077. Binomials

The origin of the phrase "rant and rave" can be traced back to Old English and Middle English. The word "rant" originated from the Dutch "ranten," meaning "to talk foolishly or extravagantly." The word "rave" originated from the Middle English "raven" or "ravien," meaning "to speak wildly or irrationally." This idiom is often used to describe situations where individuals engage in intense and uncontrolled verbal expressions, usually characterized by excessive volume, strong emotions, and a sense of irrationality. It can be applied to personal interactions, public debates, political discussions, or even social media posts that involve passionate and often confrontational language.

The idiom "prim and proper" has its origins in the 18th century and is derived from the words "prim," meaning precise or formal, and "proper," denoting adherence to accepted standards of behavior. It is commonly used to describe individuals who are excessively concerned with maintaining proper appearances, manners, and adherence to social norms and etiquette.

The idiom "high and dry" originally referred to ships being stranded or left aground on land when the tide recedes, leaving them in a vulnerable and exposed position. Figuratively, it is used to describe a situation where someone is left without help, support, or assistance, often in a difficult or unfavorable circumstance.

The idiom "pick and choose" originated from the combination of the words "pick" and "choose," which individually mean to select or make a choice. The exact origin of this phrase is difficult to trace, as it likely developed naturally within the English language over time. The concept of picking and choosing has been ingrained in human decision-making for centuries. The phrase itself has been in common usage for several centuries, appearing in written works as early as the 16th century. It has since become a widely recognized idiom that conveys the act of carefully selecting or making choices. It is commonly employed in situations where individuals have the freedom or opportunity to be selective.

The idiom "by leaps and bounds" has its origins in the world of sports, particularly in athletic events like long jump or high jump. A "leap" refers to a long jump or a sudden burst of movement, while "bounds" refers to energetic and rapid movements. This expression is used to describe significant and rapid progress, growth, or improvement in a particular area. It emphasizes the idea of making substantial strides or advances.

The idiom "off and on" likely originated from the concept of something being turned on or off non-stop, such as a switch or a light. It conveys the idea of sporadic or irregular occurrences, much like the constant activation and deactivation of a switch. This phrase is commonly used in conversations and written language to express the irregular nature of something, highlighting periods of activity followed by periods of inactivity or absence.

The origin of the phrase "back to front" is not precisely documented, but it is an idiom used to describe a deep and thorough understanding or knowledge of a subject. It suggests that someone is highly familiar with every aspect, detail, or component of that subject, as if they have explored it completely from one end to the other, much like knowing both the front and back of a book.

The origin of this idiom comes from swimming, where a person is either able to stay afloat and swim or will sink and drown. The idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is left with no choice but to succeed or fail on their own, without any help or support. The phrase suggests that the situation is challenging, and that the outcome is uncertain, but that the person must do their best to succeed.

The origin of the idiom "give or take" is rooted in its literal meaning. Its origins are not tied to a particular historical event or source, as it essentially reflects the idea of allowing for some level of flexibility or approximation when discussing numerical values. It is used to indicate a degree of flexibility or approximation in numerical values. The phrase suggests that the specified quantity can be somewhat more or less than the exact figure provided.