Meaning of “Red Herring” Origin of Phrase with examples.
Red Herring Meaning A false trail. Origin This phrase refers to smoked herring. In many parts of 19th century Britain, such fish have a very strong smell and were …
Meaning of “Raze to the Ground” Origin of Phrase with examples.
Raze to the Ground Meaning To destroy and sweep completely away. Origin This, in a similar way to ‘bated breath’, causes confusion in its spelling. The source of these …
Meaning of “Rack Your Brains” Origin of Phrase with examples.
Rack Your Brains Meaning To rack one’s brains is to strain mentally to recall or to understand something. Origin The rack was a mediaeval torture device. The crude but, …
Meaning of “Rack and Ruin” Origin of Phrase with examples.
Rack and Ruin Meaning Complete destruction. Origin It might be thought that the rack in this phrase refers to the mediaeval torture device, as in the phrase rack one’s …
Meaning of “Rabbit and Pork” Origin of Phrase with examples.
Rabbit and Pork Meaning Talk. Origin ‘Rabbit and pork’, which is often shortened just to ‘rabbit’, is a nice example of Cockney rhyming slang. The first citation in print …
Meaning of “Quit your Belly Aching” Origin of Phrase with examples.
Quit your Belly Aching Meaning Stop complaining, bitching, or whining. Example Quit your belly aching and get a job. Origin Someone afflicted with a bellyache might do a bit …
Meaning of “Quiet as a Mouse” Origin of Phrase with examples.
Quiet as a Mouse Meaning Silent or still; making very little noise; saying nothing; hushed, subdued. Example Returning from the disco at 3 AM, Roger walked quiet as a …
Meaning of “Quid Pro Quo” Origin of Phrase with examples.
Quid Pro Quo Meaning One thing in return for another. Example What is the quid pro quo for my entering into this deal? Origin Quid pro quo is Latin …
Meaning of “Quicker than Lager Turns to Piss” Origin of Phrase with examples.
Quicker than Lager Turns to Piss Meaning Very quick. Origin A recent, i.e. 1980s, expression, originating in the UK. The earliest citation that I can find of it is …
Meaning of “Queer The Pitch” Origin of Phrase with examples.
Queer The Pitch Meaning Interfere with or spoil the business of a tradesman or showman. Origin Travelling showmen call the place they set out their stall a ‘pitch’. ‘Queer’ …