call someone every name under the sun
Meaning: To insult someone furiously with every abusive word one can think of.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The driver jumped out and called me every name under the sun.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: "Under the sun" means everything that exists. The phrase is common from the 19th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Croatian: Bacati drvlje i kamenje — literally: To throw sticks and stones
More idioms — Daily Life
- empty vessels make the most noise — The people with the least knowledge often talk the most.
- live beyond one's means — To spend more money than one earns.
- use a sledgehammer to crack a nut — To use far more force than a small problem needs.
- come down hard on someone — To punish or criticize someone severely.
- Pédaler dans la semoule — To be confused and getting nowhere.
- Avoir d'autres chats à fouetter — To have more important things to do.
More English idioms
- still waters run deep — Quiet people often have deep thoughts or strong feelings.
- you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours — If you help me, I will help you.
- thin-skinned — Easily offended or hurt by criticism.
- right-hand man — Someone's most trusted and useful helper.
- a monkey's wedding — A sunshower, when rain falls while the sun shines.
- off one's trolley — Crazy or foolish.