Language Café

Definition: To start an undertaking; begin work.Origin: It dates from around 1910 possibly from theatre or circus days. A bit of a cliché though.

Definition: The most important facts about a situation and the effects of that situation on other things.

【Definition】A refreshing change.【Origin】Imagine someone who can't breathe, their very next breath they take would be very welcome.

【Definition】 A red-letter day is any day of special significance or opportunity.【Origin】 Its roots are in classical antiquity; for instance, important days are indicated in red in a calendar dating from the Roman Republic. In medieval manuscripts, initial capitals and highlighted words (known as rubrics) were written in red ink.

【Definition】 To come forward and claim responsibility【Origin】 First used in 1902, likely from sporting context.

【Definition】1. An additional good thing happens to do something that is already good or positive making that situation even better.2. An additional bad thing is added to another bad thing that has already happened making the situation worse. In this case the idiom is used in a sarcastic (or ironic) way.【Origin】 From the idea that the cake is already good. 'Icing on the cake' dates back to 1769, when cakes became much more enjoyable thanks to the addition of fancy toppings. Before cakes didn't have frosting/icing on it.

Definition: a state of total disorder Origin: A shambles in old English is another name for a meat market. A place often in a state of confusion. It also dates back to a stool at these places often called a shamble (a stall or place to sell meat).

Definition: To be listening very attentively.  Origin: If we figuratively say that "you are all ears," it means that at that moment you are keenly listening to whatever is being said. It's as if no other part of your body mattered except your ears. This idiom is about three centuries old.

Definition: To make the decisions; to decide what is to be done. Origin: Likely from sports (baseball or billiards) where saying what you are going to do before you do it, is sign of authority.

Definition: To be confronted with the unpleasant consequences of one's actions.Origin: A commonly repeated assertion is that 'face the music' originated from the tradition of disgraced officers being 'drummed out' of their regiment. A second popular theory is that it was actors who 'faced the music', that is, faced the orchestra pit, when they went on stage.