Excess
A big ask
Meaning
A favour which is a lot to ask of someone.
Examples
Tod had only just got home from his overnight flight when his boss told him to get back to the airport and fly to Sydney. That was a big ask.
Where did it originate?
Australia.
Where is it used?
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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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Bells and whistles
Meaning
Attractive additional features or trimmings.
Examples
It was expensive to get all the optional extras for my new car, but I decided that I wasn’t going to get another for a few years so why not go for all the bells and whistles?
Where did it originate?
USA, late 20th century. First used in the computing world to refer to machines with lots of new features. Probably ultimately deriving as an allusion to fairgound organs, which have numerous bells and whistles.
Where is it used?
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Binge watch
Meaning
Watch multiple episodes of a television programme in succession.
Examples
We started off just planning to watch an episode of The Sopranos but ended up binge-watching the whole series.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 20th century.
Where is it used?
Initially the USA, but quickly spreading Worldwide.
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Ear popping
Meaning
Sound that is loud or that catches the attention.
Examples
Led Zeppelin were good on stage and ear-poppingly loud.
Where did it originate?
USA, early 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Everything but the kitchen sink
Meaning
Everything imaginable.
Examples
I said she could stay for a few days but there’s hardly room. She brought everything but the kitchen sink.
Where did it originate?
Britain, late-19th century.
Where is it used?
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Feeding frenzy
Meaning
A frantic competition or exploitation – like a group shark attack.
Examples
When Princess Diana was killed there was a feeding frenzy of journalists trying to get the story.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid 20th century.
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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Go ape shit
Meaning
Become excessively agitated and excited.
Examples
John had been promised the job. He went ape shit when he found out it went to one of his subordinates.
Where did it originate?
Originally USA (as ‘go ape’). Britain, 1950s (as ‘go ape shit’). Derived from the habit of apes of throwing faeces at adversaries when agitated.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but not in polite company.
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Go for broke
Meaning
Put every resource into getting a particular result.
Examples
We needed a goal so we went for broke to score and forgot about defence.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid 20th century.
Where is it used?
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Have a blast
Meaning
Have an especially good time.
Examples
We are loving our holiday here in the West Indies. Were having a blast.
Where did it originate?
USA, mid 20th century.
Where is it used?
Mostly USA.
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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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Hell bent
Meaning
Determined to achieve something at all costs.
Examples
Susie broke her ankle a mile from the end of the marathon but she was hell bent to finish and stumbled over the line on crutches.
Where did it originate?
USA, 18th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, although more common in the USA than elsewhere.
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Help yourself
Meaning
Invitation to take something freely.
Examples
There’s plenty of food for everyone – just help yourself to whatever you want.
Where is it used?
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In the heat of the moment
Meaning
In an overwhelming situation, causing you to act rashly.
Examples
When the burglars broke in I just lashed out. I didn’t think – it was just a heat of the moment reaction.
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Knee jerk reaction
Meaning
A quick and automatic response.
Examples
When Isis bombed Paris the knee-jerk reaction was to bomb them back.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 19th century. Driving from the medical test involving tapping the knee.
Where is it used?
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Let your hair down
Meaning
Behave in a free an uninhibited manner. Usually applied to women.
Examples
Its Sharon’s hen party tonight – the girls are really going to let their hair down.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 17th century.
Where is it used?
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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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Over the top
Meaning
Excessive.
Examples
A fine for my parking offence, that’s okay, but crushing the car was over the top.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 1920s. The literal ‘over the top’ relating to trench warfare originated a few years earlier.
Where is it used?
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Paint the town red
Meaning
Go on a boisterous or exuberant spree
Examples
It’s the last day of term and everyone wants to party. Why don’t we paint the town red?
Where did it originate?
USA, 19th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, although considered rather old fashioned language
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Pedal to the metal
Meaning
To go at full speed, when driving a vehicle.
Examples
Well never make it to the hospital in time at this speed. Put the pedal to the metal and hurry things up.
Where did it originate?
USA, 1970s
Where is it used?
Mostly USA.
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Pig out
Meaning
To overeat in a slovenly manner.
Examples
I told the babysitters not to pig out but when we got back there were nine pizza boxes on the floor.
Where did it originate?
USA, late 20th century.
Where is it used?
Worldwide, but mostly by the younger generations.
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Raining cats and dogs
Meaning
Raining very heavily.
Examples
The monsoon will be here soon – then it will rain cats and dogs.
Where is it used?
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Tour de force
Meaning
A feat of strength power or skill.
Examples
He managed to lift the back off that truck off the ground – a real tour de force.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 19th century.
Where is it used?
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Variety is the spice of life
Meaning
Increased experience makes for a more exciting life.
Examples
Surfing today, bungie-jumping tomorrow. You know what they say – variety is the spice of life.
Where did it originate?
Britain, 18th century.
Where is it used?
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