Phrase of the hour
Over the top
Excessive to the point of absurdity; beyond the bounds of taste, moderation, or restraint, especially of performances, celebrations, decoration, or…
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
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Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
1,941
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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
Wet blanket
A person who discourages other people's enjoyment or dampens enthusiasm; by extension, anything that has a depressing or subduing effect on an…
Meaning & originA second bite of the cherry
A second chance to attempt, win or benefit from something after a first try has failed or an opportunity has been missed. Because a cherry is small…
Meaning & originGalore
In large numbers or amounts; abundantly, plentifully. It is nearly always postpositive, following the noun it modifies ('opportunities galore', 'food…
Meaning & originGet the sack
To be dismissed from a job, usually unceremoniously. The phrase is informal and common in British and Australian English; in American English 'get…
Meaning & originKeep your hair on
Stay calm or cool, no flap.
Meaning & originUtopia
An imagined place or state of things in which everything is perfect; a scheme or plan that is ideally perfect but impracticable. Register ranges from…
Meaning & originHit the jackpot
To achieve a sudden, striking success or gain, especially an unexpected windfall: winning a major prize, landing a huge contract, or getting a…
Meaning & originThe last straw
The final, often minor, addition to a series of difficulties that makes a situation unbearable - the last small burden after which someone gives up…
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.