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
Hulda (1)HUWL-dah (German)Icelandic, Swedish, Norwegian, Danish, German, Norse Mythology
Frieda['fri:də]
Vano-Georgian
JohnathonJAHN-a-thanEnglish
Borut-Slovene
Carita-Swedish