Origin:
This idiom has been used since the mid-20th century, symbolizing being completely exhausted.

Meaning:
To be completely exhausted.

Usage:

1. After a long day at work, he felt zapped out.
2. She was zapped out after the marathon.
3. The intense study session left him zapped out.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Totally exhausted," "Completely drained," "Utterly worn out"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it figuratively means to be exhausted or drained of energy, where "zapped" is a metaphor for the loss of energy, and "out" further emphasizes the state of depletion. The idiom cannot be understood literally from its words alone, as "zapped" refers to a figurative loss of vitality, not an electrical or physical process.

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the 19th century, symbolizing the fervent enthusiasm of someone who has recently adopted a new belief or cause.

Meaning:
The fervent enthusiasm of someone who has recently adopted a new belief or cause.

Usage:

1. With the zeal of the converted, he advocated for environmental conservation.
2. Her zeal of the converted was evident in her passionate speeches.
3. The volunteer worked with the zeal of the converted to support the charity.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"New convert's enthusiasm," "Fervent believer," "Passionate advocate"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to the fervent enthusiasm or passionate commitment of someone who has recently adopted a new belief, idea, or cause. The "converted" symbolizes someone who has undergone a change of perspective, and the zeal is often perceived as more intense than that of someone who has been devoted for longer. This figurative expression emphasizes the vigor and fervor of new converts.

Origin:
This idiom has been in use since the early 20th century, symbolizing enthusiastic actions taken without proper understanding or information.

Meaning:
Enthusiastic actions taken without proper understanding or information.

Usage:

1. His zeal without knowledge often led to mistakes at work.
2. She approached the task with zeal without knowledge, resulting in confusion.
3. The project failed due to the leader's zeal without knowledge.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Ignorant enthusiasm," "Misguided zeal," "Uninformed passion"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to a situation where someone is enthusiastic or eager without having enough understanding or knowledge of the subject. "Zeal" is used metaphorically to describe enthusiasm, which is not connected to its literal meaning.

Origin:
This idiom comes from the appearance of alternating black and white stripes, symbolizing a visual pattern or phenomenon. It has been used since the late 20th century.

Meaning:
A visual pattern or phenomenon of alternating stripes.

Usage:

1. The zebra effect in the design made it stand out.
2. The art installation created a zebra effect that mesmerized viewers.
3. The fabric's zebra effect added a bold touch to the outfit.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Striped pattern," "Alternating stripes," "Striped design"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to a phenomenon where something unusual stands out or distracts from more common elements, often in the context of visual perception or cognitive biases. The "zebra" in this idiom does not literally refer to the animal but symbolizes something out of the ordinary, giving it a non-literal meaning.

Origin:
This idiom has been in use since the early 20th century, symbolizing the highest point of success.

Meaning:
The highest point of success.

Usage:

1. He reached the zenith of success in his business career.
2. The novel brought her to the zenith of success.
3. The zenith of success came after years of hard work and dedication.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Peak of success," "Height of achievement," "Summit of success"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to the figurative peak or highest point of success, not a literal zenith. "Zenith" here symbolizes the pinnacle of achievement, so it can't be understood by just looking at the literal meanings of the words. It conveys a figurative notion of reaching the top or most successful point.

Origin:
This idiom originated from military terminology, symbolizing the exact time when a planned operation or event begins. It has been used since the early 20th century.

Meaning:
The exact time when a planned operation or event begins.

Usage:

1. The team was ready at zero hour to launch the project.
2. She knew that zero hour was approaching, and her anxiety grew.
3. The troops awaited zero hour with anticipation.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"D-Day," "Starting time," "Kickoff time"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to the moment when something important or critical is set to begin, such as an event or operation. While "zero" and "hour" might suggest a specific time, the idiom figuratively means the point of action or the beginning of something significant, so it cannot be understood literally from the words alone.

Origin:
This idiom is a variation of "zero in," symbolizing a focused and determined state of mind. It has been used since the late 20th century.

Meaning:
A focused and determined state of mind.

Usage:

1. She maintained a zero in mindset throughout her training.
2. The athlete's zero in mindset helped him win the championship.
3. He approached the project with a zero in mindset.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Focused mindset," "Determined attitude," "Concentrated approach"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to adopting a focused or determined attitude, where "zero in" conveys the idea of narrowing attention or effort. While "zero" and "in" have literal meanings, the phrase in this context metaphorically describes a mindset, making it figurative.

Origin:
This idiom comes from military and archery terminology, symbolizing the act of focusing precisely on a target. It has been used since the early 20th century.

Meaning:
To focus precisely on a target.

