Category: Phrases

Did someone just do something you find inappropriate in an attempt to gain recognition from their peers? If so, you could reply with "We are not amused," to show you disdain. This post unpacks everything you need to know about the meaning and origin of this saying. Meaning The phrase "we are not amused" is […]

Did you arrive at a pub on a tour of a local area to find everyone singing, "there once was a girl from Nantucket?" What is the meaning and origin of this limerick? Let's unpack it for you in this post. Meaning "There once was a girl from Nantucket" is a limerick talking about a […]

Are you always buying the same stuff as your neighbors to keep up with their lifestyle? If so, you're playing the game of "keeping up with the Joneses." This post unpacks the meani8ng and origin of this proverb. Meaning The proverb's meaning, "keeping up with the Joneses," pertains to the need for middle-class and upper-class […]

Are you looking for a way to congratulate an employee or colleague? If so, you could use the expression, "kudos to you." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this phrase. Meaning The meaning of the phrase "kudos to you" is "credit goes to you." Kudos is a Greek work carried into the modern […]

Are you looking for a way to tell someone that everything is fine and they don’t have to worry? If so, you could use the expression, “hunky dory.” This post unpacks everything you need to know about the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning If someone tells you that everything is “hunky dory,” it […]

Are you looking for a way to tell someone to watch their language around you? This post unpacks the meaning and origin of the phrase “mind your Ps and Qs.” Meaning The expression "mind your Ps and Qs" is a way of telling someone to watch their language. Typically, it's a saying used by seniors […]

Are you looking for a way to tell someone that you apologize for your behavior? If so, you could use the phrase, "mea culpa." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this phrase. Meaning The meaning of the saying "mea culpa" is similar to the popular saying "my bad." It serves as an admission […]

Do you need a way to tell someone that you’ll do something as fast as possible? If so, you could say to them you’ll have it ready for them “lickity split.” This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of “lickity split” is to do something right away without hesitation […]

Are you looking for a way to tell someone that your corner store has everything they need? If so, you could call the store a "one stop shop." This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Meaning The meaning of the saying "one stop shop" is a venue or person that has everything […]

Are you looking for a way to describe a sham legal proceeding? You could use the term "kangaroo court" to voice concern over the proceedings. This post unpacks the meaning and origin of this expression. Kangaroo Court Meaning A "kangaroo court" is an unofficial proceeding set up to give the defendant a false sense of […]