Explore the origins, meaning, and cultural significance of the phrase 'more sinned against than sinning,' from Shakespeare's King Lear to contemporary usage.
Explore the meaning, origins, and cultural significance of the phrase 'much ado about nothing,' famously used by Shakespeare to denote a commotion over trivial matters.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'caught napping,' a term used to describe being taken by surprise. Delve into its etymology, historical context, and contemporary relevance.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural relevance of the phrase 'piece of work, a,' from its Shakespearean roots to its contemporary sarcastic usage.
Explore the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of the phrase 'a pillar of society,' including its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Delve into the origins and meanings of the phrase 'play fast and loose,' tracing its historical roots and cultural significance in literature and society.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'prick up one's ears.' Learn about its historical context and contemporary relevance.
Uncover the origins, meanings, and cultural significance of 'the primrose path,' a phrase denoting the way of easy self-indulgence, with roots in Shakespearean literature.
Explore the origins, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'seen better days,' tracing its historical roots from Shakespeare to modern usage.
Explore the meaning, etymology, and cultural significance of the phrase 'set one's heart at rest,' as used by Shakespeare and in John Ray's proverb collection.
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 etymology, semantic nuances, and cultural significance of the phrase 'smell to high heaven.' Delve into its historical roots and contemporary usage.
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.
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.