Category: English Phrase
A Labour of Love Meaning Work undertaken for the pleasure of it or for the benefit of a loved one. Origin This phrase has a biblical origin and appears …
La Dolce Vita Meaning The good life, full of pleasure and indulgence. Origin This phrase entered the language following the success of the 1960 film La Dolce Vita. This …
La-di-da Meaning Used to highlight and ridicule snobbish forms of behaviour or speech. Origin ‘La-di-da’ was fading out of use in the language until it staged something of a …
Knock Off Meaning To finish work for the day. Alternatively, to work quickly and complete a task – similar to polish off. A third alternative is a slang term …
Kettle of Fish Meaning This term is usually part of ‘a fine kettle of fish’, ‘a pretty kettle of fish’ etc, which mean ‘a muddle or awkward state of …
Keepy-Uppy Meaning The skill of ball-juggling to keep a ball in the air for as long as possible by bouncing it off any part of the body that is …
Keep Your Shirt On Meaning Calm down, be patient. Example Just keep your shirt on, dinner is almost ready. Origin Before modern manufacturing techniques, shirts, and all clothes for …
Keep your Powder Dry Meaning Be prepared and save your resources until they are needed. Origin The allusion is to gunpowder which soldiers had to keep dry in order …
Keep Your Pecker Up Meaning Remain cheerful – keep your head held high. Origin Whilst pecker is a word now associated with American slang the usage here is the …
Keep Your Pants On Meaning Calm down, be patient. Example I will be off the telephone in a minute, so keep your pants on. Origin Appears to suggest that …