IdiomDaily Life
English
Englishon the back of an envelope
Meaning: Roughly worked out, without proper tools or care.
Example: “The whole budget was done on the back of an envelope.”
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 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.
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