When someone feels they are being attacked or over-utilized, they might say, “oh give me a break!” This phrase can also be used as a response to something seemingly ridiculous. For Example: If your friend said, “I think Tottenham will beat Manchester United,” you could say, “oh give me a break!” This would indicate that […]

This phrase indicates a brilliant invention or discovery. Sliced bread is assumed to be a brilliant idea. For Example: “that’s the greatest idea since sliced bread,” it serves to strongly compliment the merits of the idea.

Someone’s basic source of income or value. For Example: “I can’t skip work on Fridays. That day is my bread and butter.” That phrase implies the speaker makes a lot of money on Fridays.

In sports, out of bounds means outside of the field of play. This phrase can be used to symbolize something that is off-limits. For Example: “I would ask Brett’s sister on a date, but I’m afraid that might be out of bounds.” In this case, the speaker is implying that trying to date Brett’s sister […]

Reaching a state of conclusion over an issue or subject. For Example: In a murder investigation, the lead detective could tell a peer that they will “get to the bottom of this case,” meaning they will solve the case.

To end relations with someone either profesionally or personally. For Example: A friend might ask, “are you still dating George?” To which one could reply, “no, I gave him the boot.”

Following the rules to their exact letter. For Example: If you do something “by the book,” you’re doing it exactly as intended with no deviation from a prescribed plan.

Stirring controversy or bringing sensitive issues to the forefront is “rocking the boat”. For Example: “It implies that everything was smooth beforehand and by broaching that subject you “rocked the boat.

A poker term that means identifying when someone is lying or being deceitful in hopes of misleading you. For Example: “He was acting like an expert on astronomy, but when I asked him his thoughts on quantum physics I clearly had called his bluff, he didn’t know how to respond.

Something that happens suddenly and unexpectedly. For Example: If one received an unexpected raise from their boss, they might tell a friend, “oh, and I got a raise out of the blue today which was nice!”