A-Z Database
see Throw one’s toys (out of the cot/pram)
Common enough word used to describe a villain, criminal or ruffian first attested from 1810 and derives from the Hindi word thag meaning a thief or sw...
see Hitch/hitched/hitchhike
This gesture of ridicule made by placing the thumb on one’s nose and fanning the fingers is very old, although this particular expression of it is qui...
These expressions and/or gestures generally express approval or disapproval in English-speaking contexts and date from the 19th century. The English-s...
This word is usually used as an intensifying adjective to describe someone or something as much bigger than normal, as in a thumping great chest of dr...
see The Thunderer
see Days of the week
As in the tick of clock, an echoic word that dates from 1680. As in a mark or symbol signifying that something is correct dates from 1844. See also On...
Originally a British expression that means to cover or address all possibilities or requirements. It dates from the early 21st century, from the allus...
In the sense of annoyed or angry is American and dates from the 1960s, now generally used throughout the English-speaking world. See also Ticking off.
see Just the ticket
Tickets is South African informal for the end or demise of someone, as in 'the truck went out of control and it was tickets for the driver'. South Afr...
A British slang word for satisfactory, all in order, or OK, and dates from the first half of the 20th century. Eric Partridge maintains it is RAF slan...
In the sense of a reprimand or a telling off is British military slang and dates from the First World War.