Literal meaning. That is, 'chop off his head'. It is now usually used humorously as a means of mildly reproaching someone.
Read the full origin →Established 1997 · researched & written by Gary Martin
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Off with his head
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Hi Gary, I enjoyed your page on "one-hit wonder" and wanted to pass along two earlier citations I found while searching the newspaper archive at worldradiohistory.com, both of…
A common version in popular usage in (at least) the British Royal Navy in the 1960s and 70s is the briefer expression "Green Rub", which is used in cases of a hindrance or…
The expression "the short and long of it" traces back at least to 1566, in which an early variation appears in this rhyming couplet from Richard Edwards' drama "Damon and…
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Based on Google Books usage over the last ~25 years. Refreshes each build.
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Phrases.org.uk has been documenting the meaning and origin of phrases, sayings and idioms since 1997. Every entry is researched and written by Gary Martin, with citations to the earliest printed use we can find.
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