The origin of the idiom "bash one's brains in" or in the context of causing harm or death by striking someone in the head repeatedly is not rooted in a specific historical event or source. Instead, it is a grim expression that likely evolved over time from the literal description of inflicting severe head injuries. It reflects the violent nature of such actions and is used to emphasize the extreme and brutal nature of the harm inflicted upon an individual. This idiom does not have a known historical origin but is rather a metaphorical extension of the idea of physical violence.

What is the origin of the idiom "bash one's brains in" and when to use it?

to [beat|bash] {one's} brains (in|out)

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The idiom "take someone for a ride" originated in the early 20th century and is thought to have its roots in the world of organized crime. It is used to refer to the act of luring a person to their death by offering them a seemingly innocent ride in a vehicle.

What is the origin of the idiom "take someone for a ride" and when to use it?

to [take] {sb} for a ride

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The idiom "lay a finger on someone", while not having a specific historical origin, is based on the literal idea of using one's hands or fingers to cause harm. This expression has been a part of the English language for many years, emphasizing the idea of causing harm or injury through physical contact.

What is the origin of the idiom "lay a finger on someone" and when to use it?

to [lay] a (finger|hand) on {sb/sth}

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The idiom "knuckle sandwich" originated in the early 20th century as slang for a punch to the face or a physical blow, often in the form of a fist to the mouth or nose. The phrase is a playful way of describing a violent action and is meant to sound more lighthearted than a real threat, despite its aggressive undertones.

What is the origin of the idiom "knuckle sandwich" and when to use it?

knuckle sandwich

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The idiom "knock one's block off" is an informal and colorful expression that originated in the early 20th century. It means to punch or strike someone in the head with great force, often as a threat or in a fit of anger. The "block" refers to the head, and the phrase is used figuratively to emphasize the idea of delivering a powerful blow to someone's cranium.

What is the origin of the idiom "knock one's block off" and when to use it?

to [knock] {one's} block off

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The idiom "have a go" has a British origin and is rooted in the idea of attempting something or taking action. It dates back to the 19th century and is commonly used in British English. It can also be used to describe an aggressive or confrontational action, especially in the context of attacking a person or place to hit or destroy them.

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

to [have] a go

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The idiom "clean one's clock" is believed to have originated in the United States and is related to the world of boxing and physical confrontations. The expression "clean" emphasizes the thoroughness or decisiveness of the victory, while "clock" refers to the opponent's face, particularly the face of a person who has been on the receiving end of a powerful blow. It is primarily is used to describe a situation where one person hits or strikes another person harshly during a fight or conflict.

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

to [clean] {one's} clock

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The idiom "beat someone to a pulp" is believed to have originated from the literal act of physically beating someone until their flesh is severely bruised, and their face or body resembles a pulpy, mangled state. This expression vividly describes a brutal and merciless beating, often used figuratively to convey a complete defeat or overwhelming victory in a non-physical context.

What is the origin of the idiom "beat someone to a pulp" and when to use it?

to [beat] {sb} to a pulp

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The idiom "beat the pants off someone" is an informal expression that signifies a decisive and overwhelming victory or success in a competition, task, or endeavor. The origins of this phrase are not precisely documented, but it likely stems from the idea that someone's defeat is so severe that even their clothing is figuratively knocked off them, leaving them exposed or embarrassed.

What is the origin of the idiom "beat the pants off someone" and when to use it?

to [beat] the (pants|socks) off {sb}

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The idiom "whale on someone or something" is an informal expression used to describe physical aggression. Its origins can be traced back to the imagery of a whale thrashing about in the water, using its immense power to hit something forcefully. In this context, the idiom is typically used to convey a sense of vigorously and repeatedly striking or attacking a person or object through physical force.

What is the origin of the idiom "whale on someone or something" and when to use it?

to [whale] on {sb/sth}

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The idiom "trade punches" originated from the world of boxing and combat sports, where two opponents engage in a physical fight by literally exchanging blows or punches. This expression has been figuratively extended to describe any situation where individuals or parties confront each other physically, often indicating a competitive or confrontational nature.

What is the origin of the idiom "trade punches" and when to use it?

to [trade] punches

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The idiom "come to blows" likely originated from the literal act of physical fighting or brawling. This expression is used to signify a situation in which disagreements or conflicts have escalated to the point where the involved parties resort to using physical violence or engaging in a physical altercation.

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

to [come] to blows

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The idiom "make mincemeat of someone or something" dates back to the 17th century and originated as a figurative expression, suggesting the complete and forceful defeat of someone or something, much like how meat is minced into tiny pieces for dishes like pies or sausages. It can be used to describe physically beating or defeating someone severely.

What is the origin of the idiom "make mincemeat of someone or something" and when to use it?

to [make] mincemeat (out|) of {sb/sth}

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The idiom "beat the daylights out of someone" is an informal expression originating in the early 20th century. It is used metaphorically to describe a severe beating or thrashing that causes someone to lose consciousness or become severely injured.

What is the origin of the idiom "beat the daylights out of someone" and when to use it?

to [beat|knock] the (living|) daylights out of {sb}

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The idiom "lay a glove on someone" has its origins in the sport of boxing, where the act of landing a punch with a glove on an opponent signifies a successful hit or blow. The expression dates back to the 18th century and is often used to emphasize the difficulty or the rare achievement of actually hitting someone, as boxing matches involve a degree of skill and agility to both attack and defend.

What is the origin of the idiom "lay a glove on someone" and when to use it?

to [lay] a glove on {sb/sth}

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The idiom "be in the wars" has its origins in military and combat terminology. It is believed to have been used since the 18th century and refers to a person who has experienced physical injury, hardship, or a series of unfortunate events that might result in physical or emotional distress.

What is the origin of the idiom "be in the wars" and when to use it?

to [be] in the wars

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Master English idioms regarding violence, like "come to blows" and "knuckle sandwich".

English Idioms for "Violence"