Phrase of the hour
Not cricket
Unfair, dishonourable or contrary to accepted standards of conduct. Usually a mild moral rebuke rather than a literal reference to sport. Regional…
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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
Raise the roof
To make a loud, wild ruckus or cheer, shaking the place with noise.
Meaning & originSly as a fox
Cunning or sharp, sneaky smart.
Meaning & originOver a barrel
Helpless, trapped, or subject to another person's control. Current informal idiom Regional use: United States; now widespread.
Meaning & originBy the skin of your teeth
Only just succeeding or escaping, with the smallest possible margin between success and failure. The possessive changes with the subject. It normally…
Meaning & originMay Two-Four
Victoria Day or its long weekend in Canada. Current informal holiday name Regional use: Canada, strongest in Ontario and also familiar in British…
Meaning & originCaught in the crosshairs
Trapped in a tight spot or aim, pinned.
Meaning & originYou can't put the genie back in the bottle
Once out, it's done, no undo.
Meaning & originWalk on eggshells
To act with extreme caution or sensitivity around someone, fearing their reaction, as if treading on fragile shells that might crack.
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.