Food
A bite to eat
Meaning
A small meal, possibly taken quickly when time is short.
Examples
We won’t have time for a meal after the concert finishes so let’s get a bite to eat now before we go in.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
Mostly the UK, but elsewhere too.
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A hot potato
Meaning
A current issue which many people are talking about and which is controversial.
Examples
The bombing of Syria is a political hot potato.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom. Derives from the literal sense that a hot potato is difficult to hold.
Where is it used?
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A lot on your plate
Meaning
Having many responsibilities.
Examples
Your Mom dying just when you were moving house and being made redundant. You certainly have a lot on your plate.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?
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A piece of cake
Meaning
A task that can be accomplished very easily.
Examples
Jumping that two-foot fence? No problem – a piece of cake.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Very widely and commonly used, to the point of being considered a cliche.
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A sledgehammer to crack a nut
Meaning
The use of excessive resources to overcome a small problem.
Examples
Using the air ambulance to get granny to hospital was a sledgehammer to crack a nut. She could walk perfectly well and we only live 200 yards away.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Widely used.
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Apples and pears
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for stairs.
Examples
Time for bed Jimmy – get yourself up the apples and pears.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Baker's dozen
Meaning
Thirteen.
Examples
There’s got to be at least twelve in each box. Better just pack a baker’s dozen to be sure.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century.
Where is it used?
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Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning
Take on a task that is more than one can manage.
Examples
You should never have challenged Usain Bolt to a race – you’ve really bitten off more than you can chew there.
Where is it used?
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Blow a raspberry
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for fart.
Examples
Not good timing – we were sitting at the table when Granny said grace and he let go a raspberry.
Where did it originate?
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Blue plate special
Meaning
A set meal provided at a reduced price.
Examples
We were hungry but broke. The blue plate special was our only option.
Where did it originate?
USA, early 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Brown bread
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for dead.
Examples
That bird just landed on the live power cable. He’s brown bread for sure.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Buy a lemon
Meaning
Waste money by purchasing a car that is frequently faulty.
Examples
I thought that my new VW was top of the range but it’s never out of the repair garage – a real lemon.
Where did it originate?
USA, early 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Can't cut the mustard
Meaning
Unable to meet the demands put upon you.
Examples
He got that promotion too soon. He can’t really cut the mustard.
Where did it originate?
USA, 19th century.
Where is it used?
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Cast iron stomach
Meaning
Said to be possessed by someone who is able to eat anything with no ill effects.
Examples
Nine burgers in one sitting! He must have a cast iron stomach.
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Chow down
Meaning
Begin to eat.
Examples
Okay boys, I know you’re hungry so chow down.
Where did it originate?
USA, around WWII, from an Anglo-Indian slang source.
Where is it used?
Mostly USA.
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Cream crackered
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for knackered. – note, when this term was coined, cream crackers were a popular snack in the UK.
Examples
That’s an hour on the exercise bike. I can’t do any more – I’m crackered.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Currant bun
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for sun.
Examples
It’s rained every day for ages. I can’t remember the last time I saw the currant bun.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Don't cry over spilt milk
Meaning
Don’t fret pointlessly about some mistake or loss when it can’t be remedied.
Examples
Well, the vase is smashed. There’s no point crying over spilt milk.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century proverb.
Where is it used?
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Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning
Don’t risk all your property on a single venture.
Examples
Well, that horse is a good runner but I wouldn’t bet all your money on it to win. That would be putting all your eggs into one basket.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century proverb, from an Italian original.
Where is it used?
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Drink like a fish
Meaning
Drink very heavily.
Examples
Dean Martin drank like a fish.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century.
Where is it used?
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Eighty six
Meaning
Referring to an item on a menu that is no longer available.
Examples
I would have had the mushroom risotto but they’re eighty-sixed it.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid-20th century.
Where is it used?
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Feeding frenzy
Meaning
A frantic competition or exploitation – like a group shark attack.
