A-Z Database
see Fall down like ninepins
Means to resist to the very end with all one’s vigour and resources; dates from the 18th century in this metaphoric sense, but in its literal sense, w...
Means to pay for oneself, at a restaurant etc, dates from the early 20th century and derives from a slightly earlier Americanism a Dutch treat which m...
American English expression that conveys puzzlement, wonder or perplexity in the sense of issuing a challenge 'see if you can figure it out'. Some sou...
American slang expression dating from the 1940s telling someone to mind his or her own business or that they are of no further use and must get lost o...
see Gone for a burton
This American expression means all or nothing and derives from gambling where everything is risked on one bet. It was in widespread use from the 1950s...
Take the opportunity or opening as presented is a recent expression from the 1960s but still represents the original meaning of the word gap as a phys...
Make an aggressive, unrestrained attack to secure comprehensive victory, used in this figurative sense since the early 1980s.
see Haywire
see Hell’s bells
see In the deep end
see Half cocked
Carry on doing something or other happily and regardless. An informal British expression that dates from the late 19th century.
This expression began life as an obvious, literal nautical term during the 1600s but only acquired its figurative meaning of doing or saying something...