"In the running" is a sports metaphor that comes from foot racing. In a race, the competitors who are still "in the running" are those who have not yet fallen behind or been eliminated from the race, meaning they still have a chance to win. It can be used to describe individuals or teams who are competing for a prize or goal, as well as products or ideas that are being considered for a particular opportunity.

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

in the running

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The origin of the idiom "within striking distance" comes from the military use of the term "strike." In warfare, a strike refers to a sudden and decisive attack on an enemy. When an enemy is within striking distance, it means that they are close enough to be attacked with a weapon. Over time, the term "within striking distance" has come to be used in a broader sense to describe a situation in which someone or something is very close to achieving a goal or objective, and a decisive action could lead to success.

What is the origin of the idiom "within striking distance" and when to use it?

(within|in) striking distance

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The idiom "gain ground" is a military metaphor that refers to gaining territory or advancing forward in a battle or war. It implies that progress is being made towards a goal and that the enemy is losing ground. The phrase has since been used in a broader sense to describe making progress towards a goal, achieving more success, or popularity in a particular area.

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

to [gain] ground

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The origin of the phrase "bucket list" is uncertain, but it is thought to have originated in the United States in the mid-20th century. It may have been inspired by the phrase "kick the bucket," which is a euphemism for dying. It refers to a list of things that someone wants to do or achieve before they die. It typically includes activities or experiences that are considered significant or meaningful, and that the person may not have had the opportunity to pursue yet.

What is the origin of the idiom "bucket list" and when to use it?

bucket list

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The phrase "from scratch" originated as a cooking term, meaning to start a recipe using only basic ingredients like flour, sugar, and eggs. It implies that the cook is making everything from the very beginning, rather than using a pre-made mix or other shortcuts. Over time, the phrase has come to be used more broadly to describe starting any sort of project or task with no prior preparation or assistance. It suggests that the person or team must start with the very basics and build up from there.

What is the origin of the idiom "from scratch" and when to use it?

from scratch

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The phrase 'get something off the ground' is believed to have originated in the early days of flying, when pilots talked about the challenge of getting their planes off the ground and into the air. Over time, the phrase came to be used more broadly to describe starting any kind of project or undertaking. It is used to describe the process of starting a project or endeavor. It implies that the project is in its early stages and that there may be significant challenges or obstacles to overcome before it can be successful.

What is the origin of the idiom "get something off the ground" and when to use it?

to [get] {sth} off the ground

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The origin of the phrase "make a go of something" is uncertain, but it likely comes from the idea of taking a chance or making an attempt at something, even if success is not guaranteed. Over time, the phrase came to be used more broadly to describe the process of attempting to make something successful, whether it's a business, project, or personal goal.

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

to [make] a go of {sth}

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The origin of the phrase "where the rubber meets the road" likely comes from the world of automobiles and tire manufacturing. The phrase refers to the point where the tires of a vehicle come into contact with the road surface, which is where the performance and effectiveness of the tires can be tested and evaluated. Over time, the phrase came to be used more broadly to describe the point in any process where theory or plans are put into practice and tested for their effectiveness.

What is the origin of the idiom "where the rubber meets the road" and when to use it?

where the rubber [meet] the road

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The origin of the phrase "so far so good" is uncertain, but it likely comes from the idea of assessing progress or success at a particular point in time. The phrase emphasizes that things have been going well up to that point, but it does not necessarily guarantee continued success or progress.

What is the origin of the idiom "so far so good" and when to use it?

so far so good

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The origin of the phrase "flying start" comes from the sport of horse racing, where a "flying start" is a start in which the horses are already moving before the race begins. The term was later adopted more broadly to describe any start that is particularly fast or successful.

What is the origin of the idiom "flying start" and when to use it?

flying start

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The phrase "be cooking with gas" comes from the mid-20th century, when gas stoves and ovens became popular for cooking. The phrase originally meant to be using gas appliances for cooking, which was seen as more efficient and effective than using other methods such as wood or coal. Over time, the phrase came to represent any situation where things are going well and progress is being made. It can be used to describe progress or success in any number of endeavors, from a project at work to personal goals or achievements.

