English Idioms
Comprehensive resource for understanding and mastering English idioms
Does exactly what it says on the tin
Meaning
The idiom "does exactly what it says on the tin" means that something does exactly what is expected of it without any surprises or deviations from its stated purpose. It is a literal description of what the product or service is designed to do.
Usage
- The new kitchen gadget does exactly what it says on the tin, making peeling and cutting fruits and vegetables much easier.
- The software program is designed to help with accounting and finance tasks, doing exactly what it says on the tin.
- The fitness tracker measures distance and steps accurately, doing exactly what it says on the tin.
- The vacuum cleaner does an excellent job at cleaning carpets and floors, doing exactly what it says on the tin.
- The game requires players to solve puzzles and riddles, doing exactly what it says on the tin. The usage of this idiom can vary depending on the context. For example, if someone is describing a product or service that does not meet their expectations, they may use the idiom in a negative way to express disappointment, such as "This product doesn't do exactly what it says on the tin."
Roots and History
The idiom "does exactly what it says on the tin" dates back to the early 20th century. It is thought to have originated from a can of peas, which would say "manually trimmed" or "cut by hand" on the label. If the peas were not trimmed as advertised, customers would be disappointed and would use the phrase to express their disappointment. Over time, the idiom has been used in various contexts beyond just food products. It is now commonly used to describe any product or service that does exactly what is stated on its label or advertisement.
Synonyms in English
- "Does as promised"
- "Lives up to expectations"
- "Delivers on its promise"
- "Is true to form"
- "Is reliable"
Synonyms in other languages
- French - "Fait ce que dit le label"
- German - "Tut was sie sagt"
- Spanish - "Hace lo que dice en la etiqueta"
- Italian - "Faceva ciò che diceva sulla tinta"
- Portuguese - "Faz o que diz em sua embalagem"