Questions tagged [expressions]
This tag is for questions about expressions. Expressions are words or phrases used to convey an idea, or else a particular term used conventionally to express something. Consider phrase-requests and expression-requests if you are looking for an expression, phrase-meaning if you are unsure about the usage of a given phrase.
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How to respond to "sorry for taking so long"? (After someone finishes a task, not in email) [closed]
After a plumber finished his task, he said to me "sorry for taking so long". I wanted to say that it's not long, and I think he finished everything quickly and I appreciate that. What should ...
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Repeating a clause in a question [duplicate]
I’m groping for the name of the construction where one directly repeats all or part of a clause in a question as a way of expressing whimsy or making it wistful.
Aren’t we all just people, Jim, aren’...
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Is it patronising and infantilising to always include the term "we" when working in hospitality? [duplicate]
I have to say I feel really uncomfortable at the approach of one of the bar staff in a village pub I visit. He will refer to customers, new or regular, male or female as "my love", "...
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Harry Vandiver's comment on the infinitude of Wilson primes
Wilson primes are prime numbers that meet a specific criterion. Only three such numbers are known: 5, 13, and 563.
In Paulo Ribenboim's book "My Numbers, My Friends: Popular Lectures on Number ...
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Is there a word for problems that arise from solving another problem? [duplicate]
For example plastics were invented to make life easier. However, the invention of plastics created a new problem for us; plastic pollution.
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1
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Looking for a word/phrase for "fidgety" [closed]
I am looking for a single word or phrase to describe someone who mindlessly fidgets with things constantly.
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Reasons for doing something and reasons to do something :do that make a difference? [duplicate]
You attended a XXX workshop...Your teacher has asked you to write a review…
The content should include:
…
The reasons for joining it
…
This is my writing task and I am pretty confused about ...
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1
answer
81
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Stop blowing your load in the Golden Arches
While doing some research I came across the following phrase:
“Young men do not need to proactively freeze their sperm,” says David Ryley, a reproductive endocrinologist at Boston IVF. “If men want ...
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1
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1
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Why do phrases "By fair means or foul" and "By hook or by crook" have such different use of preposition 'By'?
Both idioms have pretty much the same meaning. Both are centuries old idioms. However, one uses preposition 'by' twice while the other doesn't. Why? Can someone please explain what am I missing here?
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3
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1
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Death in the saddle
Is it ok to characterize someone's death as "in the saddle" if he died (naturally, after a long and adventurous life) in the course of a military campaign, without having necessarily been ...
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1
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1
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What is "with the larger group being the first to flee" called? [duplicate]
I've been reading about the lore of Red Dead Redemption 2, I came across a certain phrase that I wonder about its name and what is the kind of function it serves. I have seen it elsewhere many times, ...
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In the sentence "What am I, chopped liver?" what is the grammatical term for the "chopped liver" phrase?
The meaning of the entire statement is obviously rhetorical and exaggerated. But what I'm specifically wondering is what the correct label is for the "chopped liver" phrase. It follows ...
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Is "I pass the trimmer" correct?
When we use the mower, we say we mow the lawn.
When we use a trimmer, what is the phrase or expression we can use?
Is it something like in French as We pass the trimmer or other expression?
Thank you ...
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Availability with "for" or "in"
Could you please tell me if the following sentences are correct?
We are currently offering availability for late June onwards.
We only have availability in late June onwards.
Thanks in advance.
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What is the usage for constructs like "men at work", "children at play", etc
One sometimes sees road warning signs cautioning of "men [sic] at work" or "children at play". The meaning is clear, it's the same as "men working" or "children ...
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