English Language

2021-11-10 11:29:02 (something) occurs to you

Meaning
If something occurs to you, you think of it.

For example

I was surprised when I heard that Anne had quit. It had never occurred to me that she wasn't happy working here.

Has it ever occurred to you that your daughter's happiness is more important than what your friends might think if they know she's gay?
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2021-11-10 11:29:02 Oil and water don't mix

Possible meaning
If you add oil to water, the oil tries to stay separate. This proverb is a way of saying that certain people or characteristics do not go together.
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2021-11-09 11:29:02 nab

Meaning
to catch someone doing something wrong

For example

Drug testers have nabbed another professional cyclist for taking steroids.

Some kids were nabbed while stealing sweets from the store.
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2021-11-09 11:29:02 number among

Meaning
to include something or someone in a class or group of similar things or people

For example

number sb/sth among sb/sth I used to number Tony among my friends, but I don't any more, not since he borrowed some money and didn't pay me back.

be numbered among sb/sth Do you really think George W. Bush should be numbered among the greatest American presidents, or were you just joking?
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2021-11-08 11:29:02 (someone's) name is mud

Meaning
If someone's name is mud, other people are angry with them, or they're no longer popular, because they've done something wrong.

For example

Ian's name is mud now because everyone thinks he was the one who stole the money.

If any athletes test positive for a banned substance, their name will be mud.
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2021-11-08 11:29:02 Nature abhors a vacuum

Possible meaning
Empty spaces become filled very quickly.

Note
nature (noun) = the force that we regard as controlling the physical world, plants, animals etc | abhor (verb) = detest; hate | vacuum (noun) = a space with nothing in it (not even air or gas)

Origin
Aristotle (ancient Greek philosopher and scientist, 384-322BC) first suggested that "nature abhors a vacuum" to explain why water pumps worked (an astute if not totally accurate observation).
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2021-11-07 11:29:02 a matter of life and death

Meaning
If something is a matter of life and death, it's extremely important and it could involve someone's survival.

For example

Education about HIV and AIDS is a matter of life and death. If people aren't told to protect themselves with condoms, they could die from the disease.

Getting someone to hospital quickly after an accident or a heart attack is a matter of life and death. Just a few minutes can make all the difference.
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2021-11-07 11:29:02 Make hay while the sun shines

Possible meaning:
If we want to make hay, we need sunny weather, so when the sun comes we should take the opportunity to make hay. Thus the proverb suggests that we should make good use of any opportunity while it lasts.

Note:
hay (noun) = grass that has been cut and dried for feeding to farm animals
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2021-11-06 11:29:02 mag

Meaning
a magazine

For example

Have you got some mags to read on the plane?

Fiona loves to sit down after dinner with a nice glass of wine and a pile of fashion mags.

Origin
short for "magazine"
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2021-11-06 11:29:02 mail out

Meaning
to mail copies of something like a catalog or a CV to many people

Synonym
send out

For example

mail out sth Every year we mail out our sales catalog to over 100,000 customers

mail sth out The telephone company mails their bills out at the end of each month.
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