Phrase of the hour
The powers that be
The people or institutions currently holding authority, often viewed as remote or impersonal. Often mildly sceptical or humorous because the authority…
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.
1,355
curious expressions
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Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Start with a letter
Browse the cabinet
Pulled from the drawers
A few curious finds
Happy as a clam
Very contented, comfortable, and satisfied. Current and widely understood Regional use: United States, probably associated early with the Northeast…
Meaning & originMake waves
To stir things up or cause a fuss, rocking the calm.
Meaning & originKeep your powder dry
Remain prepared and conserve resources until they are needed. A somewhat old-fashioned military metaphor, often used in politics, business, and…
Meaning & originLook what the cat dragged in
A teasing or mocking way of acknowledging someone's arrival, implying that they look untidy, exhausted or rough, or that their appearance is an…
Meaning & originQueer as a three-dollar bill
Historically, obviously false, counterfeit, suspicious, or highly unusual. The expression is dated and should not be applied to a person: it has also…
Meaning & originKick up a fuss
To create a noisy or emotional disturbance, usually in protest or complaint, drawing attention to a grievance with exaggerated reaction. It suggests…
Meaning & originWeltanschauung
A comprehensive philosophy or outlook on the world: the total framework of beliefs and assumptions through which a person or an age interprets life…
Meaning & originTilt at windmills
To attack imaginary enemies or waste effort fighting opponents that exist mainly in one's own imagination; to pursue a vain, quixotic cause. 'Tilt'…
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.