NUMERICAL JOURNEY

Can You Decode These 10 Number-Based Idioms?

Credit: Susan Holt Simpson

Language isn't just a tool for literal communication; it is a party where meanings and metaphors dance constantly.

In every language, there is a type of gem known as idioms that add spice to our conversations, relying on context and shared understanding to convey messages in a not-so-direct way.

Today, we'll explore 10 idioms in English that play with numbers. With these expressions, you'll be ready to add a touch of wit to any conversation with friends. After all, who said that numbers cannot contribute to your dialogue creativity?

Credit: Silje Midtgård

"Until they built the factory, our community was a one-horse town."

Many idioms begin their history as a literal phrase that then acquires new nuances over time. That is the case of "One-horse town."

This idiom is quite popular, and you have probably heard it throughout your life. Initially, it described a settlement so small that a lone horse could cover the entire population's needs.

Even though horses are no longer the main means of transportation anymore, the phrase has stuck. Yet, be careful; it can sometimes carry a bit of a negative connotation, as it may suggest that a place is boring or monotonous.

We've upgraded to cars and bikes, but the idiom is still hanging in there, adding a sprinkle of nostalgia to our chats.

Credit: Preillumination SeTh

"It takes two to tango; both parents play a crucial role in their children's development."

You can perfectly understand this idiom when you see a couple dancing tango. Tango is a captivating Latin American dance and music style that's all about pairs. In the dance, the couple stays inseparable, creating this fusion of harmony and teamwork.

Today, the expression isn't just about pairing up for activities; it can have a sneaky side, implying that these two folks might be up to something not entirely above board.

The idiom has its origin in the title of a song. Although written and composed in 1952 by Al Hoffman and Dick Manning, the lyrics gained more popularity with Pearl Bailey's version of the same year.

But it wasn't just confined to music. Ronald Reagan, then President of the United States, also helped to catapult the expression onto the world stage during a speech in 1982.

Credit: Becky Phan

"The meeting turned into a three-ring circus with everyone talking over each other."

Traditionally, circuses offered a show inside a ring or stage, and sometimes there was more than one ring in the same circus tent. With three rings, the situation could become confusing, as many performances were going on at the same time.

Now, that circus scene has made its way into everyday language. Today you can pull out this versatile phrase to describe any chaotic, messy, or overwhelming situation you find yourself in.

Credit: Picsea

"The two lawyers were on all fours, trying to reach a deal during the negotiation process."

This idiom is used to describe moments when you're down on hands and knees, either literally or figuratively. The expression is handy whether you're crawling like a baby, striking a yoga pose, or finding yourself in a slightly subordinate situation.

So, the next time you lose an earring or drop a fork under the table, you know what idiom to use to tell this anecdote.

But wait, there's more: this idiom also has another meaning. In some contexts - often in legal matters - the expression "on all fours with" doesn't refer to a physical position but figuratively illustrates that two things or situations are on equal footing, similar, or comparable.

Credit: Adrien King

"The security cameras at the mall caught someone attempting to get a five-finger discount on electronics."

This one is the comedian of idioms, playfully implying that someone grabbed stuff without reaching for the wallet. The five-finger discount covers 100%, as it simply means to take something without paying for it.

On most occasions, it is used to describe shoplifting, as it refers to picking something that fits in one's hand.

It's a linguistic wink, a reminder that a touch of humor can sometimes soften the edges of a serious topic.

Credit: Brendan Church

"The party planning committee was at sixes and sevens trying to coordinate the decorations and catering."

You have probably found yourself in a dilemma between two situations or options that involve a difficult decision to make. The more you think about it, the harder it becomes and the more chaos it generates.

There is an idiom to describe this feeling of confusion or hesitation. When you don't know which road to take, which movie to watch, or what flavor of ice cream to have today, you can say that you are "at sixes and sevens."

Though the exact origin of this saying isn't totally clear, some experts believe it goes way back to a 14th-century game. Back then, pulling a 5 or 6 meant you were in for a risky, dicey move. Over time, the numbers for the expression evolved to 6 and 7, but the whole idea of disarray, confusion, and risk stuck.

Credit: Leo Rivas

"Winning a surprise award at the ceremony left me in seventh heaven, grateful for the recognition."

This idiom is all about happiness and positive energy. Bet you guessed it: its roots are found in the spiritual scene. In some belief systems, the seventh heaven is the highest - and, therefore, the best - place. It is a privileged site, full of delight.

So, when someone says they're in seventh heaven, it's like they're getting all the good stuff. No room for bad vibes or issues to worry about, just pure joy!

Credit: Eran Menashri

"He hasn't studied for the exam, and now he's behind the eight ball at school."

Born in the 20th century, this idiom finds its origins in the game of billiards. Depending on the type of game, the player whose ball is behind the eight ball is in a seriously tricky spot with little chance of an easy escape.

