The idiom "cry over spilled milk" may be related to the idea of spilling milk, which is a common and easily remedied mistake. The phrase has been in use in English since at least the mid-19th century, and it is often applied to situations where someone is dwelling on a mistake or setback instead of moving on and focusing on what can be done in the present. In general, the phrase is used to encourage people to let go of past mistakes and focus on the present and future, rather than wasting time and energy on things that cannot be changed.

What is the origin of the idiom "cry over spilled milk" and when to use it?

to [cry] over spilled milk

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The origin of  the idiom "cast pearls before swine" is biblical, and it is derived from a passage in the New Testament where Jesus warns his followers not to waste their teachings on people who are not receptive to them. The phrase has been in use in English since at least the early 17th century, and it is often applied to situations where someone is making a great effort to share something valuable, such as knowledge or wisdom, with someone who is not interested or capable of understanding it. In general, the phrase is used to caution people against investing their time and energy in situations where their efforts are unlikely to be appreciated or reciprocated.

What is the origin of the idiom "cast pearls before swine" and when to use it?

to [cast|throw] pearls before swine

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The idiom "break even" may be related to the idea of a balance point, where all inputs and outputs are equal. The phrase has been in use in English since at least the mid-20th century, and it is often applied to situations where a business or project is just able to cover its costs, but not generate any additional income or profit. In general, the phrase is used to describe a situation where the outcome is neither positive nor negative, but rather neutral or balanced.

What is the origin of the idiom "break even" and when to use it?

to [break] even

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The origin of the idiom "chase one's tail" is related to the behavior of dogs, who may chase their own tails in circles without ever catching them. The phrase has been in use in English since at least the early 20th century, and it is often applied to situations where someone is engaging in fruitless activity, such as repeatedly trying to solve a problem using the same ineffective approach. In general, the phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is expending a lot of energy without making any real progress towards their goals.

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

to [chase] {one's} (own|) tail

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to [save] {one's} breath

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The origin of the idiom "close the stable door after the horse has bolted" goes back to a time when horses were a valuable asset and were kept in stables or barns. If a horse were to escape, it would be difficult to catch, and it would be too late to try to prevent it from happening once the horse had already bolted or been stolen. Therefore, the idiom implies that it's better to take preventative measures beforehand rather than trying to fix a problem after it has already occurred.

What is the origin of the idiom "close the stable door after the horse has bolted" and when to use it?

to [close|shut|lock] the (stable|barn) door after the horse (has bolted|is stolen)

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The idiom "square one" is believed to have originated in the game of Snakes and Ladders, where players who land on a snake's head are sent back to the beginning of the game. In modern usage, it can refer to any situation where a person or group has to start over from the beginning. It can apply to personal or professional contexts, and can refer to both minor and major setbacks.

What is the origin of the idiom "square one" and when to use it?

square one

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The origin of the idiom "back to the drawing board" goes back to the 1940s when engineers and designers used drawing boards to create technical drawings for new products. If a design didn't work or was rejected, the engineers would have to go back to the drawing board to come up with a new design. Today, the idiom is commonly used in a variety of contexts, including business, science, and creative endeavors. It implies that the first attempt was unsuccessful, and a new approach or strategy is needed to achieve success.

What is the origin of the idiom "back to the drawing board" and when to use it?

back to the drawing board

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The idiom "from pillar to post" is believed to have originated from the practice of punishment in medieval Europe, where a person would be tied to a pillar or post and then whipped or beaten before being sent to another pillar or post to receive more punishment. Today, the idiom is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is being sent from one place or person to another, often with a sense of frustration or confusion about why they are being moved around.

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

from pillar to post

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The idiom "paint the lily" comes from Shakespeare's "King John" where a character uses "to gild refined gold, to paint the lily" to describe futile efforts to improve something already perfect. The term is used when people add excess embellishments to something good, in both minor and major situations, and in personal or professional contexts.

What is the origin of the idiom "paint the lily" and when to use it?

to [paint|gild] the lily

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The origin of the idiom "a brick wall" can be traced back to the early 20th century. It comes from the analogy of running into or hitting one's head against an actual brick wall, which is immovable and impenetrable. In modern usage, it can refer to any situation where a person or group is facing a significant obstacle or challenge that seems insurmountable.

What is the origin of the idiom "a brick wall" and when to use it?

to [face|come to|hit] (a|the) (brick|) wall

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The idiom "bark at the moon" is originated from the behavior of dogs who bark at the moon, which is a futile and pointless activity since the moon is an inanimate object that cannot be affected by barking. The idiom is often used in a figurative sense, to describe someone who is pursuing a goal or engaging in an activity that is unlikely to succeed or to express a sense of frustration or disbelief at someone's behavior.

