman mutants" -- or, at least, "fans are smarter than most people" -- but actual semantic content is according to the mood and attitude of the user.

1959, Richard "Dick" Harris Eney, Fancyclopedia II:

"Fans are slans" is a way of saying that we're smarter than other people. (Which is true, actually, but rather impolite to bring up in mixed company.)

2000 April 27, Pete McCutchen, “Re: Mr. Ordover, I disagree”, in rec.arts.sf.written (Usenet), message-ID <4uvggsgbbt3gsqrobf2o1prj0offlhpuch@4ax.com>:

Fanish culture is very tribal in nature and overly concerned with superiority as fans are slans.

2003 November 8, Danny Low, “Re: Mundanes' secret weapon?”, in rec.arts.sf.fandom (Usenet), message-ID <okbrqvghahmsaoc59jmjotlk60807s92i6@4ax.com>:

(dated, fandom slang) Science fiction fans are more intelligent and more creative than other people.


sod this for a game of soldiers

Near-synonyms: screw this, fuck this; see also Thesaurus:screw this

"All that grovelling. It's no wonder most people say, 'Sod this for a game of soldiers'. It's a very odd person who retains practising religion."

1996 December 8, Caroline Sutton, “My First One-in-a-Bath Romp, by Father Ted”, in Sunday Mirror:

In the middle of a very hot mixed-up fight one of our men remarked drily on his radio "What price this for a game of soldiers!"

1941, James Lansdale Hodson, Through the dark night: being some account of a war correspondent's journey, meetings and what was said to him in France, Britain, and Flanders during 1939-40, V. Gollancz Ltd., page 343

A cold gust of wind fans your face, you shiver slightly, you have been standing still, "get moving," you say to yourself, only another hour to do, the rifle is heavy, brrrr, blow this for a game of soldiers, they have no consideration at all.

1952, Hashomer Hatzair, Forging the link: a handbook of Hashomer Hatzair, page 108:

(UK, Ireland) Expressing exasperation or impatience with a situation.


sounds like a plan

Let's catch a movie after dinner, what do you say? ― Sounds like a plan.

(informal, idiomatic) Used to indicate agreement with a proposed suggestion.

好主意

used to indicate agreement with a proposal to do something


do you have a girlfriend

Used to ask whether the interlocutor has a girlfriend.


what is his name

from the most polite to the least polite

hogy hívják azt az urat / azt a férfit / azt a fickót?


what is her name

Used to ask the name of a female animal.


head

Widely attributed to American author and social critic H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) but not found verbatim in his published works, so the source and original form of this expression are not known with certainty. Likely a nearly verbatim paraphrase of: "No one in this world, so far as I know ... has ever lost money by underestimating the intelligence of the great masses of the plain people."

Ed Wood was a backwards genius, he set out to make horror movies and he didn’t know how to do it. . . . Mencken said, “Nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.” Well, Ed Wood did go broke by underestimating their intelligence.

1988 April 23, “1988 OBIE Interview: Robert Anton Wilson”, in RAWilsonFans.org, retrieved 2015-09-13:

H. L. Mencken may have noted that no one ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people, but not even he could have anticipated this. Like Bill and Ted, their principal rivals among screen duos who play dumb, Wayne and Garth do their best to elevate stupidity to an art form.

1992 Feb. 14, Janet Maslin, "Film: A Dim Duo In a Revel Of Stupidity" (review of Wayne's World), New York Times (retrieved 13 Sep 2015)

It's noteworthy, by the way, that a pleasure dome like Palm Beach should also be the home of a drama troupe that not only specializes in shows like "Copenhagen" and "The Chairs" but performs them with flair. We have it on the best of authority that nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people, but Palm Beach Dramaworks seems to be doing quite well for itself by operating on the opposite assumption.

2010 January 8, Terry Teachout, “Theater: Science Takes the Stag”, in Wall Street Journal, retrieved 2015-09-13:

Most advertising seems to be aimed at an extremely unintelligent audience, and yet seems effective in persuading most of us. But the software industry may, I suspect, provide a few exceptions to the old saying that “nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people.”

2014, Nathaniel S. Borenstein, Programming as If People Mattered, →ISBN, page 70:

Americans, as a group, are not especially intelligent and can be readily entertained or fooled to produce a financial benefit for someone.

nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public

nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people


nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American public

nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people#English

Alternative form of nobody ever went broke underestimating the intelligence of the American people


nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people

Widely attributed to American author and social critic H. L. Mencken (1880–1956) but not found in his published works, so the source and original form of this expression are not known with certainty.

“I remembered that nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public, so I set out to write the worst novel it was humanly possible to write and still get published,” he said.

