Household items
A drop in the bucket (or ocean)
Meaning
A very small part of a bigger whole.
Examples
The country’s debt has risen to a trillion pounds. Paying off a billion is just a drop in the bucket.
Where did it originate?
The Bible.
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A flash in the pan
Meaning
Something that fails to deliver long-term benefit after an initial success.
Examples
Ricky Valance was a one-hit wonder. Pretty much a flash in the pan you might say.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom – 17th century.
Where is it used?
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A foot in the door
Meaning
An initial inroad that may lead to greater influence in future.
Examples
I convinced them to start displaying my artwork. I’m making a loss on it but it’s a foot in the door.
Where did it originate?
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A skeleton in the closet (or cupboard)
Meaning
A secret and possibly ruinous source of shame.
Examples
No one in the family ever talked about Grandad being convicted of child abuse. It was the skeleton in our closet.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, although the British now use ’cupboard’ and the USA still uses ’closet’.
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Bucket list
Meaning
A list of things you plan to do before you ‘kick the bucket’ (die). Often a list of fanciful ideas rather than of concrete plans.
Examples
I’ve always wanted to go to Japan. I guess I’ll add that to my bucket list.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 20th century – popularized by the title of the film The Bucket List (2007).
Where is it used?
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Caught between two stools
Meaning
Finding it difficult to choose between two alternatives.
Examples
I’d like to go to the game and stay in for the birthday party. I’m between two stools.
Where did it originate?
14th century Britain.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but less commonly so that in the past.
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Chaise Lounge
Meaning
The American spelling for the piece of furniture known elsewhere as a chaise longue.
Examples
You must be tired. Why don’t you lie down on the chaise lounge?
Where did it originate?
USA, late 19th century. The misspelling of ‘chaise longue’ causes some amusement in France.
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China plate
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for mate.
Examples
We’ve been friends since school, haven’t we my old china?
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Duvet day
Meaning
A work day which an employee is allowed to spend at home relaxing.
Examples
We’d all worked so hard getting the latest design out on time the boss rewarded us with a duvet day to do whatever we wanted.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 1990s.
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Everything but the kitchen sink
Meaning
Everything imaginable.
Examples
I said she could stay for a few days but there’s hardly room. She brought everything but the kitchen sink.
Where did it originate?
Britain, late-19th century.
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Get out of the wrong side of the bed
Meaning
Be grumpy because you are having a bad day.
Examples
He shouted at me for nothing. Must have got out of the wrong side of the bed.
Where is it used?
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Going to hell in a handbasket
Meaning
Deteriorating and headed for complete disaster.
Examples
When the British went over the top at the Somme the soldiers didn’t realise they were headed for hell in a handbasket.
Where did it originate?
USA, 19th century.
Where is it used?
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Greasy spoon
Meaning
A small cheap cafe selling fried food.
Examples
We had been driving all night. A fried breakfast in a greasy spoon was just what I fancied.
Where did it originate?
USA, 20th century.
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Kick the bucket
Meaning
Die.
Examples
Grandad kicked the bucket last week. No real surprise – he was 96.
Where did it originate?
Britain – 18th century.
Where is it used?
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Mrs Mop
Meaning
traditional English name for a cleaning woman.
Examples
I just don’t have time to work full time, look after the kids and keep the house clean – perhaps I should get a Mrs. Mop.
Where did it originate?
Britain. First used in the 1940s radio show ITMA.
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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The empty chair
Meaning
The perceived absense of someone who is recently deceased.
Examples
Some days I can forget about Jim’s death for a while, then I see the empty chair and the grief comes back.
Where is it used?
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Throw the towel in
Meaning
Give up, especially to avoid further punishment when facing certain defeat.
Examples
AltaVista tried to hang on and compete with Google, but eventually they just couldn’t compete and were forced to throw the towel in.
Where did it originate?
USA, 1910s. The allusion is to a boxing match where throwing the towel in indicates a concession
Where is it used?
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Wardrobe malfunction
Meaning
Referring to an item of clothing slipping out of place to expose part of the body.
Examples
Her top slipped down in front of the boys. She said it was a wardrobe malfunction but I think it was deliberate.
Where did it originate?
USA. First said by Justin Timberlake to explain the inadvertent exposure of Janet Jackson’s breast during the half-time show at the 2004 Super Bowl.
Where is it used?
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