Entry 1
A dime a dozen
Meaning So commonplace as to be of little consequence.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Red buses in London. they’re a dime a dozen.
Idioms · 28 entries
Number
What does "Number" mean?
So commonplace as to be of little consequence.
A dime a dozen
A picture paints a thousand words
A stitch in time saves nine
The United Kingdom. A very old proverb.
Back to square one
Britain, early 20th century.
Baker’s dozen
Britain, 17th century.
Caught between two stools
14th century Britain.
Double header
USA, late 19th century.
Dressed to the nines
Britain - 19th century.
Eighty six
USA, mid-20th century.
First World
USA, mid 20th century.
First World problem
USA, late 20th century.
First among equals
Britain, 18th century. Often used to describe the British Prime Minister and his/her cabinet, although the first usage pre-dates that.
First footing
Britain, especially Scotland, from 19th century onward.
It takes two to tango
USA, from a popular 1952 song of the same name.
Kill two birds with one stone
Britain, 17th century. Found in the writings of Thomas Hobbes.
Nine to five
On cloud nine
USA, 20th century.
Once in a blue moon
Britain, 19th century.
Sixth sense
Britain, 17th century.
The glorious twelfth
The whole nine yards
The origin is unknown (and is probably the most sought after origin in all of etymology). Either USA or UK, early in the 20th century.
Third time lucky
Britain, 19th century.
Third times a charm
Originated in Ireland in the 1830s and was later adopted in American speech.
Twenty three skidoo
Two and eight
Work out
1. Britain, 16th century. 2. (As ‘workout’) USA, late 19th century.
Your number is up
1. Britain, early 20th century. 2. Britain, early 19th century.
Zip your lip
USA, 1940s. Deriving from the allusion to closing a garment with a zipper.
Entry 2
A picture paints a thousand words
Meaning Pictures are far more descriptive than words.
Usage A very widely and commonly used proverb/adage.
Example
- I tried to describe that fantastic sunset and then she just showed them a photo. You know it’s true - a picture paints a thousand words.
Pronunciation
Entry 3
A stitch in time saves nine
Meaning A small effort made at the right time might save a calamity later on.
Usage In use worldwide, but less commonly than before and mainly by the older generation.
Example
- Fixing that frayed rope was a real stitch in time. It would probably have snapped when the wind got up later if we hadn’t.
Pronunciation
Entry 4
Back to square one
Meaning Back to the beginning.
Usage In the UK, but less so than a few years ago.
Example
- He had nearly climbed the cliff before he slipped off. Now it's back to square one.
Pronunciation
Entry 5
Baker's dozen
Meaning Thirteen.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- There's got to be at least twelve in each box. Better just pack a baker's dozen to be sure.
Pronunciation
Entry 6
Caught between two stools
Meaning Finding it difficult to choose between two alternatives.
Usage Worldwide, but less commonly so that in the past.
Example
- I'd like to go to the game and stay in for the birthday party. I'm between two stools.
Pronunciation
Entry 7
Double header
Meaning A sports expression denoting two events held at the same time.
Usage Mostly USA.
Example
- The semi-finals are always played together as a double-header to give no team an advantage.
Pronunciation
Entry 8
Dressed to the nines
Meaning Very smartly dressed, in one's best clothes.
Usage In the UK, mostly amongst the older generation.
Example
- It's my daughter's wedding today. All the family will be dressed to the nines.
Pronunciation
Entry 9
Eighty six
Meaning Referring to an item on a menu that is no longer available.
Usage USA.
Example
- I would have had the mushroom risotto but they're eighty-sixed it.
Pronunciation
Entry 10
First World
Meaning The industrialised affluent and wealthy nations.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- The rise of China and India means we may have to redefine the First World before long.
Pronunciation
Entry 11
First World problem
Meaning A relatively trivial problem only affecting the affluent.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Jack's complaining again that his 48 inch screen is giving him eyestrain. That's a First World problem if there ever was.
Pronunciation
Entry 12
First among equals
Meaning The most senior person in a group of equal rank.
Usage Mostly Britain.
Example
- The British Prime Ministership is a cabinet post, no different from his colleagues, but the position is always considered to be the first among equals.
Pronunciation
Entry 13
First footing
Meaning Making a round of visits at New Year.
Usage Mostly Scotland but has travelled with Scots throughout the world.
Example
- As soon as the clock strikes midnight on 31st December we'll be off around town first footing all our neighbours.
Pronunciation
Entry 14
It takes two to tango
Meaning It takes two people to cause a problem between them.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Maybe Jack did provoke the argument but he couldn't argue on his own could he? - it takes two to tango.
Pronunciation
Entry 15
Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning Accomplish two things with a single action.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- When I chop the wood I get warm too. You could say I kill two birds with one stone.
Entry 16
Nine to five
Meaning A standard office day, between 9am and 5pm. Often used to denote the boring nature of the weekly working routine.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- This 9 to 5 slog really gets me down by about wednesday - I'm waiting for the weekend to come.
Pronunciation
Entry 17
On cloud nine
Meaning Blissfully happy.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- The day after George proposed to her, Mildred won the lottery. She's on cloud nine.
Pronunciation
Entry 18
Once in a blue moon
Meaning A rare occurrence.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- West Bromwich Albion have won the cup. but only every once in a blue moon.
Pronunciation
Entry 19
Sixth sense
Meaning An imaginary intuitive facility.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- My sixth sense is telling me that I'm going to meet my perfect partner today.
Pronunciation
Entry 20
The glorious twelfth
Meaning The 12th of August - the start of the British grouse shooting season.
Usage Britain.
Example
- Just two weeks to go. I've booked all the beaters and the trip to the grouse moor is all set - bring on the glorious twelfth.
Pronunciation
Entry 21
The whole nine yards
Meaning The full entirety of something.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- The allies went full-on in the attack on Baghdad - bombs, missiles, the whole nine yards.
Pronunciation
Entry 22
Third time lucky
Meaning Said when trying something for the third time.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- Two divorces and now I'm engaged again. Let's hope it's third time lucky.
Pronunciation
Entry 23
Third times a charm
Meaning The third try is often successful.
Usage Worldwide, but more common in the USA than elsewhere.
Example
- Have you noticed that, in TV dramas, when the police try a lock with a set of keys it's always the third that works. They must think third times a charm.
Pronunciation
Entry 24
Twenty three skidoo
Meaning Invitation to go away.
Example
- Hey, you kids, get off my garden - twenty three skidoo!
Pronunciation
Entry 25
Two and eight
Meaning Cockney rhyming slang for state.
Usage Mostly Britain.
Example
- His clothes were awry and he'd lost one of his shoes - he was in a right two and eight.
Pronunciation
Entry 26
Work out
Meaning 1. Calculate using arithmetic. 2. Take exercise (also spelled 'workout').
Usage Both forms used Worldwide.
Example
- 1. We decided to share the bill for the taxi. My part worked out to four pounds. 2. I've joined the gym. My plan is to work out once a week.
Pronunciation
Entry 27
Your number is up
Meaning It is now your turn. For instance, if 1. You are about to die. or 2. You have won a lottery.
Usage Worldwide.
Example
- 1. When I heard the bombers screaming towards us I was sure my number was up. 2. Who has ticket number 374? Come on down and collect your prize - your number is up.
Pronunciation
Entry 28
Zip your lip
Meaning Say nothing; keep your mouth shut. Often shortened to 'zip it'.
Usage Worldwide, but most common in the USA.
Example
- I saw Kevin put sneezing powder in the staff room but he told me to zip my lip about it or it would spoil the joke.
Pronunciation