Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'smoke someone/something out.' Delve into its etymology, semantic nuances, and contemporary relevance.
Explore the phrase 'smoking gun,' its etymology, semantic nuances, and cultural significance as definitive evidence of wrongdoing. Discover its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'snail's pace,' a common expression denoting extreme slowness. Delve into its etymology, semantic nuances, and usage across various contexts.
Explore the origins and cultural significance of the phrase 'snake oil,' a term denoting quack medicine and worthless remedies. Discover its historical context, semantic nuances, and contemporary relevance.
Delve into the etymology, cultural significance, and contemporary relevance of the phrase 'snug as a bug in a rug,' a charming expression denoting comfort and contentment.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'so far, so good.' Understand its usage and relevance in contemporary language.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'so yesterday,' a term denoting something extremely old-fashioned, with historical context and contemporary usage examples.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'soaked to the skin,' including its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the term 'soccer mom,' a phrase that emerged in the late twentieth century to describe suburban women actively involved in their children's activities.
Explore the origins, historical context, and cultural significance of the phrase 'sock it to them,' from its literary roots to its popularization in the 1960s.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'a soft touch,' a term denoting a person easily imposed upon, particularly in financial matters.
Explore the phrase 'soft underbelly,' its origins, historical context, and contemporary relevance, with insights into its usage in language and culture.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'Something is Rotten in the State of Denmark,' a notable quotation from Shakespeare's Hamlet.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'song and dance,' including its etymology and usage in literature and contemporary discourse.
Explore the phrase 'sound as a bell,' its definition, historical roots, semantic analysis, and cultural significance. Delve into its enduring relevance and usage in contemporary language.
Explore the definition, etymology, and cultural significance of 'sound bite,' a term describing brief, impactful excerpts from speeches or interviews, often used in media and political contexts.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'sound like a broken record,' a common expression denoting repetitive speech.
Explore the origins, historical context, and cultural significance of the cliché 'sour grapes,' derived from Aesop's fable, and its usage in contemporary language.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'sow one's wild oats,' including its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, historical context, and contemporary relevance of the phrase 'spare the rod and spoil the child,' a proverb advocating discipline in upbringing.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'speak of the devil,' a saying rooted in ancient superstition and still relevant today.
Explore the phrase 'speak softly and carry a big stick,' its origins in Theodore Roosevelt's speech, and its enduring relevance in political and cultural contexts.
Explore the phrase 'speak volumes, to,' its definition, etymological roots, semantic nuances, and cultural significance. Discover its usage in literature and contemporary contexts.
Explore the origins, historical context, and contemporary usage of the phrase 'spick and span,' a timeless expression denoting neatness and cleanliness.
Explore the concept of spin control, its origins, and its impact on political news interpretation. Delve into the techniques and cultural significance of this practice.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak' in this detailed dictionary entry.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'the spitting image,' a term denoting exact resemblance, often used in familial contexts.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'split hairs, to.' Delve into its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'spread like wildfire.' Delve into its etymology, contemporary relevance, and examples in literature and media.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'spread like wildfire,' including its etymology, semantic analysis, and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'square peg in a round hole,' including its synonyms, historical context, and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'the squeaky wheel gets the grease,' a common cliché emphasizing the power of vocal complaints in gaining attention.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'a stab in the back,' a metaphor for treacherous betrayal, with historical context and literary examples.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'stack the deck,' a term rooted in card playing and used to describe arranging matters in one's favor.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'stack up against, to,' including its usage in literature and contemporary contexts.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of 'stage whisper,' a phrase originating from theater and widely used in literature and social discourse.
Explore the origins, historical context, and contemporary relevance of the phrase 'stand one’s ground, to,' including its military roots and cultural significance.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'stand up and be counted,' a call for courage in expressing one's true opinions.
Explore the historical origins and cultural significance of the term 'Star Chamber,' denoting unfair and secret judicial proceedings, rooted in England's 15th-century legal practices.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'start from scratch,' including its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'start off on the right foot,' a common expression denoting an auspicious beginning.
Explore the meaning, origins, and contemporary usage of the phrase 'state of the art,' a term representing the latest advancements in technology and beyond.
Explore the definition, history, and cultural significance of 'status symbol,' a term denoting possessions that indicate social standing, with scholarly insights and examples.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'stay the course,' a metaphorical expression rooted in horse racing and widely used in various contexts.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'steady as a rock,' a simile symbolizing unwavering steadfastness and reliability.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'steal someone’s thunder,' a term rooted in 18th-century theater and still relevant today.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'steer clear of,' tracing its roots from maritime navigation to contemporary usage.
Explore the meaning, origin, and cultural significance of the phrase 'step up to the plate,' tracing its roots in baseball and its application in various contexts.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'step/tread on someone’s toes,' including its usage in literature and modern contexts.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'sterling qualities,' denoting outstanding characteristics and intrinsic worth.
Explore the phrase 'stew in one’s own juice,' its origins in Chaucer's works, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance. Learn how this expression reflects the consequences of one's actions.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'stewed to the gills,' denoting extreme intoxication, with insights into its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'stick in one's craw,' a metaphor for something disagreeable or offensive.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'stick out like a sore thumb,' a vivid simile used to describe conspicuousness.
Explore the meaning, historical origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'stick to one’s guns,' including its usage in literature and social contexts.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of 'sticker shock,' a phrase denoting surprise at high prices, with historical context and examples.
Explore the definition, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'sticking point,' a term often used in negotiations where agreement cannot be reached.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'sticky wicket,' a term rooted in cricket and used to describe challenging situations.
Explore the etymology, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'still as a mouse,' a common expression denoting quietness and stillness.
Explore the origins, historical context, and cultural significance of the phrase 'still small voice,' a term often associated with one's conscience and rooted in biblical scripture.
Explore the meaning, history, and cultural significance of the phrase 'still waters run deep,' a proverb that highlights the profound nature of quiet individuals.
Explore the origins, historical context, and cultural significance of the phrase 'stir up a hornets’ nest,' including its etymology, semantic nuances, and contemporary relevance.
Discover the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'stock in trade,' a term that encapsulates one's capabilities and resources.
Explore the meaning, historical context, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'a stone's throw,' a metaphor for a short distance used since the sixteenth century.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'the story of my life, that's the.' Delve into its etymology, semantic nuances, and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'straight and narrow.' Delve into its biblical roots, semantic nuances, and contemporary relevance.
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.