Personal Names Idioms: Idioms include language patterns that represent a circumstance or notion, which separates them from proverbs. Proverbs contain components such as guidance and teachings. Because idioms are usually metaphorical, there are discrepancies between the words and their meaning.
To make learning even more complex, there are idioms with proper names or idioms about appearances, which are already densely packed with jargon that even native English speakers struggle to comprehend. While idioms are typically metaphorical in nature, they are rarely employed in real speech.
Below are some of the most frequent English Person’s Name idioms and other idioms name sayings, along with a brief explanation, to aid English as a Second Language learner.
Enrich your Vocabulary by practicing the English Idioms that are commonly used in everyday conversations and understanding their actual meaning.
Personal Names Idioms
List of Personal Names Idioms
- Not Know Jack
- The Real McCoy
- No Names, No Pack Drill
- Any Tom, Dick or Harry
- Rob Peter to Pay Paul
- On the Fritz
- Jack of All Trades
- Even Steven
- (Between) Buckley’s and Nunn
- Jack of all trades, master of none
- All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
- Jack the Lad
- Johnny-on-the-spot
- Tom, Dick and/or Harry
- Plain Jane
- Contrary Mary
- Moaning Minnie
- Heath Robinson (UK) and Rube Goldberg (US)
- Karen
Meaning and Examples of some commonly used Personal Name Idioms
Not Know Jack
Meaning: When someone doesn’t know what to say.
Example: Jason claims to have a great deal of programming expertise, but I’m quite confident he doesn’t know anything about database administration or administration.
The Real McCoy
Meaning: When it is a genuine item.
Example: Be cautious since there are a large number of counterfeit coins at the event. This silver dollar, on the other hand, is the real McCoy.
No Names, No Pack Drill
Meaning: It is possible that I will escape difficulties if I do not directly accuse someone.
Example: Some ladies I know — no names, no pack drill – will assess a man only on the basis of the cumulative amount of money he possesses in his bank account.
Any Tom, Dick or Harry
Meaning: Anyone who is just an average person.
Example: No Tom, Dick, or Harry would be considered for this position. I picked you since you had the necessary skills for this type of employment.
Rob Peter to Pay Paul
Meaning: Paying off a debt with another loan; resolving a problem in such a way that it creates a new one.
Example: Drunkenness is a problem for my brother. When he’s broke, he’s stealing Peter to pay Paul, and he’s in serious danger.
On the Fritz
Meaning: It is not functioning correctly.
Example: We’re going to hold to sort the cans by hand because the machine isn’t working properly and is on the fritz.
Jack of All Trades
Meaning: A person who possesses a wide range of abilities
Example: Mr. Mohan can fix your automobile and then come in and program your computer all at the same time. Basically, Mr. Mohan is the jack of all trades.
Even Steven
Meaning: owing nothing; not obligated (in a game)
Example: I’ve paid you the final two bucks I owe you, and I’m done with it. We’re now even Steven.
(Between) Buckley’s and Nunn
Meaning: Almost zero, to be precise.
Example: This summer, your odds of obtaining vacation time are somewhere between Buckley’s and Nunn’s.
Jack of all trades, master of none
Meaning: A figure of speech is used to describe a person who has dabbled in a variety of talents rather than developing competence by concentrating on a single area of expertise.
The abbreviated form “a jack of all trades” is commonly used as praise to describe someone who is skilled at mending things and who has a wide range of skills.
Example: Drake possesses more than five musical skills, but he is essentially a jack of all trades and a master of none in the music industry.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
Meaning: This is used to warn someone that if they work all the time, they would not be a particularly fascinating individual. When it comes to ladies, the phrase becomes “all work and no play makes Jill a boring girl.”
Example: If you believe that by talking to the customer a lot, you will be able to close the transaction, my dear, all work and no play make Jack a boring lad.
Jack the Lad
Meaning: Unassuming young man who doesn’t take himself or others seriously and doesn’t give a damn about them.
Example: Her first partner was a bit of a Jack the Lad in terms of appearance.
Johnny-on-the-spot
Meaning: Someone who is ready to do anything, particularly to assist someone, right away.
Example: This Johnny-come-lately was posing a danger to our company’s survival.
Example: With his tool kit in hand, Johnny on the spot was ready to go when the call came through.
Tom, Dick and/or Harry
Meaning: The word ‘anyone’ is used in a negative context in this statement to denote ‘anyone’.
Example: It is necessary for you to send invites. The usual suspect’s Tom, Dick, and Harry, aren’t going to show up.
Plain Jane
Meaning: A girl or woman who is unattractive and unattractive in appearance. They are also used as an adjective to indicate something that is basic, basis, or not well known.
Example: When I was a teen, I felt like such a plain Jane, and I still do.
Example: In the event that she had been a plain Jane, she would not have received as much attention.
Contrary Mary
Meaning: The behaviour of a girl or woman who frequently argues with others or who performs the polar opposite of what other people expect them to do.
Example: Mary, you’re such a Contrary Mary since she insists on wearing a coat in this scorching heat.
Moaning Minnie
Meaning: Someone who is constantly voicing their dissatisfaction (not always a female).
Example: Simply finish your dinner and refrain from being such a moaning Minnie!
Heath Robinson (UK) and Rube Goldberg (US)
Meaning: The names of cartoonists who are well-known for their quirky and complex drawings are used as descriptors to characterise insane and over-complicated devices in this collection.
Example: The initial way of connecting the motor was a bit Heath Robinson in its simplicity and effectiveness.
Example: This contraption is insane, and it seems like it was designed by Rube Goldberg, yet it works.
Karen
Meaning: Someone who appears to be entitled or demanding in excess of what is reasonable. The meme has evolved to depict[by whom?] white women who take advantage of their position of power to demand what they want.
Demanding to “talk to the management,” being racist, being anti-vaccination, and having a specific bob cut hairdo are all shown as well.
Example: Do you happen to see her over there? She’s a real Karen, you know.