Phrase of the hour
Whataboutism
The practice of deflecting criticism by pointing at someone else's wrongdoing ('what about...?') instead of addressing the accusation. It answers a…
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
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Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
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Down in the mouth
Looking or feeling dejected, disappointed, or in low spirits. The phrase pictures the physical droop of the corners of the mouth that comes with…
Meaning & originCushioning
Maintaining flirtatious or romantic contact with people outside your main relationship, or outside the one you are pursuing, so that prospects are on…
Meaning & originTake it on the chin
To accept a blow or setback bravely, facing it square.
Meaning & originFool's paradise
A state of happiness built on illusion or false hope and destined to end in disappointment. It is used to warn about, or quietly pity, someone who is…
Meaning & originJe ne sais quoi
An elusive, hard-to-describe quality that makes someone or something distinctive and appealing, almost always in a positive way. It is a slightly…
Meaning & originPut your best foot forward
To lead with your strongest effort, shining.
Meaning & originThrow in the towel
To give up or surrender after effort fails, admitting defeat with a gesture of finality.
Meaning & originLive from hand to mouth
To live with only enough money or food for immediate needs, so that whatever comes in is spent or eaten at once and nothing can be saved for…
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.