Phrase of the hour
Jump the queue
To skip ahead unfairly, cutting in line.
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.
1,465
curious expressions
1,149
source-backed entries
2,335
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
Caught in the crossfire
Trapped in a conflict not your own, hit by stray shots.
Meaning & originYoung at heart
Having the energy, enthusiasm, and playful outlook associated with youth even though one is middle-aged or older; also applied to products…
Meaning & originTake it offline
In meetings, to move a discussion out of the current group setting, into a separate conversation, call, or email thread between the people it…
Meaning & originInfluencer
Someone who can sway what other people buy, try, or believe, nowadays especially a social-media personality paid to post about products and brands…
Meaning & originWin hands down
To win easily and by a clear margin, without effort or struggle. The shorter adverb 'hands down' also intensifies comparisons ('hands down the best…
Meaning & originA stab in the back
An act of betrayal by someone trusted, such as a friend, ally, or colleague; a treacherous deed carried out from a position of confidence rather than…
Meaning & originA storm in a teacup
A great commotion over a trivial matter; an uproar wildly out of proportion to its real importance. The standard British form; the usual American…
Meaning & originKnock yourself out
Go ahead freely; alternatively, make an exhausting all-out effort. Current; permissive use can sound sarcastic Regional use: Strongly established in…
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.