1982 June 13, Edwin McDowell, “About Books and Authors”, in New York Times, retrieved 2015-09-13:

Americans, as a group, do not have good taste or sophistication and can be easily amused or distracted to produce financial benefit for someone.

no one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people


nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American public

nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people#English

Alternative form of nobody ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people


no one ever went broke underestimating the taste of the American people


some people have all the luck

(informal) Suggests that someone is enjoying more success than they deserve.


riddle me that, Batman

From the formulaic phrase riddle me this, additionally referring to the Batman comic book universe, in which the fictional supervillain the Riddler would pose puzzles for Batman to solve (riddle).

"That too. But it's this: how can a benevolent being let such bad things happen? Terrorism, world hunger, AIDS, people dying too young of cancer. Riddle me that, Batman.”

2009, John C. Stipa, No Greater Sacrifice, page 55:

"You have no idea what's going on, Melanie," she snarled. "No. Freaking. Clue. I'm going to have to join witness protection, and then where will you be, huh? Riddle me that, Batman!"

2014, Marni Bates, Awkwardly Ever After, page 77:

Why can't Jerry and I be together forever like a real couple? Riddle me that, Batman? Society? No. Idiots.

2014, Jason Medina, The Diary of Audrey Malone Frayer, page 135:

Said to demand that the listener take notice of a question or situation just mentioned, especially one that is particularly difficult to solve or explain.

riddle me this

a demand that the listener solve a conundrum


no tea, no shade

No tea no shade, I do not like your hair today.

Even before LaTavia Roberson and LeToya Luckett left the group, it always felt to me like DC was about Beyoncé, like Destiny's Child should just be called Beyoncé (and her chorus of rotating background singers), no tea no shade.

“All right, all right!” he replied. “I will holler at her in the morning and give her a talking to. But if she comes for me, no tea, no shade, I will read her for filth, is that understood?”

(LGBTQ slang) Indicating that no offence is meant, that the speaker is merely making an observation.


my very educated mother just served us nachos

my very educated mother just served us noodles#English

(astronomy mnemonic) Alternative form of my very educated mother just served us noodles


my very educated mother just served us noodles

From the initial letters of the 8 planets' names.

(astronomy mnemonic) Used to remember the order and names of the eight planets of the solar system: Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune.

mes vieilles tantes mangeaient jadis sur une nappe percée

mein Vater erklärt mir jeden Sonntag unseren Nachthimmel

my very educated mother just served us nine pizzas

my very educated mother just served us nine pumpkins


two can play this game

Alternative form of two can play that game


you can't be half pregnant

From the notion that someone is either pregnant or not.

Alex, you can't be half pregnant. If you keep doing other work that falls outside of your logo design process, you'll send mixed messages to all of your stakeholders.

2011, John Warrillow, Built to Sell: Creating a Business That Can Thrive Without You, Penguin, →ISBN, page 47:

(idiomatic) Said of an either-or situation; there are only two available choices.


my condom broke

Indicates that the condom of the speaker broke.

我把安全套刺破了

indicates that the condom of the speaker broke


what would you like

Used to ask the interlocutor what they would like to order, to buy or have a look at.

какво бихте желали?

used to ask the interlocutor what they would like to order, to buy or have a look at


en-proverb

As my old granny would have commented: "Zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse." The mosque was all frenzy, made so by factions inspired by Middle Easterners who discovered fertile ground in Brixton.

"And what are you, if I may ask?" Sol said, tapping his partner's knee. Alfred answered deliberately. He pointed to his eyes. "A realist. A pragmatist, after long and hard experience. Dreams are for fools and idiots, and zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse."

2014, August Franza, AMERICA ARRIBA!: Don Quijote and Sancho Panza in the 21st Century, →ISBN:

Proverbs 19:2 states that it is not good to have zeal without knowledge. A similar British proverb is “zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse." Zeal defines the earnestness and good intentions that remain essential to the church. However, the congregation's enthusiasm, coupled with inexperience in cross-cultural ministry, can result in an inability to listen and receive help from their host.

2014, David Wesley, A Common Mission, →ISBN:

They do not understand that “zeal without knowledge is a runaway horse” and that's why they are unproductive.

2016, Johnstone Kayandabila, Leadership's Big Idea: High-Potential Leaders in the Making, →ISBN:

Enthusiasm of an inexperienced person will cause harm.

set a beggar on horseback and he'll ride to the Devil


new brooms sweep clean

a new broom sweeps clean
a new broom sweeps clean#English

Alternative form of a new broom sweeps clean


a closed mouth catches no flies

Unknown. Equivalent expressions are found in several languages, so it is difficult to tell if it originated in English or a different language.

It's better to not say anything than to say something suspicious or troublesome.


It is said that a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows the corners – this does not apply to Mbombela’s social scene.

