A-Z Database
To turn the corner is to pass through some difficulty and get into a stronger, safer position and dates in this sense from the early 19th century. It...
This expression from the New Testament means to accept a wrongdoing without seeking retribution, in contrast with the eye for an eye spirit of the Old...
see Put the screws on
To turn the tables means to reverse the position against adversaries or opponents during a contest and so get the upper hand. The expression dates in...
To turn turtle is to turn upside down, chiefly used for boats but also motor vehicles etc. The expression derives from the helplessness of a marine tu...
To turn one’s nose up is to express contempt, derision or rejection and derives from the allusion of turning one’s nose away from a bad smell under it...
see Come up or turn up trumps
A turn-up is slang for an unexpected stroke of luck and dates from the late 19th century, and when used in conjunction with book or books, it refers t...
This expression dates from the 16th century and describes someone who switches allegiances and goes over to the opposition. This was indicated by lite...
The written expression of an onomatopoeic interjection that registers disapproval or irritation and imitates the sound made by clicking the tongue aga...
Meaning foolish or idle chatter dates from the late 18th century. It derives from earlier and now archaic words like twattle and twittle where a twatt...
Originally, twat is a British vulgar word for vagina dates and from the 17th century; sometimes appears as twot. The word was resurrected from the lat...
In the sense of to understand or cotton on dates from the early 19th century, according to the OED, but adds that the word goes back to the late 18th...
The expression twinkle toes describes a person who is light on their feet, a good dancer but has also been applied to football (soccer) players, dates...
see In the twinkling of an eye