When life puts you behind the eight ball, it means that you're in a difficult position, in trouble, or facing a challenging situation where finding a way out is no piece of cake.

Credit: engin akyurt

"After receiving the unexpected promotion, she was on cloud nine for the rest of the week."

While there are some religious explanations for the origin of this expression, an alternative interpretation goes back to the classification of clouds made in the 20th century by the U.S. Weather Bureau. According to that list, the ninth cloud held the highest position. This might explain why the idiom is used to describe the top level of happiness you can experience.

Much like in "seventh heaven," being on cloud nine also implies a state of total euphoria. Used widely throughout the U.S., this phrase describes the kind of joy that makes you feel like you're flying the skies floating.

When you get the job you want, when your crush accepts you on a date, or when you eat your favorite dish, you can proudly declare, "I'm on cloud nine!"

Credit: Timo Müller

"The project proposal was a perfect ten. The client immediately approved it."

Who wouldn't want to be a perfect ten? It's like the golden standard. But let's face it, getting there is not easy.

This idiom has literal translations in many languages and, in most of them, it means the same thing: Whether in sports competitions, contests, or even in some universities and schools, hitting that perfect ten means you've aced it, you've reached the highest level.

In everyday chit-chat, when you call something or someone "a perfect ten," you're putting the spotlight on their flawlessness, beauty, or efficiency. It's the kind of compliment that can make your day, depending on the attitude and the tone you use to say it.

JUST BROWSING

8 Of The Most Looked-Up Definitions In The United States

Credit: James

Some of us still hold on to dusty old dictionaries and huge encyclopedia volumes, reveling in the act of browsing through an actual, physical book. However, it's impossible to deny the ease of access that search engines provide when it comes to checking up a quick fact or finding the definition of a particularly tricky word.

If you spend any amount of time on the internet, chances are that you've done just that once or twice. And guess what? You are not alone. Here, in no particular order, are 8 of the most looked-up definitions across the United States.

Credit: Jaime Spaniol

A "pyrrhic victory" is one that comes at such a heavy cost that it's tantamount to defeat. In a sense, it's the polar opposite of the notion of living to fight another day.

This interesting phrase finds its roots in King Pyrrhus of Epirus, a Greek king who fought and won several battles against a growing early Rome. His victories, however, came at the expense of unacceptably heavy losses, and he is quoted as having said, "If we are victorious in one more battle with the Romans, we shall be utterly ruined."

Credit: Yeon Choi

This word was one of the most searched by the residents of Washington, D.C., and for good reason. For a capital city, Washington D.C. is surprisingly green, and it recently refreshed its sustainability plan, setting goals and targets up to 2032.

This is good news, as concerns for long-term sustainability rise, and humanity as a whole strives for a more eco-friendly way of life.

Credit: Taylor Grote

Saleratus searches, weirdly enough, reached an all-time high during the months of April and July of 2023. If you either live or have any friends or relatives in Texas or Vermont, maybe you'll be able to tell us what the spike in saleratus searches is all about. For the rest of you, if you'd like to know, saleratus is the Latin word for sodium bicarbonate–better known as baking soda.

Credit: Carlos Esteves

"Oligarchy" is a word with Greek roots that translates to "the rule of the few." It's used to describe a form of government in which a dominant elite controls all the power, as opposed to an ideal democracy, meaning "the rule of the people." In its modern use, it is often charged with connotations of selfishness and corruption.

Credit: Annie Spratt

Uncanny things unsettle us. They are mysterious and frightening in a way that feels oddly familiar, yet out of place.

Early essays about the uncanny phenomenon focus on dolls and waxworks, and how unsettling their inanimate lifelikeness can often be. However, with the advent of AI-generated videos and images, the phrase "uncanny valley" has found renewed relevance in this day and age.

Credit: Nathan Anderson

Strip "uncanny" of its negative prefix and you'll be left with "canny." While, in their modern sense, both words are not necessarily antonyms, they both stem from the early Scottish canny, "free from risk, prudent, or cautious." Today, "canny" is used to describe someone or something shrewd or clever.

Credit: Sander Sammy

A borrowed word from French, blasé is an adjective that describes someone who, through repeated exposition, has become bored and apathetic toward stimuli. It sometimes implies a degree of practical knowledge or wisdom and, in this sense, it could be applied to a seasoned adventurer who no longer fears the dangers of the road ahead. However, blasé is often used ironically to describe people who try to appear experienced by feigning apathy.

Credit: Topich

Similes and metaphors are figures of speech that are used to compare one thing to another. When using similes, the comparison is made explicit by the use of words such as "like" or "as." "You are as bright as the sun" is a simile because it uses connectors to point out similarities.

"Life is a stage," on the other hand, is a metaphor. Metaphors are stronger comparisons that renounce connectors and directly equate one thing to another. The characteristics of one thing "carry over" –from the Greek meta, "across, over," and pherō, "to bear, to carry"– to the other one.