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Phrases that hit the nail on the head

287 replies

Arlanymor · 14/11/2025 15:52

Having looked at the thread about phrases/words/terms that people hate - what about the ones that just feel spot on?

I heard this earlier today in relation to the modern obsession with celebrities doing crazy things for clout to keep themselves 'relevant' and in the spotlight...

"The attention economy".

Yes! Spot on! Great term for those who monetise meaningless content for maximum exposure on social media - behaviour that pays dividends in the attention economy.

OP posts:
Kreepture · 14/11/2025 17:45

i always liked "I'm not as green as i'm cabbage looking"

NeverKnowinglyUnderstated · 14/11/2025 17:43

You can't pour from an empty cup

Donald Trump is an absolute bastard!

olderandnonthewiser · 14/11/2025 17:42

If wishes were horses, beggars would ride

Arlanymor · 14/11/2025 17:40

wantam · 14/11/2025 17:33

Not true for all BTW!

At first you sink into his arms
Then end up with your arms in his sink.

Love the caveat... but very true of my ex-husband who was allergic to housework...

OP posts:
SparklyGlitterballs · 14/11/2025 17:37

Be OK with people not liking you. Most don't even like themselves.

You can't save somebody who isn't willing to participate in their own rescue.

If wishes and buts were clusters of nuts, we'd all have a bowl of granola. (Saw this once on MN)

Once a mistake, twice a decision.

You don't have to participate in every argument you're invited to.

It's better to be alone than to feel alone next to someone you love.

An apology means nothing if you have to ask for it.

wantam · 14/11/2025 17:33

Not true for all BTW!

At first you sink into his arms
Then end up with your arms in his sink.

Arlanymor · 14/11/2025 17:32

FofB · 14/11/2025 17:25

The Professionally Outraged.

Those people who spend their lives on social media, judging others when they have no actual skin in the game. And no wish to actually change or improve anything.

This is very good and so true!

OP posts:
CatBooksWineInThatOrder · 14/11/2025 17:31

As much use as an ashtray on a motorbike.

Not my circus, not my monkeys.

I use both regularly at work.

DuchessofStaffordshire · 14/11/2025 17:31

BadgernTheGarden · 14/11/2025 17:28

All cats are black at night.

What does this mean?! I'm autistic and having fun trying to figure some of these out.

BadgernTheGarden · 14/11/2025 17:28

All cats are black at night.

OneMoreProfiterole · 14/11/2025 17:28

Kindness costs nothing.
Not my circus, not my monkeys.
Play stupid games, win stupid prizes.
Don’t set yourself on fire to keep other people warm.
You have to eat a bit of dirt before you die.

Chickensky · 14/11/2025 17:28

CharlotteLightandDark · 14/11/2025 17:22

If your auntie had bollocks she’d be your uncle

When things are what they are and we need to just accept reality

This made me laugh and I've never heard it before. 🤣🤣

Edited to say you've explained what it means in the same post 🤦. Must be end of a long day!

Fifiesta · 14/11/2025 17:27

Talking scribble - very concise and accurate too often.

Philothea · 14/11/2025 17:25

A stopped clock is right twice a day.

BadgernTheGarden · 14/11/2025 17:25

The things you know, the things you don't know, and the things you don't know you don't know.

FofB · 14/11/2025 17:25

The Professionally Outraged.

Those people who spend their lives on social media, judging others when they have no actual skin in the game. And no wish to actually change or improve anything.

Allthesnowallthetime · 14/11/2025 17:24

Hanging about like a fart in a trance

Cantbloodyrememberthenameonthread · 14/11/2025 17:24

Not my sink not my dishes

two shakes of a lambs tail

DuchessofStaffordshire · 14/11/2025 17:23

Justnotsureaboutit2021 · 14/11/2025 16:58

Full as a Doctor's wallet
Up down, up down, like a fiddler's elbow
As useful as a chocolate teapot

Well the first one's quite contentious at the moment but I like it!!

BadgernTheGarden · 14/11/2025 17:22

Fur coat and no knickers.

Arlanymor · 14/11/2025 17:22

Didshejustsaythatoutloud · 14/11/2025 17:16

Oh, gawd, Owen Jones springs to mind when i hear that 😂

He's a doucheburger isn't he?

OP posts:
CharlotteLightandDark · 14/11/2025 17:22

If your auntie had bollocks she’d be your uncle

When things are what they are and we need to just accept reality

TheCountessofFitzdotterel · 14/11/2025 17:21

The people that mind don’t matter and the people that matter don’t mind.

Cabinqueen · 14/11/2025 17:20

There's wiser that eat grass....

SlightlyHeartbroken · 14/11/2025 17:20

No good deed goes unpunished.