Today’s Phrase If you stick your neck out, it means you take a risk by saying or doing something that other people might not like. Examples: John stuck his neck out and told the boss what we thought of him.
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Where did the idiom stick your neck out come from?
The idiom stick one’s neck out is an American phrase that came into use by the 1920s. The exact origin is unknown. Some ascribe the origin to the fact that a chicken or turkey will stretch out its neck when placed upon the chopping block.
What does the idiom stick it out mean?
stick it/something out. (informal) to continue doing something to the end, even when it is difficult or boring. She didn’t like the course but she stuck it out to get the certificate.
What is the meaning of the idiom up to the neck in something?
deeply involved in
Definition of up to one’s neck in
: deeply involved in or affected by (something) She’s up to her neck in work. He’s up to his neck in debt.
What does neck and neck mean in idiom?
So close that the advantage or lead shifts from one to the other or is virtually indistinguishable, as in The two are neck and neck in developing a new operating system for the computer. The term comes from horse racing, where the necks of two horses in competition appear to be side by side.
What does shake your leg mean?
to hurry
used to tell someone to hurry or act more quickly: Come on, Nick, shake a leg or we’ll never be ready in time. SMART Vocabulary: related words and phrases. Expressions telling people to hurry up.
What does the idiom an old hand mean?
Meaning of old hand in English
someone who is very experienced and skilled in a particular area of activity: We should be able to trust Silva to negotiate a good deal for us – he’s an old hand at the game. Synonyms. old-timer informal.
What is the word for something that sticks out?
projection. noun. something that sticks out from a surface.
How do you use stick out?
She certainly sticks out in a crowd. Her teeth stick out a bit. I could see a foot sticking out from under the duvet. His foot was sticking out and she tripped over it.
What does catching someone’s eye mean?
get someone’s attention
to get someone’s attention, especially by looking at them: I tried to catch the waiter’s eye, so we could order. C2. to be attractive or different enough to be noticed by someone: It was the unusual color of his jacket that caught my eye.
What does I’m at your neck mean?
very busy
to be very busy: I’d like to help, but I’m up to my neck at the moment. Thesaurus: synonyms, antonyms, and examples. having a lot to do. busyI was busy clearing out the shed.
What does it mean to be at someone’s neck?
Definition of wring someone’s neck
informal. —used to say that one is very angry with someone He makes me so mad! I could wring his neck!
What does wind your neck in?
(UK, informal, chiefly imperative) Stop talking or arguing; shut up.
What does the idiom a sweet tooth mean?
If you have a sweet tooth, you like eating sweet foods, especially sweets and chocolate. People who enjoy pleasure.
Are a dime a dozen meaning?
So plentiful as to be valueless. For example, Don’t bother to buy one of these—they’re a dime a dozen.
What does to throw in the towel mean?
To quit in defeat
To quit in defeat. The phrase comes from boxing, in which a fighter indicates surrender by throwing a towel into the ring: “After losing the election, he threw in the towel on his political career.”
What does shake a bone mean?
(idiomatic) Rattly, unsteady, rickety. adjective.
What does break a leg meaning idiom?
good luck
This is an expression used mostly in the world of theatre to mean ‘good luck‘. Actors and musicians are never wished ‘good luck’; before they walk on to the stage, they are usually told ‘break a leg’.
Why do guys bounce their legs?
Shaking legs can also signal that you’re bored. The shaking releases tension that’s stored up when you’re forced to sit through a long lecture or a dull meeting. Constant bouncing in your leg might also be a motor tic. Tics are uncontrollable, quick movements that give you a feeling of relief.
What does the saying Old Hat mean?
well-known or familiar to the point of being trite or commonplace.
What does it mean to have someone under your thumb?
under someone’s control or influence
Definition of under someone’s thumb
: under someone’s control or influence He kept the employees under his thumb.