It is my understanding that it came from "mind your pints and quarts" from the old pubs.

English pubs and taverns of the 17th century. Bartenders would keep a watch on the alcohol consumption of the patrons; keeping an eye on the pints and quarts that were consumed. As a reminder to the patrons, the bartender would recommend they "mind their Ps and Qs".

"On The QT".....



Anything done quietly or in a secretive manner.

"Don't Count Your Chickens Before Your Eggs Hatch" ...


Don't be overly confident of an event occurring until it actually happens:do not plan anything that's based on a good thing you expect to happen in the future, wait until it really happens.

"I Refuse To Have A Battle Of Wits With An Unarmed Person"........



Refers to the quote by Mark Twain...“Never have a battle of wits with an unarmed person.” Refusing to engage with someone whom you deem unworthy, ill prepared, and less intelligent.

"I Wouldn't Believe You If Your Tongue Came Notarized"...



This imply someone is a habitual liar and should not be believed nor trusted.



Sidebar: Yes it's one of Judge Milian's favorite expression on The People's Court

"Nip It In The Bud"...........



To stop, cease, or prevent something at the beginning or early phase, before it becomes too difficult or unmanageable.

'Horse of a Different Color'



Meaning that it is a different issue; an unrelated matter.

Something completely different or separate, especially in comparison to something else.

"Six Of One, Half A Dozen Of The Other"




Means that two alternatives are equivalent or indifferent; it doesn't matter which one we choose. The difference between two options is negligible, irrelevant, or unimportant; either option is fine or will work as well as the other.

"To Add Insult To Injury".........



Said when you feel that someone has made a bad situation worse by doing something else to upset you: to make someone who has just experienced injury or defeat feel worse about the situation.

"Fool Me Once, Shame On You. Fool Me Twice, Shame On Me".



Falling for the same trick, deceit, or deception again. Allowing oneself to be deceived again and again.

"Burn Your Bridges".........


To do something that makes it's impossible to go back to a previous time. To destroy one's path, connections, opportunities, etc., particularly intentionally.
To do something that cannot be easily undone or reversed in the future (often because one has behaved offensively or unfavorably).

"Give Someone The Cold Shoulder"....




To intentionally ignore someone or treat someone in an unfriendly way:intentionally appear disinterested toward one; to snub. Deliberately stop being friendly to someone and ignore them.


Sidebar: It originated with the 19th-century practice of serving of a cold shoulder of meat to tiresome guests.

"Not To Give A Hoot About" / "Not To Give Two Hoot About"


To not care in the slightest (about someone or something); to attach no importance to something regardless if there are proven facts.

"being on the DL" or "being on the Down Low"

A phrase often misused by white men or women to refer to something secretive.
Per Wikipedia (sex slang) and the Urban Dictionary
This is a reference used by African-American men exclusively for themselves to identify those in that community who are straight (not closeted gay or bisexual) that secretively have sex with other men "on the down low."
The phrase has not been accepted by the African-American, other minority communities or the white community for any other use at present according to current literature on the topic.

"Be Careful What You Wish For" / "Be Careful What You Wish For, You Just May Get It"


If you get the thing that you desire, there could be unforeseen and unpleasant consequences, pitfalls, or ramifications.The desired outcome may not be as desirable once it has been attained

"Don't Rock The Boat"............



Don't say or do something that could upset a stable situation:don’t cause any disturbances.

"Get Someone's Goat"......

To make someone annoyed or angry.




Sidebar: Hearing this expression the first time, you might think it means to steal someone's goat. ... In the 1900s, people who trained horses were said to have put goats near racehorses to keep them calm. Just before the race, the goat was removed. This would, supposedly, make the horse nervous and ready to run.

"Off Your Rocker"...........




Crazy; mentally unsound; extremely foolish.

"Raise the Rafters"

An extremely loud sound (usually someone's voice).

ex: She sang so loudly that she "raised the rafters."

'When You Lie With Dogs, Don't Be Shocked When You Get Up With Fleas"



If one spends time with untrustworthy and dubious people, one will suffer in some way; you associate with questionable or shady folks, you tend to acquire their faults.

"Paying For A Dead Horse".........



Refers to putting items on a credit card that will be used up or long gone by the time the bill arrives!

"Sour Grapes.............


If you describe someone's attitude as sour grapes, you mean that they are jealous of another person's success.

"To Have The Rug Pulled Out From Under You"....



To suddenly and unexpectedly lose help or assistance from someone; to abruptly have someone leave you during a problematic or difficult situation or time. To be upended and thrown for a loop when you least expect it!

"Grease Someone's Palm".............




To bribe one discreetly, as by slipping money into their palm; give someone money in exchange for a favor.

"Rubbing Salt Into The Wound"......



To make something that is already difficult, unpleasant, or painful even worse; to accentuate, aggravate, or intensify a negative situation, emotion, or experience for someone.

"Method To My Madness".......


A specific, rational purpose in what one is doing or planning, even though it may appear crazy or absurd to another person.

My mother used to use this. I think it also has some monetary connotation to it as well, as in you can't get money out of someone who has none!

"You Can't Make A Silk Purse Out Of A Sow's Ear"........



Meaning one is unable to turn something ugly or inferior into something attractive or of value.

“There's A Lid For Every Pot” ...................




It means that whoever you are, whatever you are like, and whatever your perceived imperfections may be, there's someone for you.

"Pull Out All The Stops"............



To do something with maximum effort or ability; to use all or the best available resources when doing something to reach desired results.

"That's Your Kettle Of Fish, I'll Let You Fry It"......



A difficult or awkward situation; a mess. Usually spoken to someone to acknowledge their sticky situation, but to let them know they are not getting involved with helping to fix it!

H...how quaint...i really love it:praying:...........but not sure i believe it:nerd:

S/he's a wolf in sheep's clothing.

Meaning: Beware of something that appears too good/too sweet to be authentic.

Not to look a gift horse in the mouth.

Meaning: If someone offers you something of value, for free, don't inspect the animal very carefully as one would a racehorse.

Btw, a horses's age is measured by how far down the teeth are ground.

Be gracious, accept the item. If it doesn't fit into your family, you can re-home or regift at a later time

Words
 

Highbrow

scholarly or rarefied in taste.

I actually used that word in a sentence recently. Ha!

"You can't get money from a naked man's (or woman's) pocket"


You can't get what someone doesn't have to give.

I'd never heard this one Miss Kitty! In the Midwest we said "She Looks Like Death Warmed Over"...