Common Phrases Taken Literally by AI

To spill the beans, common idioms and expressions have become such a regular part of our everyday conversations that oftentimes we don’t even think twice about their literal meanings. They make conversations easier, more fun, and shorter, and are universally understood. They bring a more lighthearted tone to stressful situations and even just day-to-day chats with friends. However, if you take a second to ponder what the real meanings of the phrases could be taken as, you will have quite a laugh.

Often people use the expression “Over the moon” when they are extremely happy about something. It’s a term to be used when simply just claiming a state of excitement isn’t enough to convey how overjoyed a person is.

During conversations, people say this when they are clearing the air or diffusing tension. It refers to getting beneath the surface and making situations feel less awkward.

This phrase is utilized in conversations surrounding studying. The term is used when a person is studying harder than usual, signifying the determination a person has when they have their mind set on learning something.

This saying is employed when an individual is being relieved of something they were previously being punished or held accountable for. They are now liberated from the chore that was expected of them and are free.

Sometimes people search for the answers they are looking for in the wrong spot. When someone does this, they are seen as “barking up the wrong tree.” They are typically seen as wasting their time, as the real answers they seek reside in an alternate location.

People say this when someone is extremely confused. It relates to the confusion and stress that ensues when one is attempting to finish a puzzle, trying to put the pieces together in the correct order.

“When pigs fly” is employed in times where someone believes something will never happen. Because pigs don’t have wings and, in fact, can’t actually fly, the phrase is used to imply the unlikelihood of a specific event or occurrence.

People say this when they are in situations that are negative and uncomfortable. Just like being physically in hot water, situations, where people will use this term, are usually stressful and often urgent.

Chasing a wild goose sounds like a daunting task. This is why the term was created; to describe a circumstance where one has to look far and wide for something or pursue something extensively.

If someone is physically present but mentally elsewhere, their “head is in the clouds.” This describes a person that isn’t paying attention or focused on something else.

When people say this, it’s alluding to a serious topic that people don’t actually want to address. Just like a giant elephant standing in the middle of the room would be an obviously alarming situation, the problem that is “the elephant in the room” is an unavoidable, large issue that stands out.

When a person is very angry, the saying “blowing off steam” is exercised when they are trying to calm down. This is usually because people that are angry are seen as heated, and therefore calming down would be seen as getting cooler. To get sciencey for a minute, built-up pressure is released through releasing physical steam.

An individual is accurately “on the ball” if they are auspiciously completing a duty. They are doing what they are meant to do and everything is going swimmingly.

On an occasion when someone has burned their bridges, they have cut all existing ties to a person, place, or event. Once a bridge is successfully burned, it is gone for good. So are the connections with whatever one is burning their bridges to. It’s probably a good idea to keep all bridges intact unless there are absolutely dire circumstances.

People use this term when they find themselves trapped in an uncomfortable situation. The citation being referenced is usually not very easy to get out of or solve, hence being a “jam.” It’s difficult to progress in, and is occasionally used to refer to being stuck in standstill traffic.

In many fairy tales and fables, the wolf tends to act maliciously and the sheep is innocent. A person is called a wolf in sheep’s clothing if they have negative intentions but hide their true feelings behind an innocent facade.

If there’s one thing we know about “hell,” it’s that it exists in sweltering heat. Therefore, if a snowball were to find its way there, it wouldn’t last very long. It essentially has no chance at survival. This is why people say there’s “a snowball’s chance in hell” when referring to a situation that is very unlikely to occur.

Communicating that someone feels “under the weather” means that they are feeling ill. If a person is stuck in inclement weather, they probably don’t feel too well. Therefore, this expression can bring a lighthearted way to claim the feeling of sickness. Because let’s be honest, who really wants to hear about all the yucky details of your symptoms?

This expression is often said to someone else. It’s when a person has no intention of forgiving someone else in distress, encouraging them to continue to release their frustration for a long period of time until they are ready to forgive them. It can also be used when someone thinks another person is being overly dramatic for no reason, invalidating their negative feelings.

Fish belong in bodies of water. If they’re not, they are somewhere where they are not supposed to be. This is how the phrase “fish out of water” came about, hinting about a person that is currently somewhere that they probably shouldn’t be.

People say this in referencing someone that isn’t very smart. In a shed full of sharp tools, the tool that is more dull will not be utilized and is less helpful. Comparing someone who is less bright to a dull tool is essentially calling them less useful. 

Imagine if someone sat down next to you in a public place and opened up their bag only to reveal a cuddly kitten inside. This led to the creation of the phrase “letting the cat out of the bag,” referring to the announcement of a surprising secret.

When a fellow utilizes this term, it is often a testimonial to revenge. There has been something stolen or lost, and in exchange, they want to steal something from another person. It is an even trade, intended to be fair and just.

Two people who are similar in any fashion are referred to as “two peas in a pod.” This could be because they look similar, act similar, or enjoy similar ideas. Peas in a pod look similar to each other and coexist physically close to each other.

Buttons are tiny objects added to clothing to add a visually appealing touch. Calling a person cute as a button is a way to compliment someone by implying that they are small and pleasant. 

If someone encourages you to “hang in there,” they are urging you to persevere and not give up on an endeavor. It is used to persuade one to continue an attempt and not let it go.

This idiom is employed when used as a term of endearment. Some people call the central part of the eyeball the “apple.” Because of this, when someone calls another this charming line, they are comparing them to the most important and central part of the eyeball, meaning they are one of the most important things to them personally.

It doesn’t take much effort to observably drop a hat, and one can do so anytime. This led to the creation of the phrase “at the drop of a hat,” signifying that a person is ready to perform an action at any given time. They are willing to do so and have made themselves available. 

Have you ever walked outside only to be met with pouring rain? That’s when to exercise the phrase, “it’s raining cats and dogs!” Obviously there are no real-life animals falling from the sky, but that’s not what AI took the phrase to mean.

People say this after a failed opportunity at something. After someone is unsuccessful at catching the boat, they are regretful, as the boat will likely not be returning again soon.

These idioms depicted in real life hopefully brought about a chuckle. They utilize colorful language and imagery to bring otherwise regular situations into more lighthearted ones. They can emphasize the importance of certain situations that are extremely negative or positive.