Some sayings have fairly literal origins. For example, if someone is "burning the midnight oil” meaning that they are working late into the night. The origin is from the days before electricity when oil lamps were used for lighting a room. Hence, you were burning oil at midnight if you were working late.
To end a disagreement and move on might be described as "burying the hatchet." This old saying comes from a Native American tradition. When tribes declared a truce from battle, the chief from each opposing side would take a hatchet and bury it during a ceremony.
Today, if you are "caught red-handed” you have been apprehended during the commission of a crime. The origin is 15th century Scotland when being caught red-handed literally referred to committing a crime that leaves you with blood on your hands.
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