Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'cudgel one’s brains,' a classic expression for intense thinking and problem-solving.
Explore the idiom 'cup of tea,' its definition, historical context, and cultural significance. Learn how this phrase is used in everyday language and its contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural impact of the phrase 'the customer is always right,' a commercial mantra popularized by H. Gordon Selfridge in the 1930s.
Delve into the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'cut a (wide) swath, to,' tracing its etymology and usage in literature and contemporary contexts.
Explore the nautical origins and contemporary usage of the phrase 'cut and run,' a term denoting a hasty departure, with historical and cultural insights.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'cut corners, to.' Learn about its historical context, semantic nuances, and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'cut from whole cloth,' including its etymology, semantic analysis, and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'cut of his/her jib, I don’t like the,' tracing its nautical roots and examining its usage in contemporary language.
Explore the origins, historical context, and contemporary relevance of the phrase 'cut off at the pass.' Discover its etymology, semantic nuances, and cultural significance.
Delve into the phrase 'cut off one's right arm,' a powerful expression of sacrifice and commitment, tracing its etymology, cultural significance, and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, historical context, and contemporary relevance of the phrase 'cut off one's nose to spite one's face,' a cautionary expression against self-destructive actions.
Explore the origins, historical context, and cultural significance of the phrase 'cut off without a shilling or cent,' a term denoting disinheritance with roots in English and American legal traditions.
Explore the origins, historical context, and contemporary relevance of the phrase 'cut one’s teeth on,' a metaphor for beginning one's education or career.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'cut out for, to be,' including its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'cut someone some slack, to.' Delve into its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'cut the Gordian knot,' symbolizing decisive action in resolving complex issues.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'cut the ground from under, to,' a common expression denoting the act of thwarting or foiling someone.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'cut the mustard.' Delve into its etymology, semantic analysis, and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meaning, and contemporary usage of the phrase 'cut to the chase,' a term rooted in the film industry and now widely used to urge brevity and directness.
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.