A-Z Database

A-Z Database

All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
Where there’s a will, there’s a way

This proverb means there is always a way of achieving something if the desire and determination are strong enough. This proverb is first encountered i...

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Where there’s muck there’s brass

This proverb is strongly associated with Yorkshire, but only because it is usually delivered in a stagey Yorkshire accent. It means of course that the...

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Where there’s smoke there’s fire

see No smoke without fire


Whet one’s appetite

To whet one’s appetite means to stimulate one’s sense of anticipation, especially for food, and dates from the late 1600s. Whet, of course, means to s...

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Whimp

see Wimp


Whip into shape

see Lick into shape


Whippersnapper

Contrary to popular belief this is originally a British expression from the late 1600s that gained popularity in America. A whippersnapper, now mainly...

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Whipping boy

Someone who always gets the blame and dates in this sense from the 1600s. The original whipping boys were the companions of princes and nobles during...

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Whisper sweet nothings

see Sweet nothings


Whistle and flute

Rhyming slang for suit, as in clothing, whistle and flute/suit, dates from the 1930s. Since then whistle has become a popular synonym for suit, as in...

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Whistle for it

If someone owes you money and he or she says, “You can whistle for it” it means the money is probably not forthcoming. This use of the word whistle me...

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Whistle-top tour

This expression usually refers to a journey or tour that is quick and punctuated by frequent short stops, most commonly in election campaigns or celeb...

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Whistleblower

see Blow the whistle


White as a ghost

First known citation for this is American from 1824. See also Pale as a ghost.


White as a sheet

Although sheets these days come in many colours, there was a time when they were predominately white, and this common expression dates from the late 1...

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