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Region: US | Usage example: The conference was dull, nothing to write home about.

Write home about

Meaning

Worth telling others about.

Usage

Used with negation to describe something unremarkable.

Origin & History

Origin notes can vary by region and source; this page gives the commonly reported explanation and usage context.

Soldiers and travelers writing letters to family.

Used in early 20th-century correspondence descriptions.

Related Idioms

Nothing to write home about

Not remarkable or exciting.

Bring home the bacon

Earn a living or deliver the results your family or team depends on.

Keep your wits about you

Stay alert and think clearly under pressure.

More Idioms

Break the ice

To do or say something to relieve tension or get conversation going in a social situation.

Cut to the chase

Skip ahead to the most important or exciting part of something.

The ball is in your court

It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.

Throw in the towel

To concede defeat or admit a struggle isn't worth continuing.