Phrase of the hour
Under the gun
Under strong pressure, attack or an urgent deadline. The expression is informal and especially common in North American English.
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Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
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Browse the cabinet
Pulled from the drawers
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In the wake of
Following directly behind or, more often today, happening as a consequence of; in the aftermath of. The metaphor is a ship's wake, the trail of…
Meaning & originRed flag
A warning sign that a person, offer, or situation may turn out to be trouble, as when a behaviour signals that a potential partner or deal is best…
Meaning & originStew in your own juice
To be left to suffer the unpleasant consequences of your own actions without help, comfort, or intervention from anyone else; usually said of someone…
Meaning & originBury your head in the sand
To deliberately ignore an unpleasant or dangerous situation in the hope that it will go away, rather than confront or deal with it. The phrase implies…
Meaning & originStick your neck out
To take a bold risk or chance, exposed.
Meaning & originThe tail wagging the dog
A situation in which a minor or subordinate part controls or dictates to the larger, more important whole - for instance when a peripheral issue…
Meaning & originKnow which side your bread is buttered (on)
To understand where your own advantage lies and to act accordingly, especially by staying on good terms with whoever controls that benefit; usually…
Meaning & originZeitgeist
The defining spirit, mood, or intellectual and cultural climate of a particular era, as shown in its ideas, tastes, and attitudes. A fairly formal…
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.