Common Phrases And Sayings Starting With "A"
Learn English and International Phrases and Sayings
Affaire De Coeur
"Affaire de cœur" is a French phrase that translates to "a matter of the heart" or "a love affair" in English. It refers to a romantic relationship or emotional involvement between two people.
After A While
The phrase "after a while" means that something happens or an action is completed after some time has passed. It implies a delay or a temporary separation before the event occurs. For example, "I'll be back after a while; just give me a few minutes."
Again And Again
The phrase "again and again" means to do something repeatedly or multiple times. It indicates that an action or event is happening not just once, but continuously or often.
Against All The Odds
"Against all the odds" means to achieve something despite facing significant challenges or unfavorable circumstances. It suggests that the success was unexpected or unlikely, but it still happened.
Age Of Empires
"Age of Empires" is a popular real-time strategy computer game series that focuses on historical civilizations and their development over time. Players collect resources, build civilizations, and engage in battles as they progress through different ages, from the Stone Age to the Iron Age or beyond. The game series was created by Ensemble Studios and has several installments and expansions, offering multiplayer and single-player modes for players to enjoy.
Aglio Olio Peperoncino
Aglio olio e peperoncino is an Italian dish made with garlic, olive oil, and chili pepper (pepperoncino). It's a simple yet flavorful pasta sauce typically served with spaghetti or other long pasta. In this context, "aglio" means garlic, "olio" means olive oil, and "peperoncino" refers to red chili flakes or a small amount of red pepper for added heat and taste.
Ah Vous Dirai Je Maman
"Ah vous dirai je maman" is a French phrase, but it has a special meaning in the context of music. It is a counting melody used to help singers or musicians count out loud the rhythm of a piece, particularly in the Baroque period. The phrase means "Ah, I will tell you, my mom," but when sung with a specific rhythm and emphasis, it serves as a numerical guide to help musicians keep time.
Aid And Abet
"Aid and abet" means to assist or encourage someone in doing something illegal or wrong. It implies that the person not only helps but also supports the commission of a harmful or unlawful act.
Aide Toi, Le Ciel T'aidera
This phrase, "aide-toi, le ciel t'aidera," is a French proverb that means "help yourself, and Heaven will help you" in English. It emphasizes the idea that one should take action and effort themselves before expecting assistance from external sources or higher powers.
Aiding And Abetting
Aiding and abetting refers to the act of providing assistance or encouragement to someone who is committing a crime, often by being an accomplice or enabling their illegal activities. It involves not only helping but also facilitating the commission of the crime, making it easier for the other person to carry out the offense.
Aiguille Du Midi
The phrase "aiguille du midi" is in French and translates to "midday needle" in English. It refers to Mont Blanc, the highest peak in the French Alps, which is sometimes called "the midday spike" due to its position in relation to the sun's path during the summer solstice. The name highlights its prominence and visibility during the day.
Aix En Provence
Aix-en-Provence is a city located in the southeastern region of France, in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône. It is often referred to simply as "Aix." The name comes from the Latin "Aquae Sextiae," which means " Waters of Sextius," referring to the Roman thermal baths founded by the Roman consul Sextius Calvinus. Aix-en-Provence is known for its beautiful architecture, vibrant culture, and historical significance, and it is a popular destination for tourists and students due to its prestigious university and arts scene.
Aix Les Bains
Aix-les-Bains is a town located in the Savoie department in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It is known for its spa waters and is a popular tourist destination, particularly for its thermal baths and casinos.
Alan Mathison Turing
Alan Mathison Turing was an English mathematician, computer scientist, logician, cryptanalyst, philosopher, and theoretical biologist. He is best known for his significant contributions to the development of theoretical computer science, artificial intelligence, and cryptography, particularly during World War II when he helped crack the German Enigma code. Turing is often referred to as the father of computer science and artificial intelligence.
Alcide De Gasperi
Alcide De Gasperi was an Italian statesman and politician who played a key role in the founding of the European Union. He served as the Prime Minister of Italy from 1945 to 1953 and was one of the main architects of the European integration process. His name is often associated with the establishment of the European Coal and Steel Community, which laid the groundwork for the European Union. De Gasperi is remembered for his dedication to democracy, reconciliation, and economic cooperation among European nations after World War II.
Alea Jacta Est
"Alea jacta est" is a Latin phrase that means "the die is cast" or "the dice have been thrown." It signifies a point of no return, where a decision has been made and the outcome is now determined, just like rolling the dice in a game and accepting the resulting luck or consequences. The phrase is famously associated with Julius Caesar, who reportedly said it when he crossed the Rubicon River, committing himself to war against Pompey and the Roman Senate.
