at the expense of

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The idiom "cook one's goose" is an expression used to describe a situation where someone's plans or prospects are ruined, typically due to their own actions or mistakes. The origin of this idiom is uncertain, but it dates back to at least the 1800s, with "goose" being a metaphorical representation of an individual's situation or fortune.

What is the origin of the idiom "cook one's goose" and when to use it?

to [cook] {one's} goose

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY29vayBvbmUncyBnb29zZQ&hash=cde5ae524f6c2aa1097a18d07dce075251462498&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to cost

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY29zdA&hash=00bfbef70c21ab3b757c92cf710a29594cc48484&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

damper

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=ZGFtcGVy&hash=3aeeac0532eaac0aba2c6649d47b9b7abdbcdad2&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

dead weight

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=ZGVhZCB3ZWlnaHQ&hash=7dc9ecf41ac48e05110fe8d2992e4b1d125c00cc&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to defeat

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZGVmZWF0&hash=6a5e86d227f3040f16c5fe2d4d08f5352a571d4e&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

deficiency

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=ZGVmaWNpZW5jeQ&hash=795ec03986ab0d64a01246a6d955d3cc5a79caeb&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to doom

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZG9vbQ&hash=3fd0b719e1c0bb5f38c2871256e3f77241eb9734&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

enemy

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=ZW5lbXk&hash=3609b7199df6ac92b7d14d38ecba78b31a96f9e8&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to frustrate

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZnJ1c3RyYXRl&hash=1dea71b9648b2c2fa54387e6b994b3dcfaa62114&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

The idiom "kill the goose that lays the golden egg" has its origins in one of Aesop's fables, where a farmer becomes greedy and kills the goose that lays golden eggs, only to find that there are no more eggs inside. The moral of the story is that greed can lead to one's downfall and that it is important to not destroy a valuable resource in pursuit of short-term gains. The phrase is now used in a more figurative sense to describe situations where someone is undermining or destroying a valuable asset or resource that is providing them with benefits over time. The idiom is often used as a warning to encourage someone to be more careful and to not sacrifice long-term gains for short-term benefits.

What is the origin of the idiom "kill the goose that lays the golden egg" and when to use it?

[kill] the goose that lays the golden egg

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The origin of the idiom "kiss of death" is uncertain, but it is believed to have originated from Italian mafia culture, where a kiss on the cheek was given to someone who was marked for death. This phrase is often used to describe situations where a particular action or event will have negative consequences, such as a politician receiving the endorsement of an unpopular figure or an actor being cast in a string of unsuccessful films. It can also be used in personal situations, such as when someone makes a decision that will have serious negative consequences for their career or relationships.

What is the origin of the idiom "kiss of death" and when to use it?

kiss of death

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=a2lzcyBvZiBkZWF0aA&hash=e2dbe6a935d64adf0e90c01adc6ee6b2e446b460&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

knock-back

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=a25vY2stYmFjaw&hash=a797d6e63ae14d8a2ec1e41292f8f8202d115b43&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to knock {sb} off {one's} pedestal

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8ga25vY2sgc29tZWJvZHkgb2ZmIG9uZSdzIHBlZGVzdGFs&hash=44ba972eb05fa38f941ba514329fc1fdc912e550&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to let down

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gbGV0IGRvd24&hash=71bc10c375dff89e4e5814d7c11110195f1bff0e&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to let the side down

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gbGV0IHRoZSBzaWRlIGRvd24&hash=affccafd610b6d298147fdc9e271ab1d57206a1c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

odds

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=b2Rkcw&hash=fcedbe5bc59e749b6f1b7b9f6fa75aa5b8657428&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

The phrase "overplay one's hand" originated in card games like poker, where it refers to being overly confident and making excessive bets based on a weak hand, leading to negative outcomes.This idiom is used when someone becomes too ambitious or confident, pushing their advantage too far and leading to negative consequences, often in negotiations, business, or relationships.

What is the origin of the idiom "overplay one's hand" and when to use it?

to [overplay] {one's} hand

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gb3ZlcnBsYXkgb25lJ3MgaGFuZA&hash=242e59d72121be284483f649d169fbe12adc197d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to scupper

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc2N1cHBlcg&hash=2f0717aa6177643d903c123cb4ce3d9ef39facf4&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to scuttle

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc2N1dHRsZQ&hash=557b38547e1057e7069af91b3c5ecdf8a3c477ad&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to sink

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gc2luaw&hash=436a705bd87a6d15fbff14e28f50c0c2ff5ba7ce&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

spoiler

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=c3BvaWxlcg&hash=5e5ed9c23fce55bbbaf01a78a94de3202e213b2f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to torpedo

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdG9ycGVkbw&hash=67a9b4c735489b628dae1787393a59342ef446f8&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to undo

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdW5kbw&hash=4cb406421cea87d38a1f45884b0f68679f7c1633&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

The idiom "the final nail in the coffin" has its origins in the act of nailing shut a coffin after a person has died. It refers to the last event or action that seals the outcome and makes it irreversible. The phrase can also be used to describe the point of no return, where there is no possibility of recovery or redemption.

