These expressions are used to describe various household chores and everyday tasks in a fun, metaphorical way.
Household Chore Expressions
- Sweep under the rug
Meaning: Hide a problem or issue.
Example: Don’t just sweep your issues under the rug. - Burn the midnight oil
Meaning: Stay up late working.
Example: I’ve been burning the midnight oil studying. - Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning: Take on too much work.
Example: Sarah bit off more than she could chew. - Make a mountain out of a molehill
Meaning: Exaggerate a small problem.
Example: He’s making a mountain out of a molehill. - Get your house in order
Meaning: Organize your affairs or life.
Example: You should get your house in order. - Throw in the towel
Meaning: Give up or surrender.
Example: I’m ready to throw in the towel. - Take out the trash
Meaning: Remove unwanted things or people.
Example: It’s time to take out the trash. - Feather your own nest
Meaning: Look after one’s own interests.
Example: He feathered his own nest through investments. - Cut corners
Meaning: Do something in a cheap way.
Example: Don’t cut corners on this project. - Do the dishes
Meaning: Clean the dishes after a meal.
Example: I always do the dishes after dinner. - Hang out to dry
Meaning: Leave someone in a difficult situation.
Example: Don’t leave me hanging out to dry. - Put your house in order
Meaning: Organize one’s affairs properly.
Example: It’s time to put your house in order. - Clean up your act
Meaning: Improve behavior or performance.
Example: You should clean up your act, Paul. - Make a clean sweep
Meaning: Clear out everything completely.
Example: They made a clean sweep of old files. - Sweep off your own doorstep
Meaning: Resolve your own issues first.
Example: She should sweep off her own doorstep. - Leave no stone unturned
Meaning: Explore every possibility.
Example: We’ll leave no stone unturned in the search. - Run a tight ship
Meaning: Maintain strict control.
Example: She runs a tight ship at home. - Polish the apple
Meaning: Try to win favor.
Example: Stop polishing the apple to the boss. - Back to the salt mines
Meaning: Return to work, usually disliked.
Example: It’s Monday; back to the salt mines. - Put something on the back burner
Meaning: Delay something for later.
Example: We’ll put this idea on the back burner.
