Phrase of the hour
Spare the rod and spoil the child
The traditional claim that a child will be badly formed without firm correction or discipline. Historically associated with corporal punishment 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
The traditional claim that a child will be badly formed without firm correction or discipline. Historically associated with corporal punishment and…
Uncover the storyStart with a letter
Pulled from the drawers
Strictly according to prescribed rules, procedures or accepted methods. Can praise rigour or criticise inflexibility. The identity of 'the book' is…
Meaning & originPass through a threatening series of attacks, criticism, questions or other ordeals. Gantlet remains an accepted American spelling. Do not derive this…
Meaning & originImmediately available and ready to obey another person's requests, signals or slightest wishes. Usually appears as at someone's beck and call and…
Meaning & originDividing a substantial task among several helpers reduces the effort required from each person. Usually encouraging and cooperative. It may be…
Meaning & originExtremely rare or effectively nonexistent, like teeth in an adult hen, which has a beak rather than visible teeth. Informal and emphatic. Because the…
Meaning & originAbstaining from alcohol, especially after having drunk regularly or after deciding to stop. Informal and specifically about alcohol, not vice in…
Meaning & originTo quit a bad routine or vice, shaking it off.
Meaning & originArriving or acting just before it's too late, at the critical last moment when delay would mean failure or disaster. It conveys urgency and relief…
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.