A-Z Database
see Tough day at the office
Old-fashioned British expression for hard or bad luck dates from the early 19th century but the origin of the ‘lines’ part is obscure. The OED venture...
see Tough/hard nut to crack
To do or put in the hard yards is to contest or compete in a contest, game or project to the maximum of effort. The expression is originally Australia...
American slang for an erection of the penis dates from the late 19th century; soon adopted (the expression that is) in Britain and elsewhere.
see Play hardball
A foolish, giddy, reckless person, scheme, or plan. Dates from the mid-1500s and derives from the perceived giddy, pointless and mad antics of hares....
To hurry, dates from the 1500s, and derives from the way a hare scampers away from its pursuers or hunters.
The harp was a popular musical instrument from as early as the 10th century, followed by its cousin the lute, which was introduced to Europe via the A...
see Chinese cut
So many expressions in English make use of rhyming because the resulting euphony i.e. they just sound pleasant. Harum-scarum is yet another example. T...
The harvest moon is generally associated with the northern hemisphere and is the full moon that rises within two weeks of the autumnal equinox, 22 or...
see Cap in hand
Hat trick derives from the game of cricket and occurs when a bowler gets three batsmen out with three successive deliveries. The expression dates from...
see Guts