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on one's conscience
2-
to eat somebody alive
3-
a lump in one's throat
4-
to eat one's heart out
5-
to open the floodgates
6-
one's nose out of joint
7-
to take something to heart
8-
out of one's element
9-
sick and tired
10-
(down) in the dumps
11-
to cry somebody a river
12-
broken heart
13-
to break one's heart
on one's conscience
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/ˌɑːn wˈʌnz kˈɑːnʃəns/
ZinsdeelFormalIdiom

(of an unfortunate event) making one feel extreme guilt or sadness

example
Voorbeeld
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I don't want that on my conscience.
The painful truth about her past mistakes weighed heavily on her conscience.
If something were to happen to you, it would weigh heavily on my conscience.
What is the origin of the idiom "on one's conscience" and when to use it?

The phrase "on one's conscience" has its roots in the Latin word "conscientia," which means "knowledge within oneself" or "consciousness." The concept of conscience and its association with moral responsibility has been present in human societies for centuries. This idiom can be heard in conversations, debates, or discussions related to ethics, morality, and personal integrity. It is often used to emphasize the weight of guilt or remorse that someone carries due to their actions, highlighting the inner conflict and sense of responsibility they experience.

on {one's} conscience
to eat somebody alive
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/ˈiːt ˌɛsbˈiː ɐlˈaɪv/
ZinsdeelIdiomInformal

to make someone experience extreme pain or distress

example
Voorbeeld
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The boss ate John alive for his unprofessional behavior during the client meeting, stressing the importance of maintaining a positive company image.
The relentless bullying she endured in school felt like it was slowly eating her alive.
When the employee's repeated mistakes jeopardized the project, the manager ate them alive during the team meeting, expressing frustration and disappointment.
What is the origin of the idiom "eat someone alive" and when to use it?

The phrase "eat someone alive" originated in the English language and has likely evolved naturally over time. It draws upon the figurative use of the verb "eat" to vividly convey the idea of causing someone extreme pain or distress. The expression is often used in informal contexts to describe situations where individuals are subjected to intense pressure, criticism, or competition that can mentally or emotionally overwhelm them.

to [eat] {sb} alive
a lump in one's throat
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/ɐ lˈʌmp ɪn ɔːɹ tə wˈʌnz θɹˈoʊt/
ZinsdeelIdiom

a feeling like something is stuck in one's throat, often caused by strong emotions or the need to cry

example
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Feeling a lump in her throat, she struggled not to choke as she addressed the audience.
What is the origin of the idiom "a lump in one's throat" and when to use it?

The exact origin of the idiom "a lump in one's throat" is uncertain, as it has been used in various forms and contexts throughout history. The expression likely emerged from the physical sensation that individuals experience when they are strongly affected emotionally. It can be used in conversations about touching moments, heartwarming gestures, tearful goodbyes, or when reminiscing about cherished memories. The phrase captures the feeling of being moved to the point of speechlessness or having difficulty expressing emotions due to the constriction or tightness felt in the throat.

a lump (in|to) {one's} throat
to eat one's heart out
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/ˈiːt wˈʌnz hˈɑːɹt ˈaʊt/
ZinsdeelIdiomInformal

to feel deep sadness or disappointment, especially over a lost opportunity or unfulfilled desire

example
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Seeing her dream job being offered to someone else, she ate her heart out, knowing that she had missed a golden opportunity.
After years of dedicated practice, she failed to make the team, eating her heart out over the lost opportunity to compete at a higher level.
As she watched her former partner happily marrying someone else, she couldn't help but eat her heart out, feeling a profound sense of loss and longing.
What is the origin of the idiom "eat one's heart out" and when to use it?

