a completely different matter in comparison to what one used to deal with
The idiom "a horse of a different color" is thought to have originated in the 17th century. It is believed to have come from the horse trade, where horses were often sold with false pedigrees. If a horse turned out to be different from what the buyer had been led to believe, it might be said to be "a horse of a different color." This idiomatic expression is used to describe something that is different from what is expected or usual.
an obvious issue, problem, or matter that people purposely ignore
The idiom "elephant in the room" is believed to have originated in the 19th century. It is thought to have been inspired by a fable by Ivan Krylov, in which a man is so focused on examining small details that he fails to notice an elephant standing in the room. The phrase is used to describe an obvious problem or issue that everyone is aware of but no one wants to talk about.
an issue or subject that is not in any way connected to what one was talking about
The idiom "a different kettle of fish" is believed to have originated in the 18th century. It is thought to have come from the custom of preparing fish in a large pot, or kettle. If the fish were different types of fish, the cooking process would be different for each type. This led to this phrase being used to describe any situation that was different from another.
a different matter that requires one's consideration in order to be resolved
The idiom "a different cup of tea"stems from the original phrase "one's cup of tea," which emerged in the 18th century. The original idiom referred to something that someone liked or found enjoyable, often used to express personal preferences. Over time, the phrase evolved to encompass a broader meaning, suggesting that something is requires individualized consideration as it is completely different from what one previously experienced or anticipated.
(of a point or statement) to be applicable or relevant to both sides of an argument
The idiom "cut both ways" is believed to have originated in the 15th century. It is thought to have come from the practice of sword fighting. If a swordsman was skilled, he could use his sword to cut in both directions. This made him a dangerous opponent, as he could attack from both sides. This expression is used to describe a point or statement that can be applied to both sides of the argument.
a person who pretends to disagree with an opinion or idea just to promote a discussion concerning a particular subject
The idiom "devil's advocate" is believed to have originated in the 16th century. It is thought to have come from the Catholic Church's canonization process, in which a church official known as the "promotor fidei" (promoter of the faith) was tasked with arguing against the canonization of a candidate. The promotor fidei's job was to play the devil's advocate, presenting all the negative evidence against the candidate in order to ensure that the decision to canonize them was made carefully and objectively. This expression is used to describe someone who intentionally takes a position that is opposed to the majority opinion in order to stimulate debate or discussion.
used to state one's indifference to the way a situation develops or what its result will be
The idiom "it makes no odds" is believed to have originated in the 16th century. It is thought to have come from the phrase "it makes no difference," which suggests that something does not matter or will not affect the outcome of a situation. This phrase is used to express that something is unimportant or does not matter. It suggests that the thing in question will not affect the outcome of a situation or will not make a difference in the long run.
a reasoning or explanation that is deemed sufficient to justify or defend someone's actions
The idiom "leg to stand on" is believed to have originated in the 17th century. It is thought to have come from the practice of dueling, in which a duelist who was wounded or unable to stand was said to have no leg to stand on and was therefore at a disadvantage. This idiomatic expression came to be used to describe someone who had no support or justification for their position or opinion.
used to refer to a topic that is being talked about by a lot of people
The idiom "on everyone's lips" is believed to have originated in the 16th century. It is thought to have come from the practice of spreading news by word of mouth. When news was important or interesting, it was said to be on everyone's lips, as everyone was talking about it. This expression came to be used to describe something that was being talked about by a lot of people.
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