Phrase Finder

Idioms · 28 entries

Name

What does "Name" mean?

A sceptic who won’t accept a widely believed truth until seeing the evidence in person.

A doubting Thomas

From the Biblical story of Thomas, the apostle who doubted Jesus’ resurrection.

Adam’s ale

The United Kingdom, 17th century.

Dicky Dirt

Britain.

Elvis has left the building

USA, late 20th century.

Full monty

The precise origin is uncertain. Since the 1997 film of the same name, the expression has also been associated with full-frontal nudity.

George Raft

Britain.

Good Samaritan

Britain, 17th century. From a biblical source.

Gregory Peck

Britain.

Harry spankers

Britain, 20th century.

Have a Captain Cook

Britain.

Hobson’s choice

Britain, 17th century. Derived from the name of the carrier Thomas Hobson.

In like Flynn

USA, 1940s.

It’s all gone Pete Tong

Britain, alluding to the popular DJ Pete Tong.

Jack Palancing

Britain.

Jimmy Riddle

Britain.

Lord Fred

Britain.

Mrs Mop

Britain. First used in the 1940s radio show ITMA.

Mutt and Jeff

Britain.

On your Tod

Origin uncertain - possibly related to the US jockey Tod Sloan.

Peeping Tom

Britain, late 18th century.

Rosie Lea

Britain.

Ruby Murray

Britain.

Sexton Blake

Britain.

Uncle Dick

Britain.

Uncle Tom

USA, 1920s. Derived from the name of the hero in the novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Van Gogh’s ear for music

An ironic joke alluding to Van Gogh’s celebrated loss of his ear, coined in Britain in the late 20th century. The source idiom ‘ear for music’ has been used in Britain since the 18th century.

Would you Adam and Eve it?

Britain.

Your name is mud

USA. The allusion is to Dr. Samuel Mudd, the man who was accused of the shooting of President Abraham Lincoln

Entry 1

A doubting Thomas

Meaning A sceptic who won’t accept a widely believed truth until seeing the evidence in person.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • I told him he would need a raincoat but, doubting Thomas that he his, he had to check the forecast for himself.

Pronunciation

Entry 2

Adam’s ale

Meaning A reference to water - often used to emphasize the purity of water compared to other drinks.

Usage Worldwide, but most common in the UK.

Example

  • I didn’t want a beer when I finished the marathon - Adam’s ale was all I needed.

Pronunciation

Entry 3

Dicky Dirt

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for shirt.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • Jane's wedding today. I'll need a newly pressed dickie dirt for that.

Pronunciation

Entry 4

Elvis has left the building

Meaning The primary performer has left. There's no point waiting around.

Usage Worldwide, but more common in the USA than elsewhere.

Example

  • Go away. We're closed. It's all over. Nothing to see here. Elvis has left the building. Do I need to go on?

Pronunciation

Entry 5

Full monty

Meaning Everything possible. The whole thing.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • Six sixes in one over. He really gave it the full monty.

Entry 6

George Raft

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for daft.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • That handstand on the window ledge. You could say he was brave or you could say he was George Raft.

Pronunciation

Entry 7

Good Samaritan

Meaning Someone who compassionately helps another who is in need.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • I'd lost my wallet and couldn't get home. He played the good Samaritan and gave me a lift to my door.

Pronunciation

Entry 8

Gregory Peck

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for neck.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • It's freezing out there. Better get a scarf round your Gregory if you're going out.

Pronunciation

Entry 9

Harry spankers

Meaning Brand spanking new.

Usage Mostly in the UK and mostly amongst the middle and upper classes.

Example

  • I just driven the car direct from the showroom - it's absolutely Harry Spankers.

Pronunciation

Entry 10

Have a Captain Cook

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for look.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • Now madam, have a Captain Cook at these men and point out the one who attacked you.

Pronunciation

Entry 11

Hobson's choice

Meaning 1. A choice forced upon someone. 2. Cockney rhyming slang for voice.

Usage Worldwide, although mostly amongst the older generation.

Example

  • 1. There was only one room left in the hotel when we arrived, so we got Hobson's choice. 2. I've had a sore throat for a couple of days - now I'm beginning to lose my hobsons.

Pronunciation

Entry 12

In like Flynn

Meaning To be easily successful, especially concerning sex or romance.

Usage Worldwide, but more common in the USA than elsewhere.

Example

  • Since he had that lottery win and the nose job, he's in like Flynn with the girls.

Pronunciation

Entry 13

It's all gone Pete Tong

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for gone wrong.

Usage Mainly Britain.

Example

  • I thought I could make mayonnaise with butter. When I tried it all went Pete Tong.

Pronunciation

Entry 14

Jack Palancing

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for dancing.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • Julie wants me to go with her to the ballroom for a night of Jack Palancing.

Pronunciation

Entry 15

Jimmy Riddle

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for piddle.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • Now kids, this is going to be a long car trip and we don't want to be stopping every five minutes. Just go and have a Jimmy before we set off.

Pronunciation

Entry 16

Lord Fred

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for bed.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • The hamster escaped and the cat got it - it's Lord Fred for sure.

Pronunciation

Entry 17

Mrs Mop

Meaning traditional English name for a cleaning woman.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • I just don't have time to work full time, look after the kids and keep the house clean - perhaps I should get a Mrs. Mop.

Pronunciation

Entry 18

Mutt and Jeff

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for deaf.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • You have to shout - he's almost completely mutton.

Pronunciation

Entry 19

On your Tod

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for alone.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • The others have all gone out - I'm on my tod.

Pronunciation

Entry 20

Peeping Tom

Meaning Someone who covertly observes sexually active or naked people.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • Her habit of sunbathing topless really brings out the peeping Toms.

Pronunciation

Entry 21

Rosie Lea

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for tea.

Usage Mainly Britain.

Example

  • Put the kettle on would you? I'd love a nice cup of rosie lea.

Pronunciation

Entry 22

Ruby Murray

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for curry.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • Every Friday night after work, the lads all pile into the Star of India for a ruby.

Pronunciation

Entry 23

Sexton Blake

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for fake.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • That picture was supposed to be by Monet but there was a mobile phone in the background - I knew right away it was a sexton.

Pronunciation

Entry 24

Uncle Dick

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for sick.

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • Sorry, I won't be into work today. I'll feeling Uncle Dick.

Pronunciation

Entry 25

Uncle Tom

Meaning A derogatory term for a black man who is servile towards white men.

Usage Worldwide, but most common in the USA.

Example

  • Randy never stands up for us blacks. In the old days we'd have called him an Uncle Tom - these days people call him a coconut (that is, brown on the outside but white on the inside).

Pronunciation

Entry 26

Van Gogh's ear for music

Meaning Tone deaf.

Usage Mostly Britain and not a common idiom.

Example

  • I'd love to join the choir but my audition was a disaster. The conductor said I had Van Gogh's ear for music.

Pronunciation

Entry 27

Would you Adam and Eve it?

Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for would you believe it?

Usage Mostly Britain.

Example

  • Amazing - he hit double top six times with six darts. Would you Adam and Eve it?

Pronunciation

Entry 28

Your name is mud

Meaning You are discredited or in disgrace. The very mention of your name produces scorn.

Usage Worldwide.

Example

  • Since the hundreds of reports of his abuse of children, Jimmy Saville's name is mud in the UK.

Pronunciation