Usage:

1. The scientist zeroed in on the cause of the problem.
2. She zeroed in on her goals and worked tirelessly to achieve them.
3. The report zeroed in on the key findings.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Focus on," "Target," "Concentrate on"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to focusing attention or effort on a specific target or goal. The idiom doesn’t relate to literal "zeroing in" but is metaphorical in its use, indicating concentration or targeting something, making it non-literal.

Origin:
This idiom comes from measurement and counting terminology, symbolizing the act of resetting a counter to zero. It has been used since the mid-20th century.

Meaning:
To reset a counter to zero.

Usage:

1. He zeroed the counter before starting the experiment.
2. The technician zeroed the counter on the machine.
3. They zeroed the counter to track new data.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Reset the counter," "Start from zero," "Zero out"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to the act of resetting or clearing a counter, such as a score or measurement. "Zeroing the counter" figuratively means to return it to a starting point, so the idiom cannot be understood purely through its literal meanings.

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the late 20th century, symbolizing a strict policy of no acceptance for undesirable behavior or actions.

Meaning:
A strict policy of no acceptance for undesirable behavior or actions.

Usage:

1. The school has a zero tolerance policy for bullying.
2. The company enforces zero tolerance for workplace harassment.
3. There is zero tolerance for cheating during exams.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Strict policy," "No acceptance," "Non-negotiable rule"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to the policy or stance of not accepting any violations or deviations from rules or standards. While "zero" and "tolerance" are literal terms, the idiom figuratively means that no leniency will be shown, which makes it non-literal in context.

Origin:
This idiom comes from target shooting and archery, symbolizing the act of focusing precisely on a target. It has been used since the mid-20th century.

Meaning:
Focusing precisely on a target.

Usage:

1. The archer zeroed in aim on the bullseye.
2. The project team zeroed in aim on their main objectives.
3. He zeroed in aim and hit the target perfectly.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Focused aim," "Pinpoint accuracy," "Precise targeting"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to the act of focusing one's aim or target precisely. The idiom figuratively means being sharply focused on a goal or target, and while the words "zeroed" and "aim" are related to focusing, it is used metaphorically to describe sharp concentration.

Origin:
This idiom is a variation of "zeroed in aim," symbolizing the act of focusing intently on something. It has been used since the mid-20th century.

Meaning:
Focusing intently on something.

Usage:

1. She zeroed in focus on her studies to prepare for the exam.
2. The company zeroed in focus on improving customer satisfaction.
3. He zeroed in focus on the task at hand, ignoring distractions.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Intense focus," "Concentrated attention," "Laser focus"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to the act of concentrating or directing one's attention towards a specific objective with precision. "Zeroed in" metaphorically implies a sharp focus, which cannot be deduced from the literal meanings of the words "zeroed" and "focus."

Origin:
This idiom comes from accounting and finance, symbolizing the act of bringing a balance to zero. It has been used since the mid-20th century.

Meaning:
Bringing a balance to zero.

Usage:

1. The accountant zeroed out the expenses for the month.
2. They zeroed out the budget to start fresh for the new fiscal year.
3. The debts were finally zeroed out after years of payments.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Cleared balance," "Settled accounts," "Balanced to zero"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to reducing something to zero or eliminating it entirely. While "zero" is a literal number, the idiom figuratively means to reset or erase, making it a figurative use of the word "zero."

Origin:
This idiom comes from target shooting, symbolizing the act of adjusting aim to focus precisely on a target. It has been used since the mid-20th century.

Meaning:
Adjusting aim to focus precisely on a target.

Usage:

1. The scientist is zeroing in on the cause of the phenomenon.
2. The detective is zeroing in on the suspect.
3. They are zeroing in on the solution to the problem.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Focusing on," "Targeting precisely," "Homing in"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it means to focus or narrow attention toward a specific target. Although "zeroing" could imply aiming or targeting, the meaning of "zeroing in" is metaphorical and refers to concentrating one's attention or effort, making it non-literal.

Origin:
This idiom comes from game theory, first used in the mid-20th century, symbolizing a situation in which one person's gain is equivalent to another's loss.

Meaning:
A situation in which one person's gain is equivalent to another's loss.

Usage:

1. Negotiating with a zero-sum game mindset can hinder collaboration.
2. In a zero-sum game, any advantage gained by one side means a loss for the other.
3. The competition was viewed as a zero-sum game by the participants.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Win-lose situation," "Fixed-sum scenario," "Equal exchange of gains and losses"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to a situation in which one participant's gain is exactly balanced by another's loss. The idiom cannot be understood literally from the individual meanings of "zero" and "sum"; it conveys a concept in game theory where the total outcome remains constant, regardless of how it is distributed.

