Entry 1
A drop in the bucket (or ocean)
Meaning A very small part of a bigger whole.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- The country’s debt has risen to a trillion pounds. Paying off a billion is just a drop in the bucket.
Pronunciation
Idioms · 9 entries
Biblical
What does "Biblical" mean?
A very small part of a bigger whole.
A drop in the bucket (or ocean)
The Bible.
A fly in the ointment
The Bible.
A house divided against itself cannot stand
Biblical.
A leopard can’t change his spots
Biblical.
Beat around the bush
Britain, 1400s. One of the oldest non-Biblical phrases in the language.
Flesh and blood
Britain, 10th century, from a biblical source.
Good Samaritan
Britain, 17th century. From a biblical source.
The apple of my eye
Britain, 9th century - making it one of the oldest phrases in the language that is still in regular use in its original form.
The last straw
Britain, early 19th century.
Entry 2
A fly in the ointment
Meaning A small flaw that spoils the whole.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- It was good to win the gold but not being able to attend the ceremony to collect it was the fly in the ointment.
Pronunciation
Entry 3
A house divided against itself cannot stand
Meaning Failure is certain if those on the same side argue amongst themselves.
Usage Widespread but uncommon. Rather formal for everyday speech.
Example
- The Tory party can’t stop arguing over Europe. Don’t they know that a house divided cannot stand.
Pronunciation
Entry 4
A leopard can’t change his spots
Meaning You cannot change your innate self.
Usage Widespread but rather formal form of expression. Not widely used by the young.
Example
- He was a bully at school and he’s a bully now - a leopard can’t change its spots.
Pronunciation
Entry 5
Beat around the bush
Meaning Avoiding the main topic.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- If you want Jill to go out with her, don't beat around the bush - ask her.
Pronunciation
Entry 6
Flesh and blood
Meaning 1 - One's family. 2 - the bodily stuff we are made of.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- 1 - We aren't putting Dad into a home. He is our flesh and blood after all. 2 - It's so hot in here - almost more than flesh and blood can stand.
Pronunciation
Entry 7
Good Samaritan
Meaning Someone who compassionately helps another who is in need.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- I'd lost my wallet and couldn't get home. He played the good Samaritan and gave me a lift to my door.
Pronunciation
Entry 8
The apple of my eye
Meaning Someone who is cherished above all others.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- She's my only child - the apple of my eye.
Pronunciation
Entry 9
The last straw
Meaning The last of a series of problems, which pushes one's endurance beyond its limits.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- I've put up with his taunting for years but picking on my daughter was the last straw and I punched him.
Pronunciation