Phrase of the hour
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride
Merely wishing for something cannot make it happen or replace practical action. Often shortened to 'if wishes were horses'. It may sound brisk or…
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
A wild-goose chase
A confused, fruitless or hopeless pursuit of something difficult to find or attain. The pursuit need not be literally chaotic, but it must be…
Meaning & originPell-mell
In disorderly confusion or at a headlong pace, with people or things mixed together unpredictably. Can describe both confused arrangement and rapid…
Meaning & originBy the book
Strictly according to prescribed rules, procedures or accepted methods. Can praise rigour or criticise inflexibility. The identity of 'the book' is…
Meaning & originIn the twinkling of an eye
In an extremely short time, emphasizing that a change or action happened almost instantly. Literary but readily understood. In a modern neutral…
Meaning & originA fly in the ointment
A small flaw that spoils the whole, a tiny snag.
Meaning & originSwing the lead
Avoid work or duty by pretending to be ill, incapable or busier than one is. Disapproving. It alleges deliberate shirking, so it can be unfair or…
Meaning & originMake a beeline
To head straight for something with speed and focus.
Meaning & originYou can't win them all
Used to accept a loss or console someone after a disappointment: nobody can succeed on every occasion.
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.