A - Z Database
Many expressions in English derive from the perceived temperature of blood. We talk of doing something in hot blood or in the heat of passion. Sometim...
A metaphor for committing all one’s resources to achieve a goal; dates from the late 17th century when the difference between the value of a pound and...
In hot pursuit or extremely determined, originally used to describe a pack of hounds, dates from the 1400s.
See Swing / take a swing at / swing by / in full swing
British colloquialism that means in good condition dates from the late 19th/early 20th century. Its derivation is probably related to nick meaning the...
see In cold blood
This expression meaning in place of or instead of is a direct borrowing from the French lieu meaning place. The expression has been in use since the 1...
Firstly, the expression is not in like flint, which is often heard. It is in like Flynn and means to be committed to the hilt. It is first cited from...
In my book means in my opinion or according to my book of rules, and the expression is first cited from the mid-20th century, as does its negative ‘no...
see Mind’s eye
Nothing said is retained and remembered, dates from the 14th century when Chaucer first used the expression in Troilus and Criseyde (c.1385) and it al...
see In my book
To be in the loop is to be informed and is American computer jargon from the 1980s. Loop is computer slang for circuit. Thus, if one is in the circuit...
Meaning under consideration or being discussed, dates from the late 16th century.
In spades is a phrase used as an intensifier and means to the utmost degree or excessively so, as in to have something or other in spades or to delive...