A curious dictionary of everyday English
Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
Phrase of the moment
What is happening, what is the news or how are things? In this question craic usually means news or happenings. In good craic it means enjoyable company, talk or entertainment. Regional use: Ireland, especially…
Uncover the storyStart with a letter
Pulled from the drawers
To wait and gauge the situation, testing the drift.
Meaning & originArriving or acting just before it's too late, at the critical last moment when delay would mean failure or disaster. It…
Meaning & originTravelling on foot, especially because no vehicle or other transport is available. Informal and jocular. Apostrophe placement…
Meaning & originTo be the most outstanding or extreme example, for better or worse; now often used ironically of something especially…
Meaning & originNeat, orderly and efficiently arranged; in excellent working condition. Approving and mildly old-fashioned. Hyphenation…
Meaning & originBarely scraping by with slim hope, relying on luck.
Meaning & originExperience consequences that correspond to one's earlier actions. Often negative, but the underlying agricultural analogy…
Meaning & originDecide to act or step aside, no dallying.
Meaning & originLanguage has legends. Evidence matters.
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.