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
Trouser snake

Australian slang for penis dates from the mid-20th century, sometimes appears as one-eyed trouser snake, for obvious reasons.


True as Bob

This expression is a euphemism for true as God and dates from the early 20th century.


True blue

True blue has become a metaphor for loyal and steadfast without any connection to the colour blue per se. True blue dates in this sense of being loyal...

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True colours

To show one's true colours is to reveal what one is really like, to uncover one's real character or intentions, good or bad. It derives from the days...

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Trump

As in a game of cards, the word trump is an alternative form, a corruption really, of the word ‘triumph’ and dates from the early 1500s. It derives fr...

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Truth is stranger than fiction

This saying, which means that things that happen in real life are often more bizarre than anything that could be imagined, has achieved proverbial sta...

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Try

Why a touchdown in rugby is called a try goes back to when the game of rugby was evolving during the 19th century. The first focus then was on the kic...

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Try to teach your grandmother to suck eggs

see Teach your grandmother how to suck eggs


Tuckered out

Tucker is a colloquial American word that means to grow weary or tired. Its origin is unknown and dates from c. 1839.


Tuesday

see Days of the week


Tumble in the hay/sack

see hit the hay/sack


Tumbled

As in the expression, “So, you have finally tumbled” meaning, “So, you have finally understood” is British slang from the mid-19th century.


Turn

As in a sudden attack of illness, faintness, or the like, dates from the late 18th century. Turn as in a stage or variety act e.g. a star turn, dates...

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Turn a blind eye

To turn a blind eye means to ignore something deliberately as if it was not there and dates from the early 19th century. It is generally acknowledged...

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Turn a hair

Most commonly expressed in the negative i.e. did not turn a hair or without turning a hair and means to remain calm and unruffled. This figurative use...

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