Common Phrases And Sayings Starting With "H"
Learn English and International Phrases and Sayings
Hither And Thither
"Hither and thither" means "here and there" or "in various directions." It refers to moving or going back and forth between different places, without a specific destination or in a restless manner.
Hither And Yon
"Hither and yon" is an idiomatic expression that means "here and there," "in various places," or "everywhere." It refers to moving around or being situated at different locations, often implying a lack of direction or focus.
Ho Chi Minh
Ho Chi Minh is a historical figure and the name of a city. Ho Chi Minh was the founder and first president of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam). He was a communist revolutionary leader who led his country in the fight for independence from French colonial rule and later against the United States during the Vietnam War. The city named after him, Ho Chi Minh City (formerly known as Saigon), is the largest city in Vietnam and an important economic and cultural center.
Hold On A Moment Please
"hold on a moment please" means to wait briefly, typically in a conversation or when someone needs more time to think, respond, or attend to something. It's a polite way to ask someone to pause and not continue speaking or taking action until you're ready.
Hold On Please
"Hold on please" is an expression used to ask someone to wait or pause for a moment, typically in a conversation or when someone is about to interrupt or interfere. It shows politeness and indicates that the speaker needs a little more time before continuing or addressing the other person.
Hole In One
"Hole in one" is a term used in golf when a player hits the ball directly into the hole with a single stroke. It is considered a rare and impressive achievement, typically resulting in a score of one for that particular hole.
Holier Than Thou
The phrase "holier than thou" is used to describe someone who acts as though they are more morally or spiritually superior to others. It implies that the person has an attitude of self-righteousness or hypocrisy, pretending to be more pious or righteous than they actually are.
Holy Roman Empire
The Holy Roman Empire was a political entity that existed from the 962 AD to 1806 AD in Central Europe. It was a complex and diverse union of territories, kingdoms, and principalities, loosely centered around the Germanic lands and ruled by the Holy Roman Emperor. The empire was considered "holy" because it saw itself as the continuation of the ancient Roman Empire under the authority of the Roman Catholic Church, and "Roman" because it claimed descent from the Western Roman Empire. However, it was neither particularly holy nor uniformly Roman, as it encompassed various ethnic groups and cultures. The Holy Roman Empire ultimately dissolved due to the Napoleonic Wars and the rise of modern nation-states.
Home In On
"Home in on" means to focus or direct one's attention, efforts, or resources more precisely toward a particular target or goal. It can also refer to navigating or moving closer to a specific location.
Home Phone Number
A home phone number is a unique series of digits used to identify a specific residential phone line, which allows individuals to make and receive phone calls from that address. It is typically associated with a permanent or semi-permanent location, such as a house, apartment, or condominium, and is used for personal and professional communication.
Home Sweet Home
"Home sweet home" is an expression used to convey a feeling of warmth, comfort, and happiness associated with being at one's own home. It suggests that there's no place like home, and it's a place where one finds a sense of belonging and relaxation.
Homme Du Monde
"homme du monde" is a French phrase that translates to "worldly man" or "man of the world" in English. It refers to a man who is well-versed in social customs, has experience with different cultures, and is sophisticated or cosmopolitan.
Hommes Du Monde
"Hommes du monde" is a French phrase that translates to "men of the world" in English. It typically refers to men who are well-traveled, experienced, sophisticated, and have a broad understanding of different cultures and social environments. They are often seen as cosmopolitan and adaptable to various social situations.
Homo Homini Lupus Est
"Homo homini lupus est" is a Latin phrase that means "man is a wolf to man." It suggests that humans can be cruel and predatory towards one another, emphasizing the idea of survival of the fittest or the inherent selfishness in human nature.
Honi Soi Qui Mal Y Pense
"Honi soit qui mal y pense" is an old French phrase that translates to "Shamed be he who thinks evil of it." It is commonly used as an expression of innocence or to imply that someone who suspects wrongdoing or ill intentions is in the wrong themselves. It is also the motto of the Order of the Garter, a British royal order of chivalry.
Honi Soit Qui Mal Y Pense
"Honi soit qui mal y pense" is an old French phrase that translates to "Shamed be he who thinks evil of it" in English. It is often used as a motto, particularly for the Order of the Garter, a prestigious British order of chivalry. The phrase signifies that those who suspect or criticize something negatively should feel ashamed, implying that the intention or action in question is actually noble.
Honore De Balzac
"Honore de Balzac" refers to a French novelist and playwright, whose full name was Honoré Gabriel Riqueti, comte de Balzac. He lived from 1799 to 1850 and is known for his realistic depiction of society in his works, collectively called "La Comédie Humaine." Balzac's writing explored various aspects of French life, including social classes, politics, and economics, and he is considered one of the founders of the realist movement in European literature.
