The idiom "add fuel to the fire" is believed to have originated in the medieval era when people would use fire as a means of heating and cooking. The phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is making a bad situation worse by doing or saying something that exacerbates the problem. The idiom implies that the person is intensifying or increasing the severity of the problem or conflict.

What is the origin of the idiom "add fuel to the fire" and when to use it?

to [add] fuel to the fire

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The phrase "add insult to injury" has its origins in ancient Roman law. Under Roman law, if someone committed a crime, they could be punished in two ways: through pecuniary damages (a fine) and/or through physical punishment. If a person was physically punished, they could also be insulted or humiliated in public as an additional form of punishment. This was done to further shame the offender and deter others from committing similar crimes. Over time, the phrase "add insult to injury" came to mean any situation where something bad happens, and then something else makes it even worse. Today, the phrase is commonly used to describe situations where someone is already in a difficult or unpleasant circumstance, and then something else happens that makes it even harder to deal with.

What is the origin of the idiom "add insult to injury" and when to use it?

to [add] insult to injury

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The idiom "fan the flames" has its origins in the literal act of fanning flames to make a fire burn hotter and stronger. The phrase is used to describe a situation where someone is making an already tense or emotional situation even more intense or emotional. In modern usage, this idiom can refer to any situation where someone is deliberately stirring up trouble or making a bad situation worse.

What is the origin of the idiom "fan the flames" and when to use it?

to [fan] the flames

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The origin of the phrase "go to hell in a handbasket" likely dates back to the 19th or early 20th century in the United States. The idiom "go to hell in a handbasket" is used to describe a situation or person that is rapidly deteriorating or heading towards disaster.

What is the origin of the idiom "go to hell in a handbasket" and when to use it?

to [go] to hell in (a|) (handbasket|handbag)

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The idiom "go to the dogs" has its origins in ancient Greece, where dogs were considered to be unclean animals that roamed the streets. The phrase refers to a situation or thing that is deteriorating or declining, often in a moral or ethical sense. It is often used to describe situations where something that was once good or well-respected is now in a state of disrepair or disrepute.

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

to [go] to the dogs

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The idiom "have seen better days" is believed to have originated in the 16th century, and was used to describe buildings, objects, etc. that were once in good condition but had fallen into disrepair. The phrase is now used to describe anything that was once good or successful but is now past its prime or in decline. This phrase is often used to describe people or things that have experienced a decline in fortune or quality.

What is the origin of the idiom "have seen better days" and when to use it?

to [have] (seen|known) better days

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The idiom "shoot oneself in the foot" has its origins in military history, where soldiers were sometimes prone to accidentally shooting themselves in the foot while handling a firearm. The phrase now means to do something that ends up harming one's own interests or goals. This phrase is often used to describe situations where someone makes a mistake or takes an action that has negative consequences for themselves.

What is the origin of the idiom "shoot oneself in the foot" and when to use it?

to [shoot] {oneself} in the foot

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The idiom "double whammy" is believed to have originated in the United States in the early 20th century and is used to describe a situation where two negative events happen at the same time, compounding the negative impact. The term "whammy" is slang for a curse or jinx, and the "double whammy" is a situation where two curses or negative events occur simultaneously, making the situation even worse.

What is the origin of the idiom "double whammy" and when to use it?

double whammy

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The idiom "on one's last legs" is believed to have originated in the 17th century and was used to describe animals that were near death and could barely stand up. The phrase now means to be in a very weak or poor state, often due to age or illness. The phrase is often used to describe people or things that are nearing the end of their useful life.

What is the origin of the idiom "on one's last legs" and when to use it?

on {one's} last legs

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The idiom "on the ropes" has its origins in boxing, where a boxer who is exhausted and has taken many punches may be leaning against the ropes surrounding the ring for support. The phrase now means to be in a difficult or perilous situation, often on the verge of defeat. The phrase is often used to describe a situation where someone is struggling or facing a difficult challenge.

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

on the ropes

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The idiom "out of the frying pan, into the fire" has its origins in medieval Europe, where it was used to describe a situation where someone was trying to escape danger but ended up in an even worse situation. The phrase now means to move from a bad or difficult situation to one that is even worse. This idiom is often used to describe a situation where someone is trying to escape a difficult or unpleasant circumstance, but ends up in a situation that is even more challenging.

What is the origin of the idiom "out of the frying pan, into the fire" and when to use it?

out of the frying pan (and|) into the fire

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The idiom "worse for wear" has its origins in the 19th century and was originally used to describe physical objects that had deteriorated or become damaged due to wear and tear. The phrase now means to be in a weakened or damaged state, often due to age, illness, or overuse. The phrase "worse for wear" is often used to describe people or things that are showing signs of wear and tear or have been damaged over time.

What is the origin of the idiom "worse for wear" and when to use it?

worse for wear

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The idiom "the balloon go up" has its origins in World War I and was used as a code phrase to indicate that an operation or battle was about to begin. The phrase now means that a situation is becoming serious or reaching a crisis point. During World War I, this idiom was used to indicate that a reconnaissance balloon had been released to begin observing enemy positions, signaling the start of an operation or battle. The phrase was used to alert troops that they needed to be prepared for action. Nowadays, the phrase is often used to describe a situation where something serious or unexpected happens, often causing a crisis or an emergency.

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

the balloon [goes] up

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The idiom "come to a grinding halt" means to suddenly stop or come to a complete standstill, often after a period of gradual slowing down. The phrase is believed to have originated in the early 20th century and is often used to describe a situation or process that has stopped abruptly and unexpectedly. The phrase often implies that the event or process in question was moving slowly or gradually before stopping completely.

What is the origin of the idiom "come to a grinding halt" and when to use it?

to [come] to a grinding halt

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The idiom "grind to a halt" means to gradually slow down and eventually stop completely. The phrase is believed to have originated in the early 20th century and is often used to describe a situation or process that has stopped unexpectedly and suddenly. The phrase often implies that the event or process in question was moving slowly or gradually before stopping completely.

What is the origin of the idiom "grind to a halt" and when to use it?

to [grind] to a halt

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The idiom "go to the devil" is often used to describe a situation where something is ruined or destroyed, often due to a person's own actions or neglect. The phrase can also be used to describe someone who has become morally corrupt or has abandoned their principles. This expression is often used to convey a sense of frustration or disappointment with a situation or person.

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

to [go] to the Devil

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Discover how English idioms like "on the ropes" and "fan the flames" relate to deterioration in English.

English Idioms for "Deterioration"