What does “leaks like a sieve” mean? – when something isn’t reliable

landawei Posted in English idiom, English slang，Tags: ,
22 January 2012
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"Leaks like a sieve" means that something that should hold a liquid does not work properly.

"Leaks like a sieve" means that something that should hold a liquid does not work properly.

What does “leaks like a sieve” mean?   To answer that question, first let’s explain the meaning of a “sieve“.

A “sieve” is strainer or colander, a kitchen device that has many small holes and that is used to separate smaller particles from larger ones or solids from liquids.

Suppose you are cooking dumplings (饺子).  You’d use a sieve to remove the dumpling from the pot and drain any liquid.

A sieve is not supposed to hold liquid.   When it works properly, it leaks. More »

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“Worked like a charm” something is doing well

landawei Posted in English idiom, English slang，Tags:
06 December 2011
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In the West, a "four leaf clover" is considered to be a good luck charm

In the West, a "four leaf clover" is considered to be a good luck charm

Have you ever tried something and you were extremely pleased with the result?  If so, you could say “worked like a charm”!

“Work like a charm” means that something operated or went as well or better than anticipated.  It is used to show our pleasure when something worked successfully.

What is a charm?  It is a small amulet that someone can wear to ward off evil or to bring luck.   So when we say “it works like a charm” we are comparing it to the supposed effect of the charm. More »

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“Not my cup of tea” – I really don’t like this

landawei Posted in English idiom, English slang，Tags: , , , ,
15 September 2011
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not my cup of tea

"It's not my cup of tea" refers to something which I don't like or enjoy.

“Not my cup of tea” means that something is not to someone’s liking or it is something one prefers not to do nor relishes.  Alternative usages could be “that’s not my fancy” or “that’s not my favorite thing to do“.

It is normally used in the negative, but if you dropped the “not”,  your intention would be comprehended.

Usually we don’t want to give offense or hurt someone’s feeling if we decline an invitation, so an euphemistic way to say decline would be to add “really” to the idiom, “that really isn’t my cup of tea.” More »

“Making money hand over fist” the money is pouring in

landawei Posted in English slang，Tags:
28 August 2011
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make money hand over fist

To "make money hand over fist" means to generate a lot of revenue.

Have you met someone who simply had the ability or knack for making large amounts of money quickly?  If so, you can say the make money hand over fist.

The meaning of “make money hand over fist” is to earn money, quickly, continuously.   When this phrase is used, it means that commerce is taking place at a very brisk pace.

If someone makes money hand over fist, then it can be said that they have the “Midas touch”. More »

“Don’t catch a falling knife” – an investment mistake

landawei Posted in English slang，Tags: ,
24 August 2011
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don't catch a falling knife

"Don't catch a falling knife" is something you would tell someone who bought AIG in 2008 during the downturn.

When it comes to investments and finances, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket” is a common phrase.  Another slang phrase, “don’t catch a falling knife”, is often used when the stock market is facing turbulence.  What does it mean?

“Don’t catch a falling knife” is advice to avoid buying a stock when it is dropping quickly or precipitously.

Of course you want to buy low and sell high, but what if stock takes such a beating that it doesn’t recover?   Let the buyer beware! More »

“Bites the dust” something has come to an end

landawei Posted in English idiom, English slang，Tags: , ,
24 July 2011
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bites the dust

"Bites the dust" means to face defeat, humiliation, failure or even death. Looks like this cowboy is about to literally bite the dust.

I got the idea for the idiom “go belly up“ when I spotted an article on Border’s Books going out of business.   Had I paid closer attention to the headline, I would have seen that it said that Border’s “bit the dust“.

Th phrase “bites the dust” has the same meaning as “go belly up“.   Something has died, failed, or disintegrated.

“Bites the dust” means that something has come to an end or has been defeated.   It can be used in the context of business, sports, or even combat. More »

“Go belly up” a business failure

landawei Posted in English idiom, English slang，Tags: , , ,
24 July 2011
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go belly up

"Go belly up" means that a business has failed.

I really enjoy going to bookstores, so when I heard that Borders Books is going belly up, I was saddened.  However, maybe I can pick up some bargains at the liquidation sale.

To “go belly up” is a slang way to say that a business has failed and is going out of business.  A business or venture has died.

Imagine a dead insect or a dead fish.  Often, you see the it on its back.  That’s how we get the term “go belly up”.  The business is dead. More »

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