Phrase of the hour
All's well that ends well
A successful outcome can make earlier difficulties seem acceptable or unimportant. Often expresses relief, but it can minimise real harm; speakers…
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
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1,145
curious expressions
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Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Start with a letter
Browse the cabinet
Pulled from the drawers
A few curious finds
Egg on your face
The embarrassment of being left looking foolish after a public error, a failed prediction, or a boast that backfires. It almost always appears in the…
Meaning & originUnder the table
Done secretly or illegally, hidden from view.
Meaning & originCast pearls before swine
Offer something valuable to people who cannot or will not appreciate it. Often sounds judgmental because it likens unappreciative people to swine. Use…
Meaning & originThe better part of valour is discretion
Caution or withdrawal can be wiser than taking a needless risk merely to appear brave. Often lightly humorous or self-justifying. Valour is the…
Meaning & originIn deep water
In serious trouble or difficulty, typically a situation that has grown beyond what one can easily handle or escape; often used in progressive…
Meaning & originTurncoat
A person who abandons their party, cause or allegiance and joins the opposing side, especially for personal advantage, and is therefore regarded as a…
Meaning & originWhite elephant
A possession that costs far more to keep than it is worth and that the owner cannot easily dispose of. It now also extends to grand projects or…
Meaning & originDoxxing
Publicly revealing private identifying information about someone, such as their home address, workplace, legal name, or phone number, usually online…
Meaning & originLanguage has legends. Evidence matters.
Colourful story or documented history?
Phrase origins are full of irresistible myths. We separate what historical sources can show from what remains disputed, and link the references behind researched entries.