Kill Two Birds With One Stone: Meaning, Origin and Alternatives
Kill two birds with one stone means getting two things done with one action. Learn its origin, examples, gentler alternatives and US, UK and AU usage.
Idioms & Phrases
Idioms say one thing and mean another. Here you will find the meaning, likely origin, register and real-world examples of common English expressions, plus alternatives and the regional sayings you will hear in the US, the UK and Australia.
Leave No Stone Unturned: Meaning and Origin
Leave no stone unturned means to search or try every possible way. See its ancient Greek origin story, 24 examples, synonyms and US, UK and AU usage.
Cold Feet Meaning: "Getting Cold Feet" Explained
Getting cold feet means losing your nerve before something important, like a wedding. Learn the meaning, origin theories, examples and US, UK, AU usage.
Mark My Words: Meaning, Origin and Examples
Mark my words means “pay attention, because I am sure this will happen.” Learn its meaning, origin, tone, 24 examples, alternatives and US, UK, AU usage.
Bite the Bullet: Meaning and Origin
Bite the bullet means to face something unpleasant you can't avoid. Learn the battlefield surgery theory, other origins, examples and US, UK and AU usage.
Break the Ice: Meaning, Origin and Examples
Break the ice means to ease tension and get people talking when they first meet. See its origin with ships and Shakespeare, 24 examples and US/UK/AU usage.
Spill the Beans: Meaning and Origin
Spill the beans means to reveal a secret, often by accident or too early. Learn the voting-beans theory, what we really know, examples and US/UK/AU usage.
Once in a Blue Moon: Meaning and the Real Blue Moon
Once in a blue moon means very rarely. Learn how the idiom grew from an old phrase about absurdity, what a real blue moon is, examples and US/UK/AU usage.
Under the Weather: Meaning and Origin
Under the weather means feeling slightly ill or low. Learn the sailing origin theory, how to use it in sick-day emails, 24 examples and US/UK/AU usage.
The Ball Is in Your Court: Meaning and Examples
The ball is in your court means it is your turn to act or decide. Learn its tennis origin, tone, 24 examples, polite email alternatives and US/UK/AU usage.
Hit the Nail on the Head: Meaning and Usage
To hit the nail on the head means to describe something exactly right. See where the idiom comes from, 25 examples, synonyms, regional usage and a quiz.
Cost an Arm and a Leg: Meaning and Origin
Cost an arm and a leg means to be very expensive. Learn the real origin (and the portrait myth), US, UK and Australian alternatives, 24 examples and a quiz.
Piece of Cake: Meaning and Similar Idioms
Piece of cake means something very easy. Learn its origin, grammar, 24 examples, similar idioms in US, UK and Australian English, common mistakes and a quiz.
Fair Dinkum Meaning: An Australian Expression Explained
Fair dinkum means genuine, honest or true in Australian English, and 'Fair dinkum?' means 'Really?' Learn its origin, how Aussies use it today, and examples.
Australian Slang Phrases Explained (No Worries, Arvo and More)
A clear guide to Australian slang phrases like no worries, arvo, heaps, yeah nah and she'll be right, with meanings, real examples, regional notes and a quiz.