Hyperbole
A fate worse than death
Meaning
The reputed opinion of sexual intercourse by prim Victorian ladies.
Examples
Lord Carruthers dragged me to his bedroom and left me in no doubt I was to suffer a fate worse than death.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but now considered rather old-fashioned and used mainly by the older generation.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
A knight in shining armour
Meaning
A person who comes to the aid of another when other hopes have faded, like the knights in romantic stories.
Examples
She was stuck, out of petrol in the middle of the moors at night. When the repair man turned up she called him her knight in shining armour.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom. An allusion to the notion of gallant and noble mediaeval knights.
Where is it used?
Widespread but not commonly used.
Hear the idiom spoken
How the idiom originated
Foam at the mouth
Meaning
To show vehement rage.
Examples
He was mad as hell – really foaming at the mouth.
Where did it originate?
Britain, from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
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?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Like a chicken with its head cut off
Meaning
In a frenzied manner.
Examples
He was shouting and swearing because they had lost the contract – he was running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 19th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but not particularly common.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
New York minute
Meaning
A short space of time.
Examples
I know we need to leave soon, but I can get ready really quickly. I’ll be with you in a New York minute.
Where did it originate?
USA, 20th century.
Where is it used?
Mostly USA.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
Over my dead body
Meaning
Said when you absolutely refuse to allow something to happen.
Examples
He bullied me at school and now you want to promote him. Over my dead body!
Where did it originate?
Britain, circa 1800. From the writings of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
Shoot down in flames
Meaning
Destroy an argument or theory.
Examples
They sent their perpetual motion ideas to the Royal Society. Of course, it was all nonsense and they were shot down in flames.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 1940s. An allusion to fighter planes being shot down.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, although rather old-fashioned.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
Van Gogh's ear for music
Meaning
Tone deaf.
Examples
I’d love to join the choir but my audition was a disaster. The conductor said I had Van Gogh’s ear for music.
Where did it originate?
An ironic joke alluding to Van Gogh’s celebrated loss of his ear, coined in Britain in the late 20th century. The source idiom ‘ear for music’ has been used in Britain since the 18th century.
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain and not a common idiom.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
Browse more Idioms
About the Author
Idioms
A-Z
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T UV W XYZ
Categories
AdageAgreementAmericaAnimalsAphorismAustralian originBiblicalBlueBodyBrass tacksBuildingBusinessChildhoodChildrenClicheClockClothesCockney rhyming slangColourComedyConflictCountryCrimeDanceDateDeathDisgustDrinkEducationEffortEmotionEuphemismExcellenceExcessFailureFamilyFirst worldFoodFrenchFruitGreek originHabitHairHappinessHonestyHousehold itemsHyperboleLanguageLatinLegalLocationLuckMadnessMedicalMilitaryMisfortuneMoneyMusicNameNatureNauticalNonsenseNumberPatiencePlaceProverbProverbialReduplicationRelaxationReligionRiskScienceSecretsSexShakespeareSlangSportStupiditySuccessSurpriseTechnologyThe human bodyTheatreTimeToolTravelTrickeryVehicleWaterWeatherWork
