A-Z Database

A-Z Database

All A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z
On the nail

see Pay on the nail/pay cash on the nail


On the never-never

see Never-never


On the piss

To go on the piss is to embark on a hard-drinking spree, British slang since the early 20th century c. 1910.


On the QT

QT is simply short for quiet and 'on the QT' dates from c. 1870. It is preceded only by a few years by the full phrase ‘on the quiet', which dates fro...

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On the quiet

see On the QT


On the rack

To be under great stress and has been used in this figurative sense since the early 1500s with the obvious allusion to the medieval instrument of tort...

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On the razzle/on the razz

see Razzle-dazzle


On the right/wrong tack

To be headed in the right/wrong direction, derives from sailing, the figurative use of which dates from the late 19th century.


On the right/wrong track/path/road

To be headed in the right/wrong direction, the figurative sense of these expressions dates from the late 19th century.


On the ropes

To be 'on the ropes' is to be on the verge of defeat, in dire straits, helpless, or under pressure. It derives from prize-fighting and was used litera...

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On the same hymn sheet

see On the same wavelength


On the same page

see On the same wavelength


On the same wavelength

Means to strike a rapport with or understand another person perfectly, derives from the early 20th century from the early days of radio broadcasting....

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On the shelf

As meaning without prospects of marriage, usually applied to women, dates from the early 1800s.


On the skids

see Skid row


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