Armchair
Expert - an armchair
expert is someone who knows a lot about something from reading about it (in an
armchair presumably) but has little or no real world experience. For instance if someone had studied up the
road code they may not necessarily be able to drive.
There is also a US expression – armchair quarterback.
Lame
Duck – this means a person who is at the end of their time
in a position or office who is thought to have less power and influence as a
result. But why a duck? Apparently the first use of the term was in
relation to stockbrokers who couldn't meet their financial obligations. I guess that made them lame and liable to be
attacked by predators.
Beat
around the bush – It is thought that this originated in game
hunting where beaters would be used to scare birds into the air for hunters to
shoot at. But it is a stretch to get
from there to its modern meaning – which is someone talking around a subject
without getting to the point.
Let
one's hair down – in olden times women were expected to have
their hair long and pinned up in elaborate hairstyles. The only time they could relax was in their
own boudoir. So the phrase became
associated with a time where you could enjoy yourself without worrying about
conventions or etiquette.
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