The precise origin of the phrase "eat one's heart out" is uncertain, but it is thought to stem from the metaphorical connection between emotional pain and the physical sensation of heartache. This idiom is employed when someone experiences profound emotional distress or sorrow, often related to a lost opportunity, unfulfilled desire, or unrequited love.

to [eat] {one's} heart out
to open the floodgates
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/ˈoʊpən ðə flˈʌdɡeɪts/
ZinsdeelIdiomInformal

to cause strong and overwhelming emotional reactions, often leading to a burst of tears, feelings, or memories

example
Voorbeeld
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Lowering the interest rates on loans may open the floodgates for more people to invest in real estate.
The heartfelt eulogy at the funeral opened the floodgates of emotion, leaving not a dry eye in the room.
The announcement of a scholarship program for underprivileged students will open the floodgates of educational opportunities for many young individuals.
What is the origin of the idiom "open the floodgates" and when to use it?

The idiom "open the floodgates" originated from the literal act of opening the gates of a dam or reservoir to release a large volume of water rapidly. It can be used to show the release of long-restrained emotions, such as when someone finally expresses their long-suppressed feelings, leading to an outpouring of emotions.

to [open] the floodgates
one's nose out of joint
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/wˈʌnz nˈoʊz ˌaʊɾəv dʒˈɔɪnt/
ZinsdeelIdiomInformal

a state of great annoynce or anger

What is the origin of the idiom "nose out of joint" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "nose out of joint" can be traced back to the 17th century. The phrase was first recorded in the play "Hamlet" by William Shakespeare. This phrase is commonly used in various contexts to describe situations where someone feels offended, upset, or annoyed due to a perceived slight or a sense of being treated unfairly. It is often employed in interpersonal relationships, both personal and professional.

{one's} nose out of joint
to take something to heart
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/tˈeɪk ˌɛstˌiːˈeɪtʃ tə hˈɑːɹt/
ZinsdeelIdiom

to take advice or criticism very seriously and let it greatly influence one's decisions

synonymattend to
antonymneglect
example
Voorbeeld
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When he received negative feedback on his performance, he took it to heart and made a sincere effort to improve.
The heartfelt apology from her friend was so sincere that she couldn't help but take it to heart and forgive them.
Sarah's kind words really touched me, and I took them to heart, feeling encouraged and appreciated.
What is the origin of the idiom "take something to heart" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "take something to heart" can be traced back to the Middle Ages. The concept of the heart as the seat of emotions and feelings has long been associated with deep emotional involvement. The phrase evolved from the belief that the heart was not only the physical organ but also the center of one's emotions and innermost thoughts. The idiom is commonly used in personal growth, self-reflection, and interpersonal relationships, emphasizing the emotional investment and sincere consideration of the matter at hand. It conveys the idea of deeply valuing and being influenced by the significance of the information or experience.

to [take] {sth} to heart
out of one's element
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/ˌaʊɾəv wˈʌnz ˈɛlɪmənt/
ZinsdeelIdiom

in a place or situation that is unsuitable or disadvantageous to one

antonymin element
example
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The professional athlete felt out of his element when he joined a group of musicians for a jam session, realizing that his physical prowess did not translate to musical talent.
Being a city dweller, camping in the wilderness was definitely out of his element, and he struggled with basic survival skills.
The academic scholar found herself out of her element when asked to participate in a spontaneous improv performance, as it required a level of spontaneity and creativity she wasn't accustomed to.
What is the origin of the idiom "out of one's element" and when to use it?

The origin of the idiom "out of one's element" is believed to come from the classical elements theory, which originated in ancient Greece. It is commonly employed when discussing instances of individuals feeling out of place, lacking confidence, or struggling to adapt to a specific situation or context. This phrase can be used in personal or professional settings.

out of {one's} element
sick and tired
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/sˈɪk ænd tˈaɪɚd/
ZinsdeelIdiomInformal

annoyed or disgusted by someone or something one has been dealing with for a long time

What is the origin of the idiom "sick and tired" and when to use it?

