feeling jealous of another's advantages, possessions, or experiences that one lacks
The phrase "green with envy" has its roots in ancient Greek and Roman mythology. In these cultures, green was associated with sickness and the pale pallor of a person's face when they were ill. Over time, the association of green with sickness evolved into symbolizing envy or jealousy. It is used to describe someone who is extremely jealous or envious of another person's possessions, achievements, or qualities. It suggests that the person's envy is so intense that it figuratively turns their complexion green, emphasizing the depth of their jealousy.
used to refer to someone who keeps repeating the same thing in a way that is annoying
The idiom "like a broken record" originated from the era of vinyl records, which could become scratched or damaged, causing the needle to skip and repeat a particular section of the music. This repetitive playback led to the metaphorical use of the phrase. It is used to describe someone who continually repeats the same thing or talks about the same subject without variation or new information.
someone who does or says things that prevent others from having a good time
The idiom "wet blanket" originated from the literal concept of a wet blanket, which is a damp cloth that, when placed on something, extinguishes or dampens its fire. The idiom figuratively refers to a person who discourages or dampens the enthusiasm, excitement, or enjoyment of others. It suggests that the person's presence or actions dampen the spirits or excitement of those around them, much like a wet blanket dampens a fire.
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a person who is unhappy and keeps complaining a lot
The term "misery guts" is a colloquial phrase that combines two words: "misery" and "guts." The origin of the phrase is uncertain, but it likely emerged as a playful and informal way to describe someone who is consistently unhappy or miserable. It is used to describe a person who is constantly gloomy, grumpy, or prone to complaining. It implies that the person's disposition or attitude is characterized by a lack of joy or contentment, as if their guts are filled with misery.
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a person who can no longer feel any strong emotions, often after experiencing something heartbreaking
The phrase "empty shell" is an idiomatic expression that likens a person or thing to a hollow or vacant shell. It is used to describe a person or thing that appears to be devoid of emotions, personality, or purpose. It suggests that the individual or object lacks depth, energy, or the qualities that make them engaging or meaningful.
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one's lack of courage to deal with painful or dangerous situations
The phrase "yellow streak" has its origins in the early 20th century and is derived from the association of the color yellow with cowardice or fear. It is used to describe someone who is believed to be lacking courage or exhibiting cowardly behavior. It implies that the person has a figurative "yellow streak" running through them, symbolizing their supposed fear or timidity.
Grammatical Information:
easily frightened or discouraged
The phrase "faint of heart" has its origins in the Middle Ages and Renaissance era. It refers to individuals who are easily frightened or lack the courage to face challenging or potentially distressing situations. The word "faint" in this context means weak or lacking in strength, and "heart" symbolizes bravery or fortitude. It is used to describe people who are easily frightened, timid, or lacking in courage when confronted with difficult or intense circumstances. It suggests that such individuals have a weak or fragile disposition that makes them susceptible to fear or discomfort.
used to refer to someone who becomes extremely afraid of or nervous about even the smallest things
The phrase "afraid of one's own shadow" is a figurative expression that communicates extreme timidity or excessive fearfulness. The origin of the phrase is unclear, but it likely emerged from the idea that someone is so easily frightened that they would even be afraid of their own shadow, which is an inanimate and harmless object. It suggests that the person is overly sensitive to potential threats or dangers, even when they are unlikely or non-existent.
a person who doubts or refuses to believe anything that is presented to them without evidence or proof
The idiom "Doubting Thomas" has its roots in the Christian Bible, specifically in the New Testament. This phrase is used to describe a person who is hesitant to believe something, especially if it seems extraordinary or implausible, without sufficient evidence or verification.
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used to refer to someone or something that is extremely quiet and does not make much noise
The phrase "quiet as a mouse" is an idiomatic expression that compares the silence or lack of noise made by a mouse to a person or situation that is exceptionally quiet or silent. It likely originated from the observation that mice move discreetly and make very little noise. It is used to describe a person, place, or situation that is remarkably quiet or devoid of noise. It implies a state of tranquility or the absence of any audible disturbances.
used to refer to someone who refuses to talk much or is completely silent
The phrase "mute as a fish" is a figurative expression that originates from the observation that fish do not make vocal sounds like other animals. It is used to describe a person who is unusually quiet or someone or something that is remarkably silent. It implies a lack of verbal communication or minimal noise.
a person who is extremely worried or upset
The phrase "nervous wreck" is an idiomatic expression used to describe someone who is extremely anxious, stressed, or emotionally overwhelmed. The term "wreck" in this context refers to a state of complete disarray or distress. It is used to describe individuals who are highly agitated, anxious, or emotionally unstable. It suggests that the person is experiencing extreme nervousness or mental strain.
