LOL, rapid web search after my reply, I see. Your intial response belies your backtracking. You did not know the phrase.
You’ve never heard that phrase (or any of its variants) used in the past tense?
Just more of Flint's pattern of trying to be omniscient... trying to correct his errors by revision in later posts. I have seen through his schtick. Now he has moved on to trying to correct his grammar.
By the way, Flint, thanks for pointing out my mis-use of "pre-immiment" when I meant to write "pre-eminent." Sometimes my thinking outpaces my spelling and typing. You were right.
However, Flint, in the give and take of informal threads and Internet discussion, so long as the meaning is transmitted, it is considered RUDE to point out minor spelling errors. It is a form of ad hominem insult.
I have skipped over a few of yours in the past. Shall I continue to ignore them, or do you want me to start correcting you? I have been a writer, publisher, and editor in the past. I can be brutal.
On second thought, I shall remain polite and ignore such foibles. Continue.