What is the origin of the idiom "be cooking with gas" and when to use it?

to [be] cooking with gas

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The idiom "bubble under the radar" is thought to have originated in the military, where radar is used to detect objects that are flying or moving. If an object is flying below the radar, it will not be detected by the radar system and will therefore be able to go undetected. In the same way, something that is "bubbling under the radar" is happening or developing but is not being noticed or acknowledged by others. It is used to describe a situation where something or someone is about to achieve success or popularity but has not quite reached that level.

What is the origin of the idiom "bubble under the radar" and when to use it?

to [bubble] under the radar

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The idiom "halfway house" originally referred to a place where prisoners were housed as part of their transition from prison to full release. Over time, the term has gained a metaphorical meaning to represent the middle stage or point in a process of achieving a desired result. It implies being partially or halfway towards reaching a goal or objective.

What is the origin of the idiom "halfway house" and when to use it?

halfway house

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The origin of this idiom is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. The phrase "go places" was originally used in the context of transportation, where it referred to a vehicle that was capable of traveling long distances and reaching new destinations. Over time, the phrase began to be used more widely to describe any situation where someone was likely to achieve great things.

What is the origin of the idiom "go places" and when to use it?

to [go] places

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The origin of this idiom is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century. The phrase "on the up and up" was originally used in the context of stock market trading, where it referred to a rising trend in stock prices. Over time, the phrase began to be used more widely to describe any situation where things were improving or becoming more positive.

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

on the up and up

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The origin of this idiom is believed to have originated in a military context. During wartime, soldiers often faced numerous challenges and obstacles before achieving victory. Overcoming the most difficult obstacle was seen as a significant accomplishment, putting them halfway towards their ultimate goal of winning the battle. Over time, the phrase began to be used more broadly to describe situations where overcoming a significant obstacle or challenge was seen as a key part of achieving success.

What is the origin of the idiom "half the battle" and when to use it?

half the battle

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The phrase "make headway" comes from the language of ships and sailing. In this context, "headway" means the forward motion of a ship through the water. When a ship is making headway, it is moving forward, making progress towards its destination. The phrase has since been adopted more broadly to describe progress or forward movement in any endeavor. It implies that progress is slow but steady, and that persistence and determination are required to achieve the desired outcome.

What is the origin of the idiom "make headway" and when to use it?

to [make] headway

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The origin of this idiom is not entirely clear, as it is a relatively straightforward expression that likely developed over time as a way to describe someone's progress towards a goal. However, the word "course" has its roots in Middle English, where it referred to a path or direction. Over time, it came to be used more broadly to refer to a sequence of events or a plan of action. The phrase "on course" likely evolved from these earlier meanings of "course" to describe a situation where someone is following a specific plan or strategy and making progress towards their goal. The idiom is used to describe a situation where someone is making steady progress towards achieving their goal.

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

on course

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The origin of the idiom "on the way to something" is not entirely clear, as it is a relatively straightforward expression that likely developed over time as a way to describe progress towards a particular goal or destination. The word "way" has its roots in Old English, where it referred to a journey or a path. Over time, it came to be used more broadly to refer to a method, direction, or manner of doing something. The phrase "on the way" has been used to describe someone's progress or movement since at least the 16th century, and it is likely that the idiom "on the way to something" developed as a natural extension of this earlier usage. The idiom means that someone is in the process of progressing towards a particular goal or destination.

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

on the way to {doing sth}

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The origin of the idiom "on the right lines" can be traced back to the railroad industry in the 19th century. In the early days of rail travel, it was essential for trains to stay on the correct track to avoid accidents and reach their intended destination. Over time, this phrase became more widely used to describe any situation where someone is moving towards success or following the correct course of action.

What is the origin of the idiom "on the right lines" and when to use it?

(on|along) the right lines

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Master English idioms regarding the road to success, like "in the running" and "gain ground".

English Idioms for "The Road to Success"