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a person who is always nervous or stressed and is therefore unable to have a calm and organized life
The idiom "basket case" has its origins in the aftermath of World War I, particularly during World War II. It was originally a term used in medical contexts to describe soldiers who had lost all four limbs and required a basket or crate to carry them. Over time, the term evolved to refer to someone who is mentally or emotionally unstable and unable to cope with the stresses of life.
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an extremely anxious or nervous person
The phrase "bundle of nerves" is an idiomatic expression used to describe someone who is excessively anxious, tense, or nervous. The phrase likens the person's heightened state of nervousness to a tightly bundled collection of nerves. It suggests that the person's nervousness is intense and may manifest physically or emotionally.
to be very quiet and show signs of discomfort or anxiety when in public
The idiom "not say boo to a goose" is believed to have originated in Britain. The phrase originally referred to someone who was so timid or shy that they wouldn't even make a noise like "boo" to scare away a goose. It is used to describe someone who is exceptionally shy, timid, or introverted. It also suggests that the person is unlikely to speak up or take any action that might cause even a slight disturbance.
used to refer to someone or something that shows very little motion or does nothing
The idiom "like a bump on a log" is believed to have originated in the United States in the 1800s. Since Bumps on logs are simple, basic shapes with no complex functions, comparing a person to one suggests they are doing essentially nothing of significance, but just sitting or lying around idly and motionlessly, resembling an inanimate protrusion on a piece of wood.
someone who sits around and watches TV a lot
The term "couch potato" came into use in the late 1970s and early 1980s. It plays on the image of a potato plant, which remains static in one place and passively absorbs nutrients. It refers to someone who spends much of their free time lounging on the couch in an inactive state, often while watching television or screen-based entertainment. It describes a sedentary lifestyle characterized by excessive inactivity and lack of exercise due to excessive time spent engaged with media sources from a horizontal position.
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a negative attitude or reaction toward something that one desires but cannot have or achieve, often by minimizing its importance or worth
The idiom "sour grapes" comes from a fable named "The Fox and the Grapes." In the story, a fox couldn't reach some grapes and, feeling disappointed, claimed that the grapes were probably sour anyway. This phrase is used to describe someone who pretends to dislike or devalue something they desire but cannot have, often out of envy or frustration.
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the feeling of discontent caused by lacking someone else's possessions, accomplishments, etc.
The phrase "the green-eyed monster" comes from William Shakespeare's play Othello. In the play, Iago describes jealousy as the green-eyed monster, suggesting that it can consume and distort a person's thoughts and emotions. It is used to describe the emotion of jealousy, especially when it leads to irrational or possessive behavior.
to have a tendency to steal from others whenever the opportunity presents itself
The idiom "have sticky fingers" dates back to at least the early 1900s. It refers to the tendency of people's fingers to become sticky or coated after handling something adhesive or sticky - much like the fingers of a thief might become after stealing or handling stolen goods. It is used to suggest that someone is dishonest, prone to theft, or inclined to take things that do not belong to them.
used to describe a person with no principles or morality
The idiom "lower than a snake's belly" is a figurative expression that likely originated from the association of snakes with negative qualities in various cultures. The phrase implies that a snake's belly, being close to the ground, is already considered low, and the person being referred to is even lower in character. It is used to emphasize extreme disapproval or contempt for someone's actions or character.
a person who shows unwillingness to spend much money
The idiom "penny pincher" originated from the practice of being extremely frugal or thrifty with money, particularly when it comes to small amounts or insignificant expenses. The term "penny" refers to the smallest unit of currency, emphasizing the meticulousness in saving even the tiniest sum. A "pincher" refers to someone who tightly grasps or holds onto something. Therefore, a "penny pincher" is used to describe a person who is excessively careful or reluctant to spend money, often going to great lengths to save every penny. This term can be used to characterize individuals who are excessively frugal or cautious regarding their financial decisions, often avoiding unnecessary expenditures or seeking the best deals and discounts.
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lacking good manners
The idiom "hairy at the heel" dates back to at least the 17th century. It originally referred to horses that appeared healthy except for fur or hairy growths around their heels, which indicated underlying problems. Today, it is used to describe a person who has bad manners and not behave well in social situations.
to complain about something that is not worth complaining about
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