Common sayings and where they came from

1. "Bite the bullet": This saying originated from the practice of having soldiers bite on a bullet during surgery in the absence of anesthesia to help them endure the pain.

2. "Break the ice": This saying comes from the literal act of breaking ice to create a passage for ships. It is now used metaphorically to describe the act of initiating a conversation or social interaction.

3. "Burning the midnight oil": This saying refers to working late into the night or early morning hours. It originated from the practice of using oil lamps for light before the invention of electric lighting.

4. "Caught between a rock and a hard place": This saying originated from the Greek myth of Odysseus, who had to navigate between Scylla, a rock, and Charybdis, a whirlpool. It is now used to describe a situation where one is faced with two equally difficult choices.

5. "Don't cry over spilled milk": This saying advises against worrying about things that have already happened and cannot be changed. It likely originated from the idea that crying over spilled milk is a waste of time and energy.

6. "A drop in the bucket": This saying refers to a small or insignificant amount in comparison to a larger whole. It comes from the idea of a drop of water being insignificant in a large bucket of water.

7. "Hit the nail on the head": This saying means to describe someone who has accurately identified the main point or issue. It likely originated from the act of hitting a nail directly on its head to secure it in place.

8. "Let the cat out of the bag": This saying means to reveal a secret or disclose information that was meant to be kept confidential. It is believed to have originated from the practice of dishonest traders substituting a cat for a pig in a bag and then revealing the deception.

9. "Raining cats and dogs": This saying is used to describe heavy rainfall. Its origins are uncertain, but one theory suggests that it may have originated from the Norse myth of Odin, the god of storms, who was often depicted with dogs and wolves.

10. "The ball is in your court": This saying means that it is now someone else's turn to make a decision or take action. It likely originated from sports such as tennis or basketball, where the ball is passed between players.

Above is Common sayings and where they came from.