Phrase of the hour
Put the screws on
To press or squeeze hard, forcing it.
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
Every odd phrase has
a story to tell.
Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
725
curious expressions
409
source-backed entries
855
research references
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 driver's seat
In charge or control.
Meaning & originBite your tongue
To hold back from speaking, especially something harsh or unwise, clamping down on words.
Meaning & originJump the gun
To act prematurely or start something before the proper time, often leading to mistakes or embarrassment due to impatience or misjudgment. It implies…
Meaning & originJerusalem cricket
A large, wingless, mostly nocturnal burrowing insect known for its rounded humanlike head and banded abdomen; despite the name, it is not a true…
Meaning & originGone pear-shaped
Gone badly wrong or developed in an unintended and unsuccessful way. Informal. Usually applied to a situation, plan or performance rather than a…
Meaning & originGive the slip
To escape or dodge someone slyly, slipping away unnoticed.
Meaning & originGive the devil his due
Credit even a foe what's fair, nod them.
Meaning & originBack to square one
Back at the starting point after an attempt has failed or previous progress has been lost, requiring the work to begin again.
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.