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(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
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(ordered by seriousness) ESL Vocabulary Lists Parts of Speech Lists A-Z Idioms and Proverbs Tests and Games Top Tip Install a grammar checker
for your browser
A Bad Egg / A Good Egg (Origin)
What Is the Origin of the Saying "A Bad Egg / A Good Egg"?
Meaning decent and dependable (good egg) or not reliable or corrupt (bad egg), the term bad egg was first used in the novel "Captain Priest" by Samuel A Hammett. These metaphors in the novel was greatly studied in the 20th century and was used to describe the decent people as good eggs.Table of Contents
- English Proverbs and Idioms Test
- More Proverbs, Sayings, and Idioms
Examples of Use:
- He always goes out of his way to help others; he's truly a good egg.
- Despite his mischievous reputation, deep down, he's actually a good egg with a kind heart.
- She has proven herself to be a bad egg by constantly causing trouble and showing no remorse.
- After stealing from his friends, everyone knew he was a bad egg who couldn't be trusted.
- Even though she made a mistake in the past, she has since turned her life around and become a good egg.
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English Proverbs and Idioms Test
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Buy the Grammar Monster book.
Suitable for: Teachers, advanced students, and business writers.
Description: Published by London's Octopus Publishing, "Smashing Grammar" is the third, and most comprehensive, grammar reference book written by Craig Shrives (the founder of the Grammar-Monster.com). It is divided into three sections:
Description: Published by London's Octopus Publishing, "Smashing Grammar" is the third, and most comprehensive, grammar reference book written by Craig Shrives (the founder of the Grammar-Monster.com). It is divided into three sections:
- A-Z Grammar Glossary (This section explains grammar terminology, from the basics to advanced terms. It is especially useful because every entry concludes with a valuable and succinct explanation of why the grammar term matters for a writer.)
- A-Z of Punctuation (Packed with entertaining examples, this section provides definitive, well-explained rules for using all the principal punctuation marks. Punctuation should not be guesswork. There are rules.)
- A-Z of Easily Confused Words (This section covers all the homonyms and near homonyms that plague writers and offers tips on how to remember which to use.)
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