English Language

2021-09-25 06:30:03 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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2021-09-24 06:30:04 ocker

Meaning
a crude and obnoxious Australian

For example

These ockers we met think getting drunk on beer and throwing up is cool. They were complete idiots!

Most Australians don't like ockers and the image of Australia they create.

Note
usually refers to men, though female ockers do exist in small numbers

Variety
This is typically used in Australian English but may be used in other varieties of English too.
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2021-09-24 06:30:04 object to Synonym: oppose

Meaning
If you object to something, you don't think it's a good thing or a good idea, so you oppose it or you are against it.

For example

object to sth Some politicians object to the new law that will improve health care for children because it might mean lower profits for big drug companies.

object to sth Most people object to the huge bonuses that banks and financial companies pay their top executives.

Note
Nouns often used as objects with object to: decision, verdict, plan, idea, proposal, law
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2021-09-23 06:30:04 (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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2021-09-23 06:30:03 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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2021-09-22 06:30:03 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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2021-09-22 06:30:03 nag at

Meaning
If someone is being nagged at by a fear, a doubt or a regret, they can't stop thinking about it.

For example

nag at Ken lost millions when the stock market collapsed, and the thought that he should have sold his shares when they started going down kept nagging at him.

nag at The feeling that she'd left it too late to have children was nagging at her.

Note
Nouns often used as subjects with nag at: fear, doubt, worry, regret, guilt, thought
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2021-09-21 05:30:02 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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2021-09-21 05:30:02 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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2021-09-20 05:30:04 make out

Meaning
to hug and kiss, possibly with some petting

For example

Lots of couples were making out at the party, but there was no real sex going on.

Mandy saw her boyfriend making out with another girl. She was very upset.

Note
This term is used mostly among teenagers, and it usually means anything from lengthy kissing to what is sometimes called "heavy petting", meaning sexual activity that can involve genital stimulation and even oral sex, but the term "make out" is not usually used to mean penetrative sex.

Variety
This is typically used in American English but may be used in other varieties of English too.
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