28 May 2017, “Does the song “Amadlozi” by the late Brenda Fassie ring a bell?”, in Mpulanga News:

Chibnall, like Moffat, like Davies, like Capaldi, Tennant, and many others involved in the triumphant reboot, is a lifelong Doctor Who fan. His arrival should remind us of the full version of the old adage: a new broom sweeps clean but an old broom knows the corners. There are lives in the old Doctor yet.

It has been noted that the new broom sweeps clean, but the old broom knows the corners. Every now and then, the older broom must trust the young broom's judgment.

2011, Sylvia Bronner Walker, Little Nuggets for Life's Experiences, →ISBN:

(Commonwealth) New management imposes radical changes, but those with prior experience have more knowledge.

a new broom sweeps clean, but the old broom knows the corners

a new broom sweeps clean, but an old broom knows all the corners


revenge is sweet

[…]wee can force no anſwere from him, but (Ô reuenge, how ſweet art thou! I will ſtrangle him in this towell)[…]

1609 December (first performance), Beniamin Ionson [i.e., Ben Jonson], “Epicoene, or The Silent Woman. A Comœdie. […]”, in The Workes of Beniamin Ionson (First Folio), London: […] Will[iam] Stansby, published 1616, →OCLC, Act IV, scene ii, page 579:

The ci-devant marquis was caught disguised in her apartment. She betrayed for him a good, easy friend of the people who had long loved her, and revenge is sweet.

1846, [Edward Bulwer-Lytton], Lucretia: Or The Children of Night. […], volume I, London: Saunders and Otley, […], →OCLC:

All revenge is sweet; but what revenge so sweet to any man as that which came to his arms of its own accord? I do notice that men can't read men, but any woman can read a woman.

1866, Charles Reade, Griffith Gaunt, or Jealousy, Boston: Ticknor and Fields:

With base deceit / You worked upon our feelings! / Revenge is sweet, / And flavours all our dealings!

1879, W[illiam] S[chwenck] Gilbert, Arthur Sullivan, composer, The Pirates of Penzance […], Philadelphia: J.M. Stoddart & Co., published 1880, →OCLC:

Said when one is satisfied in taking revenge.

报仇雪恨，大快人心

said when one is satisfied in taking revenge


say when

en-verb

say when (third-person singular simple present says when, present participle saying when, simple past and past participle said when)

says when (present singular third-person)
saying when (participle present)
said when (participle past)
said when (past)

Say when! ― When! Thanks.

The publican placed a whisky bottle and three glasses on the ledge and Grierson poured, with the courtesy of, "Say when," to the trooper, who was forced to exclaim, "Hold on!" in protest at a tumbler three-quarters full of whisky.

1938, Norman Lindsay, Age of Consent, 1st Australian edition, Sydney, N.S.W.: Ure Smith, published 1962, →OCLC, page 161:

(idiomatic) An imperative form used to request that the interlocutor indicate when one should stop doing something, esp. pouring a drink, because one has reached a sufficient amount.

قول بس

imperative to request when the pouring of a drink should stop


do the needful

do the needful (third-person singular simple present does the needful, present participle doing the needful, simple past did the needful, past participle done the needful)

does the needful (present singular third-person)
doing the needful (participle present)
did the needful (past)
done the needful (participle past)

My father had, generally speaking, his temper under complete self command, and his anger rarely indicated itself by words, except in a sort of dry testy manner to those who had displeased him. He never used threats or expressions of loud resentment. All was arranged with him on system and it was his practice to "do the needful" on every occasion, without wasting words about it.

1817, Sir Walter Scott, chapter 2, in Rob Roy, volume 1, Edinburgh: James Ballantyne and Co., published 1818, page 24:

The best way to handle Biafra agitation is through a round table, dialogue with them since they feel they are not well treated. These people are hungry. Let the president do the needful by calling them to order, call the youth to order.

2017 November 3, Seun Opejobi, quoting Rev. Divine Okwara, “Biafra: Prophet Okwara reveals how Buhari can ‘kill’ agitation for Igbo nation”, in Daily Post (Nigeria):

(India, Nigeria, dated UK) To do that which is necessary or required.


that train has left the station

The expression "You've missed the boat" was replaced by "That train has left the station" and will one day be replaced by "That space shuttle has already started the countdown".

1981 March 22, William Safire, “On Language: Do you speak ASPIC?”, in New York Times, retrieved 2017-09-17:

Mr. Chairman, we can't prohibit borrowing by the federal government. That train has already left the station. We're too deep in debt not to borrow.

1994, Proposed Constitutional Amendments to Balance the Federal Budget: Floor action and committee hearings for the 101st Congress: A legislative history, Volume 4, page 533:

"This is like the Jewish United Way," Rabbi Latz said, " . . . You can't stop the Jews, or certainly the rest of humanity, from doing good. That train has left the station."

