A-Z Database
A moment of inspiration, recognition or realisation, dates from the late 20th/early 21st century, chiefly US informal, derives from the allusion to a...
see Light/lit out
see Blue touch-paper
To light out meaning to leave or depart in a hurry, more common in the past tense e.g. “He lit out of here as fast as his legs could carry him” is US...
Lights meaning the lungs or offal of animals dates from the 1200s. See also According to one’s lights
This expression is a metaphor that describes the vacant look on a person’s face that indicates lack of awareness or lack of intelligence. It is origin...
see Blue-arsed fly
see Cat on hot bricks
see Cat on hot bricks
To take to something like a duck to water means to take to something easily and readily as if it was second nature. Ducks like all water birds are bor...
see Fart in a colander
see Fart in a trance
see Fish out of water
A simile that expresses immediacy or spontaneity as in ‘to get on like a house on fire’ which signifies an instant rapport or kindred spirit, very muc...
Act meekly in the face of adversity without putting up a fight. The source is the Bible, Isaiah 53: 7, “He is brought as a lamb to the slaughter.” Chr...