The idiom "a horse of a different color" is thought to have originated in the 17th century. It is believed to have come from the horse trade, where horses were often sold with false pedigrees. If a horse turned out to be different from what the buyer had been led to believe, it might be said to be "a horse of a different color." This idiomatic expression is used to describe something that is different from what is expected or usual.

What is the origin of the idiom "a horse of a different color" and when to use it?

a horse of a different color

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The idiom "elephant in the room" is believed to have originated in the 19th century. It is thought to have been inspired by a fable by Ivan Krylov, in which a man is so focused on examining small details that he fails to notice an elephant standing in the room. The phrase is used to describe an obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to talk about.

What is the origin of the idiom "elephant in the room" and when to use it?

elephant in the room

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The idiom "a different kettle of fish" is believed to have originated in the 18th century. It is thought to have come from the custom of preparing fish in a large pot, or kettle. If the fish were different types of fish, the cooking process would be different for each type. This led to this phrase being used to describe any situation that was different from another.

What is the origin of the idiom "a different kettle of fish" and when to use it?

a different kettle of fish

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The idiom "a different cup of tea"stems from the original phrase "one's cup of tea," which emerged in the 18th century. The original idiom referred to something that someone liked or found enjoyable, often used to express personal preferences. Over time, the phrase evolved to encompass a broader meaning, suggesting that something is requires individualized consideration as it is completely different from what one previously experienced or anticipated.

What is the origin of the idiom "a different cup of tea" and when to use it?

a different cup of tea

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The idiom "cut both ways" is believed to have originated in the 15th century. It is thought to have come from the practice of sword fighting. If a swordsman was skilled, he could use his sword to cut in both directions. This made him a dangerous opponent, as he could attack from both sides. This expression is used to describe a point or statement that can be applied to both sides of the argument.

What is the origin of the idiom "cut both ways" and when to use it?

to [cut] both ways

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The idiom "devil's advocate" is believed to have originated in the 16th century. It is thought to have come from the Catholic Church's canonization process, in which a church official known as the "promotor fidei" (promoter of the faith) was tasked with arguing against the canonization of a candidate. The promotor fidei's job was to play the devil's advocate, presenting all the negative evidence against the candidate in order to ensure that the decision to canonize them was made carefully and objectively. This expression is used to describe someone who intentionally takes a position that is opposed to the majority opinion in order to stimulate debate or discussion.

What is the origin of the idiom "devil's advocate" and when to use it?

devil's advocate

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The idiom "it makes no odds" is believed to have originated in the 16th century. It is thought to have come from the phrase "it makes no difference," which suggests that something does not matter or will not affect the outcome of a situation. This phrase is used to express that something is unimportant or does not matter. It suggests that the thing in question will not affect the outcome of a situation or will not make a difference in the long run.

What is the origin of the idiom "it makes no odds" and when to use it?

it makes (no|little) odds

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The idiom "leg to stand on" is believed to have originated in the 17th century. It is thought to have come from the practice of dueling, in which a duelist who was wounded or unable to stand was said to have no leg to stand on and was therefore at a disadvantage. This idiomatic expression came to be used to describe someone who had no support or justification for their position or opinion.

What is the origin of the idiom "leg to stand on" and when to use it?

leg to stand on

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The idiom "on everyone's lips" is believed to have originated in the 16th century. It is thought to have come from the practice of spreading news by word of mouth. When news was important or interesting, it was said to be on everyone's lips, as everyone was talking about it. This expression came to be used to describe something that was being talked about by a lot of people.

What is the origin of the idiom "on everyone's lips" and when to use it?

on (everyone's|everybody's) lips

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Discover how English idioms like "cut both ways" and "leg to stand on" relate to discussions in English.

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Discussion

English Idioms for "Discussion"