Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'leg to stand on,' a metaphorical expression denoting lack of support or chance of success.
Explore the origins, historical context, and contemporary relevance of the phrase 'millstone around one's neck,' a metaphor for bearing a heavy burden.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'needle in a haystack,' a metaphor for an arduous search. Discover its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'to be on the ropes,' a metaphor derived from boxing, signifying a precarious or vulnerable position.
Uncover the origins, meanings, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'play with fire,' a metaphor for courting danger. Explore its historical context and contemporary usage.
Explore the origins, historical context, and contemporary relevance of the phrase 'secret weapon,' from its wartime roots to its metaphorical use in various fields.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'see light at the end of a tunnel,' a metaphor for hope and resolution amidst adversity.
Explore the 'ship of state' metaphor, tracing its origins from ancient Greek poetry to modern political discourse, and understand its enduring relevance in describing national governance.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'a slender reed' as a metaphor for weakness and unreliability, tracing its biblical roots and contemporary relevance.
Delve into the phrase 'slice the pie, to,' a metaphor for profit sharing with historical roots in nineteenth-century America, and explore its semantic nuances and cultural significance.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'the thin edge of the wedge,' a metaphor for seemingly minor actions leading to significant developments.
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.