Enough and to spare “Never mind if you forgot your lunch-box,” Ravi told Bob. “You can eat with me. I have enough and to spare.” Apparently, Ravi’s mother had packed a lot of sandwiches. Enough and to spare means ample — more than is needed.
Idiom “Eat out of a person’s hand ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Eat out of a person’s hand The Kumars are worried. Their son is completely besotted by Priya, whom they consider most unsuitable. “She has him eating out of her hand,” grumbled Mr Kumar in disgust. He meant that the young man was completely submissive to...
Idiom “Easy as pie ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Easy as pie If you’re fond of pie it’s not difficult to eat it. In fact, it’s easy. So when we say that something is as easy as pie, we mean it’s simple — not hard at all. “What’s so tough about learning how to...
Idiom “Elbow room” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Elbow room Mr Kumar’s office is so cramped that it hardly has any elbow room in it. This means that it does not have any space in which to move. Moreover, Mr Kumar feels that if he was given more elbow space his efficiency would...
Idiom “Play it by ear ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Play it by ear This means to act without preparation according to the demands of the situation. I’ve had no time to prepare for the meeting. I’ll have to go and play it by ear. Poor Vicky’s efforts to learn the violin are at present...
Idiom “End of one’s tether” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
End of one’s tether Mrs Kumar had house guests, an ailing baby, and no domestic help. “I’m at the end of my tether,” she confided to her mother over the telephone. What she meant was that she had reached the limit of her endurance or...
Idiom “Ends of the earth” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Ends of the earth “I will follow you to the ends of the earth” is a common refrain of people in love. It’s difficult to do that literally, but figuratively it means follow till the end, however difficult it be. He searched to the ends...
Idiom “Eat one’s heart out ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Eat one’s heart out Everyone feels sorry for Mrs Prasad. Her son is no good and gives her a lot of trouble. She worries about him all the time and is eating her heart out for him. To eat one’s heart out is to grieve...
Idiom “A matter of life and death ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
A matter of life and death A matter of life and death is an issue that is crucial to survival. Give this top priority—it is a matter of life and death.
Idiom “Music to one’s ears ” Meaning of Idiom, Definition of Phrase and origin with Example.
Music to one’s ears This refers to some information that pleases one very much. She never liked her boss; so when she got the news about his resignation, it was music to her ears.