A-Z Database
When events or issues come full circle, they come back to their original starting point, implying that little or no progress has been made. If the pro...
At first glance, the expression come hell or high water meaning that no obstacle can stand in the way of completing a task or assignment, appears almo...
see Chickens coming home to roost
To come home with flying colours alludes to the centuries-old Royal Navy practice of returning to home ports after being victorious in battle. They wo...
This figurative expression meaning to return to the fold as in a place of warmth, safety and shelter gained currency during the 1960s with the publica...
The idiomatic meaning of 'to come of age' is to attain maturity, prominence, respectability, or recognition. According to the OED, this idiomatic, rat...
Usually used in the form of an exclamation and means, don’t exaggerate or don’t tell lies and generally expresses incredulity. It dates in this sense...
see Skeleton in the cupboard
This expression has nothing to do with discreet orgasms. It has rather been associated with police procedure since the late 19th/early 20th century bu...
Usually appears in the form of don’t come the old soldier with me and is a dismissive response to some attempted dodge or deceit perpetrated by the pa...
Raw prawn is an Australian metaphor for an innocent or novice, particular a raw recruit in the armed forces, whence this expression is thought to deri...
see Crunch
In the sense of join in, take part or become involved in something dates in this sense from the mid-20th century and is still one of the most often he...
see Brick wall
Come through in a triumphant, winning way derives from playing cards where trumps are a suit of cards designated as having a higher value than other s...