Hors De Combat
"Hors de combat" is a French phrase that means "out of combat" or "unfit for battle" in English. It refers to a person or a unit that is unable to fight due to injury, surrender, or other circumstances that render them ineffective in combat.
Hot Cross Buns
"Hot cross buns" is a traditional English sweet bread roll typically eaten during Easter. It is marked with a cross on top, made from flour or sugar paste, and is usually spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and currants or raisins inside. The hot cross buns symbolize the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, with the cross representing the crucifix and the sweetness of the buns signifying the sweetness of redemption.
Hotel De Passe
"Hotel de passe" is a French term that refers to a type of establishment in the past, particularly in the 18th and 19th centuries, where people could rent a room for a short period, often for purposes of prostitution. It was a place where clients could meet with prostitutes for an hour or a night. The term is not commonly used today, and its meaning is mostly historical. In modern times, it might be associated with low-budget or short-stay hotels, but the original connotation carries a more scandalous history.
Hotel De Ville
Hotel de Ville is the French term for "town hall", typically referring to the main administrative and civic building of a city or town in France or Quebec, Canada. In some cases, it can also be used to refer to the city council or municipal government.
House Of Lords
The House of Lords is one of the two chambers of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. It is made up of lords spiritual (members of the clergy who hold high positions in the Church of England) and lords temporal (mostly appointed life peers and hereditary peers). The House of Lords reviews and debates legislation, provides a check on the power of the House of Commons, and plays a role in the legislative process. It does not have the same electoral basis as the House of Commons, and its members are not elected but appointed or inherit their titles.
Houses Of Parliament
The "Houses of Parliament" refers to the legislative buildings where the two chambers of a country's parliament conduct their business. In the context of the United Kingdom, it specifically means the Palace of Westminster, which houses the House of Commons and the House of Lords. These two houses together make up the UK Parliament. The term can also be used metaphorically or in other countries with similar parliamentary systems to denote their respective legislative buildings.
How'd It Go
The phrase "how'd it go" is an informal way of asking "How did it go?" or "How did something turn out?" It's typically used to inquire about the outcome or success of an event, a task, or a situation.
How's By You
The phrase "how's by you" is an informal way of asking "How are you doing?" or "How is everything with you?"
How's It Going
The phrase "how's it going" is an informal way to ask about someone's well-being or to inquire about how things are progressing. It can be used in various contexts, such as asking about someone's day, their current situation, or the status of a project. It is a friendly and casual expression.
How've You Been
"How've you been" is a contraction of "How have you been," which is an informal way to ask someone about their well-being or how they have been doing recently. It's a common greeting used to express interest in the other person's life and experiences since the last time you saw or spoke to them.
How About You
The phrase "how about you" is used to ask someone about their opinion, feelings, or situation. It is a way to shift the focus from the speaker to the person being addressed, inviting them to share their thoughts or experiences. For example, if someone has just shared something about themselves, "How about you?" can be a response to encourage the other person to do the same.
How Are Things
The phrase "how are things" is an informal way to ask about someone's current situation or well-being. It's a general inquiry about their life, work, or anything that might be happening. The response can be about anything from their mood to specific events in their life.
How Are You Doing
The phrase "how are you doing" is a common way to ask someone about their well-being or current state. It's an informal expression of concern and interest in their life, emotions, or health. The response can range from a simple "I'm doing well" to a more detailed account of how the person is feeling.
How Are You Today
The phrase "how are you today" is a common greeting used to inquire about someone's well-being or mood on that particular day. It's a friendly and polite way to start a conversation or check in with someone.
How Are You
The phrase "How are you?" is a common English expression used to ask about someone's well-being or state of mind. It's a polite way to show interest and initiate a conversation. When someone asks "How are you?", they are typically expecting a response about your general health, mood, or recent experiences. A standard reply could be "I'm doing well, thank you," or "I'm fine, how about you?"
How Can I Get To
The phrase "how can I get to" is used when someone is asking for directions or instructions on how to reach a particular place or destination. They want to know the most convenient or efficient way to get there, whether it's by walking, driving, public transportation, or any other means.
How Can I Help You
This phrase is a question someone might ask to express their willingness to assist or support another person. It implies that the speaker is ready to offer their help in whatever way is needed.
How Could You Do This To Me
The phrase "how could you do this to me" is an expression of surprise, hurt, or disappointment directed at someone who has done something that negatively affected the speaker. It implies that the action taken by the other person was unexpected and caused the speaker emotional distress.
How Dare You
The phrase "how dare you" is an expression of indignation or disbelief, often used to challenge someone's boldness or audacity for doing or saying something considered inappropriate, disrespectful, or unjustified. It implies that the person being addressed has overstepped their bounds or acted in a manner that is not acceptable.