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making words matter

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tear one's hair out

1/9/2020

 
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This informal expression means to feel extreme desperation and as well as frustration and annoyance, at someone or something:

For example, this headline:
 
Parenting 2020: Why online classes make me want to tear my hair out

[ Daily O | 01.09.20 | LINK]
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out of my hand

20/8/2020

 
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If you have someone completely under your control, they are eating out of your hand; like a bird who fears nothing, it would eat out of your hand:
 
Former White House spox: Obama never had media ‘eating out of his hand’  
 
[The Washington Post | LINK]
[spox informal spokesperson]
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cap in hand

31/7/2020

 
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If we [go cap in hand], we humbly ask for a favour:

The meaning comes from the days when wearing a cap or hat was considered part of a man’s wardrobe when out of the house.

To show respect, you would take your hat off and hold it in your hand, especially when the person you are talking to is more senior in rank or holds a position of respect (the bank manager).
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at hand

29/7/2020

 
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When something is [at hand] it can mean:

  • close by: Security was at hand at all times.
  • readily accessible when needed: When cooking, ingredients should be at hand.
  • close in time; about to happen: We hope a breakthrough in combating the disease may be at hand.
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meet halfway

27/7/2020

 
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If we [meet someone halfway], we make a compromise with someone:

White House turns down Democrats' offer to meet halfway with US$2 trillion COVID-19 plan

White House officials trying to broker a deal on new coronavirus legislation will advise President Donald Trump to act on his own to deliver relief to Americans suffering from the pandemic, after talks with top Democrats in Congress broke down on Friday.

[CNA | LINK]
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by halves

24/7/2020

 
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When we say someone [doesn’t do things by halves] we mean they do things thoroughly or extravagantly:

When used, it means:

  • [a colleague who writes a report] She write a thorough and detail report and misses no details.
  • [a famous person who throws a party] Everything is done to make it the best possible
  • [a teacher] she prepares everything for her class before the event, anticipates what may go wrong and plans for this, and is organised with note taking and report writing.
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glass houses

8/7/2020

 
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We use this proverb to mean you shouldn't criticise others when you have similar faults of your own:



The expression is fixed and well known, so frequently the comment made to the person who is criticising could be people in glass houses or You know what they say about people who live in glass houses? or even Glass houses come to mind.

The reference is clear but without the need to say the entire expression.

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taking my hat off

8/6/2020

 
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We use the (British) expression [take one’s hat off to] to state one's admiration for someone who has achieved something:

Trump Pardons Former NFL Owner, Jerry Rice Says 'I Take My Hat Off to Donald Trump'

Pro Football Hall of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice praised President Donald Trump for pardoning former San Francisco 49ers owner Eddie DeBartolo Jr. on Tuesday.

“So today’s a great day for him. I’m glad to be here and be a part of that, and it’s just something I’ll never forget. This man, he has done so much in the community, has done so much in NFL football, and today is a great day for him.”

Rice added, “I take my hat off to Donald Trump for what he did.”

[Western Journal | 18.02.20 | LINK]
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