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A stitch in time saves nine
The saying a stitch in time saves nine means that fixing a small problem early can prevent a much bigger problem later. It comes from sewing, where repairing a small tear quickly can stop it from becoming a large rip that needs much more work. The phrase is used as advice to encourage people not to delay important tasks.He fixed the leak straight away, knowing a stitch in time saves nine.
A storm in a teacup
The idiom a storm in a teacup means making a big fuss about a small problem. The reaction is much bigger than the situation deserves. The original form of this idiom dates back to ancient Roman times and was "a tempest in a ladle", so people have been comparing overblown reactions to putting huge storms in tiny containers for a very long time now.The committee meeting ended up being a storm in a teacup.
Another string to your bow
To add another string to your bow means having an extra skill, talent, or resource to use as a backup, which increases your options or chances of success.This idiom originated centuries ago from the practise of medieval archers carrying a spare bowstring in case the first one broke.
I decided to do a short course at college, to add another string to my bow.
In your Sunday best
The phrase "in your Sunday best" originates from the Christian tradition of wearing your best to church on Sundays, to show respect for God.For poorer and black people, especially around the time slavery ended, their Sunday clothes were often the only good clothes they owned. These clothes became a mark of dignity and self-respect.
She's all dressed up in her Sunday best
Like shooting fish in a barrel
The idiom like shooting fish in a barrel means something is very easy. The implication is that a barrel is such a small body of water that the fish can't get away from you.That exam was so easy it was like shooting fish in a barrel.
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.
Saved by the bell
You are saved by the bell if you are saved from a difficult situation at the last minute.There are a few theories how the idiom came about. One is that it refers to a school bell or a competition bell that signals the end of class or the current competition.
The more interesting, but possibly less accurate theory is that it came from people's fear of being buried alive in a cemetery, and people were buried with a string tied to their finger and then to a bell above ground, and ringing the bell meant people would come save you.
She forgot to prepare for the presentation, but a fire drill was called and she was saved by the bell
Spill the beans
The idiom spill the beans means to reveal a secret. Once the information is shared, it cannot be taken back, in the way that it is hard to put beans back into a container after they have been spilled all over the floor.He spilled the beans about the birthday party.
Steal your thunder
Someone steals your thunder if they take attention or praise away from you, usually by doing what you were about to do first. It could mean taking someone's idea as your own, by doing something big at another event like proposing at someone else's wedding, or by announcing big news just before someone else announces theirs.I was going to announce my pregnancy at Thanksgiving, but my sister announced hers first and stole my thunder!
Stick out like a sore thumb
Something sticks out like a sore thumb if it is very obviously different from the things around it. This idiom came from how you would hold out an injured thumb so you don't hurt it even more.She wore a bright shirt to work, and stuck out like a sore thumb in the office.