Phrase of the hour
A sair fecht
A hard struggle, or a wry acknowledgement that life is difficult. Regional and often wry. The phrase can express real hardship without inviting a…
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.
1,857
curious expressions
1,541
source-backed entries
3,209
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
At your wits' end
So worried, confused, or frustrated that you cannot think what to do next. The possessive changes with the subject: my wits' end, his wits' end, and…
Meaning & originHard pass
A firm, emphatic refusal or rejection of an offer, invitation, or suggestion; a non-negotiable no, often with a note of distaste. Stronger than a…
Meaning & originA baker's dozen
Thirteen items rather than the usual twelve; a group or quantity of thirteen. It is used when something comes in an unexpectedly generous count, and…
Meaning & originZig when others zag
To take an unconventional or opposite approach from the crowd, choosing a unique path for advantage or flair.
Meaning & originHigh muckety-muck
An important or powerful person, usually mentioned with mockery rather than respect. Informal and mildly disparaging Regional use: Pacific Northwest…
Meaning & originTeach your grandmother to suck eggs
To presume to explain or advise a person who knows far more about the subject than you do; almost always a rebuke, most often in the negative ('you…
Meaning & originCry wolf
To raise false alarms, calling danger too often.
Meaning & originGo out on a limb
To take a bold risk or stand alone, venturing into uncertainty.
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.