Place
A place in the sun
Meaning
An idealistic dream of a sunny hideaway.
Examples
We’ve been lucky, we managed to buy ourselves a place in the sun for our retirement.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom, early 20th century. An allusion to a literal pleasant retirement location.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, not not common.
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Across the board
Meaning
Applying everywhere and to all classes of thing.
Examples
Everyone has to pay value-added tax. It’s an across the board levy.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
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Between a rock and a hard place
Meaning
Between two unwelcome options.
Examples
The only choices I have are poverty or a boring job – I’m between a rock and a hard place.
Where did it originate?
USA, 20th century. Sometimes mistakenly thought to come from Homer’s Odyssey.
Where is it used?
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