Ruffle some feathers.

Paul Huber

Ruffle some feathers.

When he brought up that controversial topic, it really ruffled some feathers among the dinner guests.

Ruffle some feathers means to cause a stir or create a disturbance by saying or doing something that upsets others. This idiom suggests that the action taken will upset or annoy people, possibly leading to conflict or tension. It can also imply that the person causing the disturbance is unafraid to speak their mind, even if it causes others to feel uncomfortable or uneasy.

Sample Sentences

His comments at the meeting really ruffled some feathers among the other team members.

She knew that her choice of outfit would ruffle some feathers, but she wore it anyway.

By expressing his unpopular opinion, he ended up ruffling some feathers among his colleagues

Penny for your thoughts

You’re smiling to yourself. Penny for your thoughts?

Penny for your thoughts means that you are curious about what someone is thinking and you would like them to share their thoughts or opinions with you. The phrase is a way of inviting someone to open up and share their innermost thoughts and feelings with you. It is a friendly and casual way of expressing interest in someone’s perspective on a topic, and it can be used in a variety of contexts, from social situations to more serious conversations.

Sample Sentences

I’m really excited about this idea. What do you think? Penny for your thoughts?

You seem upset. Is everything alright? Can I help? Penny for your thoughts?

I’m curious about your opinion on this topic. Penny for your thoughts?

Put a sock in it

Paul Huber

Every time we go to the movies, my little brother won’t stop talking until I tell him to put a sock in it.

“Put a sock in it” means “be quiet” or “stop talking.” The origin of the phrase comes from the idea of putting a sock into a musical instrument like a trumpet to muffle the sound, so the phrase is essentially telling someone to “mute” themselves.

Sample Sentences:

The boss was on the phone and the co-worker wouldn’t stop interrupting, so he told him to put a sock in it.

The comedian asked the rowdy audience to put a sock in it so he could continue with his jokes.

When the football coach caught his team arguing during practice, he told them to put a sock in it and focus on the game.

Continuing to argue with him about it is like flogging a dead horse. We’ll never agree.

“Flogging a dead horse” means to continue to pursue a goal or argument that is no longer productive or relevant. It implies that the person is wasting their time and effort on something that has already failed or is beyond saving. The idiom is often used to suggest that it is time to move on to a new approach or project, rather than persisting with an unsuccessful one

Sample Sentences:

Trying to convince him to come back to our team is like flogging a dead horse. He’s already made up his mind.

She keeps trying to make that outdated trend popular again, but it’s like flogging a dead horse.

The coach kept pushing them to play the same losing strategy, but it was like flogging a dead horse.

A Drop in the bucket.

Paul Huber
  1. A drop in the bucket

A drop in the bucket means a small and insignificant amount compared to what is needed or desired. It refers to the idea of adding a drop of water to a bucket that is already full or nearly full, which will not make much of a difference in the overall level of the water.

Sample Sentences:

I know you’re trying to save money, but cutting back on your daily coffee won’t make much of a difference. It’s just a drop in the bucket.

Your $10 donation is appreciated, but it’s just a drop in the bucket compared to the amount we need to raise for this project.

Increasing our advertising budget by $1000 is only a drop in the bucket for our company’s overall marketing efforts.

Although the government has promised to increase funding for education, the amount allocated is only a drop in the bucket compared to what is needed.

2. Shape up or Ship out

Shape up or ship out means that a person needs to improve their behavior or performance, or else they will be removed from their position or situation. The phrase is often used to warn individuals that they need to change their ways or face negative consequences such as losing their job, being removed from a project, or being excluded from an opportunity.

Sample Sentences:

The boss gave the unproductive team member a choice to either shape up or ship out of the company.

The coach gave the struggling player an ultimatum, telling him to shape up or ship out of the team.

The supervisor told the employee, who repeatedly came late to work, that he needed to shape up or ship out.

The director told the actors who were not taking the rehearsal seriously that they needed to shape up or ship out of the production.

Jump on the bandwagon

Paul Huber

Sample Sentence:

Several politicians have recently changed their stance on climate change to align with public opinion. They’re just jumping on the bandwagon.

Jumping on the bandwagon means joining a popular trend without much thought, just because it seems like the thing to do. It refers to the act of following a crowd or a popular opinion without independent thought or analysis, simply because it seems like the thing to do or the thing that everyone else is doing.

Here are some more sample sentences:

My sister never used to be interested in fashion, but now she’s always buying trendy clothes and accessories. I think she’s jumped on the fashion bandwagon.

Many tech startups are using blockchain technology in their business models, and investors are eager to jump on the bandwagon and fund these companies.

Some people argue that social media influencers promote products they don’t actually believe in, just to jump on the marketing bandwagon and make money.

Sample Sentence:

My friend accidentally broke my phone, but I forgave him. I don’t believe in the concept of an eye for an eye.

Eye for an eye means that the punishment should be equivalent to the harm caused by the offense, often interpreted as seeking revenge. The phrase originates from the Code of Hammurabi, but it has been criticized for promoting violence and hindering forgiveness.

Here are some more sample sentences.

The company decided to sue their former employee for stealing their ideas, taking the stance of an eye for an eye.

Some people still believe that death penalty is a justifiable form of an eye for an eye.

The two rival gangs have been attacking each other for years, always seeking an eye for an eye.