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High muckety-muck
An important or powerful person, usually mentioned with mockery rather than respect. Informal and mildly disparaging Regional use: Pacific Northwest…
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Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
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A leopard can't change its spots
A person's core nature or habits are unalterable, no matter how they try to appear otherwise, suggesting deep-seated traits persist like a leopard's…
Meaning & originA flash in the pan
A conspicuous early success or display that quickly fails to produce lasting results. Usually dismissive. The pan is part of a firearm's ignition…
Meaning & originMake a beeline
To head straight for something with speed and focus.
Meaning & originLike a lamb to the slaughter
Without resistance or awareness, into danger, defeat, or an unpleasant situation. Usually ominous and sometimes melodramatic. Lambs to the slaughter…
Meaning & originCheap at half the price
A humorous way to call something very expensive; it is also sometimes used illogically to praise a bargain. Potentially ambiguous. Publish only with…
Meaning & originRaining pitchforks
A torrential downpour so fierce it's like pitchforks falling from the sky, stabbing the ground with relentless force-an absurdly violent rain.
Meaning & originAn elegant sufficiency
A deliberately formal and often humorous way of saying that one has had enough to eat or drink and is politely declining another helping. Usually said…
Meaning & originTalk turkey
Speak frankly and directly, especially when discussing practical terms, serious business, or a negotiation.
Meaning & originLanguage has legends. Evidence matters.
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