2006 August 1, Susan Paynter, “Shootings can't undo the good”, in Seattle Post-Intelligencer, retrieved 2017-09-17:

“The enormous momentum generated by the business and investment community to address climate change cannot be reversed and cannot be ignored by the Trump administration,” he said. “That train has left the station and to stand in its way is folly.”

2016 November 16, Adam Withnall, “Donald Trump must not make any 'irrevocable choices' over climate change, warns John Kerry”, in Independent, UK, retrieved 2017-09-17:

Kevin Sabet . . . said he doesn’t think Canada should legalize pot at all but if that train has left the station, Canada at the very least needs to slow it down.

2017 September 12, Mia Rabson, “Police ask feds to postpone date for legal pot”, in The Star, Canada, retrieved 2017-09-17:

That opportunity has already passed; that cannot be undone.


I feel you

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-I feel you.wav

(African-American Vernacular) An agreement or understanding in sentiment or belief.


IANAD

(Internet) Initialism of I am not a doctor.


it depends

Used to indicate that different situations may produce different results.


you got it

(US, informal) As an answer to a request: sure, no problem.


IANAS

(Internet) Initialism of I am not a scientist.


I don't eat beef

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-I don't eat beef.wav

Indicates that the speaker does not eat beef.


would you like to go out with me

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Sapaa-would you like to go out with me?.wav


mind how you go

(idiomatic, dated) A phrase used at parting.


a woman's work is never done

From a traditional rhyming couplet, found in at least two forms:
: Man works till set of sun,
: Woman's work is never done.
: From rise of morn to set of sun
: Woman's work is never done.

Housework, which is generally considered women's work, is never finished.

one hair of a woman can draw more than a hundred pair of oxen


the curtain falls

But she's not gone yet and I've made arrangements for one more pig-sticking party up country before the Monkeys come in and the curtain falls for good.

2009, Hugh MacLennan, Return of the Sphinx, McGill-Queen's Press - MQUP, →ISBN:

Probably its leader Paul Berenger is keen to bequeath it as his final legacy before the curtain falls for him.

2019 April 22, T.P. Saran, “Electoral Year and Reforms Due”, in Mauritius Times:

(idiomatic) The end of something has come.


in a while, crocodile

Modification of a lyric from the song See You Later, Alligator (1955), chosen for the rhyme.


after a while, crocodile

From the song See You Later, Alligator (1955), chosen for the rhyme.


one should live so long

"I invest here. But when this planet is fully industrialized, I'll get a quarter of their industrial production. Power generators, warp units, computer systems—everything, fur-head, for the rest of my life."
"You should live so long," Offenhouse said quietly, and sipped his drink.

1994, W. R. Thompson, Star Trek: The Next Generation: Debtor's Planet:

I went over and kissed her. "Grandma, when I move out will you come live with me?"
"I should live so long."
That is so my grandma.

2013, Ellen Levine, In Trouble, page 139:

one should be so lucky
one should be so lucky#English

(informal, sarcastic) Synonym of one should be so lucky (“it is highly doubtful”)


be there and be square

From the phrase be there or be square. Originally in The Simpsons, episode "Mayored to the Mob", aired in 1998.

All nerds welcome. Be there... and be square.

2000, Network World, volume 17, number 40, page 74:

(slang, humorous) Used to encourage someone to go somewhere considered nerdy.


no really

LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-no really.wav

No, really, why did you forget to feed the cat today?

Read on. No really, keep reading. You'll like it.

really; seriously; used to attempt to introduce a serious point in a less serious conversation


no really

no kidding!; is that so? (sometimes used sarcastically in response to the obvious)


from your lips to God's ears

The expression originated in Yiddish, spoken by Ashkenazi Jews in Europe. It was adopted into English due to the influence of Ashkenazim who immigrated to the United States.

"Heaven help us," she said. "From your lips to God's ears," said Stan Pittman as he walked up to her desk.

"From your lips to God's ears! May our enemies," I said, "have as much good health as I understand what is happening with you and what this game is about!"

2009, Sholem Aleichem, Tevye the Dairyman: And, Motl the Cantor's Son, page 64:

(informal) Used to express the speaker's wish that a preceding statement by another speaker were to come true.

iz tvojih usta u božije uši

из твојих уста у божије уши


lucky at cards, unlucky in love

Current phrasing from 1867. Idea present from 18th century. Earlier expressions include "Well, Miss, you’ll have a sad Husband, you have such good Luck at Cards" (Swift, Polite Conversation, 1738) and "lucky in play, unlucky in love" (1846). A similar French saying "Malheureux en amour, heureux au jeu" is attested from 1850.

The old maxim, "Lucky at cards, unlucky in love," is applied to chess.

1867 March 16, “Winning and Losing”, in Illustrated Times, London, page 7:

Someone who enjoys good fortune in games will experience romantic frustration.


what do you want

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(informal) Indicates that the listener is paying attention to the speaker, and wishes to know why they were approached or interrupted.

