Phrase of the hour
Caught with egg on your face
Left looking foolish or publicly embarrassed because something you did, said, or predicted went wrong.
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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
You can't polish a turd
Some things can't be fixed or prettied up, flaws stay.
Meaning & originBeat around the bush
To avoid addressing a topic directly, often by speaking vaguely or focusing on irrelevant details instead of getting to the point. This phrase…
Meaning & originFlesh and blood
Living human beings, ordinary human nature, or one's close biological family. Context determines whether the phrase means humanity, human weakness, or…
Meaning & originBirds of a feather flock together
People with similar interests, habits or character tend to associate with one another. Often shortened to birds of a feather. It can neutrally…
Meaning & originSee a man about a dog
Leave while deliberately withholding the real reason, often as a euphemism for going to the toilet. Informal euphemism. The usual modern inference in…
Meaning & originIn the doldrums
In low spirits, inactivity, or a period of stagnation. The Doldrums can also name the equatorial belt of light and variable winds and calms.
Meaning & originSick as a dog
Real ill or down, laid low.
Meaning & originRun off your feet
Rushed or swamped, no stop.
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.