A-Z Database
Something to ponder. Something that requires careful consideration. Dates from the late 19th century. Perhaps derives from 'having something to ch...
This expression frequently used to describe temporary happiness or security based on false hopes is often ascribed to Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet (15...
This expression was coined by Alexander Pope in his An Essay on Criticism (1711).
To have a foot in the door means that one has an introduction or a beginning that will lead on to greater things. The expression is American in origin...
Now means simply to pay the bill with the implication that one is paying for other people as well as oneself. The expression dates from the mid-19th c...
If something is bought or sold for a song, or if something is going for a song, it means very cheaply or for next to nothing. After all, what does a s...
For Africa is South African informal that means in abundance, large numbers or in excess as in these examples: “Crowded? There were people there for A...
see For my money
This is what is known as a minced oath or euphemism for ‘for Christ’s sake’ used to express annoyance or impatience. Although now prevalent on both si...
A phrase that means as if one’s life depended on it. It dates from the mid-1700s. See also For the life of me.
Colloquial for in my opinion with the sense of being so sure that one is willing to stake money on it, dates from the 17th century. Sometimes, for eve...
This expression is usually used trivially or self-effacingly before saying or admitting something rather grand or impressive about oneself e.g. “For m...
A minced oath or euphemism for St Peter’s sake although some sources dispute this and maintain that Pete is simply a random name instead of for God’s...
If something is said to be ‘for the birds’, it means that something is trivial or worthless. It is originally an American expression and first makes i...
A mild oath in which one swears on one’s life that something or other is or is not the case, dates in this form from the mid-1700s but first attested...