Phrase of the hour
For the birds
Completely worthless, trivial or beneath serious attention; fit only to be dismissed. An informal American put-down applied to things, ideas and…
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Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
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Browse the cabinet
Pulled from the drawers
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Ruffle some feathers
To upset or annoy people, stirring trouble like ruffling a bird's plumage-disrupting calm with a flap of dissent.
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 & originJump the gun
To act prematurely or start something before the proper time, often leading to mistakes or embarrassment due to impatience or misjudgment. It implies…
Meaning & originHave something up your sleeve
To have a secret plan, idea or advantage held in reserve, ready to be produced if needed. The hidden thing can be concrete ('a surprise up her…
Meaning & originCircle back
In workplace speech, to return to a topic, question, or person later, after other matters have progressed or more information is available. Often used…
Meaning & originSling your hook
An informal and often brusque British command telling someone to leave, go away, or remove themselves from a place or situation. Informal and…
Meaning & originPile-on
An occasion when a large number of people attack or criticise one person online, typically for something they said or did, usually in a way that is…
Meaning & originHard pass
A firm, emphatic refusal or rejection of an offer, invitation, or suggestion; a non-negotiable no, often with a note of distaste. Stronger than a…
Meaning & origin
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