Location
A miss is as good as a mile
Meaning
Some endeavours either succeed or they don’t – to miss narrowly is still failure.
Examples
He came within a millimetre of breaking the high jump records. Sadly, a miss is as good as a mile.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
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A place in the sun
Meaning
An idealistic dream of a sunny hideaway.
Examples
We’ve been lucky, we managed to buy ourselves a place in the sun for our retirement.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom, early 20th century. An allusion to a literal pleasant retirement location.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, not not common.
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A stone’s throw
Meaning
A short distance.
Examples
Number Ten Downing Street is just a stone’s throw from parliament – the Prime Minister can walk there in no time.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
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How the idiom originated
Barnet Fair
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for hair.
Examples
I’m not sure about that new hairdresser – he cut my barnet much too short.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Bat from the pavilion end
Meaning
Slang term for a homosexuality.
Examples
If Julian didn’t want us to know he was batting from the pavilion end he shouldn’t keep wearing those lilac loafers.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 20th century. An allusion to the game of cricket.
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Brighton Pier
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for queer (i.e. homosexual).
Examples
Quite appropriate that James lives with Julian in Brighton – they are Brighton Pier after all.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning
Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before.
Examples
My pension might not be enough to live on when I’m retired, but I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Where is it used?
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First World
Meaning
The industrialised affluent and wealthy nations.
Examples
The rise of China and India means we may have to redefine the First World before long.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid 20th century.
Where is it used?
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First World problem
Meaning
A relatively trivial problem only affecting the affluent.
Examples
Jack’s complaining again that his 48 inch screen is giving him eyestrain. That’s a First World problem if there ever was.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 20th century.
Where is it used?
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It's a small world
Meaning
Said when people meet unexpectedly, away from their usual haunts.
Examples
I went to New York and the first person I met was the guy from next door. it’s a small world alright.
Where did it originate?
Britain, in an 1873 novel by G. Chesney.
Where is it used?
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Khyber pass
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for arse.
Examples
That was really insulting to my mother. When he bends over he’s going to get a good kick up the khyber.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mainly Britain. Note that the original pronunciation of ‘pass’ would have been ‘parse’, to rhyme with ‘arse’. This reflects the ‘long r’ vocalisation of Cockneys. Current pronunciation depends on where you come from
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Never-never land
Meaning
A utopian dreamland.
Examples
Sonya says she’s going to get a part in Jonny Depp’s new movie. She needs to stop living in never-never land.
Where did it originate?
Australia
Where is it used?
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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.
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New kid on the block
Meaning
Someone new to the group or area.
Examples
Let’s go and play with him. Its hard being the new kid on the block.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Out on the town
Meaning
Out enjoying oneself.
Examples
Let’s go to the pub and then on to a club. Its good to have a night on the town every now and again.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, this hippie-sounding expression is no longer fashionable.
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Paint the town red
Meaning
Go on a boisterous or exuberant spree
Examples
It’s the last day of term and everyone wants to party. Why don’t we paint the town red?
Where did it originate?
USA, 19th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, although considered rather old fashioned language
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Queer street
Meaning
The imaginary location of people who have major problems in their life, especially debt. (Note: not a real place, nor connected to homosexuality)
Examples
The business has gone into liquidation, my wife has left and the mortgage company want the house. I’m really in queer street.
Where did it originate?
Britain – 17th century.
Where is it used?
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Rome was not built in one day
Meaning
Major and important projects take time.
Examples
The new airport won’t be finished for another ten years. I know Rome wasn’t built in a day but that seems too long to wait.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century. From a translation of Erasmus’s proverbs.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but less commonly than in the past.
Hear the idiom spoken
Scarper Flow
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for go.
Examples
The police are on there way. With your record they are bound to think the fight was your fault – you’d better scarper before they get here.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Swing by
Meaning
Drop in for a visit.
Examples
Come and join us – well be down at the pub until 9pm. Why don’t you swing by around 8.30?
Where did it originate?
Origin uncertain but possibly an allusion to a ‘swing-by’ which is a use of gravity by a spacecraft to change course.
Where is it used?
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The Big Pond
Meaning
Nickname of the Atlantic Ocean between the UK and the USA.
Examples
London’s getting boring – I’m planning to hop the big pond and have a weekend in New York.
Where did it originate?
USA, 1840s. Previously called, in both UK and USA as ‘The Great Pond’.
Where is it used?
Mostly USA and Britain.
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Up a blind alley
Meaning
On a fruitless course of action.
Examples
We couldn’t trace their fraudulent transactions – the evidence was gone. We were just looking up a blind alley.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century.
Where is it used?
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How the idiom originated
X marks the spot
Meaning
Said of a location that indicates something significant – like a pirate’s mark on a treasure map.
Examples
Jim said the cafe was opposite the yellow street sign and here it is. I guess X marks the spot.
Where did it originate?
Britain, mid-20th century.
Where is it used?
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