Phrase of the hour
Full of hot air
Talking big with no substance, all puff.
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
Fight the good fight
Persevere courageously in a worthy moral, religious or difficult cause. May be earnest, religious or lightly ironic. Good implies that the speaker…
Meaning & originBurn the midnight oil
To work late into the night, often implying diligence or effort beyond normal hours.
Meaning & originBite your tongue
To hold back from speaking, especially something harsh or unwise, clamping down on words.
Meaning & originMind your Ps and Qs
Be careful about your manners, conduct, or details; behave properly and avoid mistakes.
Meaning & originFair crack of the whip
A fair opportunity to take part, compete or prove one's ability. Informal. Fair go is the shorter and especially characteristic Australian equivalent…
Meaning & originChapter and verse
Precise supporting authority or full, exact details about a claim or event. Can mean exact source references or, more loosely, a complete detailed…
Meaning & originAll and sundry
Every person without distinction or exception; everyone in a particular group or place. Now mildly formal or old-fashioned. It normally refers to…
Meaning & originRun ragged
Worn out or beat, all frayed.
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.