A very small part of a bigger whole.
The country’s debt has risen to a trillion pounds. Paying off a billion is just a drop in the bucket.
The Bible.
Something that fails to deliver long-term benefit after an initial success.
Ricky Valance was a one-hit wonder. Pretty much a flash in the pan you might say.
The United Kingdom – 17th century.
An initial inroad that may lead to greater influence in future.
I convinced them to start displaying my artwork. I’m making a loss on it but it’s a foot in the door.
A secret and possibly ruinous source of shame.
No one in the family ever talked about Grandad being convicted of child abuse. It was the skeleton in our closet.
The United Kingdom.
Worldwide, although the British now use ’cupboard’ and the USA still uses ’closet’.
A list of things you plan to do before you ‘kick the bucket’ (die). Often a list of fanciful ideas rather than of concrete plans.
I’ve always wanted to go to Japan. I guess I’ll add that to my bucket list.
USA, late 20th century – popularized by the title of the film The Bucket List (2007).
Finding it difficult to choose between two alternatives.
I’d like to go to the game and stay in for the birthday party. I’m between two stools.
14th century Britain.
Worldwide, but less commonly so that in the past.
The American spelling for the piece of furniture known elsewhere as a chaise longue.
You must be tired. Why don’t you lie down on the chaise lounge?
USA, late 19th century. The misspelling of ‘chaise longue’ causes some amusement in France.
Cockney rhyming slang for mate.
We’ve been friends since school, haven’t we my old china?
Mostly Britain.
A work day which an employee is allowed to spend at home relaxing.
We’d all worked so hard getting the latest design out on time the boss rewarded us with a duvet day to do whatever we wanted.
Britain, 1990s.
Everything imaginable.
I said she could stay for a few days but there’s hardly room. She brought everything but the kitchen sink.
Britain, late-19th century.
Be grumpy because you are having a bad day.
He shouted at me for nothing. Must have got out of the wrong side of the bed.
Deteriorating and headed for complete disaster.
When the British went over the top at the Somme the soldiers didn’t realise they were headed for hell in a handbasket.
USA, 19th century.
A small cheap cafe selling fried food.
We had been driving all night. A fried breakfast in a greasy spoon was just what I fancied.
USA, 20th century.
Die.
Grandad kicked the bucket last week. No real surprise – he was 96.
Britain – 18th century.
traditional English name for a cleaning woman.
I just don’t have time to work full time, look after the kids and keep the house clean – perhaps I should get a Mrs. Mop.
Britain. First used in the 1940s radio show ITMA.
Mostly Britain.
The perceived absense of someone who is recently deceased.
Some days I can forget about Jim’s death for a while, then I see the empty chair and the grief comes back.
Give up, especially to avoid further punishment when facing certain defeat.
AltaVista tried to hang on and compete with Google, but eventually they just couldn’t compete and were forced to throw the towel in.
USA, 1910s. The allusion is to a boxing match where throwing the towel in indicates a concession
Referring to an item of clothing slipping out of place to expose part of the body.
Her top slipped down in front of the boys. She said it was a wardrobe malfunction but I think it was deliberate.
USA. First said by Justin Timberlake to explain the inadvertent exposure of Janet Jackson’s breast during the half-time show at the 2004 Super Bowl.
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