English Idioms and Sayings

[henry]

What does it mean" to bite off more than one can chew?"

"You've bitten off more than you can chew," said my brother, when he saw the trouble I was having with my new business.

What about " to bite/snap sb's head off ?"

:wink:

 

[RonBee]

What does it mean" to bite off more than one can chew?"

"You've bitten off more than you can chew," said my brother, when he saw the trouble I was having with my new business.

What about " to bite/snap sb's head off ?"

:wink:

I think you already know the first one. :wink: (When a person bites off more than he can chew he takes on more than he can handle.)

If a person is about to bite somebody's head off that means that he is very irritated and easily provoked. Be careful around such a person. After all, you wouldn't want your head bitten off, would you?

:wink:

 

[henry]

What does it mean" to bite off more than one can chew?"

"You've bitten off more than you can chew," said my brother, when he saw the trouble I was having with my new business.

What about " to bite/snap sb's head off ?"

:wink:

I think you already know the first one. :wink: (When a person bites off more than he can chew he takes on more than he can handle.)

If a person is about to bite somebody's head off that means that he is very irritated and easily provoked. Be careful around such a person. After all, you wouldn't want your head bitten off, would you?

:wink:

Of course, not! If he did that to me, I'd see him in the hell.
:wink:

 

[RonBee]

I have another! :wink:

Q: What does it mean to "get off on the wrong foot"?
A: To start something (usually a relationship) badly. Example:

• Things started off badly between Anne and me. We got off on the wrong foot. Thankfully, future encounters went better. Now we get along swimmingly.

 

[RonBee]

something to chew on

Meaning: something to think about.

Example:

• That discussion really gave me something to chew on.

 

[henry]

something to chew on

Meaning: something to think about.

Example:

• That discussion really gave me something to chew on.

Or. to chew something over(= something to chew on)

Meaning: consider slowly and carefully

e.g. You've had long enough to chew the matter over; I want my answer now!

:wink:

 

[RonBee]

something to chew on

Meaning: something to think about.

Example:

• That discussion really gave me something to chew on.

Or. to chew something over(= something to chew on)

Meaning: consider slowly and carefully

e.g. You've had long enough to chew the matter over; I want my answer now!

:wink:

Yes, that's good.

 

[RonBee]

Q: What does "Cover all the bases" mean?

A: It means to explain the thing (or do the thing) thoroughly, not leaving anything out (or undone).

 

[AUTOMOON]

Yes, but the first sentence might be better like this:

• Pastor Yang and our congregation had been agonizing for some time over whether to build our own church or continue to rent.

What do you think?

Yes, it's better to move the time factor there right after agonizing. Thanks. BMO

Why?

 

[RonBee]

Yes, but the first sentence might be better like this:

• Pastor Yang and our congregation had been agonizing for some time over whether to build our own church or continue to rent.

What do you think?

Yes, it's better to move the time factor there right after agonizing. Thanks. BMO

Why?

Well, I don't remember the original anymore, but if you put for some time right after agonizing then it is clear what for some timemodifies.

Does that help?

 

[AUTOMOON]

What you said, Ron
That's much better in light of better understanding of the sentence.


TOO BAD.

 

[RonBee]

Q: What does "Keep your eye on the ball" mean?

A: It means you should stay focused on the subject at hand. Pay attention.

 

[RonBee]

Q: What does "on the ball" mean?

A: to be "on the ball" is to be alert and aware.

 

[Tdol]

If something happens 'off the ball'?;-)

 

[RonBee]

I've never heard of "off the ball" before. Won't you please tell me more?

 

[RonBee]

What is something that is "off the wall"?

:?:

 

[henry]

What is something that is "off the wall"?

:?:

Something that is "off the wall" is surprising or unsual; slightly crazy

e.g Some of your idioms are really off the wall. :lol:

What is " walls have ears"? :wink:

 

[RonBee]

What is something that is "off the wall"?

:?:

Something that is "off the wall" is surprising or unsual; slightly crazy

e.g Some of your idioms are really off the wall. :lol:

What is " walls have ears"? :wink:

Yes, that is good.

Be quiet. Somebody might be listening.

:wink:

 

[RonBee]

Q: What does "He hid his head in the sand" mean?

A: It means the person deliberately ignored unpleasantness. Example: "Not wanting to believe they were at war, the Americans had their heads in the sand, and the German submarines had great success off the east coast of the United States, because the American ships were silhouetted against the lights from shore."

To bury your head in the sand is to be deliberately ignorant.

 

[RonBee]

Q: What is a "red herring"?

A: Based on the practice of using a fish to throw dogs off a scent, a red herring is used to throw somebody off-track. For example, if somebody is coming uncomfortably close to losing an argument he might throw out a red herring (change the subject) to throw his opponent off the trail.