Phrase of the hour
Buy the farm
To die, especially in a military aircraft crash. Informal euphemism for death; potentially insensitive Regional use: United States military, later…
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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
Spend a penny
Use the toilet, especially to urinate. Historically associated particularly with women's pay cubicles because men's urinals were often free. Regional…
Meaning & originRun around like a headless chicken
To rush in frantic chaos, aimless and wild.
Meaning & originMadder than a wet hen
Extremely angry, indignant, or agitated, especially in a visibly flustered and noisy way. Folksy and emphatic. It usually makes anger sound colorful…
Meaning & originAll that glitters is not gold
Appearances can deceive, and shiny things may lack true worth.
Meaning & originDon't rock the boat
To avoid stirring trouble or change, keeping things steady.
Meaning & originLaughing all the way to the bank
Making money easily or unexpectedly, reveling in profit with smug glee.
Meaning & originUp to your ears
Buried deep in something, swamped.
Meaning & originSend someone packing
Dismiss, reject or drive someone away abruptly and decisively. Informal and forceful. In sport it commonly means eliminate from a competition…
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.