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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:
RatsAss · 15/11/2025 09:52

It’s actually “fuck off to the far side of fuck and when you get there, fuck off some more”.

Not a fan I’m afraid, more mn smugcuntery in my opinion.

ICantBeDoingWithThat · 15/11/2025 09:27

LadyMonicaBaddingham · 14/11/2025 22:22

I really like Fuck off. It's a classic for a reason.

Or "fuck off to the far side of fuck, then just keep going" first seen on MN and made me lol.😆

LaMarschallin · 15/11/2025 09:12

Don't compare your inside with other people's outside.

OwnGravityField · 15/11/2025 08:39

‘Shake a bridle over a Yorkshireman’s grave, and he shall arise to steal a horse’

That one dates to the 1700s. Basically saying people from Yorkshire are thieves. I read it in an acient book of English proverbs nearly 30 years ago and it’s stayed with me ever since.

OwnGravityField · 15/11/2025 08:36

FaitesVosJeux · 14/11/2025 23:29

Be right. Every time. And have confidence in being right. Never be not right to massage the hurty feels of anyone else.

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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.

Overthemhills · 15/11/2025 08:24

My dad’s saying - “never make anyone as wise as yourself” (being Irish the sense might be lost in the UK but it’s essentially don’t divulge too much about yourself).

Newname71 · 15/11/2025 08:16

It’s like plaiting fog.
One I say to my 18 year old DS quite often “if you keep doing the same thing, you’ll keep getting the same results”
one I read on here that really hit home and changed the way I am at work is “don’t set yourself on fire to keep someone else warm” I was burning myself out trying to make my boss look great and after reading that thought. Fuck it, if he looks shit a few times, he’ll learn.

RatsAss · 15/11/2025 07:49

whatcanthematterbe81 · 15/11/2025 07:21

Comparison is the thief of joy or whatever it says. I think it’s maybe because it’s always chucked out on here and totally over used! I just find it irritating to read 😂

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Agree, I knew it would show up on this thread and was ready to eye roll 🙄. I’ve never heard anyone say it irl, it’s just a smug mn cliche to me, like “get your ducks in a row” or “hands op grip”. Trite and supercilious comments that the poster thinks is a pearl of wisdom.

Ddakji · 15/11/2025 07:41

whatcanthematterbe81 · 15/11/2025 07:21

Comparison is the thief of joy or whatever it says. I think it’s maybe because it’s always chucked out on here and totally over used! I just find it irritating to read 😂

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Fair enough! But I really do find it to be true and a good reminder. I say it quite a bit to DD who’s definitely at the stage of putting herself and her achievements down because other people do better than her.

Screamingabdabz · 15/11/2025 07:34

whatcanthematterbe81 · 15/11/2025 07:21

Comparison is the thief of joy or whatever it says. I think it’s maybe because it’s always chucked out on here and totally over used! I just find it irritating to read 😂

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Agree. It should be ‘your friends doing better in life than you, is the thief of joy’ (which I think is a paraphrasing of something Mark Twain once said!)

whatcanthematterbe81 · 15/11/2025 07:21

Ddakji · 15/11/2025 07:19

Which one and why? They’re two that I have often found to be true - and helpful.

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Comparison is the thief of joy or whatever it says. I think it’s maybe because it’s always chucked out on here and totally over used! I just find it irritating to read 😂

Ddakji · 15/11/2025 07:19

whatcanthematterbe81 · 15/11/2025 01:26

Ugh I hate this one

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Which one and why? They’re two that I have often found to be true - and helpful.

TheaBrandt1 · 15/11/2025 06:32

Yes but in a school?! Where children are learning - surely the goal is to generally get things right or whets the point?! Lying to people to “be kind” is not a particularly healthy thing to actively promote..

Dd had one of these “group hug touchy feely” type teachers in year 6. Was a relief to get to secondary.

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

Joystir59 · 15/11/2025 06:27

The lights are on but noone is home.

Edwinstarrihavefaithinyou · 15/11/2025 06:18

Eese.not ees

Edwinstarrihavefaithinyou · 15/11/2025 06:17

You're as much use as no use.
sound cutting in a Ne Scottish accent.
Yer as much ees as nae ees.

Theyreeatingthedogs · 15/11/2025 04:25

Verbal diarrhoea.

The shit just pours out of their mouths.

EmeraldShamrock000 · 15/11/2025 03:17

So many, there is a saying for everything in Ireland, sometimes I have to stop myself from spluttering a few clangers.

YetiRosetti · 15/11/2025 03:11

Cherryicecreamx · 14/11/2025 23:42

Ooh "every pan's got a lid" actually sounds quite sweet 😅

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Yes I’ve not heard it before but it’s lovely! My ex-MIL says “there’s a Jack for every Jill” which I also love!

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.

BlueEyedBogWitch · 15/11/2025 02:18

Cherryicecreamx · 14/11/2025 23:42

Ooh "every pan's got a lid" actually sounds quite sweet 😅

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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” 😀

GameofPhones · 15/11/2025 02:05

Two economists, three opinions.

Doingtheboxerbeat · 15/11/2025 02:02

@CeliaCanth @locket2009 "They'd argue with a dead animal" .