Phrase of the hour
Cheap 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…
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.
925
curious expressions
609
source-backed entries
1,255
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
Glass cliff
A situation in which a member of an underrepresented group, especially a woman, is promoted to a leadership position only when the organisation is…
Meaning & originYou can't polish a turd
Some things can't be fixed or prettied up, flaws stay.
Meaning & originFish out of water
Feeling awkward, uncomfortable, or out of place in an unfamiliar environment. It captures disorientation or mismatch-someone struggling to adapt-with…
Meaning & originCaught red-handed
To be discovered in the act of doing something wrong or illegal, with undeniable evidence of guilt, leaving no room for denial.
Meaning & originSly as a fox
Cunning or sharp, sneaky smart.
Meaning & originBy hook or by crook
By any means that prove possible, whether straightforward or not. The means may be merely resourceful or may shade into unscrupulous behaviour…
Meaning & originFine as frog hair
Exceptionally fine, delicate, excellent, or in very good spirits. Regional, humorous, and now relatively obscure Regional use: United States…
Meaning & originJump on the bandwagon
To join a popular trend, movement, or opinion, often for convenience or gain rather than genuine belief, implying a lack of originality. It suggests…
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.