Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the legal term 'the burden of proof,' its etymology, and its application in various contexts.
Explore the origins, meaning, and contemporary relevance of the phrase 'burn one’s bridges/boats, to', a metaphor for committing to an irreversible course of action.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'burn one’s fingers,' tracing its etymology and examining its usage in contemporary language.
Explore the phrase 'burn the candle at both ends,' its origins, semantic nuances, cultural significance, and its enduring relevance in modern language.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'burn the midnight oil.' Discover its historical roots and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'bury the hatchet,' a cliché denoting peacemaking and truce, with historical roots in Native American customs.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'bury one's head in the sand,' a metaphor for ignoring danger or unpleasantness.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'business as usual,' from its wartime roots to its contemporary usage in critiquing complacency.
Explore the meaning, historical context, and contemporary usage of the phrase 'a busman's holiday,' a term describing leisure time spent engaging in activities similar to one's work.
Explore the origins, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'busy as a beaver/bee,' tracing its historical roots and contemporary relevance.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'butter wouldn't melt in his/her mouth,' a cliché denoting suspicious coyness or demureness.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'by a hair/whisker,' a cliché denoting a narrow margin. Delve into its historical roots and contemporary relevance.
Explore the phrase 'by all manner of means,' its definition, historical context, semantic analysis, and cultural relevance. Understand its usage and durability in contemporary language.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'by hook or by crook,' a timeless expression denoting determination to achieve an end by any means necessary.
Explore the phrase 'by leaps and bounds,' its origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance. Understand its usage in literature and contemporary contexts.
Explore the phrase 'by the numbers,' its historical origins, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance. Understand how this expression evolved from military training to everyday civilian contexts.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'by the same token,' including its historical evolution 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.