on the back of an envelope
Meaning: Roughly worked out, without proper tools or care.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The whole budget was done on the back of an envelope.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: A calculation scribbled on whatever paper is to hand. The phrase is common from the mid-20th century.
Equivalents in other languages
- Polish: na kolanie — literally: on the knee
- Russian: на коленке (na kolenke) — literally: on the knee
More idioms — Daily Life
- truth be told — To be honest about it.
- for the life of me — However hard I try.
- kick the can down the road — To put off dealing with a problem, leaving it for later.
- drop the ball — To make a mistake, especially by failing to do something one was responsible for.
- come out of the closet — To tell people openly that one is gay or lesbian; more broadly, to reveal something kept…
- neither here nor there — Not relevant to the matter being discussed.
More English idioms
- a scapegoat — Someone blamed for others' faults.
- away with the fairies — Daydreaming, or not quite in touch with reality.
- something is rotten in the state of Denmark — Something is seriously wrong, often something being hidden.
- at this stage of the game — At this point in a process, usually when it is late to change things.
- get the hang of something — To learn how to do something.
- the eye of the storm — The center of a crisis; sometimes a brief calm in the middle of it.
From our proverbs
- Every man hath his faults. — Human imperfection is universal; judging others requires acknowledging your own flaws fir…
- Fine feathers make fine birds. — Outward appearance and presentation significantly influence how others perceive and judge…
- A fool is fulsome. — Excessive praise reveals foolishness, as the wise speak measured words.