Showing 11-27 of 27
Measure twice, cut once
Measure twice, cut once is a phrase from carpentry and tailoring that reminds you that you should check your measurements and then check them again before you cut, so you do not make a mistake and waste your materials.
Nail in the coffin
Saying another nail in the coffin or the last (or final) nail in the coffin means this is another of a chain of mistakes, poor decisions or bad luck leading to the end or failure of something, like the visual of someone nailing the lid of a coffin closed.Having our key designer quit was another nail in the coffin for this project.
Not rocket science
The phrase it's not rocket science means that something is not very difficult to understand or do. People say this when they think a task or idea should be simple.This idiom became popular in the 20th century, when rocket science was widely seen as one of the most complex and technical kinds of work. By comparison, ordinary tasks seem easy.
Just follow the instructions on the box, it's not rocket science.
Not the sharpest tool in the shed
Not the sharpest tool in the shed or not the sharpest knife in the drawer is a euphemism for saying someone is not very smart.He's not the sharpest tool in the shed, but he works hard.
Not touching that with a ten foot barge pole
Not touching that with a ten foot barge pole (or sometimes just a ten foot pole) means refusing to get involved with something because it seems unpleasant, risky, or troublesome.The idiom draws from the long poles used to push barges along canals. A barge pole was long enough to push a boat a fair distance, so the phrase suggests staying as far away from a problem as possible.
After hearing how spicy that chili was, I said I was not touching that with a ten foot barge pole.
Off the hook
To be off the hook means that someone is no longer responsible for something or no longer in trouble. It is often used when a person escapes blame.The phrase comes from early telephones. The receiver rested on a small hook when the phone was not in use, and lifting it started the call. If the receiver was left off the hook, the phone line stayed busy, which led to the expression being used in a figurative way.
When the meeting was canceled, she was finally off the hook for giving the presentation.
Piece of the puzzle
The idiom piece of the puzzle means one part of a larger situation. You might use this idiom if you have just solved an important part of a larger problem. The origin is from jigsaw puzzles.This clue was an important piece of the puzzle.
Reinvent the wheel
You reinvent the wheel when you invest a lot of time, money or effort into doing something that has already been done. This idiom is often used when a solution to something already exists and you could just use that instead.Let's not reinvent the wheel, and just use an existing service.
Run a tight ship
To run a tight ship means managing a place or group with strict control and clear rules.The phrase comes from sailing. A well run ship required order, careful routines, and firm leadership to keep the crew and vessel working properly.
The restaurant manager runs a tight ship during the busy dinner rush.
Single point of failure
A single point of failure is one part of a system that can cause the entire system to stop working if it fails.The term comes from engineering and computer systems design. Engineers try to avoid single points of failure by adding backup parts or alternate paths so the system can keep working if one part breaks.
The only bridge into the town was a single point of failure during the storm.