Phrase of the hour
Penny wise and pound foolish
Careful over small savings while wasteful or imprudent about much larger costs. Hyphenation varies. It can criticise any small saving that creates…
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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 straw in the wind
A small, early sign showing how a situation is likely to develop; a slight hint of the direction in which events are moving. The image is a straw…
Meaning & originThat dog won't hunt
That idea, excuse, or plan is not convincing and will not work. Current, folksy, and dismissive Regional use: United States, strongly associated with…
Meaning & originTie the knot
To get married. An informal, light-hearted expression common in wedding announcements and conversation, very often in the past tense ('they finally…
Meaning & originNot give a tinker's cuss
Not care at all about someone or something; have no interest in or concern for it.
Meaning & originGive up the ghost
To die or cease functioning, letting go of life or effort.
Meaning & originCock of the walk
A person who dominates a group or situation in a proud, strutting, overbearing way; the self-important master of a small circle. Usually said…
Meaning & originThere's the rub
That is the central difficulty, obstacle or inconvenient point. Somewhat literary but concise. Rub means obstacle here, not friction or massage…
Meaning & originDown the ballot
US political shorthand for races, offices or candidates listed lower on a voting ticket, beneath the marquee contest for president, senator 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.