if the PHRASE fits

Weather is an important aspect of life, so it's no surprise there are a lot of idioms based on various forms of weather. Check out the origins of these phrases: Get wind of something; the Perfect Storm; Calm before the storm; Lightning fast; Take a rain check

The meanings and origins of idioms and other phrases used to talk about what people know and don't know: Know something inside (and) out; In the loop; In the dark; Born yesterday; With age comes wisdom.

Check out the interesting and entertaining origins of the following problem idioms: Between a rock and a hard place; Open a can of worms; Tip of the iceberg; Uphill battle, and Back against the wall.

In this episode, I step into the world of work and discuss the origins of the following common words and phrases that can be used to talk about people in corporations, including: Head honcho; Big wig; Slave driver; Low man on the totem pole, and Clock-watcher.

Check out the origins of idioms related to life's essential element - water. In this episode, discover why we say the following phrases: Water beneath the bridge; Muddy the waters; Hold water; In hot water, and Pour cold water on something.

Check out these famous phrases all related to time: Time flies; In the blink of an eye; Kill time; Time will tell, In the nick of time

Find out about the origins of famous phrases related to everyone's favorite emotion: Head over heels; Love at first sight; Have the hots for someone; Love conquers all; Love is blind.

In this humorous podcast, find out the meanings and history behind 5 interesting and fun phrases and idioms about decision-making: On the fence; No-brainer; Toss-up; Pros and cons; Flip-flop.

Check out the origins and meanings of 5 idioms all related to memory: On the tip of one's tongue; Rings a bell; Jog one's memory; Draw a blank; Slip one's mind.

Learn about why we use idioms and other expressions related to making mistakes. In this episode, the origins of: To err is human, Barking up the wrong tree, Red herring; Eat one's words; Failure is the mother of success.

In this episode, learn about why we say the following proverbs and idioms: Can't teach a dog new tricks, Over the hill, No spring chicken, Salad days, Make hay while the sun shines.

Learn about the origins and meanings of idioms all related to failure: Stuck in a rut; Spin your wheels; Go nowhere fast; Go round in circles; Comfort zone (OK, this one is not really failing, but it can lead to it). #fun #idioms #history #language #humor

In episode 15, I look at the following hard-working idioms: Push the envelope; Knuckle down; Pull out all the stops; Go the extra mile; and Go for broke.

Check out these idioms that refer to sports in some way and learn about their interesting origins: Ballpark figure/ On the ball/ Drop the ball/ The ball is in one's court/ Give it one's best shot.

Check out the interesting origins of 5 idioms that all have some basis in superstitious beliefs: Evil eye/ Speak of the Devil/ Knock on Wood/Keep your fingers crossed/ Get off on the wrong foot

Learn about the reasons why we say the following phrases: Catch-22 / Behind the eight ball/ On cloud nine/ Six of one, half a dozen of the other/ A dime a dozen

Learn about why we say several interesting idioms related to food and drinks: A piece of cake; Take the cake; Go bananas; Don't cry over spilt milk; Spill the beans. A fun, interesting and humorous look at the history of idioms and phrases.

Learn about the history of five very common expressions related to caution in this entertaining and informative podcast: Better safe than sorry; Don't count your chickens before they hatch; Don't put all your eggs in one basket; Skate on thin ice; Play with fire

An entertaining, interesting, and informative podcast about English expressions featuring a different color in each one: See red; Green with envy; Be or feel blue; White lie, and Brown-nose. Great for native speakers who want to know more about the #history of the #English language as well as upper-intermediate to advanced #ESL learners.

Discover the mysteries that the English language holds about the following idioms: Play it by ear; Heart of gold; An arm and a leg; Break a leg; See eye to eye. This #podcast is great for native speakers who love the #English language and its #history and for upper-intermediate to advanced #ESL learners.

Learn the interesting origins of 5 phrases about the powerful emotion of anger: Blow a fuse; Have a short fuse; Hit the Roof; Make one's blood boil, and Go ballistic. And yes, there are some exploding sound effects in this #podcast! Great for native speakers who love the #English language and its #history and for upper-intermediate to advanced #ESL learners.

Check out the origin stories and meanings of the following gambling expressions on Episode 6 of "if the PHRASE Fits": Beat the odds; Poker face; Luck of the draw; When the chips are down, and Roll the dice. Great for native English speakers and upper-intermediate to advanced English learners!

In this episode, I look at 5 expressions related to describing people: Pain in the neck/ Cold fish/ Couch potato/ Movers & Shakers/ Smart Cookie. This #podcast is designed for native speakers who love the #English language and its colorful #history and upper-intermediate to advanced #ESL learners. Take a fun stroll through the history of the English language or use it to build your English #vo...

In episode 4 of this entertaining podcast, learn about the origins and meanings of the following phrases: Jump the Gun; Stick to Your Guns; Bite the Bullet; Shoot Down, and Shoot Yourself in the Foot (ouch!). Great for native speakers who love the English language and upper-intermediate to advanced English learners. If you like it, please follow or subscribe.

The English language is full of phrases related to all kinds of creatures, great and small, the cute and cuddly ones, and the not-so nice ones, too. Learn about the origins and uses of the following expressions: Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth/ Hold Your Horses/ Birds of a Feather Flock Together/ Kill Two Birds with One Stone/Pig out