20240812生成俗语400~409

400. Feel the pinch

This phrase originates from the 18th century and means feeling pressure due to financial difficulties or economic constraints.

It can describe individuals, families, or businesses that experience stress or inconvenience when budgets are tight or incomes decrease.

In modern society, this expression is widely used to refer to any situation where financial pressure is felt.

Since losing his job, he’s really starting to feel the pinch.

With the rising cost of living, many families are beginning to feel the pinch. 

Small businesses often feel the pinch during economic downturns.

401. Feel/look like death warmed over

This idiom is used to describe someone who looks or feels extremely unwell, tired, or sick.

It is often used when someone appears or feels awful due to illness, fatigue, or other factors.

After staying up all night, I really feel like death warmed over.

You should go see a doctor; you look like death warmed over

After the long flight, everyone on the plane looked like death warmed over.

402. Feeling blue

The origin of this phrase is often linked to maritime traditions; if a ship lost its captain or any senior officer while at sea, it would fly blue flags, thus associating “blue” with feelings of sadness.

Additionally, the color blue is commonly related to emotions of sadness and melancholy.

In modern English, describing someone as “feeling blue” means they feel down or are in a low mood.

She’s been feeling blue ever since her pet dog passed away

Whenever I’m feeling blue, I listen to my favorite music. 

He’s been feeling blue since he lost his job.

403. Fender bender

This phrase refers to a minor car accident, typically causing little damage or injury.

The term “fender” denotes the part of a car that covers the wheel, and “bender” means something that gets bent or damaged.

Thus, “fender bender” vividly describes a small collision leading to minor damage to the vehicle’s outer body.

I got into a fender bender on my way to work

Luckily, it was just a fender bender and no one was hurt. 

He was late because of a fender bender on the highway. 

404. Field day

The term “field day” originally referred to a day of outdoor military exercises.

On such days, soldiers could engage in various activities and drills outdoors.

Over time, this phrase evolved into a metaphorical expression used to describe a period during which people can thoroughly enjoy themselves or display their skills prominently.

The media had a field day with the politician’s scandal. 

The kids had a field day at the amusement park. 

When the software crashed, the hackers had a field day exploiting the vulnerabilities.

405. Fifteen minutes of fame

This phrase originates from a famous quote by artist Andy Warhol: “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.”

It reflects the idea that in the modern media-driven world, everyone might achieve fame for a brief moment due to some event or action, but such fame is usually fleeting.

She had her fifteen minutes of fame after appearing on the reality TV show. 

His viral video brought him fifteen minutes of fame, but now he’s back to his normal life.

Many social media influencers experience their fifteen minutes of fame and then fade away. 

406. Fight an uphill battle

This phrase originates from a military term, referring to soldiers having a harder time fighting uphill due to their disadvantageous position.

Over time, the phrase has been adopted into everyday language to describe any difficult task or challenge that requires significant effort to overcome.

Starting a new business in this economy feels like fighting an uphill battle.

He knew he was fighting an uphill battle trying to change the company’s old habits. 

She’s been fighting an uphill battle to gain recognition in her field. 

407. Fight tooth and nail

This phrase originates from the way animals fight, using their teeth and claws in combat.

Therefore, “tooth and nail” symbolizes an extremely fierce fight. Nowadays, this phrase is used to describe people striving hard to achieve their goals or to protect their interests.

She fought tooth and nail to get the promotion. 

They fought tooth and nail to protect their rights in the court. 

We will fight tooth and nail to ensure this project succeeds. 

408. Fill in the blanks

This phrase originates from examination or exercise types that require students to fill in the appropriate words or information in the given blanks.

In everyday life, it can also be used metaphorically to describe situations where specific information needs to be filled in or supplemented.

Please fill in the blanks on the form with your personal information. 

I didn’t understand the whole plan, but my manager will fill in the blanks for me. 

During the meeting, we need to fill in the blanks in our project proposal.

409. Filthy rich

This phrase appeared in the early 20th century and often carries a connotation of sarcasm, implying that someone who is “filthy rich” may have accumulated their wealth through questionable means.

It emphasizes extreme wealth while also hinting at skepticism or criticism about the source of such wealth.

Despite his humble beginnings, he became filthy rich through hard work and innovation. 

He lives in a mansion now; he’s filthy rich. 

They got filthy rich after investing in the tech startup.