Emotion
A bad hair day
Meaning
A day on which everything seems to go wrong.
Examples
I missed the bus and was late on the one day the boss was early and now I’ve laddered my tights! – talk about a bad hair day.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Predominantly in the USA but also more widely.
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A chip on your shoulder
Meaning
A sense of inferiority characterized by a quickness to take offence.
Examples
He’s the only cabinet minister that didn’t go to Eton and it’s given him a bit of a chip on his shoulder.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
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Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Meaning
Our feelings for people and things grows when we are apart from them.
Examples
I enjoyed visiting Italy but after a few weeks I couldn’t wait to get home to my wife. As they say – absense makes the heart grow fonder.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom – 19th century.
Where is it used?
Still used, predominantly in the UK, mostly by the older generation.
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Add insult to injury
Meaning
To further a loss. To make a bad situation worse.
Examples
She jilted him at the altar, but to add insult to injury, she later married his brother.
Where did it originate?
The United Kingdom – 17th century.
Where is it used?
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Amped up
Meaning
Excited and ready for action.
Examples
He’s been training for today all year. Now the big day has come and he’s amped up and ready to go.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 20th century. A reference to the amplification of acoustic instruments.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but more in the USA than elsewhere.
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Dial down
Meaning
1. Adjust a device to reduce sound or temperature. 2. Reduce one’s emotional reaction to something.
Examples
1. It’s boiling in here. Just dial down the thermostat would you? 2. Okay, so your favourite didn’t win X-Factor. No need to bite the carpet – just dial it down a notch.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Fairytale ending
Meaning
A happy simplistic ending to a story similar to those found in fairy tales.
Examples
Disney stories are great for kids, but their fairytale endings don’t match real life for adults.
Where did it originate?
Britain, late 19th century. Used in a magazine article by Charles Dickens.
Where is it used?
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Fire the imagination
Meaning
Inspire with enthusiasm.
Examples
I didn’t agree with Billy Graham’s views but his fervent delivery really fired the imagination of those who did.
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Get over it
Meaning
Move beyond something that is bothering you.
Examples
Okay she left him, but that was two years ago. He needs to get over it and move on.
Where is it used?
Gut feeling
Meaning
A personal intuition, based on feeling rather than fact.
Examples
Even before the trial, I always had a gut feeling that O J Simpson was a wrong un.
Where is it used?
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Happy sad
Meaning
A bittersweet feeling combining both happiness and sadness.
Examples
Dad won the Bafta for best actor but was too ill to collect it, so I’m happy sad about that.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 19th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but not commonly used.
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He makes my flesh (or skin) crawl (or creep)
Meaning
Said of someone who the speaker has a deep dislike of.
Examples
Savile was a sexual predator for 50 years. Just seeing a picture of his stupid face now makes my skin crawl.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 15th century.
Where is it used?
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Head over heels
Meaning
Very excited, especially when in love.
Examples
She said yes! We are to be married and I’m head over heels.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 18th century.
Where is it used?
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I can't be doing with it
Meaning
I am unwilling to tolerate it.
Examples
Next door are having another party and the noise is outrageous – I’m going round there to tell them I can’t be doing with it.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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I can't think straight
Meaning
I’m overwhelmed and stressed and it is affecting my ability to think.
Examples
The kids’ party got a little out of hand and I had to go outside to get some work done. I couldn’t think straight with all that yelling and running around.
Where did it originate?
Where is it used?
Mostly Britain.
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Keep your chin up
Meaning
Remain positive in a tough situation.
Examples
Sorry to hear that you were made redundant on the day your buried your mother. Keep your chin up mate.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 19th century.
Where is it used?
Although derived in the USA this idiom is more commonly heard now in Britain.
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Like a chicken with its head cut off
Meaning
In a frenzied manner.
Examples
He was shouting and swearing because they had lost the contract – he was running around like a chicken with its head cut off.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 19th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but not particularly common.
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Lose your head
Meaning
Overcome by emotion and out of control.
Examples
When the traffic warden had his car towed, Jack lost his head and hit him.
Where did it originate?
Britain, late 18th century.
Where is it used?
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Off the hook
Meaning
No longer having to deal with something.
Examples
I know it’s your turn to organise the Christmas party but you’re off the hook, Judy volunteered to take over.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 19th century – in the writings of Anthony Trollope
Where is it used?
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That Friday feeling
Meaning
Anticipation of the weekend after a hard working week.
Examples
I’m ready for a few jars at the pub after work – I’ve got that friday feeling.
Where did it originate?
20th century origin, although the similar ‘Friday face’ is known in England since the 16th century.
Where is it used?
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Unlucky in love
Meaning
Having been unable to find a long-term romantic partner.
Examples
Jane’s so unlucky in love. That’s the third time she’s been engaged only to have it broken off.
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Water under the bridge
Meaning
A past experience that you prefer not to affect your current life.
Examples
Losing my wife and my job was difficult at the time but I’ve moved on. Its all water under the bridge now.
Where is it used?
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