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Original poster

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:
InMyOpenOnion · 15/11/2025 21:06

I like one my children use - NPC (non-playable character from gaming) to mean a person who lacks individuality or critical thinking. It's so apt.

TroysMammy · 15/11/2025 21:05

Looking for likes. Attention seekers on Facebook and suchlike.

Piglet89 · 15/11/2025 21:00

“And I want a house by the sea, but we don’t always get what we want in this life…”

Heard an Italian one just last night: “conosco i miei polli” or “I know my chickens”, used when you are so familiar with someone's behaviour that you can predict what they will say or do.

It came up when I was discussing with my interior designer the decor of Lily Allen and David Harbour’s Brooklyn Brownstone. She said Billy Cotton might have said it about them - it seems mean in that context “He saw them coming”.

RunningNananananananananana · 15/11/2025 20:06

Blowing out someone else's candle won't make yours shine any brighter.

Zanzara · 15/11/2025 19:40

dynamiccactus · 15/11/2025 18:21

If you are right, the person whose feelings are hurt needs to get over themselves and it's wise to learn that early.

You can of course be kind in your rightness.

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#BeKind as the ultimate good. This is exactly the wrongful thinking that sees women standing up for abusive transwomen and shafting other women's rights.

It's right to not feed your own ego at the expense of others' feelings sometimes, of course, but be kind as the ultimate good? No.

Even Jesus got cross sometimes, and sometimes that's exactly the right thing to do, whatever your value beliefs. If you don't stand for something, there's a real danger you'll fall for anything.

Being right is important, and if it isn't then scientific research is pointless, and education has no value.

dynamiccactus · 15/11/2025 18:21

landlordhell · 15/11/2025 10:05

Was year 3 and it fitted the cohort dynamic of having to be right at the expense of someone else’s feelings.

Edited
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If you are right, the person whose feelings are hurt needs to get over themselves and it's wise to learn that early.

You can of course be kind in your rightness.

Zanzara · 15/11/2025 17:57

139steps · 14/11/2025 20:43

I’ve heard this often but never really understood it. Is it just that you can’t compare the way things are now with how they were?

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It means character shows in the company you choose to mix with. Which is very true.

Sorry ETA you obviously meant the second quote.It's the first line from "The Go-Between" by L P Hartley, a wonderful book set in the pre WW1 period.

It means you cannot judge the past by the mores and social norms of the time in which you live. Each time and action must be judged by the standards of its age.

I heartily recommend both the book and the film to anyone who doesn't know them.

Spypigeon · 15/11/2025 16:30

Newname71 · 15/11/2025 15:59

Just been out for lunch with DM. She said she can eat 2 more spuds than a pig. 😂
Then talking about a nosy neighbour “her nose won’t rust”

“her nose won’t rust”

Love this one! 🤣

Newname71 · 15/11/2025 15:59

Just been out for lunch with DM. She said she can eat 2 more spuds than a pig. 😂
Then talking about a nosy neighbour “her nose won’t rust”

Havanananana · 15/11/2025 14:51

"Over skyerne er himlen altid blå" (Danish idiom)

"Above the clouds, the sky is always blue" - i.e. even when times are difficult there is always something better out there

Beefstew · 15/11/2025 14:49

The tide wouldn't take her out,(ugly)
Champagne tastes on a lemonade budget,
As useful as an ashtray on a motorbike
Showing up with one arm as long as the other(not bringing a gift when its the done thing)

Feetfingers · 15/11/2025 13:52

BlueEyedBogWitch · 15/11/2025 02:20

I liked it when someone compared being challenged in the House of Commons by Geoffrey Howe to “being savaged by a dead sheep.”

I miss witty politicians.

I remember someone once saying of Clare Short: “every time she wrestles with her conscience, she comes out on top”

Politicians247UnderwearExtinguishingService · 15/11/2025 13:20

wantam · 14/11/2025 18:21

Ah, micturation, what a great word to use instead of urination. That might fox the Dr's receptionist if you don't want to say "I bloody well can't piss or urinate.... instead - I need to see the GP immediately as I am unable to Micturate!"

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Most people have heard of the word 'micturition', but only in its diminutive.

Micturition means urination; so 'taking the mickey' is a direct equivalent - both in etymology and in understanding - of 'taking the piss'.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 15/11/2025 12:59

Joystir59 · 15/11/2025 06:31

Don't cast pearls before swine
You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear

My DM would say, that I could make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.

senua · 15/11/2025 12:51

landlordhell · 14/11/2025 22:37

On the wall in my classroom I have a poster that reads ; If you have to choose between being right or being kind, choose kind.

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I'm not keen on this phrase, either.
It's a weird way to look at the world, as if 'right' and 'kind' are in some way alternates or comparables. You can be right and be kind. You can be wrong and unkind.
I'm not keen on #BeKind: it takes away critical thinking and assertiveness; it encourages people to be doormats.

SunnieShine · 15/11/2025 12:36

You think you're fly but you can't walk on the ceiling.

FullOfMomsense · 15/11/2025 12:04

Don't set yourself on fire to keep others warm

Cherryicecreamx · 15/11/2025 12:03

BlueEyedBogWitch · 15/11/2025 02:18

It is quite sweet, isn’t it?

I agree with pp’s about ‘being kind’. My ‘do you want to be right or do you want to be happy?’ was said to my XH by the counsellor during a couple’s therapy session. He was the sort of fella that would never listen to my anyone else’s point of view, and would endlessly argue the toss rather than compromise or let me have my way once in a while.

He was word-salading at length about something he felt righteous about, and she just interjected with, “Yes, but do you want to be right, or do you want to be happy?”.

It stopped him in his tracks. I mean, not for long, and I divorced him anyway, but for a moment realisation dawned, and I thought, “Wow. That hit the nail on the head.”

I mean, it really can be summed up with, “Let it go, ffs” 😀

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I think it's like "pick your battles" or choosing the hill to die on. Most of the time, especially someone you love, it's not worth it.
We get so caught up in trying to prove our point, for what exactly 🤷‍♀️ definitely not for peace and harmony! It can cause such a rift, the outcome is probably worse!

SheWantsToBeMe · 15/11/2025 11:28

Moggies3 · 14/11/2025 22:50

Nacho parenting? 🤔

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its from step parenting. The thought that not-your-child, not-your-problem. Leaving parenting to the bio parent to avoid the step child backlash. AKA nacho parenting

Neverwrestlewithapig · 15/11/2025 10:43

What you permit, you promote

Musicmummy63 · 15/11/2025 10:41

Short arms and deep pockets, to describe someone being tight.

landlordhell · 15/11/2025 10:07

Never compare someone else’s showreel with your cutting room floor.

landlordhell · 15/11/2025 10:05

OwnGravityField · 15/11/2025 08:36

I agree. Slightly alarmed a teacher would be teaching children to lie and say what pleases people, rather than the truth. Children need to be empowered to call things out, particularly if it involves harm or illegal behaviour.

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Was year 3 and it fitted the cohort dynamic of having to be right at the expense of someone else’s feelings.

JudgeJ · 15/11/2025 10:03

Don't know if it's been said already but 'If he/she had a brain he/she would be dangerous.'
Deep pockets but short arms, I've heard it applied to Yorkshire people and Scots!

JudgeJ · 15/11/2025 09:59

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.

Is that you, Donald? No, not that one, the other, Donald Rumsfeld who made a speech that was pilloried but to me made total sense! This version of his speech is something I used when I was teaching and mocks were approaching, it's a good start to revision planning! There are also the things you don't know you know.