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Missed the boat
If you missed the boat it means you missed a good chance or opportunity. If you wait too long, it may be gone. The origin of this phrase is literal, if you miss a boat it leaves without you.A similar idiom is that ship has sailed.
He took so long to get his application together he missed the boat.
Mix and match
To mix and match means to combine different things in many possible ways. People use the phrase when items can be chosen and put together freely instead of having to use a fixed set.This phrase became common in advertising and everyday language in the 1900s, especially when describing clothing or household items that could be combined in different styles or colors.
You can mix and match these pieces easily.
Money is the root of all evil
The idiom money is the root of all evil means that the strong desire for money can cause people to behave in harmful or dishonest ways.The phrase comes from a line in the Bible, in the First Letter to Timothy, which says that the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Over time the wording was shortened and became a common proverb in everyday English.
After watching the partners argue bitterly over profits, he muttered that money is the root of all evil.
More than meets the eye
The idiom more than meets the eye means that something is more important or interesting than it first appears. At first glance it may seem simple, but there are hidden details or deeper reasons behind it.The phrase has been used in English for many years to describe situations where the true nature of something is not immediately obvious. It reminds people not to judge something too quickly based only on what they first see.
The quiet little shop looked ordinary, but there was more than meets the eye once you stepped inside.
Move the goalposts
To move the goalposts means to change the rules after something has already started, making it harder for someone to succeed. It often feels unfair because the target keeps shifting just when people think they are close to reaching it.The phrase comes from sports such as soccer or rugby, where goalposts mark the place where points are scored. If the posts were moved during the game, it would be harder to score points.
Every time he finished the task, his boss added another requirement and seemed to move the goalposts.
Moving target
A moving target is something that keeps changing, making it difficult to finish. When a situation keeps shifting, it becomes harder to plan or make progress.This phrase comes from shooting or military training, where hitting a target that is moving is much harder than hitting one that stays still. The phrase later came to describe problems or goals that keep changing.
The deadline kept changing, so finishing the project felt like chasing a moving target.
The more the merrier
The more the merrier means that a situation becomes more enjoyable when more people join in. It is often said when welcoming others to take part in an activity, gathering, or event.The saying has been used in English for hundreds of years and reflects the idea that shared company brings more fun and happiness. It became a common friendly expression when inviting others to join a group.
When another cat jumped onto the couch beside the others, she laughed and said the more the merrier.