Meaning of “Shilly-Shally” Origin of Phrase with examples.
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 …
Meaning of “Sex and Shopping” Origin of Phrase with examples.
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 …
Meaning of “Sent to Coventry” Origin of Phrase with examples.
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 …
Meaning of “See Red” Origin of Phrase with examples.
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 …
Meaning of “Saved by the Bell” Origin of Phrase with examples.
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 …
Meaning of “Say Goodnight Gracie” Origin of Phrase with examples.
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 …
Meaning of “Sacred Cow” Origin of Phrase with examples.
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 …
Meaning of “Ring of Truth” Origin of Phrase with examples.
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 …
Meaning of “Ring-Fencing” Origin of Phrase with examples.
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 …
Meaning of “Right as Rain” Origin of Phrase with examples.
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 …