5 Idiom Meanings, Origins And Published Examples – Part 1
Idioms are words, phrases or expressions not intended to be taken literally.Commonly used in modern day, everyday language, it’s not surprising to see idioms included in books and other publications during the last century.However, some idioms can even be traced back to Roman Times.
Listed below are 5 idioms; each with an explanation of their meaning, origin, and a published example.
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Idiom: aback (taken aback)
Meaning: shocked, surprised
Origin: In the days of sailing ships, if the wind unexpectedly blew the sails back against the masts the ship’s progress was abruptly stopped (taken aback).These days, the shock (sudden stopping) relates to a person’s reaction when suddenly stopped short by surprising news or an event.
Example: Agatha Christie (Poirot Investigates, The Kidnapped Prime Minister -1925)
…A short distance down the unfrequented lane, the Prime Minister’s car was suddenly held up by a band of masked men.The chauffeur, momentarily taken aback, jammed on the brakes.”…
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Idiom: bite off more than one can chew
Meaning: to try to do more than one can manage or is capable of
Origin: A late nineteenth century American phrase referring to the offering of a bite from a plug of tobacco.A greedy man would bite off as much as he could but was then unable to chew his mouthful comfortably.
Example: Graham Green (Our Man In Havanna – 1958)
…‘What did the voice say?’
‘It said – only it sounded much more apocalyptic in the middle of the night –
“You’ve bitten off more than you can chew, my girl.’’ ’…
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Idiom: (on) cloud nine
Meaning: extremely happy
Origin: Controversy surrounds this phrase due to the (spiritual) reference to the seventh heaven, although it is not clear as to why it has been changed to the number nine (from seven).
Example: Magazine (Today - 1992)
Dawn French is a marshmallow of emotion - a mum in love.Dawn, 34, and husband Lenny Henry, 33, have been on cloud nine since Billie arrived last September.
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Idiom: (a) dark horse
Meaning: an unknown quantity; a person whose abilities are not yet known and tested
Origin: A racing term, brought to public attention by Benjamin Disraeli in his novel, ‘The Young Duke’ (1831) containing a description of a horse race in which the favourites cannot make the running while ‘a dark horse which never had been though of rushed past the grandstand in a sweeping triumph’.
Example: David Garnett (Aspects of Love - 1995)
I congratulate you on falling in love with Rose.It makes me feel that I understand you so very much better.You have always been a bit of a dark horse.
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Idiom: (my) ears are burning
Meaning: a remark made by someone who thinks they are being talked about
Origin: A tingling or burning sensation in the ears believed to mean that a person is being discussed by other people.Dating back to Roman times when augers paid particular attention to such signs.
Example1: (Naturalis Historia – AD 77)
It is acknowledged that the absent feel a presentiment of remarks about themselves by the ringing of their ears.
Example 2: Charles Dickens (Letters – 1868)
I dine with Dolby…and if your ears do not burn from six to nine this evening, then the Atlantic is a non-conductor.
Source: Dictionary of Idioms and their Origins (Linda and Roger Flavell)