bring sth home to sb

bring sth home to sb is an idiom used by many writers. When idioms are used in the right place, they open the doors of effective communication and increase your descriptive power. In this way, you will be better understood. The meaning of the expression bring sth home to sb is also remarkable in this respect.

Meaning of "bring sth home to sb"

Meaning

The idiom “bring something home to someone” is used to describe a situation in which someone experiences a feeling or realization directly related to their own life. It is used when someone makes a connection between an idea or concept and themselves in a personal or meaningful way. This phrase allows you to express the idea that someone has had a realization that makes something especially relevant and true to them.

Etymology

The phrase “bring something home to someone” has its roots in the 17th century. It has been documented in print as early as 1659, when an English poet named John Dryden used the expression in his work, The State of Innocence and the Fall of Man. In the poem, Dryden writes “Oh! Now I feel the smart, and adamantine chain, which brings home To my heart the crime of my forfeited reign.” Here, Dryden is using the phrase to show the moment of realization that comes when someone is made to feel the reality of a situation.

Usage

The idiom “bring something home to someone” is used frequently in everyday language. It is often used to express the idea that someone has been made aware of the gravity of a certain situation, and it can be used in both formal and informal contexts. This phrase can also be used to indicate that someone has had an epiphany or an “aha” moment.

Example Sentences

• When I heard about the environmental costs of plastics, it really brought home to me the importance of reducing my own consumption.
• It wasn't until I saw the documentary about animal rights abuses that the truth of the situation truly brought home to me.
• The first time I heard the statistic that one in four women experience domestic violence, it brought home to me how widespread the issue is.

The Surprising Origins of Everyday English Idioms

Many English idioms have surprisingly dark origins, often rooted in violence, death, and superstition. For instance, the phrase "raining cats and dogs" is said to have originated in the 17th century, when heavy rain would often cause dead animals to wash up on the streets. Meanwhile, the idiom "rule of thumb" is believed to have originated from a law that allowed men to beat their wives with a stick no thicker than their thumb.