咩呀？

to indicate that the listener is paying attention


one's name is mud

His name will be mud once people learn the truth about why he was fired.

My name is Mud / Not to be confused with Bill, or Jack, or Pete, or Dennis / My name is Mud, it's always been / 'Cause I'm the most boring sonsabitch you've ever seen / I dress in blue, yes, navy blue from head to toe / I'm rather drab, except my patent shoes / I make 'em shine, well, most the time

1993, “My Name is Mud”, performed by Primus:

Thanks to disastrously unpopular attempts by the likes of BuzzFeed to create AI-assisted content, its name is mud in the media industry.

2023 November 21, Zing Tsjeng, “AI is changing the world – and I’ve just eaten the underwhelming pasta that proves it”, in The Guardian, →ISSN:

(informal, idiomatic) One is unpopular, in disgrace or embroiled in scandal; one's reputation is tarnished.


sir, this is an Arby's

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From a humorous Internet meme that envisions a character giving a strange, rambling monologue, with the punchline being a fast-food employee reminding them that they are in a restaurant. This format of joke is first attested in a November 2011 tweet by American screenwriter Ethan Hunter (@ethanhunter).

Setting aside the fact that Trump inviting a group of lawmakers to the White House to discuss trade policy only to launch into an out-of-nowhere rant about one of his enemies being fat is the definition of the phrase “ma’am, this is an Arby’s,” Trump’s hatred for Nadler goes way back.

2019 April 9, Bess Levin, “Trump's Radical Anti-Impeachment: Fat Jokes”, in Vanity Fair:

When you’re doing your job as a journalistic commentator in its highest form, you’re drawing new parallels, expanding the Overton Window, opening people’s minds and also ensuring them they aren’t alone in their frustrations with the status quo. When done at its most hacky, however, you’re ranting at people, making leaps and assumptions that gloss over reality, casting yourself as omniscient genius, and generally just pulling real “Sir, this is an Arby’s” shit.

2021 October 13, Blair Stenvick, “If I Ever Run for Governor, Please Don't Vote for Me”, in Portland Mercury:

I wonder if you’re familiar with the “Sir, this is an Arby’s” meme. Let me illustrate it for you:
Person A [with aggressive aggravation]: Can you believe it? The other day, I heard someone refer to the book of Genesis. Surely you KNOW that Genesis is not just “a book,” but the first part of the Pentateuch, and the Pentateuch is a five-fold book, not five books. Do you know what the first word is in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy? It’s and. BOOM. What did Jesus call the Torah? “The book of Moses.” Not the books of Moses.
Person B [laconically]: Sir, this is an Arby's.

2020 September, Alex Duke, “'Sir, This Is a Local Church'— Or, How an Absurdist Meme about a Roast Beef Shop Might Help Heal Our Church”, in 9Marks Journal, page 142:

(Internet slang) Used to indicate that one finds a statement to be bizarre, tangential, or inappropriate for the context in which it is made.


I am afraid of this

Indicates that the speaker is afraid of something.


let's go, Brandon

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From a 2021 interview with racing driver Brandon Brown when a reporter incorrectly described NASCAR fans chanting "fuck Joe Biden" as chanting "let's go, Brandon".

When Republican Rep. Bill Posey of Florida ended an Oct. 21 House floor speech with a fist pump and the phrase “Let’s go, Brandon!” it may have seemed cryptic and weird to many who were listening.

[2021 October 31, Colleen Long, “How ‘Let’s Go Brandon’ became code for insulting Joe Biden”, in AP News, Associated Press:

“A sieve of a southern border, the supply chain massacred, food prices rising by the day, crime rampant in big cities and being browbeaten continuously by Beijing. Yes, he is a real success.” Flanagan then adds sarcastically, “One more thing, ‘Let's Go Brandon.’”

2021 November 11, Mark Bonokoski, quoting Steve Flanagan, “BONOKOSKI: ‘Let's go Brandon! Let's go Brandon!’”, in Toronto Sun:

State Rep. Dave Williams, who is challenging eight-term GOP congressman Doug Lamborn in an intraparty contest, sued Democratic Secretary of State Jena Griswold last week after her office rejected allowing his name to appear on the ballot as Dave “Let's Go Brandon” Williams.

2022 April 30, John Dorman, “Colorado Supreme Court says GOP lawmaker can't use ‘Let's Go Brandon’ nickname on congressional ballot”, in Business Insider:

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene visited a D.C. jail to check on conditions for the Jan. 6 defendants, with Republican lawmakers handshaking and high-fiving the prisoners, who chanted “Let's Go Brandon!” – a coded vulgarity against President Joe Biden – as the group left.

2023 March 27, “X, y, z: News from around our 50 states”, in USA Today, page B3:

(US, slang, US politics) A euphemism for “fuck Joe Biden”.

