Common Phrases And Sayings Starting With "C"
Learn English and International Phrases and Sayings
C'est La Guerre
The phrase "c'est la guerre" is a French expression that, when translated to English, means "it's war" or "this is war." It implies a situation where conflict, competitiveness, or intense rivalry has escalated to a high level, similar to the idea of open hostility between parties.
C'est La Mode
This phrase, "c'est la mode," is French and translates to "that's the trend" or "that's fashionable" in English. It refers to something being currently popular or in style.
C'est La Vie
"It's life" or "That's life." This phrase is often used to express that certain situations are an inevitable part of life, and one should accept them as such. It implies a sense of resignation or understanding that not everything can be controlled or predicted.
C S Lewis
C.S. Lewis refers to Clive Staples Lewis, an Irish-born British writer and scholar. He is best known for his works of fiction, particularly "The Chronicles of Narnia" series, and his non-fiction Christian apologetics, such as "Mere Christianity" and "The Screwtape Letters." Lewis was a close friend of J.R.R. Tolkien and was a significant figure in the literary circle known as the Inklings.
Ca Ne Fait Rien
The phrase "ca ne fait rien" is French and it means "it doesn't matter" or "it's okay" in English. It is used to indicate that something is not important or does not have an effect.
Cafe Au Lait
Cafe au lait is a French phrase that refers to a coffee drink made with equal parts of steamed milk and brewed coffee, typically served in a large cup. It is similar to a latte but often has a stronger coffee flavor and may not contain espresso.
Cahiers Du Cinema
" Cahiers du Cinéma " is a French film magazine that was founded in 1951. It is considered one of the most influential publications in the history of cinema. The phrase "Cahiers du Cinéma" translates to "Notebooks on Cinema" in English. The magazine was known for its in-depth analysis, criticism, and essays on films, filmmakers, and cinematic techniques. It played a significant role in the development of the auteur theory, which asserts that a film's director is its primary creative force. Many famous filmmakers, such as Jean-Luc Godard and François Truffaut, started their careers as writers for Cahiers du Cinéma.
Cain And Abel
"Cain and Abel" is a reference to a story from the Bible, specifically in the book of Genesis. Cain and Abel were the firstborn sons of Adam and Eve, making them the first brothers in human history according to the biblical narrative. Cain was a farmer, and Abel was a shepherd. Both offered sacrifices to God, but Abel's offering was accepted while Cain's was not. This led to jealousy and anger in Cain, which eventually resulted in him killing Abel out of envy and resentment. The story of Cain and Abel is often used as a symbol of sibling rivalry, jealousy, and the consequences of giving in to negative emotions. It also highlights the importance of morality, forgiveness, and the repercussions of one's actions.
Call It A Day
"Call it a day" means to stop working or doing an activity for the day, usually indicating that it's time to take a break or finish for the day. It can be used in both professional and informal contexts.
Call It Even
"Call it even" means to consider a situation balanced or mutually offsetting, so no further action or repayment is necessary. For example, if someone did you a favor and you want to show that you don't owe them anything in return, you might say, "Don't worry about it, we can call it even."
Call It Quits
"Call it quits" is an idiomatic expression that means to stop doing something, often because it's no longer enjoyable, profitable, or possible. It can also imply giving up or surrendering, especially when something has become too difficult or frustrating.
Call Of Duty
"Call of Duty" is a popular first-person shooter video game franchise. The phrase refers to the responsibility or obligation to fulfill one's duties, especially in a military context. In the gaming context, it typically represents the immersive experience of being a soldier and carrying out missions or tasks.
Call You Back
"Call you back" means to return a phone call to someone after they have called and left a message or spoken briefly with you. It's a way of acknowledging that you received their call and will respond at a later time.
Came Out Of
The phrase "came out of" typically refers to emerging or originating from a particular place, situation, or action. It can be used in various contexts, such as someone coming out of a room, a situation coming out of a discussion, or an idea coming out of a brainstorming session. It denotes the act of leaving or exiting something and appearing or occurring afterward.
Campo De Gibraltar
"Campo de Gibraltar" refers to a region in southern Spain, surrounding the Strait of Gibraltar. It includes the coastal area and several municipalities, such as La Línea de la Concepción, San Roque, Algeciras, and Tarifa. The name literally means "Gibraltar Field" in Spanish and is known for its strategic location, historical significance, and natural beauty.
