The idiom "day and night" has its origin in Old English and has been in use for centuries. Its roots can be traced back to the Germanic language family, which includes Old English. The phrase evolved as a way to express the contrast between these two periods of time. As a result, "day and night" became a commonly used to express to describe the continuous passage of time and the uninterrupted nature of certain actions or conditions. It is often employed to describe intense or relentless efforts, often in relation to work, study, or dedication.

What is the origin of the idiom "day and night" and when to use it?

day and night

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The origin of the idiom "all hours" are rooted in the concept of time and the measurement of hours. The phrase evolved as a way to describe activities or situations that occur without restriction or limitation regarding specific hours of the day or night. It is often employed to describe instances where someone is constantly engaged in a task, available for assistance, or working diligently without regard for normal working hours.

What is the origin of the idiom "all hours" and when to use it?

(at|) all hours

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The idiom "from day to day" has its origins in Middle English and has been in use for centuries. Its roots can be traced back to Old English and the Germanic language family. Over time, it became a commonly used expression in the English language to convey the idea of ongoing, day-by-day developments, routines, or occurrences.

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

from day to day

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The idiom "nine times out of ten" derived from the numerical representation and the concept of probability. It likely emerged from common observations and experiences, where a particular outcome or event occurred with a high frequency or regularity. Over time, it became a widely used idiom in the English language to express a strong likelihood or probability. This phrase is used when discussing situations, outcomes, or patterns that are expected to occur or be true in the majority of cases.

What is the origin of the idiom "nine times out of ten" and when to use it?

nine times out of ten

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The idiom "off and on" likely originated from the concept of something being turned on or off non-stop, such as a switch or a light. It conveys the idea of sporadic or irregular occurrences, much like the constant activation and deactivation of a switch. This phrase is commonly used in conversations and written language to express the irregular nature of something, highlighting periods of activity followed by periods of inactivity or absence.

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

off and on

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The idiom "once in a blue moon" has its origins in astronomy and the lunar calendar. It became popular in the 19th century and the connection between the rare blue moon and the infrequent event led to the phrase being used to express rarity in general. This phrase can be applied to a wide range of scenarios, such as rare family gatherings, infrequent visits to a particular place, a seldom-seen natural phenomenon, or something that happens only on special occasions.

What is the origin of the idiom "once in a blue moon" and when to use it?

once in a blue moon

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The idiom "once in a lifetime" is believed to have emerged in the English language as a figurative expression to describe a unique or extraordinary event that is unlikely to happen again in a person's lifetime. It is often used when describing travel experiences to extraordinary destinations, witnessing natural phenomena like eclipses or meteor showers, participating in significant cultural or sporting events, or encountering rare opportunities in one's personal or professional life.

What is the origin of the idiom "once in a lifetime" and when to use it?

once in a lifetime

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The idiom "in one fell swoop" originated from William Shakespeare's play Macbeth, specifically in Act 4, Scene 3. Macduff used the term to express the sudden and devastating loss of his family. Over time, the expression gained popularity and is now commonly used to emphasize efficiency, speed, and completeness. This expression is employed in both formal and informal settings, such as in discussions about business strategies, political decisions, project management, or personal achievements.

What is the origin of the idiom "in one fell swoop" and when to use it?

(in|at) one fell swoop

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The phrase "twenty-four seven" originated from the numerical representation of 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. It is derived from the system of dividing a day into 24 hours and a week into 7 days, which is widely used worldwide. It is commonly used in situations where round-the-clock service, support, or access is emphasized.

What is the origin of the idiom "twenty-four seven" and when to use it?

twenty-four seven

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time after time

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(as|) regular as clockwork

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Discover how English idioms like "day and night" and "once in a lifetime" relate to frequency in English.

English Idioms for "Frequency"