Phrase of the hour
Burn your bridges
To cut off all retreat or ties, leaving no way back.
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
Every odd phrase has
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Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
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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
When the cat's away
Chaos or freedom reigns when authority's gone.
Meaning & originOff your high horse
To drop arrogance or pride, coming down to earth.
Meaning & originDon't rock the boat
To avoid stirring trouble or change, keeping things steady.
Meaning & originOut to lunch
Oblivious, inattentive, irrational, or detached from what is happening. Current informal expression; can sound insulting when applied to a person…
Meaning & originHammer and tongs
With great energy, force or aggression, as in working, arguing or attacking without restraint. Usually modifies a vigorous activity and often follows…
Meaning & originSick to death
Fed up or done.
Meaning & originSafe and sound
Completely out of danger and found or returned without physical injury, loss, or damage. Sound retains its old whole or uninjured sense in this…
Meaning & originIf wishes were horses, beggars would ride
Merely wishing for something cannot make it happen or replace practical action. Often shortened to 'if wishes were horses'. It may sound brisk 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.