Phrase of the hour
The silent majority
The mass of ordinary people who do not state their views publicly, especially voters presumed to hold mainstream opinions while louder minorities…
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Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
1,844
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
A stone's throw
Very close, just a short distance.
Meaning & originScapegoat
Someone made to carry the blame for the mistakes or wrongdoing of others; by extension, to 'scapegoat' a person is to punish or publicly fault them in…
Meaning & originCold turkey
The abrupt, complete cessation of an addictive habit, especially drugs, without tapering or substitute treatment; also the physical withdrawal state…
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 & originBuckley's chance
Little or no chance of success. Informal. Buckley's can stand alone as a short answer meaning no chance. Regional use: Australia; also known in New…
Meaning & originGrin and bear it
To accept something unpleasant, painful, or unwelcome with forced good humour and without complaining, because there is no realistic way to avoid it…
Meaning & originDunce
A person slow at learning - the classroom insult that has outlived the classroom punishment it came with. Calling someone a dunce is now mild, almost…
Meaning & originThrow shade
To insult someone subtly or indirectly, often through a cutting remark, a dismissive tone or a nonverbal gesture such as a side-eye, rather than an…
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.