Phrase of the hour
For love or money
Under any circumstances or by any inducement, most often used after a negative. Usually appears in a negative clause. Outside that construction it may…
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725
curious expressions
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855
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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
In the driver's seat
In charge or control.
Meaning & originOn the ball
Sharp, alert, and quick to act, right on top of things.
Meaning & originGive'r
Put in maximum effort, go hard, or proceed with full enthusiasm. Current, informal, and energetic Regional use: Canada, especially Western Canada and…
Meaning & originAt daggers drawn
In a state of open, bitter hostility or severe mutual distrust. Stronger than disagree. It describes entrenched hostility and usually takes with…
Meaning & originGo for broke
Risk everything in an all-out attempt to succeed. Current informal idiom Regional use: Hawaii, then the wider United States.
Meaning & originHold water
To stand up or hold true, solid as fact.
Meaning & originGood riddance
An expression of relief or satisfaction that an unwanted person or thing has gone. Blunt and often insulting when directed at a person. The extended…
Meaning & originBush party
An outdoor party in a secluded place, often involving underage drinking. Current regional term, often in policing or community contexts Regional use…
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.