Can't Stand It
"Can't stand it" means that someone cannot tolerate or endure something; they find it extremely unpleasant or unbearable.
Can't Take It
"Can't take it" means someone is unable to handle or endure a situation, person, or thing anymore. It often expresses a feeling of being overwhelmed or reaching a breaking point.
Can I Call You Back
The phrase "Can I call you back?" is a polite request to speak with someone at a later time, typically because the person making the request is unable to continue the conversation or attend to the call at the moment. It is often used when someone is busy, needs more time to gather information, or is in a situation where it's not convenient to talk.
Can I Have Some
The phrase "can I have some" is a request for a portion or quantity of something, typically food, drink, or a shared item. The speaker is asking if it's possible to receive some of whatever is being offered or if there's enough to share.
Can I Have The Bill Please
The phrase "can I have the bill please" is a request made by a customer in a restaurant, store, or other place of business where they wish to receive their total cost for the services or items they have purchased. They are asking the attendant or server to provide them with an invoice or a statement of the charges.
Can I Help You
"Can I help you?" is a polite question asked to offer assistance or support to someone who might need it. It can be used in various situations, such as in a store, online, or when someone seems to be struggling with something.
Can I Pay By Credit Card
The phrase "can I pay by credit card?" is a question asking if it is possible to use a credit card as a method of payment for goods or services.
Can We Talk
"Can we talk?" means asking for permission to have a conversation or discuss something with the other person.
Can You Call Back Later
The phrase "can you call back later" is a polite request asking someone to make a phone call at a later time, typically because the person is unavailable or busy at the moment.
Can You Call Me Later
The phrase "can you call me later" is a request for someone to contact the speaker at a later time, typically by phone. It implies that the person making the request is currently unavailable or prefers to have the conversation at a different time.
Can You Hear Me
The phrase "can you hear me" is a question used to check if the person you're communicating with can audibly hear your voice or what you're saying. It's often used in situations where there might be a concern about audio connectivity, such as on a phone call, during a video conference, or in a noisy environment.
Can You Help Me
Of course! I'd be happy to help you. What specific assistance do you need with regards to English or any other topic?
Can You Pass Me
The phrase "can you pass me" is a request asking someone to hand over or convey an object to the speaker. It's commonly used in everyday situations where one person needs something that is within the reach of another person. For example, if you're sitting at a table and your friend has a fork, you might say, "Can you pass me the fork?" to ask them to give it to you.
Can You Repeat That Please
This phrase is used when someone asks for something to be said again, usually because they didn't hear or understand it the first time.
Can You Repeat
"Can you repeat" is a phrase used to request someone to say or do something again, typically because the listener did not hear or understand the first time.
Can You Say That Again Please
Certainly! I'll repeat the phrase for you. Please provide the specific phrase or expression you'd like me to explain, and I'll break it down for you in English.
Can You Spell It
The phrase "can you spell it" is a request for someone to pronounce and write out the letters of a word, typically to confirm its correct spelling.
Can You Spell
"Can you spell" is a phrase used to ask someone if they are able to spell a particular word or phrase correctly. It is often used in educational settings or when someone is unsure about the correct spelling of something.
Can You Tell Me
"Can you tell me" is an interrogative phrase used to politely ask someone for information or to share their knowledge about a particular topic. It's a request for them to explain or describe something to the person asking the question.
Canyon De Chelly
Canyon de Chelly (pronounced "shay") is a national monument located in northeastern Arizona, United States. It features a deep sandstone canyon with historical and cultural significance for the Navajo Nation. The name is derived from the Navajo word "Tsegi," which means "rock canyon" or "canyon with rocks." The area contains ancient ruins, petroglyphs, and is known for its stunning landscapes and scenic views. It is jointly managed by the National Park Service and the Navajo Tribal Park.
Cap And Trade
Cap and trade is an environmental policy mechanism used to regulate pollution or greenhouse gas emissions. It sets a cap, or maximum limit, on the total amount of pollutants that can be emitted by a group of companies or industries. Within this cap, companies can trade emission allowances or credits; those who can reduce their emissions below their allocated limit can sell their extra allowances to others who need them to meet their own targets. This creates an economic incentive for polluters to decrease their emissions, as it allows them to save money by reducing pollution or by purchasing allowances from others. The overall goal is to lower emissions within the set cap while allowing market forces to determine the most cost-effective way to do so.