The origin of the phrase "sick and tired" can be traced back to the 16th century. The word "sick" in this context means weary or fed up, while "tired" means exhausted or fatigued. This idiom is used in various contexts to express profound frustration or weariness with a particular situation, person, or ongoing circumstances. This idiomatic expression is commonly used in personal conversations, informal settings, and even in written or spoken expressions of discontent.

sick and tired
(down) in the dumps
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/dˌaʊn ɪnðə dˈʌmps/
ZinsdeelIdiomInformal

very sad and hopeless

example
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The rainy weather and recent disappointments had put him in a state of being down in the dumps.
The team's consecutive losses had put them in the dumps, affecting their morale.
Seeing the abandoned puppies made him feel down in the dumps, prompting him to take action and find them loving homes.
What is the origin of the idiom "in the dumps" and when to use it?

The origin of the phrase "in the dumps" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated in the mid-19th century. It is commonly employed in informal conversations and everyday language to express one's own feelings or to empathize with others experiencing sadness or disappointment. This phrase can be used when discussing personal struggles, such as after a breakup, during a period of grief, or when feeling overwhelmed by life's challenges.

(down|) in the dumps
to cry somebody a river
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/kɹˈaɪ ˌɛsbˈiː ɐ ɹˈɪvɚ/
ZinsdeelDisapprovingIdiom

to cry a lot in front of others in order to make them feel guilty or sad

example
Voorbeeld
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He's been whining about the weather for hours, and I finally told him to cry me a river.
Cry me a river, I don't even have a cleaning lady.
What is the origin of the idiom "cry someone a river" and when to use it?

The idiom "cry someone a river" does not have a specific documented origin, it likely emerged organically as a way to describe this behavior pattern in interpersonal relationships.The expression uses the imagery of crying as a means of creating an emotional impact on someone else, much like the imagery of someone crying so much that they could form a river of tears. This expression is used to convey a specific type of emotional manipulation, where tears are employed as a tool to influence the feelings or actions of others.

to [cry] {sb} a river
broken heart
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(kapot hart)

(kapot hart)

gebroken hart

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/bɹˈoʊkən hˈɑːɹt/
ZinsdeelIdiomInformal

a state of great sorrow and sadness caused by the ending of a romantic relationship or the death of a loved one

example
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The sudden death of her beloved pet left her with a broken heart, grieving deeply for weeks.
After their long-term relationship ended, she was left with a broken heart and struggled to move on.
She poured her emotions into her songs, singing about her broken heart and the pain of lost love.
What is the origin of the idiom "broken heart" and when to use it?

The exact origin of the phrase "broken heart" is difficult to trace, but it has been used as a metaphor for emotional pain and distress for centuries in various cultural and literary traditions. It represents the deep impact of heartbreak and loss on a person's emotions and well-being. It is commonly used when discussing the end of a romantic relationship, such as a breakup or divorce, where one person feels deeply hurt and devastated. The phrase is also employed to describe feelings of grief and sadness following the loss of a loved one.

Grammaticale Informatie:

Samengesteld Zelfstandig Naamwoord
broken heart
to break one's heart
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/bɹˈeɪk wˈʌnz hˈɑːɹt/
ZinsdeelIdiomInformal

to make someone who loves one go through deep emotional pain and sorrow

example
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After years of friendship, their falling out over a misunderstanding broke her heart, leaving her feeling hurt and alone.
He couldn't bear the rejection from his long-time crush, and it broke his heart to know his feelings were not reciprocated.
Seeing her dreams crumble before her eyes broke her heart, and she struggled to find hope in the midst of disappointment.
What is the origin of the idiom "break one's heart" and when to use it?

The phrase "break one's heart" originated in Old English and Middle English literature, gaining popularity during the Renaissance era. It is commonly employed when discussing the end of a romantic relationship, such as a devastating breakup or divorce, where one's heart is metaphorically shattered by the loss of love and companionship. The phrase is also used to depict the anguish and sorrow experienced after the loss of a loved one, evoking the deep emotional impact and grief.

to [break] {one's} heart
pattern

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