Phrase of the hour
A friend in need is a friend indeed
A true friend proves loyal by helping when you are in difficulty. Indeed is standard. The punning spelling in deed can emphasize help shown through…
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.
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
On the back foot
At a disadvantage or retreating, off balance.
Meaning & originOn the wrong side of the tracks
From a poor or rough part, low-class.
Meaning & originLike a kid in a candy store
Thrilled or wild with glee, all eyes.
Meaning & originGive no quarter
Show no mercy, leniency or concession; historically, refuse to spare a defeated enemy. The historical literal sense can imply killing captives and is…
Meaning & originIn the same boat
Sharing a common plight or fate, stuck together.
Meaning & originCaught red-handed
To be discovered in the act of doing something wrong or illegal, with undeniable evidence of guilt, leaving no room for denial.
Meaning & originMake no bones about it
To state something plainly with no hesitation or fuss, bare of doubt.
Meaning & originOut of station
Away from one's usual city, workplace or place of residence. Neutral regional English. Outside South Asia, away or out of town is more likely to be…
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.