Eleventh Hour Meaning The latest possible time. Example The student handed in his take-home exam at the eleventh hour. Origin This early 1800s phrase alludes to the parable of …
Egg on your face Meaning To be embarrassed. Example Make sure you have your story straight go public without the facts and you will have egg on your face. …
Eating Humble Pie Meaning To be proven wrong, usually after boasting. Example With the fall of the Soviet Union, the communists are eating humble pie. Origin Humble pie is …
Eat Your Heart Out Meaning Intended to make one feel bitterness or pain as they long for something out of reach. Example Eat your heart out Jillian, I’m seeing …
Eat one’s Words Meaning To admit that what you said was wrong. To retreat in a humiliating way. Example Trudy said that Joe would never succeed with his humour …
Easy as Pie Meaning Simple to accomplish, easy to do. Example Spending money is as easy as pie, accumulating wealth is tough. Origin Easy as pie (or apple pie) …
Earn One’s Stripes Meaning Gain a position through hard work and accumulated experience. Example She earned her stripes by serving for 30 years as the World Vision coordinator. Origin …
Earmark Something Meaning Marking something to indicate ownership. Origin This phrase comes from the ancient habit of marking cattle ears with a tab to indicate ownership. In Biblical times …
Dust to Dust Meaning We come from dust; we return to dust. Origin From the English Burial Service. Adapted from the Biblical text, Genesis 3:19 (King James Version): “In …
Ducks in a Row Meaning To have things in order. Example If you don’t get your ducks in a row, you will be replaced. Origin Baby ducklings swim in …
