Lingo

Duality & Contrast

19 Words

10m

1.
doctors make the worst patients
content.sentence

used to imply that those who work in a certain profession may be difficult clients or recipients of services related to that profession due to their preconceived notions and knowledge of the field

The nurse joked that doctors make the worst patients, after a particularly difficult interaction with a physician who was reluctant to follow medical advice.

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2.
every light has its shadow
content.sentence

used to imply that in any situation or experience, there are both positive and negative aspects that coexist

The athlete knew that every light has its shadow, and that the thrill of victory was often accompanied by the fear of defeat.

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3.
every white has its black, and every sweet its sour
content.sentence

used to emphasize that every positive or desirable thing is accompanied by its contrasting or negative counterpart

The investor knew that every white has its black, and every sweet its sour, and that even the most promising investment opportunities had their risks and potential losses.

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4.
extremes meet
content.sentence

used to suggest that two seemingly opposite or extreme things or people can actually have some common ground or similarity, despite their apparent differences

The politician acknowledged that extremes meet, and that the most polarized political views often shared underlying fears and concerns about the future.

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5.
from the sublime to the ridiculous is only (a|one) step
content.sentence

used to imply that it is possible for something that is very serious or profound to quickly and easily become something trivial or absurd, often with little warning or explanation

The comedian joked that from the sublime to the ridiculous is only a step, and that the best comedy often came from taking serious topics and turning them on their head.

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6.
honey is sweet, but the bee stings
content.sentence

used for saying that something may appear pleasant or desirable on the surface, but it can have negative or harmful consequences as well

The alluring investment opportunity may promise great returns, but remember that honey is sweet, but the bee stings, and research the risks and potential downsides before committing your money.

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7.
one cannot love and be wise
content.sentence

used to imply the idea that love is often associated with strong emotions and impulsive behavior, which can cloud a person's judgment and lead them to behave foolishly or make unwise decisions

In some cultures, the idea that one cannot love and be wise was used to reinforce gender roles, with men being encouraged to pursue intellectual pursuits and women being expected to focus on domestic and emotional responsibilities.

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8.
opposites (often|) (tend to|) attract
content.sentence

used to suggest that people are often drawn to those who are different from themselves in terms of personality, interests, or other characteristics

The two friends had very different hobbies and interests - one was into sports and fitness, while the other was a music and arts enthusiast - but as they say, opposites attract, and they had a great time exploring each other's passions.

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9.
the road to hell is paved with good intentions
content.sentence

used to imply that good intentions, plans, and promises are only meaningful if they are followed through with action

The politician acknowledged that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and that the best way to win the trust and support of voters was to deliver on campaign promises and take concrete actions to address issues.

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10.
the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak
content.sentence

used to suggest that even though a person may have the desire or intention to do something, their physical weakness or limitations may prevent them from actually carrying it out

The athlete wanted to practice for hours on end, but recognized that the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak, and that taking breaks and pacing oneself was important to avoid burnout and injury.

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11.
there is no joy without alloy
content.sentence

used to suggest that even the happiest experiences in life come with some negative aspects or challenges

Winning the championship was an incredible experience, but there was no joy without alloy – we had to overcome injuries and setbacks along the way.

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12.
wanton kittens make sober cats
content.sentence

used to describe the behavior of young people, who may be impulsive and reckless in their youth but become more responsible and sensible as they get older

The business owner reflected on his own youthful mistakes, acknowledging that wanton kittens make sober cats, and that his early errors had taught him valuable lessons that he applied to his business practices.

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13.
where God builds a church, the devil will build a chapel
content.sentence

used to suggest that wherever there is progress or success, there will always be those who seek to exploit or corrupt it

The rise of social media connected people in positive ways but also led to the spread of misinformation, and hate, illustrating that where God builds a church, the devil will build a chapel attempting to undermine and distort good purposes.

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14.
God sends meat (and|as) the devil sends cooks
content.sentence

used to warn against being misled by tempting but ultimately harmful or unnecessary things, emphasizing that God provides what is needed while the devil tempts with what is wanted

Don't be swayed by false promises or quick fixes.As the saying goes, God sends meat and the devil sends cooks.Be patient and trust in the process, rather than seeking instant gratification.

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15.
fire is a good servant but a bad master
content.sentence

used to imply that while certain things can be beneficial when used properly, they can become harmful or dangerous if they are not controlled or managed effectively

The parent reminded her child that fire is a good servant but a bad master when it came to social media, encouraging responsible use of technology and emphasizing the importance of privacy and safety online.

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16.
go abroad and you will hear news of home
content.sentence

used to suggest that being away from home can make a person more interested in news from their home and family, as they are no longer directly involved in the daily events

While traveling across Europe, I noticed that the saying 'go abroad and you will hear news of home' rang true as I eagerly awaited letters with details of daily life in my village.

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17.
(everyone|everybody) wants to go to heaven, but (nobody|no one) wants to die
content.sentence

used to suggest that people often desire the rewards or benefits of a particular goal but are not willing to take the necessary steps or make the necessary sacrifices to achieve it

They always talked about the amazing businesses they were going to start and become rich, but none of them ever tried to come up with a specific plan.I guess everyone wants to go to heaven, but nobody wants to die.

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18.
the weakness of the enemy makes our strength
content.sentence

used to suggest that the vulnerabilities of one's opponent can provide an opportunity for one's own strength or power to be demonstrated

In war, the strategy is not always to overpower the enemy with brute force; sometimes, it is better to wait for the enemy to reveal their weaknesses, which can then be exploited.The weakness of the enemy makes our strength.

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19.
every rose has its thorn
content.sentence

used to imply that every good thing in life has its own negative aspects or challenges

Sarah knew that starting her own business would be challenging, but she also understood that every rose has its thorn and was prepared to face any difficulties that came her way.

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