It came up in another thread that there are a lot of aphorisms, sayings, etc. that date back a long time that are in current use, yet are based on agricultural or nautical experiences modern listeners are far less likely to have experienced that people of the past, because not as many of us are involving in farming or sailing. I thought it would be fun to come up with some. Extra points for ones whose original meaning might be obscure to someone unfamiliar with those trades, at least as practiced back in the day, at the origin of the phrase, or that do not even sound nautical or agricultural in origin, but are.
To kick things off:
"Between the devil and the deep blue sea."
"til the cows come home."
"weigh anchor"
"don't look a gift horse in the mouth"
"tide me over"
"taken aback"
"toe the line"
"hand over fist"
"at loose ends"
"cut and run"
" in the offing"
"foot loose"
"sheets to the wind"
"slush fund"
"put out to pasture"
"fox in the hen house"
"separate the wheat from the chaff"
"make hay while the sun shines"
"pig in a poke"
"buy the farm"
"in a pig's eye"
I know there are better, more obscure one's out there!
To kick things off:
"Between the devil and the deep blue sea."
"til the cows come home."
"weigh anchor"
"don't look a gift horse in the mouth"
"tide me over"
"taken aback"
"toe the line"
"hand over fist"
"at loose ends"
"cut and run"
" in the offing"
"foot loose"
"sheets to the wind"
"slush fund"
"put out to pasture"
"fox in the hen house"
"separate the wheat from the chaff"
"make hay while the sun shines"
"pig in a poke"
"buy the farm"
"in a pig's eye"
I know there are better, more obscure one's out there!