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The meanings and origins of thousands of phrases, sayings, proverbs, idioms and expressions.
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2,500 English idioms, phrases and proverbs that we use every...
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Phrases coined in the United States of America. Phrases...
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Nautical phrases - the meaning and origin of phrases that...
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A picture paints a thousand words A place for everything and...
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135 phrases coined by or associated with Shakespeare. 135...
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Pearls before swine Physician heal thyself Pride comes...
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Meanings and Origins of Phrases - A list of euphemisms....
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Dying words are a very special form of quotation. Some are...
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- Cat Got Your Tongue. Meaning: Said to someone who remains silent when they are expected to speak. Origin: There are two stories on how this saying came into being.
- The Walls Have Ears. Meaning: Be careful what you say as people may be eavesdropping. Origin: The face Louvre Palace in France was believed to have a network of listening tubes so that it would be possible to hear everything that was said in different rooms.
- Bury The Hatchet. Meaning: End a quarrel or conflict and become friendly. Origin: During negotiations between Puritans and Native Americans men would bury all of their weapons, making them inaccessible.
- Cold Feet. Meaning: Loss of nerve or confidence. Origin: This idiom originates from a military term, warriors who had frozen feet were not able to rush into battle.
2,500 English idioms, phrases and proverbs that we use every day, with their meanings and origins explained.
- “At the Drop of a Hat” Means: To do something without delay. Real meaning: In the 19 century, a hat was used to indicate the start of a race or a fight. A hat would be dropped or swept in a downward arc and participants would begin.
- “As Mad as a Hatter” Means: To be crazy or insane. Real meaning: In the 17 and 18 centuries, hatters made felt hats with mercury, which lead to all kinds of side effects, including insanity.
- “Barking up the Wrong Tree” Means: Take the wrong approach or waste your efforts. Real meaning: This is an old saying that originates in America and refers to hunting dogs in the early 19 century.
- “Basket Case” Means: Stressed out, unable to cope. Real meaning: In WW1, tragically many soldiers lost limbs and had to be carried. They were put in a makeshift basket and referred to as ‘basket cases’.
- The apple of my eye. This Old English phrase was first attributed to King Aelfred (the Great) of Wessex, AD 885, in Gregory's Pastoral Care, but also appears in Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Hold a candle to. This phrase originates from when apprentices were expected to hold the candle up, so their more experienced colleagues could see what they were doing.
- Chow down. 'Chow down' was first used by the U.S. military during WWII. 'Chow' is a Chinese breed of dog, that became a western slang term for food due to the Chinese's reputation for eating dog meat.
- Come up trumps. 'Come up trumps' is a variant of 'turn up trumps', which has been used since the early 17th century. "Trump" is a corruption of triumph, which was the name of a popular card game during this period.
Oct 6, 2023 · This guide explores British idioms and slang words, unpacking their meaning and providing cultural context. By mastering these phrases, you can understand your British mates and chat like a local. So, “grab a cuppa” and let’s dive in!
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Learn LOTS of common idioms in English, with examples of how these expressions are used by native English speakers.