What is the origin of the idiom "bark at the moon" and when to use it?

to [bark] at the moon

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The origin of The idiom "bark up the wrong tree" goes back to the practice of hunting with dogs, where a dog would chase a prey up a tree, and the hunter would then approach the tree and determine which tree the dog had chased the prey up. If the hunter determined that the dog had barked up the wrong tree, they would then have to redirect their efforts to find the prey in the correct tree. Today, the idiom is commonly used in a figurative sense, implying that someone is pursuing a mistaken course of action or blaming the wrong person for a problem.

What is the origin of the idiom "bark up the wrong tree" and when to use it?

to [bark] up the wrong tree

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The origin of the idiom "beat a dead horse" comes from the practice of beating a dead horse in order to make it move, which is obviously futile since the horse is already dead. Today, the idiom is commonly used in a figurative sense, to describe someone who is continuing to pursue a topic or argument that has already been resolved or has lost its relevance. The idiom implies that further effort or discussion is pointless and that it's time to move on to something else.

What is the origin of the idiom "beat a dead horse" and when to use it?

to [beat] a dead horse

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The idiom "bring sand to the beach" may have originated from the practice of bringing sand to a beach, which is already abundant in sand. Today, the idiom is commonly used to describe someone who is doing something that is redundant or unnecessary, such as bringing additional resources, supplies, or people to a situation where they are not needed or adding more of something that already exists in abundance. The idiom implies that the person's actions are pointless and a waste of time and resources.

What is the origin of the idiom "bring sand to the beach" and when to use it?

to [bring] sand to the beach

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The origin of the idiom "come full circle" goes back to the ancient Greeks, who believed in the concept of the "anacyclosis," the idea that civilizations and governments go through a cycle of birth, growth, decay, and rebirth. Today, the idiom is commonly used in a variety of contexts, including personal growth, historical events, and cultural trends, to describe a situation where something has returned to its original state or position after a series of changes or developments. The idiom implies that the journey has been completed, and the person or thing has returned to its starting point.

What is the origin of the idiom "come full circle" and when to use it?

to [come|go|turn] full circle

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The idiom "toing and froing" may have originated from the sound of footsteps or a repetitive movement back and forth. Today, the idiom is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is busy or active but not necessarily making progress or accomplishing anything significant. It can also imply a sense of indecisiveness or uncertainty, where someone is going back and forth between different options or ideas without making a definite choice.

What is the origin of the idiom "toing and froing" and when to use it?

toing and froing

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The idiom "like nailing Jell-O to the wall" is believed to have originated in the United States in the mid-20th century. Today, the idiom is commonly used to describe a situation where someone is facing a difficult or impossible task or attempting to achieve something that is highly unlikely or unrealistic. The idiom implies that the task or goal is so difficult that it is like trying to do the impossible.

What is the origin of the idiom "like nailing Jell-O to the wall" and when to use it?

like nailing Jell-O to the wall

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like pouring water (in|into) a sieve

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The idiom "like talking to a wall" is  believed to have originated in the United States in the 19th century. Today, this idiom is commonly used to describe a frustrating situation where someone is attempting to communicate with someone who is unresponsive or uninterested. The idiom implies that the person being spoken to is as unyielding and unresponsive as a wall or brick, making communication impossible.

What is the origin of the idiom "like talking to a wall" and when to use it?

like talking to a (brick|) wall

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The origin of the idiom "the cake is not worth the candle" dates back to medieval times when candles were expensive and used for lighting. Often, the cost of the candle was more than the value of the cake, so it was not considered worthwhile to light a candle to showcase a cake that wasn't worth much. Today, the expression is commonly used to describe a situation where the benefits of an activity or endeavor are not worth the effort, cost, or risk involved.

What is the origin of the idiom "the cake is not worth the candle" and when to use it?

the (cake|game) [is] not worth the candle

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The origin of the idiom "tread water" goes back to the practice of swimming, where treading water is a technique used to keep oneself afloat while staying in one place. Today, the idiom is commonly used in a figurative sense, to describe a situation where someone is maintaining their current situation, but not making any progress or moving forward. It can also imply a sense of stagnation or a lack of direction, where someone is not making progress toward their goals or objectives. The idiom implies that someone is staying afloat, but not making any real progress or moving forward.

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

to [tread] water

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Explore English idioms that relate to wastefulness, including "bark at the moon" and "toing and froing".

English Idioms for "Wastefulness"