the answer to my prayers
2
5.1
- idiom
- Informal
:
la respuesta a mis oraciones
- Clearfield is a retirement home in the county, the answer to my prayers and to Noreen's too.
Examples
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- The answer to my prayers.
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I think we just found the answer to our prayers.
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Beaumarchais was the answer to my prayers.
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I think we just found the answer to our prayers after months of searching for a solution.
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Finding a reliable babysitter was the answer to my prayers during my hectic work schedule.
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The new technology proved to be the answer to our prayers for managing the crisis effectively.
Synonyms
2
5.1
A thing or person that gives exactly what someone needs after a long wait
How Helpful
Surface Forms
Morphology
the + answer + to + mine + prayer
The phrase pairs 'answer' (a response or solution) with 'prayers' (requests or wishes), so its meaning as a response that fulfills a request is directly inferable from the constituents. Although slightly metaphorical (prayers → requests/wishes), this composition is transparent and cross-linguistically familiar, so a B1 learner who knows the component words will likely understand it.
Etymology
The phrase the answer to my prayers comes from the simple image of someone asking for help in a prayer and then getting a clear, needed reply or gift. So when people use it now, they mean 'exactly what you needed' or 'a perfect solution'.