Idioms · 84 entries
1. A misfortune. 2. A serious bone fracture.
1. USA 2. UK.
The United Kingdom.
Biblical.
The United Kingdom. An allusion to a cricket fielder who had a reputation for reliably making catches.
USA, initially alluding to a shot of drugs but now used without that connotation.
The United Kingdom - 18th century.
The United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom - 19th century.
Britain, 19th century. A variant of the 16th century expression ‘each finger was a thumb’.
USA, mid-20th century. Often mistakenly thought to be related to the high cost of painting full-length portraits.
USA, 19th century.
Britain. Early (pre 1000AD) English, in the form of hold or keep one’s tongue.
USA, 20th century.
Britain, late 19th century. People assume this expression has a vulgar origin but, in fact, when coined the hairs referred to were those on the back of the neck.
USA, late 19th century.
Britain - 16th century.
Britain, 18th century.
USA, early 20th century.
Britain, late 17th century.
USA and Britain, early 20th century.
Britain, 16th century.
Britain, especially Scotland, from 19th century onward.
Britain, 10th century, from a biblical source.
USA, mid 20th century.
Britain, from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
USA, late 19th century.
Britain, 20th century.
Britain, 20th century. The allusion is to fish floating dead in the water.
Britain, 19th century.
Britain, 15th century.
Britain, 18th century.
Britain, 17th century. Derived from the name of the carrier Thomas Hobson.
Britain. From Shakespeare’s Comedy of Errors.
USA, 1970s.
Britain, late 19th century.
Britain, 16th century.
Britain, 17th century.
USA, late 19th century.
Britain, 19th century. Driving from the medical test involving tapping the knee.
Britain, 19th century.
Britain. From Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar.
Britain, 19th century.
Britain, late 18th century.
USA, late 20th century.
Britain, circa 1800. From the writings of Samuel Taylor Coleridge.
USA, mid 20th century.
Britain, 16th century.
USA, 19th century.
Britain - 19th century.
USA, 19th century.
Britain, 1600s. Not, as is often thought, derived from the size of stick a man was permitted to beat his wife with.
Britain, 17th century. Ultimately deriving from the Bible.
Britain, late 20th century.
Britain, 16th century.
First seen in James Joyce’s Ulysees, 1922.
Britain, 9th century - making it one of the oldest phrases in the language that is still in regular use in its original form.
Britain, early 19th century. Most probably directly related to Nelson’s refusal to view an unwelcome signal.
Britain, mid-20th century.
Britain, mid-20th century.
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.
The idiom might be thought to be fairly modern but, in fact, its first use was in Britain in the 17th century. Before being applied to humans the expression was used to refer to dogs that had large ears.
Britain, 1910s
Britain, late 18th century.
USA, 1940s. Deriving from the allusion to closing a garment with a zipper.
Entry 1
Meaning1. A misfortune. 2. A serious bone fracture.
Usage 1. USA. 2. Widely used.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 2
MeaningA day on which everything seems to go wrong.
Usage Predominantly in the USA but also more widely.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 3
MeaningA fist, as used in a fight.
Usage Mostly in the UK, but occasionally elsewhere too.
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Entry 4
MeaningA sense of inferiority characterized by a quickness to take offence.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 5
MeaningAn initial inroad that may lead to greater influence in future.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 6
MeaningA kindred spirit. Someone who thinks as I do.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 7
MeaningA reliable person, who can be trusted not to fail in a a task.
Usage Worldwide, but more in the UK than elsewhere.
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Pronunciation
Entry 8
MeaningA boost or encouragement.
Usage Worldwide, very commonly used.
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Pronunciation
Entry 9
MeaningA welcome sight that you weren’t expecting.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 10
MeaningA secret and possibly ruinous source of shame.
Usage Worldwide, although the British now use ’cupboard’ and the USA still uses ’closet’.
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Entry 11
MeaningA mild rebuke, often given when a more severe punishment might be expected.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 12
MeaningA fatal weakness in an otherwise strong person or thing.
Usage Worldwide, but more commonly amongst the older generation.
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Pronunciation
Entry 13
MeaningClumsy or physically inept.
Usage Worldwide, more used by the older generations.
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Pronunciation
Entry 14
MeaningVery expensive. A large amount of money.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 15
MeaningA slang term for small child.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 16
MeaningCockney rhyming slang for hair.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Entry 17
MeaningAvoid speaking.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 18
MeaningCockney rhyming slang for face.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Entry 19
MeaningCockney rhyming slang for arse.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Entry 20
MeaningA superstitious way to wish 'good luck' to an actor before a performance while avoiding saying 'good luck' out loud, which is considered unlucky.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 21
MeaningSlogan of breastfeeding campaign.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 22
MeaningSaid to be possessed by someone who is able to eat anything with no ill effects.