Bill Posey
Brandon Brown (racing driver)
United States House of Representatives


let's go Brandon

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let's go, Brandon
let's go, Brandon#English


later, tater

“Later, tater,” she said, trying to keep the tremble from her voice.

2015, Jamie McGuire, Among Monsters, page 9:

“Later, tater.” Austin waved and disappeared.

2019, Erin McCarthy, Ghosts Like It Hot:

“I gotta go,” she said. “Later, tater.”

2019, Emma Chastain, Notes from a Former Virgin: Junior Year, page 137:

(slang, Canada, US) Au revoir, see you soon.


two can play at this game

Alternative form of two can play that game


turn about is fair play

turnabout is fair play
turnabout is fair play#English

Alternative form of turnabout is fair play


three strikes and you're out

Figurative extension of the literal origin in baseball, where either three strikes or four balls retire the batter.

Three mistakes, rule breaches etc. will result in termination, disqualification or similar.


it's a joke, Joyce

Slight alteration of "That was a joke, Joyce," catchphrase of George Wilson (played by Graham Kennedy) spoken to his wife Joyce (Rosie Sturgess) in The Wilsons, a segment featured regularly on Kennedy-presented show In Melbourne Tonight in the 1960s.

Scientists are an amusing lot, often with a Monty Python sense of fun. When they say elementary particles such as quarks have charm and strangeness, it's a joke, Joyce.

2005, Damien Broderick, Ferocious Minds: Polymathy and the New Enlightenment, Wildside Press LLC, →ISBN, page 128:

This book, like so many of mine, is an account of a journey I made to what I've rather cheekily called the Far East. Some people's eyebrows were raised at the expression, thinking it suggested that here in the UK we're still at the centre of the world […] But as my Australian fiancée, Sarah, might say, 'It's a joke, Joyce.'

2009, Rick Stein, Rick Stein's Far Eastern Odyssey, Random House, →ISBN, page 9:

She doesn't laugh. She looks at me quiet and solemn.
So I tell her to laugh. About my conspiracy theories she just lapped up.
'It's a joke, Joyce.'
She shakes her head.
'My name's not Joyce.'

2012, Malcolm Knox, The Life, Allen & Unwin, →ISBN, page 12:

(Australia, informal) That was a joke, so don't take it seriously.


the math is mathing

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Some of the same people who called for the abolishment of the monarchy back during that explosive Oprah interview are now saying how sweet it is that baby Lili is named after her grandmother, how perfectly it fits her, and the math isn’t mathing. There is a fundamental contradiction here.

2021 June 7, Nylah Burton, “Harry and Meghan’s baby name proves they’re not the heroes you thought they were. And that’s OK”, in The Independent:

Something’s been bothering me for about a month or so, and we gotta talk it because the math’s just not mathing! On the one hand, we’ve got folks praising Rihanna for baring her baby bump in a number of unapologetically sexy ’fits. And on the other hand, we’ve got folks bashing Lizzo for baring her bodacious butt in a number of unapologetically sexy ’fits, […]

2022 May 12, Jazzmyne Robbins, “Please Join Me in This Quick Rant About How Everyone Needs to Stop Talking About Rihanna’s and Lizzo’s Bodies”, in Cosmopolitan:

Following intense speculation over the account’s veracity, fellow manga artist Yusuke Murata, the creator behind One-Punch Man, confirmed that the account indeed belongs to Togashi. The math started mathing for Hunter x Hunter fans, who are hoping there will be new installments of the manga on the way.

2022 May 24, Zoe Guy, “Hunter x Hunter Creator Mysteriously Joins Twitter, Teases New Installments of the Manga”, in Vulture:

Maisha Sullivan-Ongoza, of the Celebrating the Legacy of Nana Harriet Tubman Committee that opposed the no-bid commission for Wofford, said the group was still studying the city’s survey report. But she raised doubts about the interpretation of the results. / “The math ain’t mathing,” she said.

2022 November 22, Valerie Russ, “City’s public input survey shows most area residents want a Harriet Tubman statue”, in The Philadelphia Inquirer:

Problem is, she's paying $550 a week. If the math is mathing, that's 28,600 a year, well below the $31,200 yearly salary if one was to work for $15 an hour. That $550 salary also doesn't say anything about overtime, bonuses or any additional covered expenses.

2022 December 16, Jade Gomez, “GloRilla Addresses Personal Assistant Salary Controversy”, in Paper:

[Image caption:] The math is mathing.

2023 April 10, Ian Kumamoto, “'Girl Math' Turned Into A Self-Roast For So Many Communities — And I'm Here For It”, in The Huffington Post, archived from the original on 2023-10-11:

"It's a very nice organization," she offers. "Might even get my house restored, if the math is mathing. But it's going to take a lot more than them to outsmart the weather. And besides, what if you don't win? How you gonna help folks then?"

