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Wikipedia describes the English idiom "down to earth" as meaning "practical and realistic", implying a stable footing for one's behaviour. It's not difficult to imagine how the phrase came about if you think of it as having the same origins as "keep your feet on the ground". If you jump up in the air, it's not a stable position... gravity rather gets in the way and brings you... "down to earth" Think of all the phrases meaning having or finding stability which are rooted in the same idea (actually even the word "rooted" implies the same thing): "He's a down to earth kinda guy", "Keeping your feet on the ground", "Coming back down to earth", "That idea is grounded in reality (the emphasis being on grounded here)" ...or those which imply instability by being away from planet Earth "That's all up in the air", "Head in the clouds" etc.
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∙ 15y ago
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What is the origin of the phrase down cellar in a teacup?
Plenty more down cellar in a teacup
What is the origin of the phrase 'sent down'?
This phrase originates with the 'Old Bailey' in London, where the remand cells were literally under the court itself.
Is the phrase down to heart or down to earth?
It would be "down to earth" because the other doesn't mean anything in English. "Down to earth" means someone who is sensible and logical instead of being a dreamer with his "head in the clouds."
What is the origin of the phrase ram page?
There is no such phrase. There is a word rampage. It is of Scottish origin, perhaps from RAMP, to rear up.
What is the origin of the phrase hey presto?
The Spanish for "I have put" is he puesto, could this be the origin?
What is origin of phrase simmer down?
IRISH
What is the origin of the phrase to buckle down?
ponerse el cinturon
What is the origin of the phrase down cellar in a teacup?
Plenty more down cellar in a teacup
What is the origin of the phrase terra firma?
Terra firmaåÊis a Latin phrase meaning "solid earth" (fromåÊterraåÊ"earth" andåÊfirmaåÊ"solid"). The phrase refers to the dryåÊland massåÊon the earth's surface and is used to differentiate from the sea or air.
Does the phrase down to earth mean impractical?
No, it doesn't.
What is the origin of the phrase 'sent down'?
This phrase originates with the 'Old Bailey' in London, where the remand cells were literally under the court itself.
What is the origin of the phrase eat you?
There is no such phrase as "eat you".
Is the phrase down to heart or down to earth?
It would be "down to earth" because the other doesn't mean anything in English. "Down to earth" means someone who is sensible and logical instead of being a dreamer with his "head in the clouds."
What is the meaning of the phrase''to be down to earth''?
Stop going around with your head in the clouds.
What is the origin of the phrase down and out?
Down-and-out is from a situation where a beaten prizefighter is knocked unconcious. It originated in 1889 in American English from pugilism (boxing or fist fighting).
What is endogenic?
endogenic forces have their origin deep down in the earth's interior and they work from below
What is the origin of the phrase ram page?
There is no such phrase. There is a word rampage. It is of Scottish origin, perhaps from RAMP, to rear up.
