Phrase of the hour
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree
A child tends to grow up resembling their parents in character, behaviour or appearance, for better or worse. It is usually said of a conspicuous…
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
Every odd phrase has
a story to tell.
Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
1,295
curious expressions
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source-backed entries
1,995
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
A dark horse
An unexpected contender or winner, a surprise.
Meaning & originIn a pig's eye
No way, not true.
Meaning & originGlass cliff
A situation in which a member of an underrepresented group, especially a woman, is promoted to a leadership position only when the organisation is…
Meaning & originCold turkey
The abrupt, complete cessation of an addictive habit, especially drugs, without tapering or substitute treatment; also the physical withdrawal state…
Meaning & originCut and dried
Already settled, prepared or decided, often in a routine way that allows little originality or debate. Commonly used in the negative, as in not cut…
Meaning & originBigger than Dallas
Enormous, spectacular, conspicuous, or so obvious that it should be impossible to overlook. Strongly regional and hyperbolic. Outside Texas it may…
Meaning & originMonkey business
Mischievous, deceitful or dubious activity. The phrase covers everything from playful fooling around to trickery and underhand or improper goings-on…
Meaning & originSick as a dog
Real ill or down, laid low.
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.