Phrase of the hour
A stab in the back
An act of betrayal by someone trusted, such as a friend, ally, or colleague; a treacherous deed carried out from a position of confidence rather than…
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Plain-English meanings.
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Post-truth
Relating to or denoting circumstances in which facts matter less than emotional appeal and personal belief in shaping public opinion, especially in…
Meaning & originHot under the collar
Angry, irritated or flustered, typically about something said or done ('he gets hot under the collar whenever the auditors visit'). Informal; it…
Meaning & originKeep your chin up
To remain cheerful, courageous, and hopeful in the face of difficulty, rejection, or discouragement; most often spoken as encouragement to someone who…
Meaning & originAn albatross around your neck
A heavy burden of guilt, shame, or misfortune that someone cannot shake off, especially one created by their own actions. Usually said of a lasting…
Meaning & originThe winter of our discontent
A period of gloom, hardship, and widespread dissatisfaction, most often political or economic, such as a season of strikes and unrest. In Shakespeare…
Meaning & originTug at the heartstrings
To stir deep feelings of tenderness, pity, or compassion. Said of stories, images, music, or appeals that move people strongly and make them respond…
Meaning & originPut all your eggs in one basket
To risk everything on a single venture, so that one failure would be catastrophic. It occurs overwhelmingly in the negative warning 'don't put all…
Meaning & originMoney burns a hole in your pocket
Cash you itch to spend fast.
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.