Idioms · 46 entries
A small meal, possibly taken quickly when time is short.
The United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom. Derives from the literal sense that a hot potato is difficult to hold.
The United Kingdom.
Britain, 17th century.
USA, early 20th century.
USA, early 20th century.
USA, 19th century.
USA, around WWII, from an Anglo-Indian slang source.
Britain, 17th century proverb.
Britain, 16th century proverb, from an Italian original.
Britain, 17th century.
USA, mid-20th century.
USA, mid 20th century.
USA, mid 20th century.
USA, 20th century.
USA
The UK in the 19th century.
Britain, late 19th century.
Britain, 16th century (to supply liquor). USA, 19th century (to drink liquor).
Britain - 19th century.
USA, late 20th century.
Shakespeare
Britain, 17th century. From a Latin source, possibly Pliny.
Britain, 9th century - making it one of the oldest phrases in the language that is still in regular use in its original form.
Britain, 20th century.
USA, late 19th century.
Britain, mid-20th century.
Britain, late 20th century.
USA, 1920s.
Entry 1
Meaning A small meal, possibly taken quickly when time is short.
Usage Mostly the UK, but elsewhere too.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 2
Meaning A current issue which many people are talking about and which is controversial.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 3
Meaning Having many responsibilities.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 4
Meaning A task that can be accomplished very easily.
Usage Very widely and commonly used, to the point of being considered a cliche.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 5
Meaning The use of excessive resources to overcome a small problem.
Usage Widely used.
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Entry 6
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for stairs.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Entry 7
Meaning Thirteen.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 8
Meaning Take on a task that is more than one can manage.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 9
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for fart.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 10
Meaning A set meal provided at a reduced price.
Usage USA.
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Pronunciation
Entry 11
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for dead.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Pronunciation
Entry 12
Meaning Waste money by purchasing a car that is frequently faulty.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 13
Meaning Unable to meet the demands put upon you.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 14
Meaning Said to be possessed by someone who is able to eat anything with no ill effects.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 15
Meaning Begin to eat.
Usage Mostly USA.
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Pronunciation
Entry 16
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for knackered. - note, when this term was coined, cream crackers were a popular snack in the UK.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Pronunciation
Entry 17
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for sun.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Pronunciation
Entry 18
Meaning Don't fret pointlessly about some mistake or loss when it can't be remedied.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 19
Meaning Don't risk all your property on a single venture.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 20
Meaning Drink very heavily.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 21
Meaning Referring to an item on a menu that is no longer available.
Usage USA.
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Pronunciation
Entry 22
Meaning A frantic competition or exploitation - like a group shark attack.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 23
Meaning Chaotic collective behaviour where items of food are thrown about wildly.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 24
Meaning A small cheap cafe selling fried food.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 25
Meaning Hear rumors about something from an anonymous informal contact.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 26
Meaning In a few words. Concisely stated.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 27
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for car.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Pronunciation
Entry 28
Meaning An overweight person.
Usage Worldwide, but not common everywhere. Most used in Britain and Australia.
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Pronunciation
Entry 29
Meaning To supply or to drink alcoholic drink.
Usage Worldwide, but not commonly used everywhere.
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Pronunciation
Entry 30
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for head.
Usage Mostly Britain.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 31
Meaning A story that has been told repeatedly and which has lost any originality.
Usage Worldwide, but most common in the UK.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 32
Meaning To overeat in a slovenly manner.
Usage Worldwide, but mostly by the younger generations.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 33
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for feet.
Usage Mostly Britain.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 34
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for cold.
Usage Mostly Britain.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 35
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for talk.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Pronunciation
Entry 36
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for curry.
Usage Mostly Britain.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 37
Meaning The days of one's youthful inexperience and enthusiasm.
Usage Mainly Britain.
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Pronunciation
Entry 38
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for wig.
Usage Mostly Britain.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 39
Meaning Don't take what someone says too seriously - the the implication that it isn't true.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 40
Meaning Someone who is cherished above all others.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 41
Meaning An outstandingly good idea or plan.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 42
Meaning Something that makes a good situation even better.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 43
Meaning Think smart.
Usage Worldwide, but most commonly in Britain.
Example
Pronunciation
Entry 44
Meaning Relax in a slothful manner, usually watching tv while lying on a sofa - (that is, become a 'couch-potato').
Usage Worldwide, but most commonly restricted to the under 40s.
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Pronunciation
Entry 45
Meaning Entertain in a high class restaurant.
Usage Worldwide.
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Pronunciation
Entry 46
Meaning What you eat affects you health.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
Pronunciation