Idioms · 22 entries
A day on which everything seems to go wrong.
The United Kingdom - 19th century.
The United Kingdom - 17th century.
USA, late 20th century. A reference to the amplification of acoustic instruments.
USA, late 20th century.
Britain, late 19th century. Used in a magazine article by Charles Dickens.
Britain, 19th century.
Britain, 15th century.
Britain, 18th century.
USA, late 19th century.
USA, late 19th century.
Britain, late 18th century.
Britain, 19th century - in the writings of Anthony Trollope
20th century origin, although the similar ‘Friday face’ is known in England since the 16th century.
Entry 1
Meaning A day on which everything seems to go wrong.
Usage Predominantly in the USA but also more widely.
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Entry 2
Meaning A sense of inferiority characterized by a quickness to take offence.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 3
Meaning Our feelings for people and things grows when we are apart from them.
Usage Still used, predominantly in the UK, mostly by the older generation.
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Entry 4
Meaning To further a loss. To make a bad situation worse.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 5
Meaning Excited and ready for action.
Usage Worldwide, but more in the USA than elsewhere.
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Entry 6
Meaning 1. Adjust a device to reduce sound or temperature. 2. Reduce one's emotional reaction to something.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 7
Meaning A happy simplistic ending to a story similar to those found in fairy tales.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 8
Meaning Inspire with enthusiasm.
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Entry 9
Meaning Move beyond something that is bothering you.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 10
Meaning A personal intuition, based on feeling rather than fact.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 11
Meaning A bittersweet feeling combining both happiness and sadness.
Usage Worldwide, but not commonly used.
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Entry 12
Meaning Said of someone who the speaker has a deep dislike of.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 13
Meaning Very excited, especially when in love.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 14
Meaning I am unwilling to tolerate it.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Entry 15
Meaning I'm overwhelmed and stressed and it is affecting my ability to think.
Usage Mostly Britain.
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Entry 16
Meaning Remain positive in a tough situation.
Usage Although derived in the USA this idiom is more commonly heard now in Britain.
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Entry 17
Meaning In a frenzied manner.
Usage Worldwide, but not particularly common.
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Entry 18
Meaning Overcome by emotion and out of control.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 19
Meaning No longer having to deal with something.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 20
Meaning Anticipation of the weekend after a hard working week.
Usage Worldwide.
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Entry 21
Meaning Having been unable to find a long-term romantic partner.
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Entry 22
Meaning A past experience that you prefer not to affect your current life.
Usage Worldwide.
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