12 definition by PlaceHolder

To learn something (usually a life lesson) the hard way. (Some say the best way to really learn is to learn from your mistakes.)

An unappealing mixture of many things... a hodgepodge... a disorganzined mess... but probably still usable (or consumable in the case of food.) From the idea that a dog will eat anything and feeding it a mixture of whatever is on hand. (Unappealing because only the dog finds its breakfast appealing... if you see or smell the dog food in the morning, as you're feeding the dog, it may well turn your stomach.)

Through the ringer... When you had to do something really hellish difficult and your survived to tell about it... but you're probably not in good shape after the effort (it took a lot out of you.)

I have no idea of the origins of this word, so my understanding of it may be wrong, but where I come from its a phrase that means you're so completely tired that you're over tired or totally beat. I can only hguess its a reference to the fact that a lot of dogs seem to sleep a lot and thus appear to always be tired and in need of sleep.

The obvious definition is that you did one thing, which led to a situation where it was logical to do some other related thing.

It can often be used to say something without actually saying it--you might say the phrase to imply that something happened which you are not going to be explicitly explain... (see the example below.)

Statement about the temperature being very cold.

Background:
A brass monkey is a naval term for the holder that holds the cannon balls. It was made of brass and the cannon balls were not, so when it got cold enough, the two metals would contract by different amounts and the cannon balls would no longer fit properly in the holder and thus fall off.

See to hell and back.