Phrase of the hour
Up your sleeve
Held secretly in reserve, ready to pull out.
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.
1,901
curious expressions
1,585
source-backed entries
3,378
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
Have a tiger by the tail
Hold a wild risk or force, can't let go.
Meaning & originCharley horse
A painful involuntary muscle cramp, particularly in the thigh or calf - Wiktionary defines it as a synonym of cramp, chiefly US, and McGraw-Hill as 'a…
Meaning & originSon of a gun
A friendly, usually affectionate label for a mischievous or roguish person, or an exclamation of surprise, admiration or mock reproach. In American…
Meaning & originDog days of summer
The hottest, most oppressive part of summer in the Northern Hemisphere, often associated with lethargy or a seasonal lull. The exact dates vary by…
Meaning & originA wolf in sheep's clothing
Someone hiding bad intent behind a gentle facade, deceptive.
Meaning & originMeat and drink
Something that gives a person deep satisfaction, support or encouragement - what they positively thrive on, as in 'criticism is meat and drink to…
Meaning & originA penny for your thoughts
A friendly prompt asking what someone is thinking, typically addressed to a person who has gone quiet or is staring absently into the distance. It…
Meaning & originPass the hat
To take up a collection of money from a group of people, typically in an informal, spontaneous way for a shared gift, a colleague in difficulty, or…
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.