Delve into the history, semantics, and cultural significance of the phrase 'shake a leg,' from its nineteenth-century origins to its contemporary usage.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'Shank's Mare,' a term denoting travel by foot. Delve into its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'shed light on,' a metaphorical expression used to explain or clarify complex ideas.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'ships that pass in the night,' a metaphor for fleeting encounters, rooted in Longfellow's poetry.
Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'the shoe is on the other foot,' a metaphor for role reversal and changing circumstances.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'shoot the bull, to,' a colloquial expression denoting informal conversation or gossip.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'shoot the works, to,' a twentieth-century Americanism denoting an all-out effort.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'short and sweet.' Delve into its etymology and discover its contemporary relevance in language and culture.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'short shrift, to get/give,' tracing its historical roots and contemporary usage.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'a shot in the dark,' a common expression denoting a wild guess or uncertain attempt.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'shot one’s bolt.' Discover its historical context, usage in literature, and contemporary significance.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'shoulder to the wheel, to put/set one’s,' a metaphor for determined effort and hard work.
Explore the phrase 'Show Me the Money,' its origins in gambling, its widespread use in professional sports, and its cultural significance in various contexts.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'show one’s hand, to,' a term derived from card-playing that reveals one's true motives or intentions.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'shrinking violet,' a term used to describe a very shy individual. Delve into its historical context, semantic nuances, and contemporary relevance.
Explore the phrase 'sick and tired,' its definition, etymology, semantic nuances, cultural usage, and contemporary relevance. A scholarly examination of this enduring expression.
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.