Phrase of the hour
Make a clean breast
To confess fully, baring all.
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.
2,006
curious expressions
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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
A pretty kettle of fish
A muddle, mess or awkward state of affairs; an embarrassing predicament. Almost always ironic, with pretty, fine or nice doing the opposite of its…
Meaning & originPaint the town red
Go out and celebrate in a conspicuous, lively, or boisterous way, often involving drinking.
Meaning & originBeggars can't be choosers
Someone dependent on what is offered has limited grounds to demand a preferred alternative. Can be practical but also patronising, especially when…
Meaning & originThe silent majority
The mass of ordinary people who do not state their views publicly, especially voters presumed to hold mainstream opinions while louder minorities…
Meaning & originPink slip
American informal term for a notice of dismissal from a job: to get, receive or be handed a pink slip is to be fired or laid off, the slip…
Meaning & originCharley horse
A painful involuntary muscle cramp, particularly in the thigh or calf - Wiktionary defines it as a synonym of cramp, chiefly US, and McGraw-Hill as 'a…
Meaning & originLong may your big jib draw
May you enjoy good luck and favourable conditions for a long time. Traditional toast or farewell; now also used ceremonially Regional use…
Meaning & originThe lion's den
A place or situation perceived as dangerous, hostile, or intimidating, especially one that a person must enter or face despite the risk, such as a…
Meaning & origin
Language 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.