Phrase of the hour
On the breadline
Barely scraping by, near broke.
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
Every odd phrase has
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Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
1,896
curious expressions
1,580
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3,356
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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
Grasp the nettle
To tackle a difficult, unpleasant, or risky problem boldly and directly instead of hedging, delaying, or working around it. Chiefly British English…
Meaning & originCherry-pick
To select only the best, easiest, or most favorable items from a larger set while passing over the rest; applied to facts, data, or evidence it…
Meaning & originRoll with the punches
To absorb setbacks and adapt to circumstances as they happen rather than resisting them: Merriam-Webster gives both senses, 'to move so as to lessen…
Meaning & originSigns of the times
Events or trends regarded as characteristic evidence of the present period. Singular is common for one example; plural often refers to a cluster of…
Meaning & originSlow and steady wins the race
Success comes from consistent, unhurried effort rather than from bursts of speed or unreliable brilliance; a plodding but persistent approach is the…
Meaning & originThe more the merrier
An occasion or shared activity is likely to be more enjoyable when additional people join. Usually friendly and inclusive, though it can be ironic…
Meaning & originA fish out of water
A person who is conspicuously uncomfortable or out of place, because the situation does not fit their skills, habits, or temperament. Nearly always…
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 & 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.