engine



employ a steam engine to crack a nut

To use excessive, overcomplicated, or extravagant means or force to accomplish something relatively minor or simple. With this new system of issuing licenses, the government has employed a steam engine to crack a nut: four separate departments now handle each stage of an application, when a single department could easily process applications from start to finish.
See also: crack, employ, engine, nut, steam

engine room

The main source of talent, power, or ability in a team or group, likened to the room that houses a ship's engine. Sarah is our engine room, so with her injured, I'm not sure how we'll be able to win on Saturday.
See also: engine, room

Common Names:

NameGenderPronouncedUsage
OtsoOT-soFinnish
Battle['bætl]
EdvardED-vahrd (Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish)Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, Finnish, Slovene, Czech, Armenian
Liliane-French
GreggGREGEnglish
MeredithMER-ə-dith (English)Welsh, English