A-Z Database
Use disproportionate force to achieve an objective and though rarely used these days it became a popular expression from the mid-18th century onwards....
A well-known expression in the world of theatre, wishing an actor good luck, especially on opening night. It goes hand in hand with the theatrical sup...
Meaning to make a beginning or break down cold reserve is from the late 16th century and derives from the practice of riverboats breaking up frozen ic...
Make a supreme effort or give someone a hard time (dependent on context) American slang since the late 20th century.
Breath or the ability to breathe is the very essence of life and this phrase comes from the Bible, Genesis 2:7, “And the Lord God formed man of the du...
An easy task, is American from c. 1918, as in “to breeze through” i.e. to complete a task without effort.
Wit in Shakespeare’s time meant sharpness of intellect or acumen rather than humour. This summation of intellect in just five words is one of the wond...
This is British slang from c. 1950 for erectile dysfunction following the intake of too much beer. It has nothing whatsoever to do with the French coq...
This phrase meaning old curiosities, antiquarian odds and ends such as furniture, plate, china etc has been in use since the mid-19th century. It is a...
In the sense of ‘a real brick’ a British colloquial expression that means a good fellow, a reliable, dependable chap, dates from around 1840, from the...
Metaphor for an impenetrable barrier, obstacle or problem as in “we seem to have hit a brick wall”, dates from the late 19th century.
British colloquialism for a bricklayer or a bricklayer’s assistant, dates from 1880.
This word has nothing to do with groom as in grooming horses. The second syllable derives from on Old English word guma, from at least the 11th centur...
A popular catchphrase meaning cheerful and care-free, dates from the mid-19th century and is also rhyming slang for easy, bright and breezy/easy, whic...
This is a 19th century expression with most probably a military origin in that military uniforms in those days were adorned with shiny, brass buttons....