This common English idiom essentially means, “that is enough; stop! No more!” People say this when they feel that something has gone too far: After he bought a third car, his wife said “enough is enough!” This phrase is understood as a command. Parents often say this to children. In most cases a person can […]

Phrase Variations Put a spanner in the works Throw a monkey-wrench in the works A spanner in the works is an event or action that interferes with a process. A spanner (British English) or monkey-wrench (American English) is a tool used to work on machines—to tighten bolts. Works can mean machines, factories, or other complex systems. However, one can […]

The phrase rent asunder means “torn apart (violently, by force).” It is the past form of to rend asunder. Rend is a verb meaning tear and asunder is a preposition meaning separated. For example: This community has been rent asunder by violent crime. The building was rent asunder by the explosion. This phrase has no connection to the noun rent meaning […]

No (not) later than is an adjective phrase, based on the comparative form of the adjective late (later). It is not an idiom, but rather an example of comparison in English; we can use any adjective in this pattern: Please give me your homework no later than tomorrow. I will pay no more than $25 for a ticket. Jacob is […]

The phrase, When in Rome, do as the Romans do, means that we should behave according to the customs of wherever we are. If one visits America, one should tip after eating in a restaurant. If one is in France, one should kiss people on the cheeks when saying goodbye, etc. The saying can also […]