2024, DaVaun Sanders, Minecraft: The Tournament, New York, N.Y.: Random House Worlds, page 27:

The math is mathing, people!

2024 February 29, Gretty Garcia, “Everything You Need to Know about Lana Del Rey's Rumored Ex-Fiancé, Evan Winiker”, in Cosmopolitan, New York, N.Y.: Hearst Communications, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2024-03-03:

At the core, the math appears to be "mathing" for Plains All American Pipeline (PAA), as the kids like to say.

2024 April 1, Josh Enomoto, “The Math is ’Mathing’ for Plains All American Pipeline (PAA)”, in The Globe and Mail, Toronto, ON: The Woodbridge Company, →ISSN, →OCLC, archived from the original on 2024-06-16:

(slang, humorous, Canada, US, chiefly in the negative) Something is correct or reasonable; something adds up or makes sense.


cry harder

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I’m told this cannot wait and it’s wholly incumbent upon us, the liberals, to spend time trying to better understand the millions of Americans who voted for Trump and who reacted to every tweet we ever posted with a photo of Trump and the words, “CRY HARDER LIB!!”

2020 November 9, Rex Huppke, “Column: Dear Trump supporters: I’m sorry Joe Biden won. It’s definitely my fault that you hate me.”, in Chicago Tribune:

"WE HAVE A BLACK GAY MAN ON A DRAGON!" rejoiced one fan on Twitter. / "Cry harder, bigoted dudebros using House of the Dragon to criticize other fantasy shows like The Rings of Power and Sandman for their diversity."

2022 September 7, Shannon Power, “'House of the Dragon' Fans Celebrate First Black Character Riding Dragon”, in Newsweek:

(Internet slang) Used sarcastically to indicate indifference or schadenfreude, often as a reply to a statement that the speaker considers exaggerated or baseless.


you got this

(US, informal) You can do this; You will succeed.


head

my very educated mother just served us nine pizzas

my very educated mother just served us nine pumpkins#English

(dated astronomy mnemonic) Synonym of my very educated mother just served us nine pumpkins


ten will get you twenty

five will get you ten
five will get you ten#English

Synonym of five will get you ten (“I strongly believe”)


if I may

Without any following verb, implies a request to interrupt, to speak at length, or to take control, often when the speaker can introduce new, unexpected information or, alternatively, when the speaker disapproves of how a task was done and proposes to redo it.


how are you diddling

Popularised by comedian Ken Dodd (1927–2018).

Repeats many sentences and hundreds of words, including the following: […] “Hello, are you working? How are you diddling?”

1905 October 21, “King of wild beast merchants, Cross, Liverpool. Wonderful talking grey parrot”, in The Illustrated London News, volume 127, number 347, page 588:

Hello old 'un, how you diddling?

1983 December 25, John Sullivan, “Thicker than Water” (2:52 from the start), in Only Fools and Horses (television production), spoken by Reg Trotter (Peter Woodthorpe), via BBC1:

Yo yo yo. How are you diddling then? And wasn't Zoe fantastic this morning?

2019 January 14, Sara Cox, Sara Cox (radio broadcast), via BBC Radio 2:

(UK, colloquial, humorous, dated) How are you doing?


that's about the size of it

Emp. […] And p’r’aps you really think to win the prize of it.
Dan. To use a strong expression, that’s the size of it.

1848 (first performed), Robert Barnabas Brough, William Brough, Camaralzaman and Badoura; or, the Peri Who Loved the Prince: An Extravagant Arabian Night's Entertainment (play; pamphlet), London: National Acting Drama Office; Nassau Steam Press, →OCLC, act II, scene i, page 26:

This is “about the size of it” as they say in California: […]

1874 January 16, “Sundry humbugs”, in American Agriculturalist, volume 33, number 1, New York, →OCLC, page 6:

‘The different-coloured balls are the different lies I tell – eh?’ ‘That’s about the size of it.’

1937, Agatha Christie, Dumb Witness, London: Collins Crime Club, published 1969, Pan Books, →OCLC, page 143:

“Here’s-your-hat-what’s-your-hurry, seems about the size of it.”

1977, Joan Didion, A Book of Common Prayer, New York: Simon & Schuster, →OCLC, page 235:

You’re also thinking it’s about time you grabbed your cell phone and called for the men in the white coats. That about the size of it, buddy?

2011, Stephen King, 11/22/63, New York: Scribner, →OCLC, page 23:

(idiomatic, colloquial) That is the situation; that is how it is.


the struggle is real

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(Internet slang, usually sarcastic) Used when experiencing or sympathizing with a difficulty or hardship.


I do not know it

(formal) Alternative version of I don't know.


opportunity knocks

From the proverb opportunity knocks at every man's door.

