Phrase of the hour
An old flame
A former sweetheart, lover or romantic partner, especially one for whom feelings linger. 'Old' marks the affair as past; 'flame' carries the old…
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.
1,857
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
Have an axe to grind
Possess a private, often selfish motive or grievance that shapes one's advice, argument, or involvement in a matter. Usually critical. American…
Meaning & originGive short shrift
To deal with a person, request or idea with minimal, unsympathetic attention, dismissing it briskly rather than considering it properly; often used of…
Meaning & originEasier said than done
A proposal or instruction sounds simple but is substantially more difficult to carry out in practice. Commonly used as a response to advice that makes…
Meaning & originCut to the chase
To skip unnecessary details and get to the main point or action quickly, often reflecting impatience with preamble or fluff. It's a directive for…
Meaning & originNot born yesterday
Not naive and not easily deceived; used to deflect a suspicious claim, offer, or excuse. It appears almost always in the first person ('I wasn't born…
Meaning & originSoft launch
In dating and social media slang, to hint at a new relationship online without officially confirming it, for example posting a photo of a partner's…
Meaning & originPut the wind up
To spook or rattle someone, all nerves.
Meaning & originAll hat and no cattle
Showy, boastful, or impressive in appearance but lacking the experience, substance, wealth, or ability being advertised. Informal and insulting. It…
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.