Phrase of the hour
Talk turkey
Speak frankly and directly, especially when discussing practical terms, serious business, or a negotiation.
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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
Play cat and mouse
To toy with an opponent - letting them almost escape, or almost succeed, before closing in again. The phrase covers a pursuer who could finish things…
Meaning & originHurly-burly
Noisy disorder, uproar or tumult created by confused activity, argument or conflict. More colourful than commotion or confusion and often suggests…
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 & originRolling in the aisles
Laughing so hard you almost fall out of your seat. Usually found in the construction to have an audience rolling in the aisles, meaning to be…
Meaning & originBlow off steam
To vent pent-up energy or frustration, letting it burst out.
Meaning & originDog and pony show
An elaborate, over-staged presentation, briefing or event put on to impress or persuade an audience, usually with more display than substance. It is…
Meaning & originUnder your thumb
Being controlled or dominated by someone, submissive to their will like a digit pressed firmly down, with no room to wriggle free.
Meaning & originThe stump speech
A politician's standard campaign speech, written once and delivered again and again, with only small local tweaks, at stop after stop on the campaign…
Meaning & origin
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