How can I understand the expression "spoil the broth"?

Native speaker’s answer

Rebecca

To "spoil the broth" means to ruin the broth of a soup. In this case, this expression is used in reference to the idiom, "too many cooks spoil the broth." Literally, this means that if you have too many people cooking at once, the soup will get ruined by someone adding the wrong thing. This idiom is used to mean that too many people working on a project or activity is unsuccessful. Ex: You might want to work on that project by yourself, as it is said that 'too many cooks spoil the broth'.

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Popular Q&As

11/22

1
What's the difference between "anything" and "everything"? Can I say "anything" in this context?
"Anything" and "everything" are both pronouns that are used to refer to something. Though they sound similar, they are two very different words that have different meanings and uses. "Everything" is used to refer to all things that exist. All objects, seen or unseen, are part of everything. So in this clip when she says she wants to "learn the words for everything" it means all things that exist in the world. "Anything", on the other hand, is used to refer to any of the things that are about the subject. It refers to any part of a whole thing, whole entity, or an entire idea. It can either be one, all, or some of the quantity or extent of a thing. So if someone says they want to learn the words to "anything" it sounds as though they are only interested in a specific subject or a specific thing. Since these two words refer to different things, and in phrases and sentences, they are used in a different context. They, therefore, can never be interchanged. Ex: I don’t need anything because I already have everything. Ex: I don’t need everything because I already have anything. => this sentence does not make sense grammatically

2
What's the difference between "presumably" and "probably"?
As an adverb, “presumably” is similar in meaning to “in all likelihood,” “probably,” “apparently,” and “seemingly.” You can also use “probably” in this context, but the difference is that it is slightly more casual in effect than “presumably.” Ex: The meeting will presumably start in ten minutes. Ex: He’s probably late because of traffic.

3
What's "glow" mean and when's it used?
"Glow" means for something to shine continuously and have a luminous quality. It can be used to describe a kind of light, animals that appear to glow, signage, and other things. Ex: The glow of the fire coals meant that it was the perfect time to roast marshmallows. Ex: Some jellyfish glow in the dark.

4
What's "take for granted" mean?
"Take for granted" means "to become over-familiar with someone or something that a person fails to appreciate a person or a thing, just because the thing or person has been with them for a long time. Ex: She took her mother's love for granted, and now that her mother passed away, she feels terrible. Ex: Don't take your life for granted. Keep doing what you love, and don't always think of what other people say.

5
In tech areas, what does "permanent bans" mean? Could it be used for something "non-tech" as well?
Yes, a "permanent ban" can refer to something in and out of the tech industry! In general, a "permanent ban" is a restriction on something or someone that can't be lifted or removed. Here, they're referring to the restriction of a user on social media. It could be used for anything, though! Ex: Our school has a permanent ban on peanuts since so many kids are allergic. Ex: If a user is caught cheating during the game, they will be permanently banned. => online games

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