Phrase of the hour
Bush party
An outdoor party in a secluded place, often involving underage drinking. Current regional term, often in policing or community contexts Regional use…
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
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Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
725
curious expressions
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855
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Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
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Fly off the handle
To suddenly lose one's temper or become uncontrollably angry, often in an exaggerated or unexpected outburst. It's typically used to describe…
Meaning & originBarking mad
Completely irrational, wildly unreasonable, or apparently out of touch with reality. A strong informal expression. It is less harmful when aimed at a…
Meaning & originUnder your thumb
Being controlled or dominated by someone, submissive to their will like a digit pressed firmly down, with no room to wriggle free.
Meaning & originEat crow
To admit a humiliating mistake and take the bitter hit, swallowing pride like a tough, unpalatable bird-grudgingly accepting defeat.
Meaning & originShoot the breeze
To chat idly or casually, passing time with aimless talk.
Meaning & originSly as a fox
Cunning or sharp, sneaky smart.
Meaning & originNot a snowball's chance in hell
No possibility at all, doomed to fail.
Meaning & originNow-now
Very soon or a short time ago, with the direction in time supplied by context. Context matters: it can point shortly forward or shortly backward. Just…
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.