Examples
When Princess Diana was killed there was a feeding frenzy of journalists trying to get the story.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Food fight
Meaning
Chaotic collective behaviour where items of food are thrown about wildly.
Examples
It was supposed to be a quiet wedding reception but some of the girls got drunk and started a food fight. There were canapes and buns flying everywhere.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Greasy spoon
Meaning
A small cheap cafe selling fried food.
Examples
We had been driving all night. A fried breakfast in a greasy spoon was just what I fancied.
Where did it originate?
USA, 20th century.
Where is it used?
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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?
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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?
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Jam jar
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for car.
Examples
Check my new Audi. Its the best jam jar I’ve ever owned.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Jelly belly
Meaning
An overweight person.
Examples
I wish I could cut down on the cakes and get some more exercise – I’m turning into a real jelly belly.
Where did it originate?
Britain, late 19th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but not common everywhere. Most used in Britain and Australia.
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Liquor up
Meaning
To supply or to drink alcoholic drink.
Examples
They decided to get liquored up in the pub, even before they got to the party.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 16th century (to supply liquor). USA, 19th century (to drink liquor).
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but not commonly used everywhere.
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Loaf of bread
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for head.
Examples
Betting your wages on the toss of a coin isn’t the best way to get out of debt – use your loaf mate.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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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.
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Pig out
Meaning
To overeat in a slovenly manner.
Examples
I told the babysitters not to pig out but when we got back there were nine pizza boxes on the floor.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 20th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but mostly by the younger generations.
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Plates of meat
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for feet.
Examples
I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to help with the Christmas post. Ten miles up and down stairs today – my plates are killing me.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Potatoes (or taters) in the mould
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for cold.
Examples
Whoa, it’s the coldest day of the winter so far – really taters.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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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.
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Ruby Murray
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for curry.
Examples
Every Friday night after work, the lads all pile into the Star of India for a ruby.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Salad days
Meaning
The days of one’s youthful inexperience and enthusiasm.
Examples
I’m too old and cynical to believe politician’s promises now. I’m well past my salad days.
Where did it originate?
Shakespeare
Where is it used?
Mainly Britain.
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Syrup of figs
Meaning
Cockney rhyming slang for wig.
Examples
That thatch on Donald Trump’s head – it has to be a syrup.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Take with a grain of salt
Meaning
Don’t take what someone says too seriously – the the implication that it isn’t true.
Examples
She says that she’s Prince Charles’ niece. I’d take that with a grain of salt if I were you.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century. From a Latin source, possibly Pliny.
Where is it used?
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How the idiom originated
The apple of my eye
Meaning
Someone who is cherished above all others.
Examples
She’s my only child – the apple of my eye.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 9th century – making it one of the oldest phrases in the language that is still in regular use in its original form.
Where is it used?
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The best thing since sliced bread
Meaning
An outstandingly good idea or plan.
Examples
Some people hate iPhones Apple fanboys think they are the best thing since sliced bread.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 20th century.
Where is it used?
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The icing on the cake
Meaning
Something that makes a good situation even better.
Examples
Winning the race was great. Getting a medal and a prize was the icing on the cake.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 19th century.
Where is it used?
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Use your loaf
Meaning
Think smart.
Examples
Sending money to that Nigerian email scam. Use your loaf, mate – wasn’t it obvious it was a con?
Where did it originate?
Britain, mid-20th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but most commonly in Britain.
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Veg out
Meaning
Relax in a slothful manner, usually watching tv while lying on a sofa – (that is, become a ‘couch-potato’).
Examples
Such a stressful time at work this week. Come Friday night all I was good for was to veg out binge watching Friends.
Where did it originate?
Britain, late 20th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but most commonly restricted to the under 40s.
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Wine and dine
Meaning
Entertain in a high class restaurant.
Examples
We won an all-expenses paid trip to Paris. We were wined and dined every night for free.
Where is it used?
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