Is it in thrall of or in the thrall of?
If you are in thrall to someone or something, or in the thrall of someone or something, he, she, or it has a lot of power to control you: Her love for him was like a madness, and she was completely in its thrall.
Is thrall a real word?
thrall Add to list Share. When you’re in thrall to someone, you are under their control in some way. … The Old English word that thrall comes from literally means “slave” or “servant.” Another word with the same root as thrall is enthrall, which is sort of a friendlier version of the same idea.
What does it mean to be in the throes?
: experiencing (something painful) She met him while he was in the throes of a messy divorce.
What is the meaning of a Jarl?
Definition of jarl
: a Scandinavian noble ranking immediately below the king.
What is a Karl?
Karl (also Carl) is a Germanic variant of the male given name Charles meaning free man, strong man, man, manly. For further details on origin and meaning, see Churl and Charles.
What does tarred with the same brush mean?
Having the same faults or bad qualities, as in He may be lazy, but if you ask me his friends are all tarred with the same brush. This term is thought to come from sheep farming, where the animals’ sores were treated by brushing tar over them, and all the sheep in a flock were treated in the same way.
Can throes be positive?
It is very interesting that people often criticise the use of ‘Throes’ when it’s used to describe something positive. It is meant to describe great turmoil and/or pain at the end of something but we use the phrase ‘Throes of Passion’ without debate.
Where did the phrase in the throes come from?
It may come from the Old English verb thrōwian, meaning “to suffer” or “to be in pain,” or from the Old English thrāwu, meaning “threat.” In the throes is often used in situations involving pain or struggle, such as war, childbirth, and grief.
What does steal a march mean?
Gain an advantage
Gain an advantage over unexpectedly or secretly, as in Macy’s stole a march on their rival department store with their Thanksgiving Day parade. This metaphoric expression comes from medieval warfare, where a march was the distance an army could travel in a day.
Is call a spade a spade?
Definition. “Call a spade a spade” or “call a spade a shovel” are both forms of the figurative expression which state that the speaker should call, or has called, a noun by its most suitable name without any reservation to the strained formalities that may result.
What does turn the corner means?
Definition of turn the corner
: to get past the most difficult area or period in something and begin to improve The company claims it has turned the corner and will be profitable soon.
What is the idiom for lift a finger?
To help with something. Often used in the negative to indicate a lack of willingness to exert even the bare minimum of effort.
What does the idiom cold feet mean?
To “have cold feet” is to be too fearful to undertake or complete an action. A wave of timidity or fearfulness. Loss or lack of courage or confidence.
What does thin end of the wedge mean?
Definition of the thin end of the wedge
British. : the beginning of something that will become more serious, unpleasant, etc. The bank’s decision to raise rates could be the thin end of the wedge if other banks follow along.
What does to be like a bear with a sore head mean?
[mainly British] to behave in a very bad-tempered and angry way.
Can lay a finger on meaning?
Definition of lay a finger on
informal. : to touch or hit (someone) —usually used in negative statements I don’t know what he’s complaining about. I never laid a finger on him.
What is the meaning of to set the Thames on fire?
UK. to cause a lot of excitement or strong feelings: His books sell fairly well, but they don’t exactly set the Thames on fire.
What does the phrase like a bull in a china shop mean?
Definition of bull in a china shop
: a person who breaks things or who often makes mistakes or causes damage in situations that require careful thinking or behavior.
What does get up with a lark mean?
to be awake and out of your bed very early in the morning. Synonyms and related words. Going to bed, getting up and staying in bed. abed.
What is the meaning of idiom eager beaver?
eager beaver. An exceptionally zealous person, one who habitually takes on more tasks or works harder than others. For example, Bill is a real eager beaver, always volunteering to stay late.
What does a fish out of water mean?
A person away from his or her usual environment or activities. For example, Using a computer for the first time, Carl felt like a fish out of water, or On a hiking trail, Nell was a fish out of water. This expression alludes to the fact that fish cannot survive for long on dry land. [ Late 1300s]
What does it mean when someone says Fly like the wind?
If someone or something runs or moves like the wind, they run or move very quickly.
What does the idiom wade through mean?
waded through. DEFINITIONS1. (wade through something) to read or deal with a lot of boring information.