Phrase of the hour
Bête noire
A person or thing that one particularly detests, dreads or avoids; a bugbear. The register is formal to wry, and it almost always appears in the…
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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
Penny wise and pound foolish
Careful over small savings while wasteful or imprudent about much larger costs. Hyphenation varies. It can criticise any small saving that creates…
Meaning & originBush party
An outdoor party in a secluded place, often involving underage drinking. Current regional term, often in policing or community contexts Regional use…
Meaning & originDon't rock the boat
To avoid stirring trouble or change, keeping things steady.
Meaning & originDon't give up the day job
Stick to your main gig, not good enough.
Meaning & originJump down someone's throat
React suddenly and angrily to someone, usually by criticizing, scolding or rejecting what they have said before giving them a fair hearing. The…
Meaning & originEasy as pie
Super simple or effortless, a breeze.
Meaning & originAt the drop of a hat
Instantly and without hesitation, at the slightest signal or provocation. Usually describes a readiness or eagerness to act - travel, argue, resign…
Meaning & originOn the other hand
Used to introduce a contrasting or balancing point of view, fact, or consideration - the opposite side of an argument. It forms the second half of the…
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.