A-Z Database
To be under great stress and has been used in this figurative sense since the early 1500s with the obvious allusion to the medieval instrument of tort...
see Razzle-dazzle
To be headed in the right/wrong direction, derives from sailing, the figurative use of which dates from the late 19th century.
To be headed in the right/wrong direction, the figurative sense of these expressions dates from the late 19th century.
To be 'on the ropes' is to be on the verge of defeat, in dire straits, helpless, or under pressure. It derives from prize-fighting and was used litera...
see On the same wavelength
see On the same wavelength
Means to strike a rapport with or understand another person perfectly, derives from the early 20th century from the early days of radio broadcasting....
As meaning without prospects of marriage, usually applied to women, dates from the early 1800s.
see Skid row
see Live on the smell of an oily rag
see On the bounce
see Put someone on the spot
This expression from trot as in running can mean either ‘on the go’ which dates from the late 19th century or ‘in quick succession’ which dates from t...
see On the bounce