What is the origin of the idiom "the final nail in the coffin" and when to use it?

the final nail in the coffin

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to put the skids under {sb/sth}

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gcHV0IHRoZSBza2lkcyB1bmRlciBzb21lYm9keSBvciBzb21ldGhpbmc&hash=bba4de14e0d2dda09ce07050187d020542836554&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

undoing

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dW5kb2luZw&hash=553c4f616093741b768739c903eca07261f657a4&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

a miss is as good as a mile

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YSBtaXNzIGlzIGFzIGdvb2QgYXMgYSBtaWxl&hash=647aea752e1719721d93e41a4f1a72398ffe9138&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to abort

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gYWJvcnQ&hash=b29c404cbd98ba1df611db0094d4a18a2533fcf2&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

bang goes {sth}

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=YmFuZyBnb2VzIHNvbWV0aGluZw&hash=76f22e77f98de5c17bea4b0ea709a3d69d76a63d&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

crestfallen

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=Y3Jlc3RmYWxsZW4&hash=6350095e851882b5806771ff502b50fcbdccde99&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

The idiom "cut one's losses" has its origins in gambling and financial contexts. It is often associated with betting or investing in situations where there is a potential for loss. The phrase suggests that when a person realizes they are incurring losses or facing a losing situation, it is wise to minimize those losses by withdrawing from the situation or selling off investments before they decline further. This phrase is used to advise someone to abandon a course of action or investment that is not going well in order to limit further losses. It implies making a strategic decision to minimize the negative impact of a situation.

What is the origin of the idiom "cut one's losses" and when to use it?

to [cut] {one's} losses

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gY3V0IG9uZSdzIGxvc3Nlcw&hash=8991937dddf8738596e3c236fd7b1f1b75633d86&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

The idiom "give someone or something up as a bad job" originates from British English and dates back to the 19th century. It signifies the act of abandoning a task, goal, or endeavor due to the belief that it is no longer achievable or worthwhile, often after experiencing multiple difficulties or setbacks. It is used to reflect the sense of resignation or acceptance that further efforts would be futile.

What is the origin of the idiom "give someone or something up as a bad job" and when to use it?

to [give] up {sth} as a bad job

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gZ2l2ZSB1cCBzb21ldGhpbmcgYXMgYSBiYWQgam9i&hash=c5cdd626cd34a9a24bf1ff292ca9afa039973538&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

so much for {sth}

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=c28gbXVjaCBmb3Igc29tZXRoaW5n&hash=2a07d105bda495228aa6f4091ae8f9198e9cb05c&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

so near and yet so far

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=c28gbmVhciBhbmQgeWV0IHNvIGZhcg&hash=bc071299a85ccbc1295185b95ac86e64f55c7618&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts&accent=US

to throw {one's} hand in

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gdGhyb3cgb25lJ3MgaGFuZCBpbg&hash=f29aefc61f83b8db32d148af692c69a56132b1b5&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

The idiom "the writing is on the wall" is believed to have originated in the Bible, where it was said to have been written on the wall during a feast in ancient Babylon as a warning of impending doom. It is often used to describe a situation where there are clear signals or indications that a situation is about to change or that something is about to happen.

What is the origin of the idiom "the writing is on the wall" and when to use it?

the writing [is] on the wall

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dGhlIHdyaXRpbmcgaXMgb24gdGhlIHdhbGw&hash=e2fdd17f52db366998e19a1bf4d857fa28105dac&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

to write off

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=dG8gd3JpdGUgb2Zm&hash=35ccec07982d2e777b48e8f08f31513cd9c7f28f&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

you win

https://tts.langeek.co/read?text=eW91IHdpbg&hash=ef0cd2f4bfc9841ad3096c44eb669e6e5a2e6a49&lang=en&cache-only=0&driver=googletts

Here you will learn some English words related to causing or accepting failure such as "cost", "damper", and "frustrate".

Causing or Accepting Failure

English Words for "Causing or Accepting Failure"