Print this articleThe meanings and origins of English phrases, sayings and idioms. A newly researched phrase is added each week.
Fri, 03 Oct 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Are you inclined to inkle?
Fri, 26 Sep 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Something has turned up. What have crops got to do with it?
Fri, 19 Sep 2008 13:00:00 +0200
That's going to have to last until we get new stocks. So what's tide got to do with it?
Fri, 12 Sep 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Feeling happy chappie? You aren't the only one.
Fri, 05 Sep 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Feeling chippy chappie? What's that on your shoulder, and how did it get there?
Fri, 29 Aug 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Okay, you can come one - but what is a cropper exactly?
Fri, 22 Aug 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Sounds nasty - but why?
Fri, 15 Aug 2008 13:00:00 +0200
As easy as pie.
Fri, 08 Aug 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Mirror, mirror, on the wall. Who was the wartiest of them all?
Fri, 01 Aug 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Which century is that from?
Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:00:00 +0200
What is the link between the phrases 'bats in the belfry', 'dead ringer' and 'saved by the bell'?
Fri, 18 Jul 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Did this originate in the Cock and the Bull inns in Buckinghamshire - or is that just a cock and bull story?
Fri, 11 Jul 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Pass the petrol; I'm just going to put that fire out.
Fri, 04 Jul 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Hurry up; there are choppy waters ahead.
Fri, 27 Jun 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Bow bells? Seven bells? Hell's bells?
Fri, 20 Jun 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Which box is that?
Fri, 13 Jun 2008 13:00:00 +0200
I'll be toddling off.
Fri, 06 Jun 2008 13:00:00 +0200
It's good to fly high - or is it?
Fri, 30 May 2008 13:00:00 +0200
June. Time to take your coat off?
Fri, 23 May 2008 13:00:00 +0200
You mean there's an easy way?
Fri, 16 May 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Didn't that piglet just miaow?
Fri, 09 May 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Howdy. I haven't seen you in donkeys.
Fri, 02 May 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Bandy. Isn't that like hockey?
Fri, 25 Apr 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Bale? Bail? Which is which?
Fri, 18 Apr 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Blown where?
Fri, 11 Apr 2008 13:00:00 +0200
Who was that masked man?
Fri, 04 Apr 2008 13:00:00 +0200
What's the point?
Fri, 28 Mar 2008 12:00:00 +0100
We all long to lounge.
Fri, 21 Mar 2008 12:00:00 +0100
A what, from where?
Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:00:00 +0100
A new double act?
Fri, 07 Mar 2008 12:00:00 +0100
Let's get this straight...
Fri, 29 Feb 2008 12:00:00 +0100
Hood? Redbreast?
Fri, 22 Feb 2008 12:00:00 +0100
Rein in those wild ideas.
Fri, 15 Feb 2008 12:00:00 +0100
As rare as hen's teeth - an old acronym.
Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:00:00 +0100
Just think. Do you owe him anything?
Fri, 01 Feb 2008 12:00:00 +0100
Don't string me along
Fri, 25 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0100
Would you need both?
Fri, 18 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0100
Why daisy?
Fri, 11 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0100
With an arrow?
Fri, 04 Jan 2008 12:00:00 +0100
Not the best time to go off.
Fri, 28 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100
Seconds out?
Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100
Cooking the books - making a comeback.
Fri, 14 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100
Or is that 'brass tax'?
Fri, 07 Dec 2007 12:00:00 +0100
Why not a spelling a, or c?
Fri, 30 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100
Or seven, or eight, or...
Fri, 23 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100
Who's a pretty boy then?
Fri, 16 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100
Trick or treat?
Fri, 09 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100
What ball was that exactly?
Fri, 02 Nov 2007 12:00:00 +0100
Jeepers, creepers, where'd ya get those daylights.
Fri, 26 Oct 2007 13:00:00 +0200
One, two, three - fall over.
Fri, 19 Oct 2007 13:00:00 +0200
The road to rage.
Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Better than being in the red.
Fri, 05 Oct 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Toe? Tow?
Fri, 28 Sep 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Do you need to be a dog to be top?
Fri, 21 Sep 2007 13:00:00 +0200
You don't have to live in East London to be barking.
Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Shebang - is that like a ball of wax, or an enchilada, or a caboodle, or...?
Fri, 07 Sep 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Prime time - at 4am?
Fri, 24 Aug 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Gauntlets. Running. No connection, surely?
Fri, 17 Aug 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Which bright spark thought of this one?
Fri, 10 Aug 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Curried horse? Surely not?
Fri, 03 Aug 2007 13:00:00 +0200
T, tee, tea?
Fri, 27 Jul 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Who coined 'coin a phrase'?
Fri, 20 Jul 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Rack and ruin. Do you need both?
Fri, 13 Jul 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Take it? I'd need to know what it is first.
Fri, 06 Jul 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Or did it?
Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:00:00 +0200
Under, or over?.