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the mid-20th century, symbolizing making the wrong choice or action at a critical moment.

Meaning:
Making the wrong choice or action at a critical moment.

Usage:

1. He zigged when he should have zagged and missed the opportunity.
2. In the game, zigging when you should zag can cost you the win.
3. She zigged when she should have zagged and ended up in the wrong place.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Make a wrong move," "Err at a critical moment," "Choose incorrectly"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it figuratively means to make a mistake or take the wrong action when an opposite or alternative approach would be better. While "zig" and "zag" describe physical directions, the idiom is metaphorical, referring to making the wrong choice in a situation.

Origin:
This idiom has been in use since the mid-20th century, symbolizing a life path that involves many changes and adjustments.

Meaning:
A life path that involves many changes and adjustments.

Usage:

1. She's been zigzagging through life, taking on different challenges.
2. His autobiography describes how he zigzagged through life.
3. They've been zigzagging through life, trying to find their true calling.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Navigating life's twists and turns," "Adapting to changes," "Following an unpredictable path"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it figuratively describes a life lived in an unpredictable or non-linear way, with unexpected changes in direction or circumstances. While "zigzagging" refers to literal movement, in this context, it is used metaphorically to describe the unpredictability of life.

Origin:
This idiom comes from American slang in the mid-20th century, with "zilch" meaning zero or nothing, symbolizing no chance at all.

Meaning:
No chance at all.

Usage:

1. There's zilch chance of finishing the project on time without extra help.
2. He has zilch chance of winning the lottery.
3. They realized there was zilch chance of getting tickets to the sold-out concert.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"No chance," "Zero probability," "Slim to none"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to having absolutely no chance or opportunity for success. "Zilch" is used figuratively to mean "nothing," so while it originates from a literal sense, the idiom as a whole conveys a non-literal meaning of having no chance.

Origin:
This idiom comes from American slang in the mid-20th century, with "zilch" meaning zero or nothing, symbolizing no idea at all.

Meaning:
No idea at all.

Usage:

1. I have zilch idea how to fix this problem.
2. She has zilch idea about what to wear to the party.
3. They have zilch idea where to start with the project.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"No clue," "Zero idea," "Not a hint"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to having no idea or understanding of something. "Zilch" is figurative here, meaning "nothing," and the idiom suggests a complete lack of knowledge or idea, making it non-literal.

Origin:
This idiom comes from American slang in the mid-20th century, with "zilch" meaning zero or nothing, symbolizing no progress at all.

Meaning:
No progress at all.

Usage:

1. We've made zilch progress on the report so far.
2. There's been zilch progress in the negotiations.
3. Despite their efforts, they made zilch progress in solving the issue.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"No progress," "Zero advancement," "Not moving forward"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because "zilch" is a slang term for "nothing," and the phrase means no progress has been made. It uses "zilch" in a figurative sense to emphasize the total lack of progress, not tied to the literal meaning of the word.

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the mid-20th century, symbolizing the complete lack of results or outcomes.

Meaning:
Complete lack of results or outcomes.

Usage:

1. The experiment yielded zilch results.
2. Despite their efforts, they got zilch results from the survey.
3. His attempt to fix the car produced zilch results.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"No results," "Zero outcomes," "Nil results"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because "zilch" means nothing, and the phrase refers to having no results. The figurative use of "zilch" to convey a complete absence of results gives it an idiomatic meaning, as it cannot be understood from the literal interpretation of "zilch."

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the late 20th century, symbolizing the element that adds excitement or energy to something.

Meaning:
The element that adds excitement or energy to something.

Usage:

1. The new features added a zing factor to the product.
2. His energetic performance had a real zing factor.
3. The party lacked the zing factor without the music.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Excitement," "Energy," "Spark"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to an extra quality or special characteristic that makes something more exciting or appealing. "Zing" in this context isn't meant literally; it figuratively conveys something that adds excitement, which cannot be understood by the literal meanings of "zing" and "factor."

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the mid-20th century, symbolizing moving quickly and energetically through the air.

Meaning:
To move quickly and energetically through the air.

Usage:

1. The ball zinged through the air to the goal.
2. The drone zinged through the air with ease.
3. The frisbee zinged through the air, delighting the players.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Soar," "Fly swiftly," "Whiz through the air"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because "zing" refers to a sharp, energetic movement or sound, often used metaphorically to describe something happening quickly or with energy. The idiom means something moving or happening rapidly, and it is figurative in nature, not tied to the literal meaning of "zing."

