Category: English Phrase
Flotsam and Jetsam Meaning Discarded odds and ends; destitute, homeless individuals. Example The politicians were concerned about the flotsam and jetsam of the downtown city core. Origin These two …
Flash in the Pan Meaning Something that shows great promise, then disappoints by being over too quickly. Example Joe Clark’s political career turned out to be a flash in …
Fight Fire with Fire Meaning To respond in like manner; a desperate measure. Origin In order to extinguish huge prairie and forest fires in the early West, desperate American …
Fit as a fiddle Meaning To be in good health: fit as being suited to a purpose. Example It’s time to face the music on your donut addiction. Origin …
Fancy-Pants Meaning Overly elaborate, swanky or pretentious – especially of dress. Also applied to people who act in that manner. Origin This is an American phrase – which is …
Famous for Fifteen Minutes Meaning This is a well-known as a quotation from Andy Warhol. It does derive from Warhol but his actual line was somewhat different “In the …
Fall on Your Sword Meaning Commit suicide or offer your resignation. Origin It’s been some time since men routinely carried swords and the use of ‘falling on one’s sword’ …
Fall off the Back of a Lorry Meaning A euphemism for ‘to acquire illegally’. Origin When anyone accounts for their possession of an article by saying it ‘fell off …
Fall Guy Meaning A scapegoat; one who takes on the responsibilities or I workload of others. Here ‘fall’ is used with the criminal slang meaning of ‘arrest’ or ‘period …
Faith Will Move Mountains Meaning Faith is immensely powerful. Origin From the Bible. It is recorded in the 1582 Rheims Bible, in Matthew XXI 21, as: “If you shal …
