Phrase of the hour
Burn the midnight oil
To work late into the night, often implying diligence or effort beyond normal hours.
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
Every odd phrase has
a story to tell.
Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
725
curious expressions
409
source-backed entries
855
research references
Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Start with a letter
Browse the cabinet
Pulled from the drawers
A few curious finds
Like a bull in a china shop
Acting clumsily or recklessly in a delicate situation, smashing through finesse.
Meaning & originOff the hook
Freed from responsibility, trouble, or obligation, escaping a sticky situation with relief or luck. It carries a tone of liberation or sly evasion…
Meaning & originKeep your pecker up
Remain cheerful, courageous, or determined despite difficulty. This chiefly British expression is old-fashioned and easily misunderstood…
Meaning & originPut the kibosh on
Stop, suppress, or bring an activity or plan to an end.
Meaning & originFlesh and blood
Living human beings, ordinary human nature, or one's close biological family. Context determines whether the phrase means humanity, human weakness, or…
Meaning & originKnock for a loop
Defeat, disrupt, astonish, or emotionally overwhelm someone so thoroughly that normal composure or plans are lost. Informal. It can describe physical…
Meaning & originGive it a whirl
To try something out, giving it a spin.
Meaning & originUnder the wire
Just making it in time, at the last tick.
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.