Hey there , welcome back!
Have you ever wondered why we say ‘let the cat out of the bag’ or ‘break the ice’? We use these expressions all the time and the history behind these idioms them may surprise you. Today, we are diving into the origins of some of English’s most popular idioms - and trust us, it is a wild ride through history, quirks and curiosities! Whether you love a good mystery or simply want to understand English a bit deeper, these idioms will keep you on your toes.
Here are 10 idioms and
their historical origins:
😣 Bite the bullet
(to face a difficult / unpleasant situation with courage)
It refers to soldiers who had to endure pain during surgery without anaesthesia by biting on a bullet
🤒 Under the weather
(to feel ill / unwell)
It dates back to sailors who were sent below deck when ill, suggesting they were 'under' the effects of bad weather
🚌 Jump on the bandwagon
(to join a popular activity / trend)
It comes from political campaigns, where campaigners would literally jump on a bandwagon to gather support
🐱 Let the cat out of the bag
(to reveal a secret / information accidentally)
In medieval times, dishonest merchants would sometimes swap a cat for the advertised animal in a sack (trying to deceive the buyer)
🔨 Hit the nail on the head
(something is exactly right)
It originates from carpentry, where hitting a nail directly on the head ensures it goes in correctly
✂️ Cut to the chase
(to get to the point without wasting time)
It originates from early filmmaking, where long and slow scenes were cut to the exciting part
🧊 Break the ice
(to initiate conversation in a social setting)
The idiom refers to breaking the frozen surface of rivers to allow ships to pass
🫘 Spill the beans
(to reveal confidential information)
It comes from ancient Greece, where people voted with beans. If the jar tipped over, the results would be revealed
🕯️ Burn the candle at both ends
(to overwork yourself by doing too much at once)
It refers to a metaphor that compares someone who is doing a lot at once to a candle (lit on both ends). The candle is twice as bright, but it burns out twice as quickly
💸 Break the bank
(to spend all of your money)
It comes from gambling, where a player could bankrupt the house by winning large amounts of money
From ancient Greece to 19th-century battlefields, the English language is full of history and understanding the origins of these idioms gives us a whole new appreciation for them. Maybe it even helps you to remember them better? 🤔 Next time you drop an idiom in conversation, you will know the hidden story behind it!
For a fun twist, check out our latest YouTube video where I explore common English expressions while sharing my breakfast routine. Click here to watch:
Until next time!
Benjamin & Cami