Phrase of the hour
A flash in the pan
A conspicuous early success or display that quickly fails to produce lasting results. Usually dismissive. The pan is part of a firearm's ignition…
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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
Pigs might fly
A sarcastic retort meaning that whatever has just been predicted or promised is so unlikely that it will never happen; used to mock over-optimistic…
Meaning & originThe proof of the pudding is in the eating
The real quality or effectiveness of something can only be judged by putting it to use or testing it in practice, not by its appearance, description…
Meaning & originA laughing stock
A person, group or thing made an object of widespread ridicule. Modern dictionaries usually close the compound as laughingstock, while British…
Meaning & originPass muster
To come up to the required standard; to be good enough under inspection. The phrase carries a faint judicial air - something is being examined and…
Meaning & originA bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Having something certain now beats chasing uncertain gains later.
Meaning & originLiving rent-free
Occupying someone's thoughts constantly, especially when they cannot stop talking about the person or thing despite claiming indifference. It appears…
Meaning & originBrain rot
The supposed deterioration of a person's mental or intellectual state from overconsuming trivial or unchallenging material, especially low-quality…
Meaning & originHorse of a different color
A person, thing, argument, or situation that is fundamentally different from the one previously discussed or expected. Informal but widely understood…
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.