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Entry 23
MeaningTrapped by an opponent in a situation you can't escape.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 24
MeaningStiffness or cramp in the arm or leg.
Usage Little-known outside the USA.
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Pronunciation
Entry 25
MeaningSide by side; close together.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 26
MeaningTo hope that something happens.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 27
MeaningDon't hurt someone that helps you.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 28
MeaningSound that is loud or that catches the attention.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 29
MeaningEnergetic labour, especially in the polishing of household items.
Usage Britain, mostly by the older generation.
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Pronunciation
Entry 30
MeaningSomething that creates shock or surprise.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 31
MeaningTo become conscious of and develop one's expertise.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 32
MeaningMaking a round of visits at New Year.
Usage Mostly Scotland but has travelled with Scots throughout the world.
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Entry 33
Meaning1 - One's family. 2 - the bodily stuff we are made of.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 34
MeaningTo aggressively raise your middle finger at someone as a sign of displeasure.
Usage Mostly USA.
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Pronunciation
Entry 35
MeaningTo show vehement rage.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 36
MeaningMake a bad start in a relationship or task.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 37
MeaningUnderstand something, especially something difficult to comprehend because it is complex or surprising.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Pronunciation
Entry 38
MeaningBecome badly and permanently inoperative.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 39
MeaningSaid ironically when two people have matching thoughts.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 40
MeaningCockney rhyming slang for neck.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Pronunciation
Entry 41
MeaningA personal intuition, based on feeling rather than fact.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 42
MeaningSaid of someone who the speaker has a deep dislike of.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 43
MeaningVery excited, especially when in love.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 44
Meaning1. A choice forced upon someone. 2. Cockney rhyming slang for voice.
Usage Worldwide, although mostly amongst the older generation.
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Pronunciation
Entry 45
MeaningNaked.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 46
MeaningAggressive confrontation.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 47
MeaningAn overweight person.
Usage Worldwide, but not common everywhere. Most used in Britain and Australia.
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Entry 48
MeaningObserve carefully to make sure something bad isn't done.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 49
MeaningEarn sufficient money in order to keep yourself alive.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 50
MeaningRemain positive in a tough situation.
Usage Although derived in the USA this idiom is more commonly heard now in Britain.
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Pronunciation
Entry 51
MeaningA quick and automatic response.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 52
MeaningSexual intercourse between two people standing up.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Entry 53
MeaningPolitely ask for someones full attention.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 54
MeaningCockney rhyming slang for head.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Entry 55
MeaningOld.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 56
MeaningOvercome by emotion and out of control.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 57
MeaningCockney rhyming slang for eyes.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Entry 58
MeaningCockney rhyming slang for deaf.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Entry 59
MeaningThe inadvertent exposure of a womans nipple.
Usage Mostly USA and UK and not amongst the older generations.
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Pronunciation
Entry 60
MeaningCockney rhyming slang for mouth.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Entry 61
MeaningInvestigate in an off-hand manner.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 62
MeaningSaid when you absolutely refuse to allow something to happen.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 63
MeaningCockney rhyming slang for feet.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Pronunciation
Entry 64
MeaningA foul mouthed person.
Usage Worldwide, but not particularly common.
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Pronunciation
Entry 65
MeaningListen very carefully - like a dog or horse with erect ears.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 66
MeaningDeceive someone.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 67
MeaningBecome less ambitious; curb your enthusiasm.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 68
MeaningTricking someone as a joke.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 69
MeaningA rough estimate.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 70
MeaningWhen two or more people agree.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 71
MeaningThe side of a female breast revealed by skimpy clothing.
Usage Worldwide, amongst the younger generations.
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Pronunciation
Entry 72
MeaningBlonde hair that is turning grey.
Usage Worldwide, but rather old-fashioned.
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Entry 73
MeaningEloquent or persuasive manner of speech.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 74
MeaningHurt someone who was close to us by betraying them secretly and breaking their trust.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 75
MeaningSomeone who is cherished above all others.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 76
MeaningRefuse to acknowledge something that you know is genuine.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 77
MeaningPersuade someone to do something they don't really want to do.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 78
MeaningThink smart.
Usage Worldwide, but most commonly in Britain.
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Pronunciation
Entry 79
MeaningTone deaf.
Usage Mostly Britain and not a common idiom.
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Entry 80
MeaningOpenly express your emotions.
Usage Worldwide, although somewhat old-fashioned.
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Entry 81
MeaningSaid of a man with large genitals.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 82
MeaningYoung and naive, like a new-born baby.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 83
MeaningA coward.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 84
MeaningSay nothing; keep your mouth shut. Often shortened to 'zip it'.
Usage Worldwide, but most common in the USA.
Example
Pronunciation