Phrase of the hour
Make a rod for your own back
To set up your own trouble, self-made.
Uncover the storyA curious dictionary of everyday English
Every odd phrase has
a story to tell.
Discover what peculiar British and American expressions mean, where they came from, and how people actually use them.
725
curious expressions
409
source-backed entries
855
research references
Plain-English meanings.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Folklore labelled honestly.
Start with a letter
Browse the cabinet
Pulled from the drawers
A few curious finds
A stumbling block
An obstacle that prevents progress or makes success difficult. Neutral and common in formal as well as everyday writing. Regional use: Biblical…
Meaning & originCold feet
A sudden loss of courage or confidence that makes someone hesitate or withdraw from a planned action.
Meaning & originMake a beeline
To head straight for something with speed and focus.
Meaning & originSick as a pig
Real ill or down.
Meaning & originYou can't teach an old dog new tricks
Older folks or things resist change or learning, stuck in ways.
Meaning & originKick up a fuss
To create a noisy or emotional disturbance, usually in protest or complaint, drawing attention to a grievance with exaggerated reaction. It suggests…
Meaning & originCaught in the act
Nabbed doing something wrong, mid-move.
Meaning & originWhen the cat's away
Chaos or freedom reigns when authority's gone.
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.