Englisha force to be reckoned with
Meaning: Something or someone whose influence or power must be considered.
Example: “The young chess player is already a force to be reckoned with.”
Origin: Built from two words with long, separate histories that only combined into this specific phrase relatively recently. "Force," for strength or power, entered English via Old French from Latin fortis (strong) by around the 1300s. "Reckon with," meaning to take fully into account or be properly prepared for, is documented in this sense since 1622. Exactly when the two joined into the fixed modern phrase isn't clearly documented, but the logic needs no further explaining: a force genuinely worth reckoning with is one too significant, powerful, or capable to be safely dismissed or ignored.
More English idioms
- for crying out loud An exclamation of exasperation or impatience.
- for goodness' sake A mild exclamation of annoyance, surprise or urgency.
- for heaven's sake An exclamation of impatience, surprise or pleading.
- for the birds A waste of time; mixed up or confused.
- get a hold of someone To contact someone or communicate with someone, usually by telephone.
- get a hold of something To acquire or obtain something.
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