English Language

2023-04-05 18:30:56 back to square one


Meaning
If you have to go back to square one, you have to stop and start again, usually because something isn't working as well as expected.


For example

We were going to start the new company next month, but it's back to square one now that Omar has changed his mind about investing in it.

After they lost the election, the Liberal Party had to go back to square one and come up with some new policies and some new ideas.

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2023-04-05 06:30:08 Facts are stubborn things


Meaning
We cannot avoid the truth, even when it is not what we want to hear or express.

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2023-04-04 18:30:28 lose out


Meaning
If you lose out, you fail to benefit from something that others are benefitting from.

For example

Thanks to my stockbroker, I've lost out big time. He told me to sell all my telecom shares - and now they're worth a fortune!

The Education Ministry has lost out again in this year's budget because the government needs the money to pay for the war.

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2023-04-04 06:31:02  up


Meaning
full of positive feelings; hopeful


For example

The lively music and colourful lighting made everyone feel positive and up.

Jane's been having a hard time lately, but she's feeling up today.

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2023-04-03 18:31:06 a white lie


Meaning
If you tell a white lie, you say something that isn't true in order to be polite or so as not to hurt someone's feelings.


For example

Sometimes it's better to tell a white lie than to tell someone a painful truth.

I really didn't want to go to my boss's dinner party, so I told a white lie and said I had to go to a friend's wedding party that night.

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2023-04-03 06:30:56 Where there's muck there's money


Meaning
There is money to be made in dirt and dirty jobs. For example, many people have made fortunes by processing rubbish or waste materials.

Note: Another version of this saying is: "Where there's muck there's brass."

Origin: This saying originated in England in or before the 19th century. The 17th-century book "A collection of English proverbs" (Rev. John Ray) includes a similar idea: "Muck and money go together."


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2023-04-02 18:30:36 order up (1)


Meaning
to issue an order for something to be done, usually in relation to the government or the military

For example

After the press released details of torture in military prisons, the President ordered up a full report on the situation.

Let's pray that no leader ever decides it's necessary to order up a nuclear attack.

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2023-04-02 06:30:06  knackered (2)


Meaning
severely damaged


For example

My car is knackered. I was driving home last night when it coughed and spluttered and started smoking, and then it groaned and died.

My printer was fine yesterday, but when I turned it on this morning, nothing happened. I think it's knackered.

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2023-04-01 18:30:53 a head start


Meaning
If you have a head start, you start something ahead of others or with an advantage over others.


For example

If you're born into a rich family, and you've had a good education, you're lucky enough to have had a head start in life, so don't waste it.

Marylin's beauty and natural grace gave her a big head start in the modelling and acting business.

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2023-04-01 06:30:43 Zeal, when it is a virtue, is a dangerous one


Meaning
According to this saying, "good zeal" cannot exist. It seems that zeal is inherently dangerous. When zeal is not a virtue, by definition it is not good. When zeal is a virtue, according to this saying it is dangerous, which is also not good. This saying relies heavily on paradox for its effect.

Note: zeal (noun) = enormous energy or enthusiasm for a cause or an objective
virtue (noun) = quality regarded as morally good in a person


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