Where does the saying don't 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 don't stick your neck out mean?

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. He decided to stick his neck out and buy a new sports car, even though he hadn't asked his wife.

What does it mean when someone sticks their neck out for you?

If you stick your neck out, you bravely say or do something that might be criticized or might turn out to be wrong.

Where did the phrase keep your chin up come from?

The origin of the expression 'keep your chin up' is late 19th to early 20th century America. The first printed reference comes from an October, 1900 edition of the Pennsylvania newspaper The Evening Democrat: “Keep your chin up.

What does it mean to be taken for a ride?

Definition of take for a ride

1 informal : to cheat or trick (someone) You can get sucked into a scheme that will cost you dearly. … You can get suckered, swindled, taken for a ride … — Christianity "So much for good-looking, slick-talking hometown boys," says Betty Bean. " They always end up taking you for a ride."—

Stick Your Neck Out - Idiom | Everyday English | Business English

What does spilling the beans mean?

Disclose a secret or reveal something prematurely, as in You can count on little Carol to spill the beans about the surprise. In this colloquial expression, first recorded in 1919, spill means “divulge,” a usage dating from the 1500s.

What means I smell a rat?

smell a rat. Suspect something is wrong, especially a betrayal of some kind. For example, When I didn't hear any more from my prospective employer, I began to smell a rat. This expression alludes to a cat sniffing out a rat. [

What does the idiom When Pigs Fly mean?

Definition of when pigs fly

—used to say that one thinks that something will never happen The train station will be renovated when pigs fly.

What does hitting the sack mean?

(also hit the hay) infml to go to bed in order to sleep: I've got a busy day tomorrow, so I think I'll hit the sack.

What does eye on the ball mean?

Definition of keep one's eye on the ball

informal. : to continue thinking about or giving attention to something important : to stay focused She really needs to keep her eye on the ball if she wants to win the election.

What is the meaning of shaking a leg?

old-fashioned informal. used to tell someone to hurry or act more quickly: Come on, Nick, shake a leg or we'll never be ready in time. Expressions telling people to hurry up.

What does stick your tongue out mean?

By extension, to do something that openly mocks, flouts, or shows contempt for someone or something. The company continues to stick out its tongue at the government by refusing to comply with anti-corruption legislation.

What does stick your head in the sand mean?

Definition of head-in-the-sand

: unwilling to recognize or acknowledge a problem or situation the government's usual head-in-the-sand response.

Is long in the tooth meaning?

Getting on in years, old, as in Aunt Aggie's a little long in the tooth to be helping us move. This expression alludes to a horse's gums receding with age and making the teeth appear longer. [

What is the meaning of idiom once in a blue moon?

Once in a blue moon: This poetic phrase refers to something extremely rare in occurrence. A blue moon is the term commonly used for a second full moon that occasionally appears in a single month of our solar-based calendars.

What is the meaning of give me a ring?

Definition of give (someone) a ring

: to make a telephone call to (someone) I'll give you a ring tomorrow.

Why do we say kick the bucket?

The term is known to date from at least the 16th century. The more interesting (and probably apochryphal) origin relates to suicides who would stand on a large bucket with noose around the neck and, at the moment of their choosing, would kick away the bucket.

What does egg on your face mean?

Definition of with egg on one's face

: appearing foolish usually because something one said would happen has not happened The unexpected election result left a lot of journalists with egg on their faces.

What does beating around the bush mean?

to avoid giving a definite answer or position. Please stop beating around the bush and tell me the full story.

What does having a foot of clay mean?

a weakness or hidden flaw in the character of a greatly admired or respected person:He was disillusioned to find that even Lincoln had feet of clay. any unexpected or critical fault.

What is the meaning of it cost an arm and a leg?

Definition of cost an arm and a leg

informal. : to be too expensive I want a new car that doesn't cost an arm and a leg.

Do not cut corners meaning?

If you cut corners, you do something quickly by doing it in a less thorough way than you should. [disapproval] Take your time, don't cut corners, and follow instructions to the letter.

What is the meaning of back the wrong horse?

: someone or something that is not successful —used with choose/pick/back (etc.) The company has been losing money, and many investors are beginning to feel that they may have backed the wrong horse.

What does it mean to put one's hand to Plough?

put one's hand to the plough in British English

to begin or undertake a task.

What does on its last leg mean?

Extremely tired, close to collapsing, as in We've been cleaning house all day and I'm on my last legs. This hyperbolic expression originally meant “close to dying,” and in John Ray's 1678 proverb collection it was transferred to being bankrupt.