http://www.phrases.org.uk/a-phrase-a-week/ The meanings and origins of English phrases, sayings and idioms. A newly researched phrase is added each week. en-us Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT apaw@phrasefinder.co.uk (Gary Martin) http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/complete-shambles.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/complete-shambles.html Shambles - good or bad? Fri, 19 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/nosy-parker.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/nosy-parker.html Who was Nosy Parker? Fri, 12 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/lark-about.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/lark-about.html But where? In the sky? In the mud? In the rigging? Fri, 5 Mar 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/on-the-button.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/on-the-button.html Which button is that? Fri, 26 Feb 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-spades.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-spades.html Digging around for the source of this? Fri, 19 Feb 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/high-on-the-hog.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/high-on-the-hog.html Another slice of ham, milord? Fri, 12 Feb 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/on-the-ball.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/on-the-ball.html Yes, but which ball? Fri, 05 Feb 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/without-so-much-as-a-by-your-leave.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/without-so-much-as-a-by-your-leave.html Buy your leaves, guvnor? Fri, 29 Jan 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/if-it-aint-broke-dont-fix-it.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/if-it-aint-broke-dont-fix-it.html 'Ain't broke'? Don't you mean 'isn't broken' old boy? Fri, 22 Jan 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hobby-horse.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hobby-horse.html What's your hobby, horse? Fri, 15 Jan 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/toffee-nosed.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/toffee-nosed.html Mmm, toffee. Fri, 08 Jan 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/full-to-the-gunwales.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/full-to-the-gunwales.html Gunwales, gunnels; what are they? Fri, 01 Jan 2010 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/a-pig-in-a-poke.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/a-pig-in-a-poke.html Is that a pig in your pocket, or...? Fri, 18 Dec 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bring-home-the-bacon.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bring-home-the-bacon.html Who's filched my flitch? Fri, 11 Dec 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/sleep%20tight.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/sleep%20tight.html No, I didn't tell you to get drunk. Fri, 04 Dec 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/namby-pamby.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/namby-pamby.html Your cringing, fawning subject sire. Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/you-can-lead-a-horse-to-water.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/you-can-lead-a-horse-to-water.html ...but a pencil must be lead. Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/red-rag-to-a-bull.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/red-rag-to-a-bull.html Excuse me Daisy - can you see this? Fri, 6 Nov 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-a-pickle.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-a-pickle.html In deep trouble. Fri, 30 Oct 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/raze-to-the-ground.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/raze-to-the-ground.html Shave Sir? Fri, 23 Oct 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/peter-out.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/peter-out.html Fizzle and splutter. Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/sir-walter-scott.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/sir-walter-scott.html Who coins the phrases? Arise, Sir Walter. Fri, 02 Oct 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/pull-out-all-the-stops.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/pull-out-all-the-stops.html Stop that noise; I'm trying to play the organ. Fri, 25 Sep 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/out-of-sorts.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/out-of-sorts.html Sorted; or is it? Fri, 18 Sep 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/over-the-moon.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/over-the-moon.html Outer space, or in the nursery? Fri, 11 Sep 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/birds-of-a-feather-flock-together.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/birds-of-a-feather-flock-together.html There's a falcon. Time to flock. Fri, 4 Sep 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/card-sharp.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/card-sharp.html Look sharp, here comes a big fish. Fri, 28 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/lose-your-marbles.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/lose-your-marbles.html Quick, they are rolling down the drain. Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/by-hook-or-by-crook.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/by-hook-or-by-crook.html We will find the origin, one way or another. Fri, 14 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/swan-song.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/swan-song.html Dying to sing. Fri, 7 Aug 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/jury-is-still-out.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/jury-is-still-out.html Okay. You can come back in now. Fri, 31 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/fuddy-duddy.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/fuddy-duddy.html What does it mean? Fri, 24 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/tempest-in-a-teapot.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/tempest-in-a-teapot.html A what? In a where? Fri, 17 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/a-picture-is-worth-a-thousand-words.html Here's an explanation - or would you prefer a picture? Fri, 10 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/pass-the-buck.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/pass-the-buck.html Pass the buckie to the lefthand side. Fri, 03 Jul 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/movers-and-shakers.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/movers-and-shakers.html Shake it up baby now. Fri, 26 Jun 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/plain-sailing.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/plain-sailing.html No trains; just plains and boats. Fri, 19 Jun 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hair-of-the-dog.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hair-of-the-dog.html Foaming at the mouth? Try some hair. Fri, 12 Jun 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/someone-is-walking-over-my-grave.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/someone-is-walking-over-my-grave.html Is it me, or is it cold in here? Fri, 05 Jun 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/off-his-own-bat.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/off-his-own-bat.html He's gone batty. Fri, 29 May 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cotton-picking.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cotton-picking.html Just hold on a minute. Fri, 22 May 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cherchez-la-femme.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cherchez-la-femme.html Is this a dagger I see before me? Fri, 15 May 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/old-codger.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/old-codger.html Could I borrow a cup of sugar? Fri, 08 May 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/la-di-da.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/la-di-da.html Oh lardy! Fri, 01 May 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/rule-of-thumb.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/rule-of-thumb.html Put that stick down. Fri, 24 Apr 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/proof-of-the-pudding.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/proof-of-the-pudding.html Go on - prove it. Fri, 17 Apr 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/copper-bottomed.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/copper-bottomed.html Need a new saucepan? Fri, 10 Apr 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hobsons-choice.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hobsons-choice.html What sort of choice is that? Fri, 03 Apr 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/skeleton-in-the-closet.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/skeleton-in-the-closet.html In the closet? I keep mine in a cupboard. Fri, 27 Mar 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/a-stitch-in-time.