Category: English Phrase
Make a Bee-line for Meaning Go directly towards. Origin The phrase derives from the behaviour of bees. When a forager bee finds a source of nectar it returns to …
Magical Realism Meaning A literary genre in which magical features and storylines appear and are accepted as everyday reality. Magical realist stories often have a dream-like landscape and call …
Lucky Stiff Meaning To be very lucky. Example You won $90,000 in the Super Lotto – you lucky stiff. Origin Stiff is defined as an ordinary person, an average …
Low Man on the Totem Pole Meaning The lowest-ranking, least important person in a. group or organization. Example Have you ever heard of a woman on the totem pole …
Loved-Up Meaning Feeling euphoric and well-disposed towards those around you induced by the use of drugs, notably Ecstasy (methylenedioxymethamphetamine). Origin This term is British and emerged in the 1990s …
Lose Face-Save Face Meaning Lose face – Be humiliated; lose one’s reputation. Origin ‘Lose face’ began life in English as a translation of the Chinese phrase ‘tiu lien’. That …
Loose Lips Sink ships Meaning You must keep this secret or there will be a price paid. Example Do not discuss any of our plans outside this boardroom, remember …
Loose Cannon Meaning A person who is out of control, unpredictable, who may do damage. Example The typical Engineer is too honest for his own good, they can be …
Long in The Tooth Meaning To be getting old. Example Daddy needs a new Porsche. The old one is getting a bit long in the tooth. Origin Strange as …
Lock Stock and Barrel Meaning The whole thing, complete. Example I want to buy the house and the furniture, lock stock and barrel. Origin This phrase refers to the …