These Expressions Can Help You 'Spin a Good Yarn'
There are many fun English expressions that come from sewing and thread.
If something is "hanging by a thread," it is in a very dangerous situation, and a small change could decide what will happen. This comes from the story of Damocles, whose king told him to sit under a sword that was hanging from a thread to show him that his job was not safe.
So if you're hoping to get a promotion, but your computer suddenly turns off while you're finishing the most important report of the year, you could say, "Oh no! I have to get this report to my boss by 5 p.m.! My promotion is hanging by a thread!"
"Spinning a yarn" means telling a long story — usually one that's not fully true. It can also mean making up a long story as an excuse. This probably comes from when sailors would repair ropes, which were made by twisting together long threads called "yarns." It would take a long time, so they would tell stories as they worked.
So if you try to explain why your report is going to be late, your boss might say, "Don't spin me a yarn — just finish the report."
When something has been "sewn up," it has been closed completely. This can mean you've closed a hole in your clothes, but it can also mean that something has been successful, or you have total control over a situation.
So when your boss looks at your report, she might say, "Well, it was late, but this report is excellent. I think you might have that promotion sewn up!"
