Phrase of the hour
The die is cast
A decision has been made that cannot be reversed; events have passed the point where anyone can turn back. Used at moments of irrevocable commitment -…
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
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1,295
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
In the nick of time
Arriving or acting just before it's too late, at the critical last moment when delay would mean failure or disaster. It conveys urgency and relief…
Meaning & originStill waters run deep
A quiet or reserved person may have substantial intelligence, feeling, or complexity beneath the surface. Now usually approving, though older examples…
Meaning & originOut of the frying pan into the fire
To move from a bad situation into an even worse one while trying to escape it. Almost always framed as motion - going, jumping, or falling from the…
Meaning & originA chip off the old block
A person much like their parent, sharing traits.
Meaning & originDine with Duke Humphrey
Go without dinner, especially while pretending or hoping to dine. Archaic. It refers to missing a meal, not to eating grandly with a nobleman…
Meaning & originDog days of summer
The hottest, most oppressive part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, often associated with lethargy or a seasonal lull. The exact dates vary by…
Meaning & originBona fide
Genuine, authentic, or made in good faith without fraud or deception. It works as an adjective ('a bona fide offer') and, especially in legal English…
Meaning & originThe blind leading the blind
People who lack knowledge or ability trying to guide others who are equally uninformed. Common but potentially insensitive if used carelessly around…
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.