What 'On Earth' Are You Talking About?
The world celebrates Earth Day every year on April 22. It is a day to think seriously about how our lifestyles and daily habits affect the earth.
So, let’s start with the simple yet common expression. We use “on earth” to make strong feelings like surprise, shock, anger, disgust even stronger.
The earth sometimes comes up when a person wants to make big promises to someone they care about. When you say you will go to the ends of the earth for someone, it means you will do as much as possible to help them.
A mother or father may promise to move Heaven and Earth to help their children. “To move Heaven and Earth” simply means that you are willing to work very hard.
Some places are easier to live in than others. We could call a place that is beautiful, peaceful with endless natural resources a heaven on earth. However, “heaven on earth” could describe any place that has everything a person needs to be happy.
Unfortunately, there is also a hell on earth. A “hell on earth” is a place or situation where things are so bad you feel as if you are in, well, hell.
We use “earth” in some expressions that describe not only places, but people too. Down-to-earth people are reasonable and dependable. The expression salt of the earth comes from the Bible, the Christian holy book. It describes a very good person.
Finally, when you promise someone the earth, you promise to give them whatever they could possibly want.
