Published on
June 26, 2024
by
Paige Pfeifer, BA
Revised on
November 13, 2025
The idiompound of flesh refers to an unreasonable demand or payment that could cause the person paying great distress. “Pound of flesh” is one of many terms coined by William Shakespeare.
In the Shakespearean play The Merchant of Venice, a debt collector named Shylock demands a pound of flesh from a merchant in retribution for his cruelty. He explains, “A pound of flesh, which I demand from him, / Is dearly bought; ‘tis mine and I will have it.”
Examples: Pound of flesh in a sentenceTicket companies never miss a chance to take their pound of flesh in service fees and taxes.
My older brother has taken a pound of flesh from me over the years, threatening to break my stuff if I didn’t do what he wanted.
I gave a pound of flesh to the bank when I was hit with another overdraft fee.
Published on
June 25, 2024
by
Paige Pfeifer, BA
Revised on
August 13, 2024
Verbosity is the quality of being excessively wordy in writing or speech. Verbose sentences can always be made shorter and simpler.
Verbosity example“If you really want to know, I’m late today because I forgot to lock my front door and I had to go all the way back after I had already left for work, and then I drove over a nail in the road, which gave me a flat tire, and roadside assistance didn’t come for another hour.”
A concise version of this sentence would be, “I’m late because I got a flat tire.”
“Verbosity” comes from the Latin word verbosus, which means wordy.
Published on
June 25, 2024
by
Paige Pfeifer, BA
Revised on
August 5, 2025
If we’ve heard it once, we’ve heard it a million times: writing a paper is hard. Students dread it, and understandably so. How do you come up with your topic, and how do you find ways to support your argument? There’s no easy answer.
So, feeling like you have an impossible task, you procrastinate until the last minute, when you desperately try to whip something up that makes marginal sense. We’ve all been there.
At QuillBot, we have AI tools that will help you become a better writer. And read on for simple strategies you. can implement in your writing today.
Published on
June 24, 2024
by
Paige Pfeifer, BA
Revised on
November 13, 2025
Play it by ear is an idiom that means “do something without planning it out beforehand.”
The first recorded use of the phrase was in John Playford’s 1658 handbook A Brief Introduction to the Skill of Musick: “To learn to play by rote or ear without book.” This idea of playing music by listening to it instead of reading it off a sheet is where the idiom comes from.
To play music by ear requires the musician to feel the music and play according to how the song develops; to play something by ear in the idiomatic sense is to act on something according to how a given situation plays out.
Examples: Play it by ear in a sentenceI’m not sure when we’ll be there; let’s play it by ear.
We’re playing it by ear because the weather looks bad.
My teacher didn’t have a plan, so she played it by ear.
Published on
June 24, 2024
by
Paige Pfeifer, BA
Revised on
October 2, 2024
A malaphor is the unintentional combination of two idioms or clichés. This usually results in a unique, humorous statement that doesn’t make a lot of sense.
Malaphor examplesIt’s water under the dam. (“Water under the bridge” + “Water over the dam”)
You hit the nail on the nose. (“Hit the nail on the head” + “On the nose”)
Don’t burn your bridge at both ends. (“Don’t burn bridges” + “Burn the candle at both ends”)
Some malaphors have been repeated so many times that they’ve become as popular as the original idioms they are derived from (e.g., “She’s walking a thin line”).
Published on
June 24, 2024
by
Paige Pfeifer, BA
Revised on
November 13, 2025
The idiomcut to the chase means “speak about something without wasting time or including unimportant details.”
“Cut to the chase” originated in the 1920s, when silent film editors would splice in a chase scene after a slower scene in order to keep the audience’s attention. Hence, the expression is used to refer to the act of skipping to the most important or exciting part of a conversation.
Examples: Cut to the chase in a sentenceLet’s cut to the chase and figure out the plan.
Cut to the chase already; you’re wasting my time.
Lisa skipped the small talk and cut right to the chase.
Published on
June 24, 2024
by
Paige Pfeifer, BA
Revised on
October 29, 2025
A euphemism is an expression that is used in place of words or phrases that may be considered embarrassing or unpleasant. For example, “kick the bucket” is a euphemism for “die.”
Euphemisms are used to discuss taboo topics in a more careful and less abrasive way, whether it be to appeal to an audience or adhere to personal beliefs. Many people who don’t like to use profanity use euphemisms instead (e.g., “heck”).
Euphemism examplesShe is between jobs. [She is unemployed]
Dang it, that was close! [Damn it]
Could I interest you in an adult beverage? [Alcoholic drink]
Published on
June 22, 2024
by
Paige Pfeifer, BA
Revised on
October 23, 2025
A research proposal is a short piece of academic writing that outlines the research a graduate student intends to carry out. It starts by explaining why the research will be helpful or necessary, then describes the steps of the potential research and how the research project would add further knowledge to the field of study. A student submits this as part of the application process for a graduate degree program.
If you’re thinking of pursuing a master’s or doctorate degree, you may need to learn more about how to write a research proposal that will get you into your desired program.
QuillBot is here to help—first, let’s look at why you might write a research proposal. Then we’ll cover the parts it should include, how long it should be, and the tools that can help you write a great one.
TipQuillBot can help you effectively take notes when researching your topic and writing your research proposal.
Published on
April 19, 2024
by
Paige Pfeifer, BA
Revised on
October 30, 2025
A parenthetical citation is a type of in-text citation enclosed in parentheses that includes information about a source, such as the author’s name, publication date, and page number(s). Parenthetical citations come at the end of the sentence or clause that cites the source material.
Many citation styles use parenthetical citations, including APA, MLA, and Chicago style formats. Each in-text citation will correspond to an entry in the reference list, Works Cited page, or bibliography.
APA parenthetical citation exampleJungian archetypes include the persona, the shadow, the anima/animus, and the self (Carducci, 2009).
QuillBot’s free Citation Generator can automatically create in-text citations in many different styles for you. Additionally, our online Plagiarism Checker can detect accidental plagiarism.
Published on
June 26, 2023
by
Paige Pfeifer, BA
Revised on
July 16, 2025
A copywriter writes the text that is used in advertisements. These ads can come in the form of billboards, magazine spaces, emails, social media posts, and a wide variety of other mediums.
The copywriter’s job is to connect with the target audience and persuade them to buy the product or service the advertisement is promoting. In order to do this, the copywriter must understand the wants and needs of the target market, and how they best respond to ads.
If you’ve ever wanted a copywriting career, you’re in luck. We’re about to walk you through what it takes to enter into and find success in the copywriting world. Read on!
TipGenerative AI is changing the game for copywriters. While human creativity will always be a part of the copywriting process, tools like QuillBot’s AI writer can spark ideas and help you work more quickly.
