Idioms Around The World by School of Art, George Mason University

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“Hell in a hand basket.”

I grew up in a Colombian household in North Carolina after moving from Orlando, Florida at eight years old. Orlando has such a heavy presence of Latinos that it was easy to maintain my Latin roots and verbiage without ever having to come into contact with classic American idioms, or the English language for that matter. After landing in Charlotte, North Carolina, I immediately noticed that there were thousands of idioms I was never privy to. I started journaling idioms every chance I could get and found that people were interested to read what I collected. In my efforts to publish my findings, what started off as a strictly American book soon expanded to the entire world. My research and surveys led me to some of the most valuable and beautiful sayings, originating from different corners of the world. I figured that everyone ought to know these. This book is a collection of my favorite idioms that I have learned throughout my life. Whether you are a traveler, a lover of language, or a bookworm, I hope this book shows you that sayings are generally the same around the globe. No matter where we are from, we are all humans just trying to make sense of the world using idioms to express ourselves, and we are not so different from each other than we think. I hope you enjoy these idioms.

“Hell in a hand basket.”

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America 08 Poland 16 Cuba 24 Argentina 32 Sweden 40

Hair of the dog. This American idiom alludes to an alcoholic beverage sought to cure a hangover.

Hell in a handbasket. If someone tells you things are going to hell in a handbasket, things are already bad and expected to worsen. For example, if you are swamped with projects at work and someone asks how work is going, you could respond with “Terrible, everything is going to hell in a handbasket!”

“Hell in a hand basket.”

Right on the nose. When you guess something exactly right, Americans say “You are right on the nose.” This idiom can also mean that you are behaving almost too predictably and that can sometimes have a negative connotation.

A watched pot never boils. Dating back to the mid-1700’s, this analogy emphasizes that outcomes seem to take longer when anticipated. If you are waiting at your mailbox for a letter from your significant other, one might tell you that a watched pot never boils.

Keep your head where your feet are

If someone tells you to keep your head where your feet are, they are telling you to live in the moment. When your mind takes you elsewhere, bring it back to the present and enjoy your current state.

A humble can drink “Hell in a handcalf basket.” from two mothers. it means that things are already really bad and are expected to worsen. So for exIf you are modest, understanding, and generally just low ample, if you’re swamped with projects at maintenance, you will be able to gain help from many people work and someone asks how work is going, across different walks of life. you could respond with “Terrible, everything is going to hell in a hand basket!”

To turn someone “Hell in a hand basket.” into a horse.

it means that things are already really bad and are expected to worsen. So for exSimilar to the English idiom, “to pull someone’s ample, if you’re swamped with projects at leg”, thisand Polish phrase means deliberately work someone askstohow work isfool going, someone, or misinform trickery. you could respondvia with “Terrible, everything is going to hell in a hand basket!”

“Hell in a hand basket.”

To have flies up your nose. it means that things are already really bad and are expected to worsen. So for exThis Polishifphrase be used with to express annoyance. For ample, you’recan swamped projects at example, if asomeone Polish person is how annoyed, they would likely say, “I work and asks work is going, have up my nose.” A similar American expression would be, youflies could respond with “Terrible, every“I’ve hadisitgoing up to here.” thing to hell in a hand basket!”

“Hell in a hand basket.” it means that things are already really bad and are expected to worsen. So for example, if you’re swamped with projects at work and someone asks how work is going, you could respond with “Terrible, everything is going to hell in a hand basket!”

To divide the skin on the bear. This seemingly gory Polish idiom expresses a lighter connotation than it sounds. It is used when someone becomes overly excited about something that is still pending.

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I go to Havana and extinguish fires. This idiom gives it origin away rather quickly. A Cuban person might say she goes to Havana to extinguish fires if she wants to express her talent overall. It translates roughly to, “I am very talented.”

“Hell in a hand basket.”

To stretch a leg.

it means that things are already really bad and are expected to worsen. So for exOh, to stretch a leg after a long day. In this case, you ample, if you’re swamped with projects at probably do not want to. Cubans use this phrase to work and someone asks how work is going, politely explain that someone has passed away. you could respond with “Terrible, everything is going to hell in a hand basket!”

It will last as long as “Hell in a hand basket.” a sugary pastry at a schools door.

it means that things are already really bad and are expected to worsen. So for example, if you’re swamped with projects at worklong andwould someone asks is going, How a cookie lasthow in a work first graders backpack at school? The you could respond “Terrible, everyodds are, probably notwith very long. Cubans use this expression to signify that thing is going to take hell up in atoo hand basket!” something will not much time. For example, if someone asks, “How much longer before you arrive?”, a response could be, “About as long a sugary pastry at a school door.”

“Hell in a hand basket.”

With a closed mouth, flies don’t enter. it means that things are already really bad and are expected to worsen. So for example, if you’re swamped with projects at work andidiom someone how work is going, This Cuban offers asks an unlikely hypothetical you could respond with “Terrible, everyoccurrence that surely guarantees someone will keep a thingWhile is going to hell in of a hand basket!” secret. the likelihood flies entering your gossiping mouth is slim, this idiom is an analogy that expresses the detrimental effects of gossiping.

“Hell in a hand basket.” Put your batteries

in.

it means that things are already really bad This is the equivalent toSo America’s and areidiom expected to worsen. for ex- definition of, “Live a little!” You might assume with that putting batteries in would ample, if you’re swamped projects at mean tosomeone recharge with it actually means to find work and askssleep, howbut work is going, some energy to have a good time. everyyou could respond with “Terrible, thing is going to hell in a hand basket!”

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“Hell in a hand basket.”

To send fruit.

it means that things are already really bad and are expected to worsen. So lovely, for ex-this is not While sending someone fruit sounds ample, if you’re swamped with projects at what this idiom means. Similar to Americans saying, “That work and someone asks how work is going, is bananas,” this idiom is used to call out something that you could respond with “Terrible, everyis inaccurate or fake. “Did you hear the news last night? thing is going to hell in a hand basket!” They were sending fruit about the government!”

Take it with soda. This phrase is used to tell someone to take something lightly or not be so serious. A similar American saying would be telling someone to, “Stay cool.”

“Hell in arowing hand basket.” To be in Dulce De Leche.

it means that things are already really bad and are expected to worsen. So for example, you’re with projects atin South Dulce de ifLeche is aswamped caramel dessert prominent work and someone asks how work is going, America. The consistency is very thick and tacky. To be you could respond with “Terrible, everyrowing in such a tacky situation would be very difficult. thing is going to hell in a hand basket!”

This is the Argentinian phrase that basically translates to “To be in a sticky situation.”

“Hell in a hand basket.” There’s a dog buried here.

it means that things are already really bad and are expected to worsen. So for example, if you’re with projects at This is typically usedswamped if something seems suspicious. It exwork and someone asks how work is going, presses the same meaning as the American idiom, “Someyou could respond with “Terrible, everything smells fishy.” thing is going to hell in a hand basket!”

No matter where life takes you, I think that the points we yearn to get across remain constant throughout the world. I hope that Idioms around the world inspires you to take on adventures, to learn new languages, and to see the similiar human experiences that we all have. We are not so different after all.