rain garden
n.— «But he knew very little about native plants until about five years ago, when he encountered for the first time the term “rain garden”—a phrase used to describe an intentionally created depression in the ground that is planted with native species. Its purpose is to hold rainwater, allowing it to soak into the ground, preventing runoff.» —“Mays: ’shamefully ignored’ natives” by Alma Gaul Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa) Jan. 18, 2008. (source: Double-Tongued Dictionary)
Further reading
Images of birds flutter inside lots of English words and phrases, from “nest egg” and “pecking order,” to proverbs from around the world—including a lovely Spanish saying about how birds sense light just before dawn. Plus...
Laura in San Antonio, Texas, says her handsome father describes himself as a fine piece of leather, well put together. This phrase is probably a reference to a fine leather shoe and the artistry it takes to put it together. For years, shoe companies...