Phrase of the hour
Off the cuff
Spoken, decided, or done without advance preparation; impromptu rather than rehearsed.
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.
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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
Pass the buck
Shift responsibility, blame, or an unwelcome decision to someone else. Informal and usually critical, because it implies avoidance rather than…
Meaning & originThe world is your oyster
You have broad freedom and opportunity to pursue what life can offer. Possessive forms vary with the subject. The pearl explanation is a useful modern…
Meaning & originWhen pigs fly
Something so absurd or impossible it'll never happen.
Meaning & originOn the fritz
Broken, malfunctioning, or in an unsatisfactory state. Current informal idiom Regional use: United States, later widespread.
Meaning & originCharity begins at home
One's first responsibility is to care for people and needs close at hand, especially family. Can defend reasonable local responsibility or excuse…
Meaning & originMurder will out
A murder or other grave wrongdoing will eventually be discovered. Archaic in casual speech. It may be extended to concealed wrongdoing that is not…
Meaning & originNone of your beeswax
None of your concern or business. Informal, playful, and mildly dismissive Regional use: United States, later wider English.
Meaning & originRun off your feet
Rushed or swamped, no stop.
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.