Language Café

Definition: Something that shows a lot of promise initially, but then does not deliver on that promise.Origin: According to Idioms.com, the phrase originates from flintlock muskets, which had a small pan to hold a charge of gunpowder. This charge was used to ignite the main charge when the musket was fired. When an attempt to fire the musket resulted in the gunpowder flaring up without the bullet being fired, it was called a flash in the pan.

​Definition: To avoid talking about the main topic, not speaking directly or precisely. 拐弯抹角、旁敲侧击、绕弯子...Origin: The origin of this phrase lies in medieval hunting. During bird hunts, some participants would rouse the birds by beating the bushes so that the others could hunt them.

​Definition: Family relations and bonds are closer than other relationshipsOrigin: This phrase is an old one and was used in various forms. It existed in other languages also, with the earliest probable reference being in the 12th century in German. In English, there have been references in 1412 and 1670. In the present form, it was first found in the novel "Guy Mannering" in 1815 by Sir Walter Scott.

Definition:  It can mean to show off, to gloat, or to boast, which is the most popular definition of the word ; however, it can also mean to put on a fake front, to fake it, or force it. Popularized by hip hop artists. Flex本意是弯曲关节，收缩肌肉。但特定情况下，又表示炫耀，或者打肿脸充胖子。Origin: Originated in the hip hop community due to artists like Ice Cube and Nas.

Definition: To speak directly and frankly or to react to a situation very quickly and with a lot of force, without thinking about the possible effects of your actions.Origin: This phrase originated in the old west of America, during the cowboy days.It alludes to shooting a gun from the hip, without taking it out of the holster. This made firing quicker, but less accurate.Hip是臀部也是髋关节的部位。这个习惯用语让我们想起当年粗旷甚至野蛮的美国西部生活。 当时人不离枪、枪不离人，多数人除了睡觉，腰带上都插着枪。而那些老练的枪手在急于射击时根本不把枪举到齐肩高来瞄准。他们拔出手枪在腰下髋关节的部位就发射了，就是shoot from the hip。只是这样射击准确度难免受影响，往往不能命中目标。这就让敌手足以能举枪瞄准狠狠还击了。 当然这样的生活早已成为电影的镜头，shoot from the hip如今不再指开枪射击，而是鲁莽仓卒地说话行事。

A detestable person（n.卑鄙的人）, or the act of finding out about someone online without their knowledge（v.网络偷窥）. To try pursue interest in someone romantically, while they disapprove.（v.遭拒后，依然浪漫追求）

Definition: To leave a place you don't enjoy or to cancel on pre-arranged plans, often on short-notice.Origin: No origin, but derived from the term to give up on responsibility [bailed out]/ also bail is the system whereby prisoners can be released after they were charged with a crime in exchange for a fee.

Definition: Something that is hard or terrible to handle, a problem or situation that is difficult to deal with and causes a lot of disagreement.Also, something that is passed along recklessly or something that is discarded without much care.Origin: The term originated in the mid 1800s and is derived from the slightly older term "to drop like a hot potato", meaning "to abandon something or someone quickly". It alludes to the fact that cooked potatoes retain considerable heat because they contain a lot of water.

【Definition】Something that is executed perfectly. 【Origin】"En pointe" (sometimes spelled "on point") is a phrase from French which comes from ballet, referring to being on the tips of one's toes. It's used figuratively for something that's done perfectly.

【Definition】 To calm down OR [someone] that is enjoyable or nice, OR to hang out OR to be easy going. 【Origin】 It seems to have originated in late-1970s New York African-American slang. The OED's first citation for this sense of the word comes from the Sugarhill Gang's seminal song "Rapper's Delight," which came out in 1979: There's a time to laugh, a time to cry A time to live, and a time to die A time to break and a time to chill To act civilized or act real ill.*disputed*.