Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'a rotten apple spoils the barrel,' including its historical roots and contemporary relevance.
Explore the meaning, origin, and cultural significance of the phrase 'a sight for sore eyes,' including its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'a square deal,' popularized by Theodore Roosevelt as a symbol of fairness and honesty.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'A stitch in time saves nine.' Learn how this proverb emphasizes the importance of timely action.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'a tough row to hoe,' a metaphor for arduous tasks originating from 19th-century America.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'a watched pot never boils,' including its historical context, semantic analysis, and contemporary relevance.
Discover the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'a whole new ball game/ball of wax,' including its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, definition, and cultural significance of the phrase 'A-1,' denoting the highest quality, and its evolution from maritime insurance to a widely recognized cliché.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'about face, to do an,' tracing its military roots and contemporary usage.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'about the size of it.' Learn how this cliché is used to summarize situations and events.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the cliché 'absence makes the heart grow fonder,' a phrase that encapsulates the paradox of love and separation.
Explore the multifaceted term 'AC/DC,' encompassing its origins in electrical terminology, its colloquial use in describing bisexuality, and its cultural impact as the name of a renowned rock band.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'an accident waiting to happen.' Discover its usage in literature, music, and everyday language.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'according to Hoyle,' a term denoting adherence to established rules and highest authority.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'ace in the hole,' a term denoting a concealed advantage, with roots in poker and Western slang.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of 'the acid test,' a phrase denoting a conclusive trial to determine truth or worth, rooted in historical practices of gold testing.
Explore the phrase 'across the board,' its origins in horse racing, and its application in economic contexts. Delve into its cultural relevance and semantic nuances.
The largest and most comprehensive resource of its kind, The Dictionary of Clichés features thousands of unique clichés, idioms, jargon, slang, euphemisms, and metaphors, alongside common expressions.