Language Café

【Definition】To act badly towards the person who is helping or has helped you or on who you depend【Origin】One of the first times it was seen in print was during the 18th century, when political writer Edmund Burke said "having looked to government for bread, on the first scarcity they will turn and bite the hand that fed them."

Definition: To display one's feelings openly and habitually rather than keeping them private.情感外露，袒露心情Origins: In the Middle Ages, Emperor Claudius II believed unattached men made better soldiers so he declared marriage illegal. As a concession, he encouraged temporary coupling. Once a year, during a Roman festival honoring Juno, men drew names to determine who would be their lady friend for the coming year. Once established, the man would wear her name on his sleeve for the rest of the festival.ALSOAround that same time, it's speculated, when a knight performed in a jousting match in the king's court, he'd dedicate his performance to a woman of the court. By tying something of hers, like a handkerchief, around his arm, he'd let the court know the match would defend the honor of that woman.OR, we can credit Shakespeare, where it may have first been recorded in writing

【Definition】Meeting a requirement or a standard, being able to complete a task(s). 【Origins】The word 'cut' is sometimes used to mean "meeting a set standard." For example, when applying for a job, someone might say: "Congratulations, you made the cut." Yes, the person made the cut, which is to say, they satisfied whatever requirements were set by the employer, thereby qualifying for the job.No one exactly knows where it comes from. The first recorded use of the phrase cut the mustard was by O. Henry in 1907, in a story called The Heart of the West:  "I looked around and found a proposition that exactly cut the mustard". Can't cut the mustard 的意思就是没有达到标准，没能成功。美语中，人们常用can't cut the mustard，而在英国，大多数人说 he can't cut it。

【Definition】It's better to have a lesser but certain advantage than the possibility of a greater one that may come to nothing. 【Origin】This proverb refers back to medieval falconry where a bird in the hand (the falcon) was a valuable asset and certainly worth more than two in the bush (the prey).

【Definition】When something is done badly to save money.【Etymology】 If one were speeding somewhere and took the shortest way possible through intersections. This can be done by making left turns that cut across oncoming traffic lanes.

【Definition】To do too much; to be extravagant.【Etymology】 Based on the literal meaning of go overboard (to fall over a ship's side).

【Definition】To scold or reprimand someone.【Etymology】This term, dating from the mid-1700s, at first meant either assigning or challenging someone to a task. Its current sense dates from the late 1800s.

【Definition】Something that people disagree over.【Etymology】 A reference to two dogs fighting over the same bone.

【Definition】 Doing something because it might lead to something, but it is not definite. 【Etymology】 "off" is an adjective and "chance" is a noun.

Definition: Every part of a place. Etymology: Nook is an angle, notch and fissure.