Shilly-Shally Meaning To dither and be undecided. Origin As is often the case with reduplicated word pairs, there is one word here that had a prior meaning while the …
Sex and Shopping Meaning A type of novel where the plot revolves around the affluent consumer lifestyle and sexual encounters of the characters. Origin This genre of novel, also …
Sent to Coventry Meaning Someone shunned by their fellow citizens and friends. Origin In the English Civil War, Birmingham was strongly Parliamentarian; the citizens were aware of a small …
See Red Meaning Become angry; lose self-control. Origin The colour red has many associations – heat, heated emotions and violence, communism, a sign of warning (as in traffic lights …
Saved by the Bell Meaning A last-minute rescue. Origin The most obvious explanation comes from a boxer being saved by the round-ending bell. A guard at Windsor Castle in …
Say Goodnight Gracie Meaning This was coined as the sign-off at the end of George Burns’ shows with his wife Gracie Allen in 1958. Origin Burns ended the shows …
Sacred Cow Meaning Something too highly regarded to be open to criticism or curtailment. Origin This term is an allusion to the Hindu reverence for cows. The first use …
Ring of Truth Meaning To be correct, to be true. Example I believe some of what Paul Martin says, but the part about reducing taxes doesn’t seem to have …
Ring-Fencing Meaning Separating something from usual judgement and guaranteeing its protection, especially the funds of a project. Origin This term has been in use since the 1980s to denote …
Right as Rain Meaning Completely correct, proper, sound and healthy. Example On the witness stand she appeared to be right as rain, but then she is an actress by …