Biting off more than you can chew...

[Zardnaar]

You can if you go to the International Space Station. But on the other hand (), up there you're subject to the weather conditions generated by the Sun.


This one is so ubiquitous now, that most people just shorten it to "Pot, meet kettle."

Normally I just say "pot, kettle".

 

[MaryKB]

One I really like now is "You know nothing, Jon Snow." I've been using this as a response to mansplainers.

 

[Arakhor]

Reading this thread reminds me of "the proud nail gets the hammer" and my favourite obscure phrase, "it's cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey".

Another interesting one is "sweet Fanny Adams", which nowadays is taken to mean "nothing at all", but previously alluded to a much nastier meaning.

 

[Chukchi Husky]

I'm reminded of the beginning of the Dream Theater song "Burning My Soul".

A thorn in my side, a chip on my shoulder
A lump in my throat, the size of a boulder
The chill up my spine, can't get any colder
And you wonder why I can't smile

A knot in my gut, an ape on my back
In the heat of the moment, I'm knocked off the track
You drop the ball, I pick up the slack
And you ask me why my hair is gray

 

[Zkribbler]

"Biting the bubbles in the bathtub"

 

[red_elk]

Recently learned several amazing English ones which don't have exact equivalents in our language.
- Cut the mustard
- Raining cats and dogs
- Neck of the woods

We also say "Break the pots (with somebody)", which means fall out with them. Not sure about origin though.

 

[Manfred Belheim]

I quite like "bang to rights"

 

[Birdjaguar]

Hauling coals to Newcastle.
Spitting into the wind.

 

[Zkribbler]

Today's mystery phrase, which I heard but never use myself, is "under the weather." The mystery isn't what it means. I know that. I'm just curious how this came to mean suffering an illness. I mean, pretty much everyone is under the weather. It's not like you can climb on top of it.

From grammar-monster,com:

What Is the Origin of the Saying "Under the Weather"? Meaning unwell or feeling worse than usual, the term under the weather is a nautical term from the days of old sailing ships. Any sailor who was feeling ill would be sent below deck to protect him from the weather.

 

[IglooDame]

"They should take a walk in the snow."

Means: The person referred to should retire.

This is based on Pierre Trudeau's explanation of his retirement from politics; he said he made the decision while taking a walk in the snow. The phrase has become part of the Canadian lexicon.

First thing I thought of, was that it came from this idea that Inuits sent old people outside to die.

I thought it was about the fellow that, on the return leg of a polar expedition across the Antarctic and injured, slowing his party down and knowing he wouldn't survive anyway, told them he was going out for a quick walk and was never seen again. I can't remember the name or the expedition, natch.

 

[Arakhor]

That was Captain Oates during Scott's ill-fated expedition in the 1910s.

 

[Chukchi Husky]

I thought it was about the fellow that, on the return leg of a polar expedition across the Antarctic and injured, slowing his party down and knowing he wouldn't survive anyway, told them he was going out for a quick walk and was never seen again. I can't remember the name or the expedition, natch.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_Nova_Expedition

 

[IglooDame]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terra_Nova_Expedition

Oh outstanding, thank you!

"On the same day, Oates, who "now with hands as well as feet pretty well useless", voluntarily left the tent and walked to his death. Scott wrote that Oates' last words were "I am just going outside and may be some time".

*scratches Husky's tummy*

 

[Valka D'Ur]

Obviously this is a phrase that has multiple meanings, depending on context.

 

[H4run]

There is a Turkish idiom/ata sozu that translated:

"Until you cross the bridge, you will call the bear uncle"

I use it a lot, to explain people to withstand some harsh or intolerable character that we need to corporate with until we reach certain goal.

 

[BenitoChavez]

There is a french saying when translated means "You can't have the butter and the butter money". It's equivalent to "You can't have your cake and eat it too" but I think the french version makes more sense.

 

[cardgame]

Hauling coals to Newcastle.

Until you actually make money on it

 

[red_elk]

Cats scraping on my soul.

 

[local_hero]

I'm surprised these haven't been mentioned, I supposed they were borrowed from English:

- Lampan är på men det är ingen hemma
"The light's on but there's nobody at home"

- Har inte alla hästar i stallet.
"Doesn't have all horses in the stable"

Both meant to describe stupid, like sharpest pencil etc.

And some more:

- Ingen ko på isen.
"No cow on the ice"

No worry (No danger/risk)

- Skitit i det blå skåpet.
"Taken a **** in the blue cupboard"(?)

Eh, think that's like... somebody has done something really stupid/mean and the one saying it has had enough.

 

[thecrazyscot]

Having moved to the American South I'm now rather fond of "Butter my butt and call me a biscuit", expressing surprise, generally in reference to learning something new.