Phrase of the hour
Drugstore cowboy
A person dressed like an experienced cowboy without having the experience, or a fashionable young loafer who lingers in public places. Dated and…
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
Phrase of the hour
A person dressed like an experienced cowboy without having the experience, or a fashionable young loafer who lingers in public places. Dated and…
Uncover the storyStart with a letter
Pulled from the drawers
Under strong pressure, attack or an urgent deadline. The expression is informal and especially common in North American English.
Meaning & originSending someone small, intermittent signals of romantic interest, such as occasional flirty messages, likes, or emojis, to keep them emotionally…
Meaning & originWorking extremely hard, very busy, or moving at top speed. The Australian simile is deliberately comic.
Meaning & originSomeone skilled in many areas but not a master of any, versatile yet shallow.
Meaning & originThe most important, decisive or comprehensive part of something, treated as if nothing else matters. Often appears in negative statements that reject…
Meaning & originAfter chaos or fuss calms down, clear again.
Meaning & originA rhetorical trick in which someone advances a bold, controversial claim (the 'bailey') but, when challenged, retreats to a bland, easily defended…
Meaning & originAt the most exposed or vulnerable point, where an attack or criticism can do serious harm. Dated and often used with 'hit' or 'strike.' It means at a…
Meaning & originLanguage has legends. Evidence matters.
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.