Common Phrases And Sayings Starting With "C"
Learn English and International Phrases and Sayings
Capital Gains Tax
Capital gains tax is a tax levied on the profit earned from the sale of an asset, such as real estate, stocks, or a business. It is calculated on the difference between the original purchase price (cost basis) and the selling price. The rate of capital gains tax typically varies depending on how long the asset was held and the taxpayer's income level.
Captain Horatio Hornblower
"Captain Horatio Hornblower" refers to a fictional character created by British author C.S. Forester. He is the protagonist in a series of novels set in the Napoleonic Wars, depicting Hornblower as a brave, intelligent, and resourceful Royal Navy officer. The character has become an iconic figure in literature and has been adapted into films and television series.
Carl Von Linne
Carl Linnaeus was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, and taxonomist known for developing the modern system of naming organisms, called the Linnaean System. He is considered one of the most important figures in the history of biology and is often referred to as the "father of taxonomy."
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Carpal tunnel syndrome is a medical condition that occurs when the median nerve, which runs from the forearm to the hand, becomes compressed or irritated within the carpal tunnel, a narrow passageway in the wrist. This compression can lead to pain, numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand and fingers, especially the thumb, index finger, and middle finger. It is commonly associated with repetitive hand movements or long periods of wrist extension, often found in jobs that involve keyboard use or manual labor. Treatment may include rest, wrist splints, physical therapy, or in severe cases, surgery.
Carte De Visite
"Carte de visite" is a French phrase that refers to a small photograph, usually mounted on a card, which was popular in the 19th century as a form of social calling card or a way to share one's portrait. It was often exchanged during visits or used for promotional purposes. The size of a carte de visite was approximately 2.5 x 4 inches (6.4 x 10.2 cm).
Carthago Delenda Est
"Carthago delenda est" is a Latin phrase that means "Carthage must be destroyed." It was a famous slogan used by the Roman statesman Cato the Elder in his speeches to emphasize the need for Rome to eliminate Carthage as a rival city-state.
Cash In On
The phrase "cash in on" means to take advantage of a situation or opportunity in order to make money or profit from it. It implies that someone is exploiting something they have, an idea, or a chance to gain financial benefit. For example, "He cashed in on his knowledge of the market to make a fortune."
Cast Doubt On
"Cast doubt on" means to question or challenge the truth, validity, or reliability of something, making people uncertain or skeptical about it.
Catch A Bus
"Catch a bus" means to board a bus, typically by being at a bus stop at the right time and signaling or indicating to the driver that you want to get on. It refers to the act of getting onto a public transportation bus to travel to your desired destination.
Catch A Cold
" Catch a cold " means to become ill with a common cold, which is a viral infection that affects the upper respiratory system, causing symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat, coughing, and fever. It is often used to refer to the act of getting sick due to exposure to cold weather or contact with someone who has a cold.
Catch Up On
To catch up on something or someone means to learn about or make up for lost time, especially by studying, reading, or conversing. It can also mean to overcome a state of being behind or out of touch with something. For example, "I've been out of school for a while, so I need to catch up on my math homework." or "After missing the last few episodes, I need to catch up on my favorite TV show."
Catch You Later
"Catch you later" is an informal expression used to say goodbye, meaning that you will see or talk to the person again at a later time.
Catcher In The Rye
"Catcher in the Rye" is a novel by J.D. Salinger, published in 1951. The title refers to a passage from the poem "If a body catch a body coming through the rye" by Robert Burns. The book's protagonist, Holden Caulfield, interprets this as someone saving children from falling off a cliff, symbolizing his desire to protect innocence in a corrupt world. It has become a classic work of literature often associated with teenage angst and rebellion.
Cathode Ray Tube
The cathode ray tube (CRT) is an electronic display device used primarily in television sets, computer monitors, and older arcade games. It works by accelerating and focusing a beam of electrons onto a phosphorescent screen, which then emits light to create images. The term "cathode ray" refers to the stream of electrons emanating from the negatively charged cathode within the tube. As technology has advanced, CRTs have largely been replaced by flat-panel displays like LCDs and LEDs due to their bulk, weight, and energy consumption.
