every nook and cranny

Although the meanings of the words in them do not make any sense when examined one by one, the word groups that are shaped according to the cultural roots of the language and that make sense as a whole are called idioms. every nook and cranny meaning, in what situations is it used?

Meaning of "every nook and cranny"

Meaning

The phrase “every nook and cranny” is a phrase used to express thoroughness, or the idea of exploring or examining something in great detail and from every angle. By using “nook” and “cranny” it implies that something is being searched or examined with great care to ensure nothing is overlooked, especially a place or area that may have hidden or difficult to find areas.

Etymology

The phrase “every nook and cranny” has its origins in the Old English word “cnocc” which means a corner. The word “cranny” entered the English language in the mid-1400s, originating from the French word “cran”, meaning corner. The use of the phrase “nook and cranny” as an idiom to refer to an item or place being thoroughly examined dates to the early 1800s and is still in use today.

Usage

The phrase “every nook and cranny” is used in both a literal and figurative sense. When used in a literal sense, the phrase is referring to an actual physical place that is being searched thoroughly, such as a house or room. In a figurative sense, the phrase is usually used to refer to an idea or concept being examined in great detail, such as an argument or a story. It is also commonly used when talking about researching or gathering information, such as when a researcher is gathering all the data they need for a project, or a detective is investigating a crime.

Example Sentences

• I was looking for my keys all night, I searched every nook and cranny in the house.
• The teacher asked us to explore the history of the War of 1812 in every nook and cranny.
• The detective looked into the case with great detail, leaving no nook and cranny unexplored.
• We uncovered a new detail after exploring every nook and cranny of the argument.

From One Language to Another: Idioms in Translation

Translating idioms from one language to another can be a tricky task, as the cultural context behind an idiom can be difficult to capture. For example, the French phrase "avoir le cafard" translates to "to have the cockroach," which means to feel down or depressed. Similarly, the Chinese idiom "????" (j?ng d? zh? w?) translates to "frog at the bottom of a well," which refers to someone with a narrow view of the world.