Alexander Von Humboldt
Alexander von Humboldt was a Prussian naturalist, geographer, and explorer who lived from 1769 to 1859. He was a prominent figure in the scientific world and made significant contributions to the fields of botany, zoology, and geology. Humboldt is known for his extensive travels, particularly in Latin America, where he studied the region's flora, fauna, and geology. He also developed the concept of human-induced climate change and was an advocate for interdisciplinary approaches to understanding nature. His work laid the foundation for modern environmentalism and had a lasting impact on sciences such as ecology and biogeography.
Alexis De Tocqueville
Alexis de Tocqueville was a French political thinker and historian best known for his work "Democracy in America," in which he analyzed the democratic institutions and social conditions of the United States in the early 19th century. The phrase does not provide a specific context, so this is a general explanation of who Alexis de Tocqueville is.
Alfred The Great
Alfred the Great, also known as King Alfred the Great, was an Anglo-Saxon king who ruled from 871 to 899. He is considered one of the most important figures in English history for his role in unifying England, strengthening the kingdom, and promoting literacy and education. Alfred is famous for his military successes against Viking invasions, as well as for translating key works into Old English, which helped preserve Latin learning during the Dark Ages.
Alice In Wonderland
"Alice in Wonderland" is a classic novel written by Lewis Carroll, published in 1865. It is a fantasy story that follows the adventures of a young girl named Alice who falls down a rabbit hole and enters a strange and fantastical world called Wonderland. Wonderland is a place where logic and reality are turned upside down, and absurd and illogical events take place. The story is known for its memorable characters, such as the Cheshire Cat, the Mad Hatter, and the Queen of Hearts, as well as its wordplay, satire, and social commentary.<br><br>In general, the phrase "Alice in Wonderland" is also used to describe a situation or place that is confusing, illogical, or chaotic, where things don't make sense and everything seems to be upside down. It can also refer to a dream-like or surreal experience where reality and fantasy blur.
All's Well That Ends Well
The phrase "all's well that ends well" is an idiomatic expression in English, meaning that if something has a favorable or satisfactory conclusion, it doesn't matter how problematic or difficult it was in the process. It implies that the outcome is what truly matters, and any challenges that were faced were ultimately overcome.
All And Sundry
"All and sundry" is an idiomatic phrase that means "everyone indiscriminately" or "all people without exception". It can be used to refer to a large group of people, often strangers or acquaintances, rather than close friends or family. The phrase can convey a sense of inclusiveness, but can also imply a lack of personal connection or intimate familiarity with the individuals involved.
All For It
"All for it" means someone is completely in favor of an idea or plan, and they are willing to support or participate in it without any reservations.
All In All
"All in all" means considering everything, taking into account all aspects or factors, ultimately or in conclusion. It is used to summarize or express the overall impression or outcome of a situation.
All My Love
"All my love" is an expression used to convey the entirety of one's affection or feelings towards someone. It indicates that the person is giving the best and most sincere part of their love without holding back. It is often used in messages, letters, or expressions of deep emotion.
All Of A Sudden
"All of a sudden" means suddenly or without any warning. It is used to express that something happened quickly and unexpectedly.
All Of Them
The phrase "all of them" refers to every person or thing within a group, indicating no exceptions. It means that you are including every single one mentioned or implied.
All Of Us
The phrase "all of us" refers to every person within a group, including oneself. It indicates that no one is excluded and emphasizes the collective nature of the group.
All Or Nothing
"All or nothing" means that something must be done completely or not at all; there is no middle ground or partial completion. It implies a situation where one must commit fully or not commit at all.
All Out Of
The phrase "all out of" means to have completely run out of or have no more of something. For example, "I'm all out of milk" means there is no milk left.
All Over Again
"all over again" means to repeat or start something from the beginning, just as it was done before.
All Rights Reserved
"All rights reserved" is a legal phrase used to indicate that the copyright holder reserves all the rights granted to them by copyright law, and no one else is allowed to use or reproduce their work without permission. It serves as a notice to others that the content is protected and restricts unauthorized usage.
All Saints' Day
All Saints' Day, also known as All Hallows' Day or Halloween, is a Christian holiday celebrated annually on November 1st. It honors all the saints who have passed away and is a time to remember and give thanks for their lives and the contributions they made to the faith. In some traditions, it marks the transition from the season of death to the season of life, as All Saints' Day is followed by All Souls' Day, where the faithful pray for the souls of their loved ones who have died.
All That Remains
"All that remains" refers to whatever is left or surviving after something else has been removed, lost, or eliminated. It suggests the residual or the last remaining parts or elements of a situation or a process.
All The Best
The phrase "all the best" is a common expression used to convey good wishes or encouragement to someone, particularly when they are embarking on a new venture, facing a challenge, or pursuing a goal. It implies that you hope they have success and good fortune in their endeavors.
All The Same
The phrase "all the same" is used to indicate that despite something being different or not as expected, the outcome or feeling remains unchanged. It can express a sense of persistence or indifference to a situation.<br><br>Example: "I didn't sleep well last night, but I'll still go for a run this morning. All the same, I want to stick to my routine."