Phrase of the hour
Wet your whistle
To have a drink, usually an alcoholic one, and often one that moistens the throat or refreshes the drinker. It is a jocular, conversational way to…
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
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Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
1,901
curious expressions
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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
A feather in your cap
An achievement, honour, or distinction that someone can be proud of and that enhances their reputation.
Meaning & originSweetheart deal
An arrangement, usually struck in secret, that gives unusually favourable terms to one side at the expense of others who ought to have been protected…
Meaning & originQuiet firing
When an employer deliberately makes a job unrewarding, stagnant, or unpleasant, by withholding raises, promotions, feedback, or opportunities, so that…
Meaning & originWeather the storm
To survive a difficult period, crisis, or controversy without lasting damage; to keep operating despite serious problems. Very common in business and…
Meaning & originBack to square one
Back at the starting point after an attempt has failed or previous progress has been lost, requiring the work to begin again.
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 & originGlass ceiling
The invisible barrier that keeps qualified women - and by extension minorities - from rising beyond a certain level in an organization, however good…
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.