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the mid-20th century, symbolizing the act of being quiet or stopping talking.

Meaning:
To be quiet or stop talking.

Usage:

1. The teacher told the students to zip it during the test.
2. He wanted to tell her to zip it but kept his thoughts to himself.
3. She gestured for him to zip it when the movie started.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Be quiet," "Hush," "Stop talking"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it means to stop talking or to be quiet. "Zip" here refers metaphorically to closing one's mouth, not a literal zipper, making it non-literal and figurative in its meaning.

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the mid-20th century, symbolizing the act of being quiet or stopping talking.

Meaning:
To be quiet or stop talking.

Usage:

1. He needed to zip his lip during the serious discussion.
2. She told her friend to zip their lip about the surprise party.
3. The children were instructed to zip their lip during the presentation.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Hush," "Keep quiet," "Stop talking"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it figuratively means to remain silent or stop talking, often in a situation where someone is expected to keep quiet. The idiom uses "zip" metaphorically, suggesting the idea of closing or sealing one's lips, and the meaning cannot be directly deduced from the individual words. It does not refer to literally zipping a lip but conveys the concept of silence in a figurative manner.

Origin:
This idiom originated from the song "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" from the 1946 Disney film "Song of the South," symbolizing happiness and carefree attitude.

Meaning:
Happiness and carefree attitude.

Usage:

1. He entered the room with a zip-a-dee-doo-dah spirit.
2. Her zip-a-dee-doo-dah attitude brightened everyone's day.
3. The children sang zip-a-dee-doo-dah as they played.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Happy-go-lucky," "Carefree," "Cheerful"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to a cheerful, happy state or song. "Zip-a-dee-doo-dah" is often associated with a carefree or joyous expression, and its meaning isn't tied to any literal interpretation of the words themselves.

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the mid-20th century, symbolizing the act of being quiet or keeping a secret.

Meaning:
To be quiet or keep a secret.

Usage:

1. She promised to keep her lips zipped about the surprise party.
2. The students were told to keep their lips zipped during the exam.
3. He kept his lips zipped about the confidential information.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Keep quiet," "Be silent," "Don't talk"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to keeping quiet or not sharing information. "Zipped" metaphorically implies closing the mouth or keeping secrets, which cannot be deduced from the literal meaning of "zipped."

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the mid-20th century, symbolizing the act of being quiet or not speaking.

Meaning:
To be quiet or not speak.

Usage:

1. He kept his mouth zipped during the meeting.
2. The children were told to keep their mouths zipped in the library.
3. She knew to keep her mouth zipped about the secret.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Be quiet," "Stay silent," "Keep one's mouth shut"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it refers to keeping quiet or not speaking, similar to "zip your lip." It is not meant to be understood literally but instead uses "zipped" to metaphorically describe the act of shutting one's mouth.

Origin:
This idiom has been in use since the mid-20th century, symbolizing the act of losing focus or becoming mentally disengaged.

Meaning:
To lose focus or become mentally disengaged.

Usage:

1. He tends to zone out during long meetings.
2. She zoned out while staring out the window.
3. The lecture was so boring that many students zoned out.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Space out," "Lose focus," "Daydream"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it means to mentally disengage or become distracted, not paying attention to what's happening around. The idiom uses "zone" metaphorically to imply being in a mental space of detachment, which cannot be deduced from the literal words.

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the mid-20th century, symbolizing the act of falling asleep quickly or becoming completely exhausted.

Meaning:
To fall asleep quickly or become completely exhausted.

Usage:

1. After the long hike, he zonked out as soon as he lay down.
2. She zonked out on the couch after a busy day at work.
3. The children zonked out early after a fun-filled day at the park.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Pass out," "Crash," "Conk out"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it means to fall asleep suddenly or be extremely tired. "Zonk" is used metaphorically here to describe a state of unconsciousness or fatigue, not derived from the literal meaning of the word.

Origin:
This idiom has been used since the early 21st century, symbolizing the act of quickly approaching or missing deadlines.

Meaning:
To quickly approach or miss deadlines.

Usage:

1. The team zoomed past deadlines due to unexpected delays.
2. He was so focused on his work that he zoomed past deadlines without noticing.
3. The project manager reminded everyone not to zoom past deadlines.

Similar Idioms / Phrases
"Miss deadlines," "Rush through deadlines," "Overlook deadlines"

Justifications:
This is an idiom because it figuratively refers to completing tasks or moving through time very quickly, especially in relation to deadlines. The idiom uses "zoom" metaphorically to describe the speed at which someone completes something, which goes beyond the literal meaning of the word.