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/a-stitch-in-time.html Saves nine what? Fri, 20 Mar 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/ring-a-ring-of-roses.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/ring-a-ring-of-roses.html A plague on your folk etymology. Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/my-old-dutch.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/my-old-dutch.html From Holland? No. From Fife? No. Well, where then? Fri, 06 Mar 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-the-offing.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-the-offing.html Off you go. Fri, 27 Feb 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/yellow-belly.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/yellow-belly.html From the Wild West? More like the wild east. Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/augur-well.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/augur-well.html Augur or bode? Take your choice. Fri, 13 Feb 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/back%20to%20square%20one.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/back%20to%20square%20one.html Probably from a game, but which one? Fri, 6 Feb 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/wax-poetic.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/wax-poetic.html Okay, but can you also wane poetic? Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/derring-do.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/derring-do.html Derring? What's derring? Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/at-loggerheads.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/at-loggerheads.html Going to Wales for your holidays? Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/without-let-or-hindrance.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/without-let-or-hindrance.html No let, no hindrance? Do you need a rub? Fri, 09 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/double-cross.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/double-cross.html Doubling and crossing? You must really be annoyed with someone. Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/make-no-bones-about.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/make-no-bones-about.html Cream of tomato, anyone? Fri, 19 Dec 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/harbinger-of-doom.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/harbinger-of-doom.html We're all doomed, doomed I tell ye. Fri, 12 Dec 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/piece-of-the-action.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/piece-of-the-action.html Gimme, gimme, gimme. Fri, 5 Dec 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/worth-ones-salt.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/worth-ones-salt.html Paying you a condiment. Fri, 28 Nov 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/dressed-to-the-nines.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/dressed-to-the-nines.html Nines? What about the tens? Fri, 21 Nov 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/graveyard-shift.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/graveyard-shift.html Everything to do with shifts and nothing to do with graves. Fri, 14 Nov 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/jump-on-the-bandwagon.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/jump-on-the-bandwagon.html Go on, you know you want to. Fri, 7 Nov 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-limbo.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-limbo.html Stuck in limbo? Could it be time to get out the pole and start dancing? Fri, 31 Oct 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/an-englishmans-home-is-his-castle.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/an-englishmans-home-is-his-castle.html Not English? Not male? So, where do you live? Fri, 17 Oct 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hedge-your-bets.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/hedge-your-bets.html Going hedging? You'll need your pruning shears. Fri, 10 Oct 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/have-an-inkling.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/have-an-inkling.html Are you inclined to inkle? Fri, 03 Oct 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/crop-up.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/crop-up.html Something has turned up. What have crops got to do with it? Fri, 26 Sep 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/tide-over.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/tide-over.html That's going to have to last until we get new stocks. So what's tide got to do with it? Fri, 19 Sep 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/as-happy-as.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/as-happy-as.html Feeling happy chappie? You aren't the only one. Fri, 12 Sep 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/chip-on-your-shoulder.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/chip-on-your-shoulder.html Feeling chippy chappie? What's that on your shoulder, and how did it get there? Fri, 05 Sep 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/come-a-cropper.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/come-a-cropper.html Okay, you can come one - but what is a cropper exactly? Fri, 29 Aug 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-a-cleft-stick.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/in-a-cleft-stick.html Sounds nasty - but why? Fri, 22 Aug 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/as-easy-as-pie.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/as-easy-as-pie.html As easy as pie. Fri, 15 Aug 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/warts-and-all.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/warts-and-all.html Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who was the wartiest of them all? Fri, 08 Aug 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/upside-down.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/upside-down.html Which century is that from? Fri, 01 Aug 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bats-in-the-belfry.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bats-in-the-belfry.html What is the link between the phrases 'bats in the belfry', 'dead ringer' and 'saved by the bell'? Fri, 25 Jul 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cock%20and%20bull%20story.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/cock%20and%20bull%20story.html Did this originate in the Cock and the Bull inns in Buckinghamshire - or is that just a cock and bull story? Fri, 18 Jul 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/fight-fire-with-fire.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/fight-fire-with-fire.html Pass the petrol; I'm just going to put that fire out. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/chop-chop.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/chop-chop.html Hurry up; there are choppy waters ahead. Fri, 04 Jul 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/with-bells-on.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/with-bells-on.html Bow bells? Seven bells? Hell's bells? Fri, 27 Jun 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/think-outside-the-box.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/think-outside-the-box.html Which box is that? Fri, 20 Jun 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/toodle-oo.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/toodle-oo.html I'll be toddling off. Fri, 13 Jun 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/high-flyer.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/high-flyer.html It's good to fly high - or is it? Fri, 06 Jun 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/till-may-is-out.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/till-may-is-out.html June. Time to take your coat off? Fri, 30 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/die-hard.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/die-hard.html You mean there's an easy way? Fri, 23 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/let-the-cat-out-of-the-bag.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/let-the-cat-out-of-the-bag.html Didn't that piglet just miaow? Fri, 16 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/donkeys-years.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/donkeys-years.html Howdy. I haven't seen you in donkeys. Fri, 09 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bandy-words-with.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bandy-words-with.html Bandy. Isn't that like hockey? Fri, 02 May 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bale-out-bail-out.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/bale-out-bail-out.html Bale? Bail? Which is which? Fri, 25 Apr 2008 11:00:00 GMT http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/blown-to-smithereens.html http://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/blown-to-smithereens.html Blown where? Fri, 18 Apr 2008 11:00:00 GMT