Learn English and International Phrases and Sayings
Esprit de corps refers to a sense of unity, pride, and camaraderie among a group of people, typically within an organization or team. It signifies a strong bond and shared sense of purpose that fosters cooperation and loyalty among members.
"Esprit de l'escalier" is a French phrase that translates to "staircase wit" in English. It refers to the feeling of coming up with a clever response or comeback too late, typically after an argument or conversation has ended, and when it is no longer useful or appropriate to deliver the witty remark. The term imagery comes from the idea of thinking of the perfect retort as one is leaving a room, descending the staircase, and unable to use it in the moment.
"Et tu, Brute?" is a Latin phrase famously spoken by Julius Caesar in William Shakespeare's play "Julius Caesar." It translates to "You too, Brutus?" or "And you, Brutus?" In the context of the play, Caesar says this as he is being betrayed and assassinated by his friend Brutus, expressing shock and disappointment that even Brutus, whom he trusted, has turned against him.
"Euskadi Ta Askatasuna" is an acronym that stands for "Basque Country and Freedom" in the Basque language. It was the name of a Basque separatist organization, commonly known as ETA, which was active from 1959 to 2018. The group was involved in a violent campaign for Basque independence from Spain and France, carrying out numerous attacks and assassinations. In 2018, ETA declared a definitive cessation of its armed activity and later disbanded.
"Ever and anon" is an archaic phrase that means "from time to time" or "occasionally." It suggests that something happens intermittently or repeatedly, but not constantly.
"Every now and again" means occasionally or from time to time. It refers to something that happens not very often, but not necessarily on a regular basis.
"Every now and then" means occasionally or from time to time. It refers to something that happens not regularly, but rather at intervals or sporadically.
"Every so often" means occasionally or from time to time. It refers to an action or event that happens not regularly, but with some intervals or at unpredictable moments.
"Ex aequo et bono" is a Latin phrase that means "from equity and good conscience." In legal contexts, it refers to a principle where a decision is made not strictly according to law, but based on fairness and what is morally right. It is often used when there is no clear legal precedent or when the law cannot provide an equitable solution, allowing the judge or arbitrator to use their discretion to determine a just outcome.
"Ex nihilo omnia" is a Latin phrase that means "out of nothing, everything." It suggests that everything comes from nothing or that something can arise from absolute nothingness. This phrase has philosophical and theological implications, often associated with the concept of creation, where something is believed to have been brought into existence without any prior materials or causes.
Ex post facto is a Latin term that refers to a law or action that retroactively changes the legal status of something or someone. It means applying a law or rule after an event has already occurred, making it effective from a date prior to its enactment or decision. In legal contexts, ex post facto laws are often considered controversial because they can retroactively punish actions that were not illegal at the time they were committed.
"Exceptio non adimpleti contractus" is a Latin legal term that refers to a defense in contract law. It means "exception of non-performance." This doctrine allows a party to a contract to avoid fulfilling their obligations when the other party has not fulfilled their part of the agreement first. Essentially, it allows the party to claim that they are not bound to complete their obligations because the other party has failed to meet theirs.
"Explication de texte" is a French phrase that translates to "text analysis" or "close reading" in English. It refers to the process of examining and interpreting a text in detail, often in literature or academic contexts. This involves analyzing various elements such as the structure, style, themes, symbols, and figurative language to understand the deeper meaning and implications of the text.
The phrase "extra ecclesiam nulla salus" is a Latin phrase that means "outside the Church, there is no salvation". It is a theological doctrine that is often attributed to Catholic tradition, particularly in the context of the Church's teachings on salvation and justification. The phrase suggests that salvation can only be attained through membership in the Catholic Church, and that those who do not belong to the Church are outside the realm of salvation.
"Eye to eye" means to have the same opinion or viewpoint as someone else, or to be in agreement. It refers to being on the same level or seeing things from the same perspective.