Don't be caught napping When opportunity knocks.

Opportunity knocked in the form of an admission letter from the university.


too late

It was too late to turn back.

(idiomatic) Used to indicate that something is ineffective or useless because it happens after the best time for it.


what color is your Bugatti

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Coined by Andrew Tate in March 2022 during a video with YouTuber Mike Thurston, and was popularized not long after. In the video, Tate flaunts his newest Bugatti Chiron to Thurston, and explains to him how he handles the people who say they dislike its color: he deridingly asks them, “what color is your Bugatti?” knowing that the vast majority of them are unlikely to own one.

Many secondary school teachers feel they were slow to pick up on Tate’s influence. Last year, they began to notice pupils using phrases they didn’t recognise: “What colour is your Bugatti?” (a way of bragging about status); “Make me a sandwich” (to belittle women and girls).

2023 February 2, Sally Weale, “‘We see misogyny every day’: how Andrew Tate’s twisted ideology infiltrated British schools”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 2024-05-08:

Here’s a more innocuous example: If students are making repeated references to Bugatti, the luxury sports car, they might be watching Andrew Tate videos. The influencer’s infamous retort, “What color is your Bugatti?,” has been popularized as a way of bragging about one’s possessions.

2023 February 10, Madeline Will, “5 Ways Teachers Can Confront Students’ Exposure to Andrew Tate and Other Online Extremists”, in Education Week, archived from the original on 2024-04-11:

At a school in Belfast, Northern Ireland, a line popularized by Mr. Tate to deride people who do not own luxury cars — “What color is your Bugatti?” — became widespread, said Charlotte Carson, a history and civics teacher.

2023 February 19, Emma Bubola, Isabella Kwai, “‘Brainwashing a Generation’: British Schools Combat Andrew Tate’s Views”, in The New York Times, archived from the original on 2024-07-28:

(often humorous, rhetorical question, sarcastic, slang) Expression intended to flaunt one’s own material possessions and simultaneously deride another person for not having them.


the gods smile on someone

Yet if [Dustin] Johnson's day was misery complete, then [Graeme] McDowell's was the very essence of joy. "I just can't explain how I feel right now. I said before the round started that if the golfing gods smile on me I might win this trophy. And they did," he said afterwards.

2010 June 10, Lawrence Donegan, “Graeme McDowell stays strong to take US Open title”, in The Guardian:

"A month later, he reappeared. ‘Hey! How are you? Sorry about the lack of contact. That virus was nasty. Fancy that second date?’ HOORAH THE DATING GODS HAVE SMILED UPON ME, I thought.[…]"

2019 October 23, Hayley Quinn, Paisley Gilmour, “An essential guide to 'zombieing' - the dating trend that's worse than ghosting”, in Cosmopolitan:

Every four years since the 1970s, the political gods have smiled upon Iowa, endowing its residents with uncommon power to set the course of national politics as the first nominating contest.

2020 February 4, Matt Flegenheimer, Sydney Ember, “Waiting Years for This Night, Then Hours for an Iowa Winner”, in The New York Times:

As an association, we demonstrate near-Olympic sang-froid. As I write, the gods are smiling upon us, but in the past decade – not to mince words – two of our number have got divorced, one of us checked into rehab, and all of us have had distressful troubles with teenage kids.

2020 August 22, Robert McCrum, “For ever and a day: why we turn to Shakespeare at times of crisis”, in The Observer:

(idiomatic) Someone experiences good fortune, success, or well-being.


we are where we are

Similarly, it serves little purpose to lament the lack of a few more votes for Vice President Al Gore in 2000 or Senator John Kerry in 2004, or how those few more votes would have made the world a different place. We are where we are: We have President George W. Bush!

2005 November 26, John E. Colbert, “Letter: The President We Have”, in The New York Times:

The legislation is much delayed and many of us were of the view that it would have been better had this been introduced in parallel with the offshore planning regime, but we are where we are and we will work with the timelines in front of us.

2023 January 26, Eoin Ó Broin, “General Scheme of the Marine Protected Areas Bill 2023: Discussion”, in Joint Committee on Housing, Local Government and Heritage, Dublin: Oireachtas:

I do not want to look backwards, but I gently suggest that there are all sorts of reasons for delays. Still, we are where we are now, and what is important is moving ahead.

2024 December 11, Baroness Merron, “Bread and Flour Regulations 1998 — Question”, in House of Lords debates, UK Parliament:

(idiomatic) acknowledging the shortcomings of the present situation, while focusing on dealing with it rather than either dwelling on the causes or regretting what might have been


who was your servant last year

what did your last slave die of
what did your last slave die of#English

Synonym of what did your last slave die of


how are you keeping

how are you doing
how are you doing#English

Synonym of how are you doing (“asking after an acquaintance's welfare”)