This expression comes from Coleridge’s famous poem and now means a lasting burden, often linked to guilt or a damaging mistake.
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Miscook: meaning, use, and a simple example
Miscook means to cook something badly or improperly. Learn how this useful verb works, plus a clear example you can use right away.
The origin of “have a bone to pick”
“Have a bone to pick” started as an image of quarrelling over a bone. Now it usually means having a complaint to discuss.
Why “magazine” once meant a storehouse
“Magazine” first meant a storehouse, then an ammunition store, and only later a printed collection of articles and images.
Why we say “read the riot act”
“Read the riot act” started as a real legal warning in Britain. Today, it means giving someone a severe verbal warning.