Cats And Dogs
The phrase "cats and dogs" is an idiomatic expression that means a chaotic or intense situation, often used to describe heavy rain or fighting between two people. It implies a level of confusion, turmoil, or strong emotions being involved.
Caught In The Act
"Caught in the act" means to be discovered while doing something wrong, illegal, or embarrassing. It implies that someone was caught red-handed in the middle of performing an action they shouldn't have been doing.
Cause And Effect
Cause and effect refers to a relationship between two things where one (the cause) makes the other (the effect) happen. It is a fundamental concept in understanding how events or actions are interconnected, helping us analyze why things happen and what the resulting consequences might be. In simple terms, a cause is the reason something happens, and an effect is the result of that cause.
Cedant Arma Togae
"Cedant arma togae" is a Latin phrase that translates to "let arms yield to the toga." In ancient Rome, the toga represented civil authority and peaceful pursuits, while arms referred to military activities. This phrase symbolizes the idea of putting down weapons and transitioning from war or martial matters to peaceful governance and civil affairs.
Central African Republic
The Central African Republic (CAR) is a landlocked country located in central Africa. It is bordered by Chad to the north, Sudan to the northeast, South Sudan to the east, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the Republic of the Congo to the south, and Cameroon to the west. The capital of CAR is Bangui. The country has experienced political instability, conflicts, and poverty, with a diverse population consisting of various ethnic groups and religions.
Cestui Que Trust
Cestui que trust is a Latin phrase that translates to "he who trusts" or "the trustee". It is a term used in common law, particularly in the context of trusts and estates. In essence, a cestui que trust refers to a person who is the beneficiary of a trust, meaning they stand to receive benefits or assets from the trust. In other words, they are the person who receives the benefit of the trust, rather than the one who creates it (the settlor) or manages it (the trustee).
Cestui Que Use
"Cestui que use" is a Latin phrase that originated in the 14th century. It is an abbreviation of the full Latin phrase "cestui que use est", which translates to "he who enjoys (something) benefits".<br><br>In English law, a "cestui que use" refers to a person who benefits from a trust or an estate, even though they are not the original owner or the sole beneficiary. In other words, it is the person who has the right to receive the benefits or profits from a particular asset or property, usually as a result of being named in a trusted arrangement or deed.<br><br>For example, imagine a person creates a trust with a property, naming their child as the beneficiary. The child may not be the original owner of the property, but they have the right to use and enjoy the property, which would make them the "cestui que use" of the property.<br><br>This concept is mainly relevant in English common law and is used in property and inheritance cases to determine who has the right to control or benefit from a particular asset.
Cestui Que Vie
"Ce qui vie" is a legal term from old French, meaning "the one who lives" or "the person who is alive." It refers to a person who holds a legal interest or right, especially in a trust or estate, and is often used in discussions of medieval property law and life estates. In modern legal contexts, the term has been replaced with more contemporary expressions.
Chacun A Son Gout
"Chacun a son goût" is a French phrase that means "everyone has their own taste" or "to each their own." It refers to the idea that people have different preferences and opinions, and what may be enjoyable or appealing to one person might not be the same for another.
Chalk And Cheese
The phrase "chalk and cheese" is an idiomatic expression that means two very different or unrelated things. It suggests that something is completely mismatched or incongruous, like the combination of a white chalkboard substance (chalk) and a soft, usually yellowish dairy product (cheese). It implies that there is no similarity or connection between the two items being compared.
Chancellor Of The Exchequer
The Chancellor of the Exchequer is a high-ranking official in the government, typically from the United Kingdom, who is responsible for managing the country's finances. They oversee monetary policy, budget planning, and the collection and allocation of taxes. In this role, they are in charge of the Treasury and play a crucial part in shaping the nation's economic policies.
