Phrase of the hour
Hang out to dry
To abandon someone to face trouble, criticism or punishment alone, especially after they had good reason to expect backing, often with blame shifted…
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1,415
curious expressions
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Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Start with a letter
Browse the cabinet
Pulled from the drawers
A few curious finds
Keep your ear to the ground
To stay alert and well informed about what is happening or about to happen, especially trends, rumours or shifts in opinion, so that you can act…
Meaning & originIn the bag
Certain to succeed or be secured, wrapped up like game bagged by a hunter-no doubt left, just waiting to claim it.
Meaning & originRain on your parade
To spoil or dampen your joy.
Meaning & originAid and abet
To help, encourage or facilitate another person's wrongdoing, especially the commission of a crime. Strongly associated with criminal law, although it…
Meaning & originHell-bent for leather
Moving with reckless speed or pursuing something with fierce determination. Colourful, somewhat old-fashioned Regional use: Blended American and…
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 & originShips that pass in the night
Describes people who meet only briefly by chance and then part forever, never seeing each other again; often said of a fleeting encounter that seemed…
Meaning & originFair to middling
Acceptable or moderately good, but not especially impressive.
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.