Idioms title

The Idiom Attic - a collection of hundreds of English idioms, each one explained.

"location" idioms...

See also, a list of phrases that relate in some way to the word location

" A miss is as good as a mile "
Meaning:
Some endeavours either succeed or they don’t - to miss narrowly is still failure.
Example:
He came within a millimetre of breaking the high jump records. Sadly, a miss is as good as a mile.
Where did it originate?:
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   proverbial   america  
" A place in the sun "
Meaning:
An idealistic dream of a sunny hideaway.
Example:
We’ve been lucky, we managed to buy ourselves a place in the sun for our retirement.
Where did it originate?:
The United Kingdom, early 20th century. An allusion to a literal pleasant retirement location.
Where is it used?:
Worldwide, not not common.
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   happiness  
" A stone’s throw "
Meaning:
A short distance.
Example:
Number Ten Downing Street is just a stone’s throw from parliament - the Prime Minister can walk there in no time.
Where did it originate?:
The United Kingdom.
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:
" Barnet Fair "
Meaning:
Cockney rhyming slang for hair.
Example:
I'm not sure about that new hairdresser - he cut my barnet much too short.
Where did it originate?:
Where is it used?:
Mostly Britain.
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   the_human_body   cockney_rhyming_slang  
" Bat from the pavilion end "
Meaning:
Slang term for a homosexuality.
Example:
If Julian didn't want us to know he was batting from the pavilion end he shouldn't keep wearing those lilac loafers.
Where did it originate?:
Britain, 20th century. An allusion to the game of cricket.
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   sport   sex   euphemism   slang  
" Brighton Pier "
Meaning:
Cockney rhyming slang for queer (i.e. homosexual).
Example:
Quite appropriate that James lives with Julian in Brighton - they are Brighton Pier after all.
Where did it originate?:
Where is it used?:
Mostly Britain.
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   cockney_rhyming_slang  
" Cross that bridge when you come to it "
Meaning:
Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before.
Example:
My pension might not be enough to live on when I'm retired, but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   patience   cliche  
" First World "
Meaning:
The industrialised affluent and wealthy nations.
Example:
The rise of China and India means we may have to redefine the First World before long.
Where did it originate?:
USA, mid 20th century.
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   number   america  
" First World problem "
Meaning:
A relatively trivial problem only affecting the affluent.
Example:
Jack's complaining again that his 48 inch screen is giving him eyestrain. That's a First World problem if there ever was.
Where did it originate?:
USA, late 20th century.
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   number   america  
" It's a small world "
Meaning:
Said when people meet unexpectedly, away from their usual haunts.
Example:
I went to New York and the first person I met was the guy from next door. it's a small world alright.
Where did it originate?:
Britain, in an 1873 novel by G. Chesney.
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   luck  
" Khyber pass "
Meaning:
Cockney rhyming slang for arse.
Example:
That was really insulting to my mother. When he bends over he's going to get a good kick up the khyber.
Where did it originate?:
Where is it used?:
Mainly Britain. Note that the original pronunciation of 'pass' would have been 'parse', to rhyme with 'arse'. This reflects the 'long r' vocalisation of Cockneys. Current pronunciation depends on where you come from
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   cockney_rhyming_slang  
" Never-never land "
Meaning:
A utopian dreamland.
Example:
Sonya says she's going to get a part in Jonny Depp's new movie. She needs to stop living in never-never land.
Where did it originate?:
Australia
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   australian_origin  
" New York minute "
Meaning:
A short space of time.
Example:
I know we need to leave soon, but I can get ready really quickly. I'll be with you in a New York minute.
Where did it originate?:
USA, 20th century.
Where is it used?:
Mostly USA.
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   time   hyperbole   america  
" New kid on the block "
Meaning:
Someone new to the group or area.
Example:
Let's go and play with him. Its hard being the new kid on the block.
Where did it originate?:
USA, mid 20th century.
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   childhood   america  
" Out on the town "
Meaning:
Out enjoying oneself.
Example:
Let's go to the pub and then on to a club. Its good to have a night on the town every now and again.
Where is it used?:
Worldwide, this hippie-sounding expression is no longer fashionable.
Hear the idiom spoken:
" Paint the town red "
Meaning:
Go on a boisterous or exuberant spree
Example:
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
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   colour   excess   america  
" Queer street "
Meaning:
The imaginary location of people who have major problems in their life, especially debt. (Note: not a real place, nor connected to homosexuality)
Example:
The business has gone into liquidation, my wife has left and the mortgage company want the house. I'm really in queer street.
Where did it originate?:
Britain - 17th century.
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   misfortune  
" Rome was not built in one day "
Meaning:
Major and important projects take time.
Example:
The new airport won't be finished for another ten years. I know Rome wasn't built in a day but that seems too long to wait.
Where did it originate?:
Britain, 16th century. From a translation of Erasmus's proverbs.
Where is it used?:
Worldwide, but less commonly than in the past.
Hear the idiom spoken:
" Scarper Flow "
Meaning:
Cockney rhyming slang for go.
Example:
The police are on there way. With your record they are bound to think the fight was your fault - you'd better scarper before they get here.
Where did it originate?:
Where is it used?:
Mostly Britain.
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   cockney_rhyming_slang  
" Swing by "
Meaning:
Drop in for a visit.
Example:
Come and join us - well be down at the pub until 9pm. Why don't you swing by around 8.30?
Where did it originate?:
Origin uncertain but possibly an allusion to a 'swing-by' which is a use of gravity by a spacecraft to change course.
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:
" The Big Pond "
Meaning:
Nickname of the Atlantic Ocean between the UK and the USA.
Example:
London's getting boring - I'm planning to hop the big pond and have a weekend in New York.
Where did it originate?:
USA, 1840s. Previously called, in both UK and USA as 'The Great Pond'.
Where is it used?:
Mostly USA and Britain.
Hear the idiom spoken:
More idioms about:   nature   america  
" Up a blind alley "
Meaning:
On a fruitless course of action.
Example:
We couldn't trace their fraudulent transactions - the evidence was gone. We were just looking up a blind alley.
Where did it originate?:
Britain, 16th century.
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:
" X marks the spot "
Meaning:
Said of a location that indicates something significant - like a pirate's mark on a treasure map.
Example:
Jim said the cafe was opposite the yellow street sign and here it is. I guess X marks the spot.
Where did it originate?:
Britain, mid-20th century.
Where is it used?:
Hear the idiom spoken:

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