SKELETON IN THE CUPBOARD

A skeleton in the cupboard is an embarrassing fact that someone wants to keep secret.

 Examples:

 “Now, almost like a skeleton in the cupboard, workmen are bringing to light a reminder of the tram days.”

 “We all have a skeleton in the cupboard. In my case, it was publicised to the world and that wasn’t really fair, I don’t think.”

 The US version of this idiom is “a skeleton in the closet.”

 e.g. “Countless films and TV shows present a group of friends or family who are rattled by the airing of a long-held grievance, or the sudden announcement of a skeleton in the closet.”


 An origin for this idiom is offered in Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable [1], which tells the story of a search for someone who had no problems. Eventually a lady was found who seemed to fulfil this criterion; however, she then took her interviewers upstairs and opened a cupboard containing a human skeleton, which was that of her husband’s rival, killed in a duel. She explained that every night, her husband made her kiss this skeleton.


 Photo credit: Jean-Christophe THEIL (Creative Commons)

 [1] “Skeleton” In Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by Susie Dent. 19th ed. Chambers Harrap, 2012.

QUID PRO QUO

The phrase “quid pro quo” is a Latin term that translates literally as “something for something.” It is used to describe a favour or advantage given in return for something. It is used as both a noun and an adjective.

 Examples:

 “First, a professor might theoretically ask a student-athlete to lose a game on purpose as part of a quid pro quo.”

 “This also applies to a quid pro quo situation in which an individual uses the power of their position within an organization to benefit them personally.”

 “A swipe of the Clubcard entitled customers to special offers and discounts. But there was a quid-pro-quo: the supermarket learned exactly what its customers were up to.”


 Photo credit: Mathew Sanders (Creative Commons)

WHAT IS A GROCERS’ APOSTROPHE?

A grocers’ apostrophe is an apostrophe that is misapplied to a plural. This error is frequently seen in grocers’ shops, hence the name; however, to be fair, it is seen in many other places.

 Examples:

 “First thing’s first: nobody does a collaboration quite like ASOS.”


 “In the video, the singer can be seen holding a bunch of banana’s.”


 “We have to get the window’s boarded up”


 (All these apostrophes are used incorrectly - apostrophes should not be used for plurals.)


 Photo credit: Miria Grunick (Creative Commons)