Language
A picture paints a thousand words
Meaning
Pictures are far more descriptive than words.
Examples
I tried to describe that fantastic sunset and then she just showed them a photo. You know it’s true – a picture paints a thousand words.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
A very widely and commonly used proverb/adage.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Actions speak louder than words
Meaning
Actions show one’s character more than what you say.
Examples
She spoke up for the immigrants but he gave them a bed in his house – actions speak louder than words.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom – 17th century.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
Al desko
Meaning
Eating one’s lunch while still working. (A Pun on ’Al fresco’.).
Examples
I’m too busy to come to the cafe this lunchtime – I’ll be lunching al desko.
Where did it originate?
USA and Britain, in the 1980s
Where is it used?
Widely used, but mainly in the 30/40s generations who work in offices.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
Al fresco
Meaning
In the open air.
Examples
The weather’s lovely, let’s have our lunch al fresco on the terrace.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom adaptation of an Italian expression
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
All Greek to me
Meaning
Incomprehensible, as Greek is to someone who cannot speak it.
Examples
He says that quantum physics isn’t so difficult but it’s all Greek to me.
Where did it originate?
Shakespearian, from Julius Caesar, 1601.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
How the idiom originated
Alphabet soup
Meaning
A jumble of words or letters, often referring to organisations known by their initials, like CIA or BBC.
Examples
All those institutions of the European parliament are confusing – a real alphabet soup.
Where did it originate?
USA. An early 20th century adaptation of the name of the soup made from pasta letters.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
Bite your tongue
Meaning
Avoid speaking.
Examples
I knew his wife wasn’t faithful but I didn’t like to say – I thought it best to bite my tongue.
Where did it originate?
Britain. Early (pre 1000AD) English, in the form of hold or keep one’s tongue.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
Cat got your tongue?
Meaning
A question addressed to someone who is inexplicably silent. The implication is that the person’s tongue is missing.
Examples
All you have to do is tell us who attacked you and we will arrest them. Why so quiet? Has the cat got your tongue?
Where did it originate?
America, 19th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but little used amongst the young.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
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.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Cock and bull story
Meaning
An unbelievable tale.
Examples
She said that she went to school with George Clooney but she’s only twenty two – I think it’s a cock and bull story.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century, although the precise source is unknown.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Excuse my French
Meaning
Please forgive me for swearing.
Examples
Bugger – excuse my French.
Where did it originate?
Britain, mid 20th century.
Where is it used?
Britain, mostly by the older generation.
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Hear it on the grapevine
Meaning
Hear rumors about something from an anonymous informal contact.
Examples
The girls in the dorm were talking and I heard it on the grapevine that Judy is pregnant.
Where did it originate?
USA
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Hit the nail on the head
Meaning
Make the precise correct point.
Examples
Churchill hit the nail on the head when he called Hitler a dictator.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
In a nutshell
Meaning
In a few words. Concisely stated.
Examples
Our profitability has dwindled to a point where we cannot continue to meet our creditors demands. In a nutshell; were broke.
Where did it originate?
The UK in the 19th century.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Mind your language
Meaning
An admonition not to swear.
Examples
Hey kids, I’m on speakerphone to Granny so mind your language.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
Mums the word
Meaning
Keep quiet. Say nothing.
Examples
I’m telling you this in confidence – remember, mums the word.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 18th century.
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Off the record
Meaning
Something said in confidence that the one speaking doesn’t want repeated.
Examples
The minister won’t talk to reporters since his last off the record briefing got into the papers.
Where did it originate?
USA, 1930s.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Old chestnut
Meaning
A story that has been told repeatedly and which has lost any originality.
Examples
Grandma brings out that story about her meeting the Queen every Christmas. It really is a hoary old chestnut.
Where did it originate?
Britain – 19th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but most common in the UK.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
On the record
Meaning
Something said in confidence that the one speaking is happy to have repeated.
Examples
As finance minister I’m on the record as supporting increased spending on welfare, and you can quote me on that.
Where did it originate?
USA, 20th century.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
Pipe down
Meaning
An instruction to shut-up or be quiet.
Examples
Okay kids, the lesson has started. Pipe down and I’ll begin.
Where did it originate?
USA, 19th century. Probably deriving from an earlier British Navy source.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, if a little dated.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Potty mouth
Meaning
A foul mouthed person.
Examples
I couldn’t believe that string of swearwords that Jill gave the teacher – she’s a real potty mouth.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid 20th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but not particularly common.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
Rabbit and pork
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for talk.
Examples
He just goes on and on about his hobbies – rabbit, rabbit, rabbit!
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
Silver tongued
Meaning
Eloquent or persuasive manner of speech.
Examples
Reagan didn’t always have much in the way of policies but he certainly could hold a crowd with his silver tongued speeches.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
Talk of the devil!
Meaning
Said when someone that you have just been talking about arrives.
Examples
Did you know that Jim is gay? Oh, talk of the devil – here he is.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
More idioms about
How the idiom originated
To cut a long story short
Meaning
Said when a storyteller doesn’t want to bore his audience with a long involved account.
Examples
Macbeth has dozens of characters and is a very complex play. To cut a long story short, Macbeth dies.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 18th century.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
Word for word
Meaning
An exact, precisely corresponding to, copy of another’s words.
Examples
I was sure of what I had seen of the robbery. I made sure that the police took a word for word copy of my report of it.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 13th century.
Where is it used?
Hear the idiom spoken
How the idiom originated
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
