Describes something done haphazardly, without any particular plan or method, or in a way that doesn't consider personal preference. The saying traces it roots to the Shakespearean expression “will ye, nill ye” which is a contraction that means “whether one wants to or not.”
"We have to go back to square one."
Means to go back to the beginning after failure. The meaning likely originated from early British radio football commentators who divided the field into numbered squares to help listeners visualize the game with square one representing the areas around the goal.
"If you go as the crow flies..."
Is when someone describes the shortest route to a destination. It is based on the fact that crows are very intelligent birds and tend to fly straight to the nearest food supply. One origin traces this saying before modern navigational methods were introduced, cages of crows were kept upon ships and a bird would be released from the crow's nest when required to assist navigation, in the hope that it would fly directly towards land.
"We're behind the eight ball."
Refers to a bad situation. The phrase comes from pool (or billiards). When the cue (white) ball is behind the eight (black) ball, a player usually has no shot.
"It is the Chefs kiss!" This is a gesture or a way of expressing that something is excellent or perfect. It is often used to signify a delicious dish or a job well done. The gesture imitates a chef kissing their fingers. This gesture is believed to have originated from the image of a male Italian chef performing this gesture—often with a mustache, white chef's hat, and apron—spread in US advertisements after World War 2.
"It's not worth a hill of beans."
Is a phrase said when something is of little or no importance, value or worth. It is believed that this expression was first used almost 700 years ago when Robert of Gloucester described a message from the King of Germany to King John of England as “altogether not worth a bean.”
"Be here or be square."Is an informal expression encouraging someone to attend an event, implying that missing out is considered not cool. The saying originated in the 1940s jazz scene where “square” meant someone who was considered boring, out of touch, or not cool with the music and culture of the time.
"They are an odd duck."
This description means a person who is considered strange, peculiar, or quirky often in a harmless or endearing way. The origin of this description comes from the Hans Christian Andersen fairy tale “The Ugly Duckling” where the duckling didn’t fit in.
"The world is your oyster."
This means that you can do anything you wish or go anywhere you want in your life because you have the ability to do so. This saying is thought to have originated from William Shakespeare's play, The Merry Wives of Windsor, where the character Pistol says, "Why then the world's mine oyster, which I with sword will open," implying the world is a source of opportunity to be seized.
"I stand corrected."
Is a saying when someone acknowledges that something you previously said or believed was wrong, and you accept the correction provided by someone else. It's a polite way of admitting you were mistaken. This phrase was first recorded in John Dryden's The Maiden Queen (1668): “I stand corrected, and myself reprove.”
"We're pulling out all the stops!"
To pull out all the stops means to make every possible effort or use all available resources to achieve an end. The "stops" in question were originally the physical stop knobs of a pipe organ. This saying originates from the world of pipe organs, where "stops" are knobs that control which sets of pipes are playing, and pulling them out activates those pipes, creating a fuller, louder sound.
"Looks like you're in a pickle."
Usually means to be in a difficult or awkward situation with no easy solution. The origin of this saying is believed to come from the diary of Samuel Pepys on in 1660.
"Let's spill the tea!"
This is a popular slang phrase that means to share gossip, secrets, or juicy details about someone or something. This is believed to have originated in African American and LGBTQ+ communities, particularly within drag and ballroom culture.
"You got off on the wrong foot."
This is what is said when someone gets off to a bad start by doing something completely the wrong way. This most likely originated from the superstitious belief that the left foot is unlucky or from military traditions where marching always starts with the left foot.
"You were caught red-handed!"
Usually means to be caught in the act of doing something wrong or illegal, often used in the context of crime or wrongdoing. To be "caught red-handed" originated from 15th century Scottish law, referring to someone apprehended in the act of committing a crime, specifically with blood on their hands, often related to poaching or livestock theft.
"Can you hold down the fort?"
Is used when someone is looking after things while someone else is away or busy doing something else. This phrase comes from the Western frontier times where soldiers and settlers would "hold the fort" to protect their settlements from perceived threats.
"Not to be a Debbie Downer."
This means to avoid being someone who consistently expresses negative or pessimistic views, dampening the enthusiasm or happiness of others. This phrase originated from a character on Saturday Night Live played by Rachel Dratch who was known for her consistently negative and depressing remarks.
"It's the bees knees."
This usually means to be of excellent or extremely high standard. The origin of this phrase is difficult to trace but most believe it gained popularity to its rhyme and the general trend of creating bizarre animal-related phrases during the 1920s.
"We're going to hell in a hand basket."
Usually describes a situation that is headed for disaster. The origin of this phrase has been much debated. Some believe that it relates to the baskets used to catch guillotined heads in the 18th Century.
"We'd better high tail it out of here!"
This means to leave a place very quickly or in a hurry, often in a way that suggest urgency or a desire to escape. The origin comes from cattle ranch slang in the 1890s referring to the way a running cow or bull raises its tail when running.
"Don't cut off your nose to spite your face."
This phrase describes a situation where someone takes actions that ultimately causes them more harm than the intended target. It was not uncommon in the Middle Ages for a person to cut off the nose of another for various reasons, including punishment from the state or as an act of revenge.
