All Questions
52
questions
6
votes
2
answers
678
views
"Don't rock the boat" attitude [duplicate]
When someone tends to hesitate to acknowledge a problem and avoid involving trouble even if needed, is it ok to say in a negative nuance that
He/She always has a "don't rock the boat" ...
- 946
0
votes
5
answers
476
views
Word or idiom for something that can either be helpful or harmful, depending on how it's used [duplicate]
For example, consider the following:
Knives are a [blank], because they can either be used as a tool or a weapon.
I don't think "double-edged sword" is appropriate in this context because ...
0
votes
0
answers
417
views
Word, Idiom, or other Fixed Expression for "Stopping someone from doing something"
In my office I had stopped one of my colleagues from working on a project.
And I had to inform someone about it.
And using sentence
I had stopped him from working on it.
shows some disrespect for ...
- 111
2
votes
2
answers
278
views
What would you call a person who is adored because of their flaws, not despite them?
Nietzsche wrote the following:
The great man of the masses. -- The great man should have all the traits of the masses: the less ashamed they are before him the more popular he is. Therefore: let him ...
- 18.1k
0
votes
1
answer
150
views
Indiana Jones - The explorer [closed]
I am looking for a word that describes an explorer who travels the world in search of rare items. I'm thinking Indiana Jones, going to far off places in search of magical things...
Any help will be ...
- 27
5
votes
11
answers
841
views
Word/phrase/idiom for 'taking flak' (any kind to any degree) from people who can't handle part of a task (a basic detail)
Sometimes, people are not up for the task to which they've committed themselves. That is, they have a problem handling a part of it, for whatever reason. Instead of admitting that, they respond by ...
user294180
0
votes
3
answers
2k
views
How do you describe waking up in the morning brain functioning slowly?
Is there an adjective describing waking up in the morning and feeling slow, not able to remember stuff and think slowly?
- 358
1
vote
1
answer
86
views
Word or phrase for a commonly-used clause at the beginning of a sentence, such as "It's almost as if"
I've been seeing a lot of tweets/comments/posts with the following structure: "It's almost as if [obvious observation]".
Ignoring how terrible this trend is, what is an appropriate word or phrase for ...
- 11
2
votes
6
answers
5k
views
A word for when one thanks another for being exact?
So I sent an email to a Prof. asking for an invitation letter for a position. Now I receive his reply, and I am fascinated by the exactitude and precision in his reply. It is obvious that he has taken ...
- 3,462
0
votes
2
answers
85
views
I am looking for an expression, idiom or proverb for a Hindi saying "ulta karobar" which literally means "turtled business" or "upside-down acts"
I am looking for an expression, idiom or proverb for a Hindi saying "ulta karobar" which literally means "turtled business" or "upside-down business" and relates to the disorderly handling of an issue ...
- 3,102
0
votes
1
answer
1k
views
A person who doesn’t drink much to control others? [duplicate]
I think I've heard it some time ago but I can't remember. Is there an English word or idiomatic expression for "A person who doesn’t drink much to control others"?
- 24
-1
votes
3
answers
2k
views
Is there a word for the satisfaction of finding what you were looking for? [duplicate]
Basically, Title. Is there any word for that feeling when you finally find what you've been looking for? Be it a definition for a word, or your long lost brother, or some rare bird.
Edit: To clarify, ...
- 1
-3
votes
4
answers
5k
views
Word for being not brave enough or too brave
Is there a word for not being brave enough or being too brave? What I'm looking for is a word that combines the meanings of cowardice and foolhardiness, that can be used to describe a person that has ...
- 117
3
votes
2
answers
1k
views
How to describe the feeling of resonance with everyone? For example, when you watch an eclipse with other spectators [closed]
How do I describe the feeling of having a resonance with everyone? Like the way you feel when you watch an eclipse with everyone together. And it kind of give you the feeling of bravery, make you have ...
- 39
2
votes
2
answers
193
views
What is it called when an idiom is used so out of place that it is ridiculous?
A spokesman for the UK's Department of Food and Rural Affairs seems to be indicating that either DEFRA, the UK population or the whole of humanity are due to say goodbye to planet earth in 2043.
A ...
- 24.8k