Phrase of the hour
Take the bull by the horns
To face a challenge boldly, grabbing it head-on.
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
Square the circle
To try an impossible task, seeking what can't be.
Meaning & originTouch and go
Describes a situation that is risky, precarious or uncertain, where the outcome hangs on a very narrow margin and could easily have gone the other…
Meaning & originMoney burns a hole in your pocket
Cash you itch to spend fast.
Meaning & originPigs might fly
A sarcastic retort meaning that whatever has just been predicted or promised is so unlikely that it will never happen; used to mock over-optimistic…
Meaning & originHale and hearty
Strong, healthy and energetic, particularly when describing an older person who remains vigorous. Old-fashioned and frequently applied to older…
Meaning & originSitting duck
A person or thing that is an easy, helpless target for attack, criticism, or exploitation, having little or no means of defense or escape. It is…
Meaning & originCarry the can
To take the blame or bear the responsibility when something goes wrong, especially on behalf of others who were equally or more at fault. It is…
Meaning & originA bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Having something certain now beats chasing uncertain gains later.
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.