Phrase of the hour
The be-all and end-all
The most important, decisive or comprehensive part of something, treated as if nothing else matters. Often appears in negative statements that reject…
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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
Down to earth
Practical, realistic and unpretentious; used of people who behave sensibly and without airs, or of advice and explanations that are plain and useful…
Meaning & originMid
Mediocre; noticeably below the hype, as in 'that sequel was mid'. Informal dismissive slang, most at home on TikTok and X, and insulting when applied…
Meaning & originFiddle while Rome burns
To occupy oneself with trivial, self-indulgent, or cosmetic concerns while a serious crisis goes unaddressed. It is almost always a pointed rebuke…
Meaning & originThe winds of change
Powerful social or political forces of transformation, usually unstoppable and beyond any government's control. Typically said to be blowing through…
Meaning & originYellow-bellied
Cowardly, lacking nerve. An insulting adjective of American origin, now somewhat jokey or Western-flavoured in use and often intensified in phrases…
Meaning & originA shoulder to cry on
A person who offers sympathy and comfort to someone who is upset, chiefly by listening patiently rather than by fixing anything. Describes emotional…
Meaning & originLoud budgeting
Being openly and unapologetically honest about spending limits, for example telling friends you are skipping dinner out because you are saving for a…
Meaning & originCold comfort
Consolation that hardly helps; slight or unwelcome encouragement offered in the face of misfortune, typically because it changes nothing about the…
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.