What does the phrase with bated breath mean?
Definition of with bated breath : in a nervous and excited state anticipating what will happen They waited for the answer on their application with bated breath.
What does in a pickle mean?
to be stuck in a difficult situation
These days, the phrase “in a pickle” has an old-timey ring about it–the last time you heard it, it was probably referring to a baseball player trapped between two bases, and even that’s more commonly called a “rundown” by today’s commentators. But you know what it means: to be stuck in a difficult situation.
What is break the ice Shakespeare?
4 days ago
‘ ‘Break the ice’ began its life as a metaphor. It means to do some small thing that will dispel the awkwardness of a situation before the real business of that situation begins.
What does end all be all mean?
Definition of the be-all and end-all : the most important part of something or the reason for something He acts as if making money is the be-all and end-all of human existence.
What does 2 peas in a pod mean?
Definition of two peas in a pod —used to say that two people or things are very similar to each other My brother and I are two peas in a pod. We both like the same things.
Where did the term on the wagon originate?
During the times of Prohibition in the 19th century, men often climbed onto these wagons and took an oath they would give up alcohol and drink only water. This gave rise to the expression ‘to be on the water cart/wagon’; it was later shortened to ‘on the wagon’.
Who said vanish into thin air?
Othello
In Othello the phrase appears as: “Then put up your pipes in your bag, for I’ll away. Go; vanish into air; away!” The term “thin air” appears later, in The Tempest.
Where does the term’Bated Breath’come from?
Here’s the first cite in the Oxford English Dictionary: “1596 Shakespeare, Merchant of Venice i. iii. 125 ‘With bated breath, and whispring humblenesse.'” And I got this from What is the origin of “bated breath”? In the phrase “bated breath” bated is a shortened form of “abated, that is, held back, restrained.
Who coined the phrase “Bated Breath”?
“Bated breath” is a phrase coined by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice, spoken by Shylock in Act 1, Scene 3: I’ll lend you thus much moneys?
What does’waiting with bated breath’mean?
Breathing that is subdued because of some emotion or difficulty. ‘Waiting with bated breath’ is holding your breath in anticipation. What’s the origin of the phrase ‘Bated breath’?
What does Bated Breath mean in the Merchant of Venice?
“Bated breath” is a phrase coined by Shakespeare in The Merchant of Venice, spoken by Shylock in Act 1, Scene 3: I’ll lend you thus much moneys? You will likely never use the word “bate” or “bated,” as it is an archaic English word that has long disappeared from the English language.