Explore the meaning, origin, and cultural significance of the phrase 'perish the thought,' including its etymology, semantic analysis, and contemporary relevance.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural usage of the phrase 'pick of the litter,' a term denoting the best selection from a group, often used metaphorically beyond its literal origins.
Explore the phrase 'the picture of health,' its definition, historical origins, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance in literature and modern usage.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'pin one's hopes on,' tracing its evolution from the 16th century to contemporary usage.
Explore the origins, historical context, and cultural significance of the phrase 'a place for everything and everything in its place,' a maxim for neatness and appropriateness.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance of the phrases 'plain as day' and 'plain as the nose on your face,' tracing their historical evolution and contemporary usage.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'to have a lot/enough on one’s plate,' a common expression denoting an overwhelming amount of responsibilities or tasks.
Explore the origins, historical context, and contemporary relevance of the phrase 'play both ends against the middle,' including its etymology and cultural significance.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'play hardball,' a term denoting aggressive and competitive behavior, rooted in baseball terminology.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'play it by ear.' Learn how this expression evolved from musical improvisation to a broader metaphor for adaptability.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'play musical chairs,' a metaphor for rapid and confusing changes in jobs or decisions.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'play one’s cards close to one’s chest,' including its usage in literature and social contexts.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'play second fiddle, to.' Learn how this expression is used in various contexts and its contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'play the game, to,' including its historical context and contemporary relevance.
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, usage, and cultural significance of the phrase 'pleased as Punch,' a simile denoting extreme satisfaction, rooted in the Punch-and-Judy shows.
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.