The origin of the idiom "put all one's eggs in one basket" is often attributed to the concept of risk management. It dates back to the 17th century, and while its exact origin is not well-documented, the phrase likely emerged from practical observations of farmers, traders, and investors. This expression is typically used in situations where it's advisable to diversify and not rely solely on one possibility.

What is the origin of the idiom "put all one's eggs in one basket" and when to use it?

to [put] all {one's} eggs in one basket

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The idiom "put the cart before the horse" warns against doing things in the wrong order, emphasizing the importance of proper sequencing and planning. It originates from the literal scenario of attaching a cart (which follows) in front of a horse (which leads). This idiom is used to caution against hasty or illogical actions where the logical order is reversed, leading to inefficiency or confusion.

What is the origin of the idiom "put the cart before the horse" and when to use it?

to [put] the cart before the horse

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The origin of the idiom "run before someone can walk" is not very well documented, but it is used to caution against trying to do something beyond one's current level of skill or understanding. This phrase implies that it is important to learn and practice the fundamentals before attempting more advanced tasks.

What is the origin of the idiom "run before someone can walk" and when to use it?

to [run] before {sb} (can|could) walk

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The idiom "throw the baby out with the bathwater" warns against getting rid of something valuable or important while trying to eliminate something undesirable. It originated in the 16th century when communal bathing was more common, and family members would use the same bathwater in succession. The baby, being the last to bathe, was at risk of being accidentally discarded with the dirty water. This phrase is used to caution against rejecting the good along with the bad.

What is the origin of the idiom "throw the baby out with the bathwater" and when to use it?

[throw] the baby out with the bathwater

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The idiom "someone could not care less" expresses complete indifference or lack of concern about something. It originated in the mid-20th century as an extension of the earlier phrase "could care less," which was often used sarcastically. The idiom is used to emphasize that there is no lower level of caring, making it clear that the speaker has no interest or investment in the subject at all.

What is the origin of the idiom "someone could not care less" and when to use it?

{sb} could not care less

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for all I care

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"give a shit" is a slang phrase that appeared in English in the mid-20th century, using "shit" to represent concern or value, so "giving a shit" literally means caring about something. The phrase is used in informal speech, writing, and online commentary to indicate whether someone cares about or considers something important. It is mildly vulgar, context-dependent, and can be either critical or neutral depending on tone, but it is rarely offensive when used casually.

What is the origin of the idiom "give a shit" and when to use it?

to [give] a shit

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The phrase "give a tinker's damn" is an idiom that expresses a lack of concern or interest in something. It derives from the idea that tinkers (menders or repairers of utensils) didn't value the small amounts of solder or metal they used to repair items, so they did not care much about preserving it. Over time, this expression evolved into a way of saying that something is of little importance.

What is the origin of the idiom "give a tinker's damn" and when to use it?

to [give|care] a tinker's damn

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The idiom "no skin off one's back" is used to convey that a particular situation or action doesn't negatively affect or inconvenience someone. It originates from the idea that something causing discomfort or trouble might involve the skin on one's back. This phrase is commonly used in informal conversations to express that a situation doesn't pose a problem.

What is the origin of the idiom "no skin off one's back" and when to use it?

no skin off {one's} [back]

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The origin of the idiom "reckon without somebody or something" is not precisely documented, but it has been in use since the 19th century. It likely developed as a figurative expression from the more literal use of "reckon" (meaning to calculate or consider) in the context of making predictions, assumptions, or plans. It is still used in both formal and informal contexts to caution against overlooking important elements in decision-making.

What is the origin of the idiom "reckon without somebody or something" and when to use it?

to [reckon] without {sb/sth}

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The exact origin of the idiom "dive in headfirst" is not well-documented, but it likely developed from the literal act of diving into water. It has been in use for many years and became more widely used in everyday language during the 20th century. This expression has been used to encourage or describe someone who is eager and willing to take on a challenge or embrace a new endeavor without reservation.

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

to [dive] in headfirst

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The idiom "let something ride" has been in use for several decades, but its precise historical origin is not well-documented. It likely emerged naturally as an English idiomatic expression in English language .This phrase has been in use for several decades and is now used in a variety of contexts to imply postponing a decision, ignoring a minor problem, or accepting a situation as it is.

What is the origin of the idiom "let something ride" and when to use it?

to [let] {sth} ride

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Explore English idioms regarding a lack of care or consideration with examples like "dive in headfirst" and "put the cart before the horse".

English Idioms for "Lack of Care or Consideration"