The idiom "a drop in the bucket" has its origins in biblical language and can be traced back to the King James Version of the Bible. It appears in the Book of Isaiah, Chapter 40, Verse 15, where it is used metaphorically to describe something insignificant in comparison to a larger quantity. This phrase is used to describe something that is very small or insignificant when compared to the larger context or quantity it is a part of.

What is the origin of the idiom "a drop in the bucket" and when to use it?

a drop in the bucket

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The idiom "bits and pieces" is a common idiom that likely originated from the natural human tendency to use the words "bits" and "pieces" to describe small, fragmented, or scattered items or fragments. This expression is often used when discussing various components or fragments without specifying each individual one, conveying the idea of a mixture of small things.

What is the origin of the idiom "bits and pieces" and when to use it?

bits and pieces

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The idiom "dribs and drabs" has been in use in English since at least the 16th century. Both "drib" and "drab" originally referred to small, often irregular amounts. This phrase is used to describe small, scattered, or intermittent amounts of something, often implying that these amounts are inadequate or insufficient.It is typically used when discussing the sporadic or fragmented nature of events, information, or resources.

What is the origin of the idiom "dribs and drabs" and when to use it?

in (dribs|drips) and drabs

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The idiom "goose egg" as a slang term for zero or a score of zero in a sporting context, particularly in baseball, is believed to have originated in the 1860s in the United States. The round shape of a goose egg resembles the number zero, which led to its use in this context. This phrase is used informally to refer to the number zero, especially in the context of sports scores or tallies. It can also be used metaphorically to indicate a complete lack or absence of something.

What is the origin of the idiom "goose egg" and when to use it?

goose egg

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The idiom "fresh out of something" originated from the idea of a supply or stock of something being recently depleted or exhausted. The word "fresh" in this context implies that the depletion is recent or immediate, indicating that the item is no longer available. This idiomatic expression is used to describe a situation where there is a complete lack or depletion of a specific item or resource. It emphasizes that the item has just been used or consumed and is no longer available.

What is the origin of the idiom "fresh out of something" and when to use it?

fresh out of {sth}

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The idiom "go easy on something" likely originated from the concept of moderating or tempering one's behavior or consumption of something. The use of "easy" in this context implies taking a gentle or moderate approach when dealing with a particular thing, often to avoid excessive use or harsh treatment. This expression is used to suggest that a person should use, consume, or treat a particular thing in moderation or with care. It is often used when advising someone to be cautious, restrained, or gentle in their approach to a specific substance, activity, or situation.

What is the origin of the idiom "go easy on something" and when to use it?

to [go] easy (on|with) {sth}

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The idiom "jot and tittle" originates from the Bible, specifically from the New Testament in the Gospel of Matthew 5:18 (King James Version): "For verily I say unto you, till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled." In this context, "jot" refers to the smallest letter in the Hebrew alphabet (the letter yod), and "tittle" refers to a tiny stroke or mark used in the writing of certain letters. This phrase is used to emphasize extreme precision or attention to the smallest details, often in the context of rules, laws, or instructions. It signifies that every tiny element or nuance is being carefully considered or followed.

What is the origin of the idiom "jot and tittle" and when to use it?

jot (and|or) tittle

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The idiom "make a dent in something" likely originated from the visual and physical impact of creating a dent or depression in a surface. It signifies the act of causing a noticeable change or damage to something, even if it is just a small or initial effect. This phrase is used to describe the action of significantly impacting or affecting a particular thing, typically in a way that produces visible or measurable results. It emphasizes that progress or change has been achieved, even if it may be limited.

What is the origin of the idiom "make a dent in something" and when to use it?

to [make|put] a dent in {sth}

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The idiom "needle in a haystack" dates back to the 16th century and has been used in English literature since then. Its origin is quite literal, referring to the extreme difficulty of finding a tiny object (a needle) within a vast pile of straw or hay. This expression is often used to describe an exceedingly challenging or nearly impossible task of finding or locating something due to its extreme rarity, obscurity, or hidden nature.

What is the origin of the idiom "needle in a haystack" and when to use it?

needle in a haystack

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The idiom "odds and ends" has been in use since at least the 17th century and likely originates from the idea of miscellaneous or leftover items being a collection of various "odds" (unmatched or irregular items) and "ends" (small fragments or remnants). This phrase is used to refer to a collection of small, miscellaneous, or unrelated items or things. It is used to imply that these items are not part of a larger, organized whole and may be of varied importance or value.

What is the origin of the idiom "odds and ends" and when to use it?

odds and ends

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The idiom "the smell of an oily rag" is an idiomatic expression primarily used in Australian and New Zealand English. It originated from the idea that something or someone is running on a minimal or nearly empty level of resources. This expression is now used to describe a situation where resources, especially financial ones, are extremely limited, and people are making do with the bare essentials. It conveys the idea of managing with minimal resources and being resourceful in challenging circumstances.

What is the origin of the idiom "the smell of an oily rag" and when to use it?

the smell of an oily rag

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The idiom "thin on the ground" likely has its origins in hunting or military contexts. It refers to a situation where something is scarce or not readily available, much like when game or soldiers are scarce or thinly distributed across a terrain. The phrase has been used for centuries to describe scarcity or rarity. This expression is used to indicate that something is scarce, limited, or not abundant. It emphasizes the idea that there is not much of it available.

What is the origin of the idiom "thin on the ground" and when to use it?

thin on the ground

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The idiom "be down to somebody or something" is derived from the idea of reducing or depleting a resource or supply to the point where it is almost exhausted. The use of "down to" suggests that you have reached a minimal or critical level. It is used to describe a situation where the quantity or availability of something has been reduced to a limited or critical level, often implying that further reduction may lead to a shortage or depletion.

What is the origin of the idiom "be down to somebody or something" and when to use it?

to [be] down to {sb/sth}

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The idiom "for want of something" has its origins in the English language, and it has been used in literature and storytelling for centuries. It is often found in moral tales and fables. The phrase is used to describe a chain of events or consequences that result from the absence or lack of a specific thing or action. It emphasizes that a series of negative outcomes occurred because something necessary was missing.

What is the origin of the idiom "for want of something" and when to use it?

for (the|) want of {sth}

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to [take] a tumble

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The idiom "hair's breadth" originates from the idea of using the width of a single strand of hair as an extremely narrow and precise unit of measurement. It has been in use for centuries to describe a very small or minimal distance, gap, or difference. This expression is used to describe an extremely narrow or minimal measurement, gap, or difference. It emphasizes the idea that something is very close or nearly identical, with only a tiny margin of difference.

What is the origin of the idiom "hair's breadth" and when to use it?

hair's breadth

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The phrase "scarce as hens' teeth" is a colorful idiom that originates from the fact that hens, like most birds, do not have teeth. The absence of teeth in hens makes the comparison to something "scarce as hens' teeth" a vivid way of expressing extreme rarity or scarcity. This expression is used to emphasize the extreme rarity or scarcity of something. It conveys the idea that the item or condition being described is exceptionally hard to find or very uncommon.

What is the origin of the idiom "scarce as hens' teeth" and when to use it?

(as|) scarce as hens' teeth

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The idiom "in small doses" originated from the concept of moderation or limited exposure to something. The phrase is commonly used when discussing activities, substances, or behaviors that may be enjoyable or beneficial in moderation but could be harmful or unpleasant if indulged in excessively.

What is the origin of the idiom "in small doses" and when to use it?

in small doses

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Discover how English idioms like "odds and ends" and "needle in a haystack" relate to small numbers or amounts in English.

Expressions anglaises pour "Petit nombre ou quantité"