Chanson De Geste
A "chanson de geste" is a medieval French epic poem that recounts the heroic deeds and adventures of a noble warrior or a group of knights. These poems often celebrate their bravery, loyalty, and prowess in battle, as well as their love stories and chivalric values. They were popular during the High Middle Ages and contributed to the development of the Arthurian legend and the medieval romance genre.
Chansons De Geste
"Chansons de geste" is a term used to describe a type of medieval French epic poetry that recounts heroic deeds and adventures, often featuring knights and their battles. These poems glorify chivalry, valor, and the Arthurian legends, with famous examples including the "Cycle of the Matter of France" (Lancelot, Tristan, and others) and the "Cycle of the Matter of Britain" (with figures like King Arthur and Gawain).
Charles De Gaulle
Charles de Gaulle was a French military leader and statesman. He was the founder of the Fifth Republic of France and served as the President from 1958 to 1969. De Gaulle is known for his role in leading the Free French Forces during World War II and for his strong emphasis on French independence and nuclear deterrence.
Charles Pierre Baudelaire
Charles Pierre Baudelaire!<br><br>Baudelaire was a French poet, critic, and translator who is widely considered to be the greatest French poet of the 19th century. He is best known for his poetry collection "Les Fleurs du Mal" (The Flowers of Evil), which was published in 1857 and is considered to be one of the most important and influential works of French literature.<br><br>Baudelaire is also known for his essays, criticism, and translations, which he wrote in the late 19th century. He was a key figure in the Parisian avant-garde, and his work had a significant impact on the development of modern poetry and literary criticism.<br><br>In terms of his style, Baudelaire is known for his use of symbolism, which means that he used objects, colors, and images to convey complex emotions and ideas. He also experimented with language and form, which added to the modernity and innovative nature of his work.<br><br>Baudelaire is often celebrated for his ability to capture the beauty and ugliness of urban life, and his work continues to be widely studied and admired today for its depth, complexity, and beauty.
Chart Of Accounts
A chart of accounts is a list or organizational structure that categorizes financial transactions and balances into specific account types for accounting purposes. It serves as a reference system to record, classify, and summarize financial data in a company's ledger, helping to facilitate bookkeeping, financial reporting, and analysis. Each account has a unique identifier and is generally grouped into categories such as assets, liabilities, equity, revenues, and expenses.
Chateau En Espagne
"Chateau en Espagne" is a French phrase that translates to "castle in Spain" in English. It is often used metaphorically to refer to a daydream or an imaginary, unattainable place or situation. Someone might say they're living in a "chateau en Espagne" when they are fantasizing about something that is unrealistic or far from their current reality.
Chateau Leoville Las Cases
Château Léoville Las Cases is a highly-regarded Bordeaux wine estate in the Saint-Julien appellation of Bordeaux, France. The name is derived from the French language and can be broken down as follows:<br><br> "Château" refers to the estate or mansion located on the property.<br> "Léoville" is a name that dates back to the 13th century and is believed to be derived from the medieval knight Bertrand de Leveille.<br> "Las Cases" is likely named after the family of Jean de Las Cases, a 17th-century nobleman who owned the property.<br><br>In total, Château Léoville Las Cases is a prestigious wine estate known for producing high-quality red wines, including their flagship wine, Leoville Las Cases Bordeaux Blend.
Chateauneuf Du Pape
Châteauneuf-du-Pape is a famous appellation for a type of red wine produced in the southern region of France, specifically in the Rhône Valley. The name translates to "New Castle of the Pope" and refers to a historical château (castle) where popes once resided. It is known for its full-bodied, rich, and fruity wines, made primarily from Grenache grapes.
Chateaux En Espagne
"Chateaux en Espagne" is a French phrase that translates to "castles in Spain" in English. It is often used metaphorically to refer to unrealistic or imaginary things, dreams, or plans that are unlikely to come true. It suggests that someone is indulging in fantasies or daydreams that have no basis in reality.
Che Sera Sera
The phrase "che sera, sera" is an Italian expression that translates to "whatever will be, will be" or "carpe diem" (enjoy the day) in English. It reflects a mindset of accepting and going with the flow of events, without worrying too much about what the future may bring.