why we say that

“Off the Cuff”: From Sleeves to Spontaneity
“Off the Cuff”: From Sleeves to Spontaneity
What’s the Deal with “Biting the Bullet”?
What’s the Deal with “Biting the Bullet”?
What Does “Saved by the Bell” Have to Do with Coffins?
What Does “Saved by the Bell” Have to Do with Coffins?
Where “Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place” Comes From
Where “Caught Between a Rock and a Hard Place” Comes From
Why Do We Say “Sleep Tight”?
Why Do We Say “Sleep Tight”?
The Real Meaning Behind “Close But No Cigar”
The Real Meaning Behind “Close But No Cigar”
The Military Roots of “Above Board”
The Military Roots of “Above Board”
How “Three Sheets to the Wind” Became a Synonym for Drunk
How “Three Sheets to the Wind” Became a Synonym for Drunk
Why Do We Say “Break the Ice”? (And What Did Ice Ever Do to Us?)
Why Do We Say “Break the Ice”? (And What Did Ice Ever Do to Us?)
Why We Say “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie”
Why We Say “Let Sleeping Dogs Lie”
“Turn a Blind Eye”: Inspired by a Real Admiral
“Turn a Blind Eye”: Inspired by a Real Admiral
Where “Burning the Midnight Oil” Comes From
Where “Burning the Midnight Oil” Comes From
Why We Say “Throw in the Towel”—And What It Has to Do with Boxing
Why We Say “Throw in the Towel”—And What It Has to Do with Boxing
“Face the Music”: Theatrical Roots of a Harsh Reality
“Face the Music”: Theatrical Roots of a Harsh Reality
Why Do We Say “Kick the Bucket”? (And Was a Bucket Actually Involved?)
Why Do We Say “Kick the Bucket”? (And Was a Bucket Actually Involved?)
“Skeletons in the Closet”: Where the Creepy Phrase Comes From
“Skeletons in the Closet”: Where the Creepy Phrase Comes From
The Curious Origins of “Under the Weather”
The Curious Origins of “Under the Weather”
“The Ball Is in Your Court”: A Phrase with Sporty Roots
“The Ball Is in Your Court”: A Phrase with Sporty Roots
Where Did “Spill the Beans” Come From—And Was It Ever About Food?
Where Did “Spill the Beans” Come From—And Was It Ever About Food?
Why We Say “Back to Square One”—Was There Ever a Square?
Why We Say “Back to Square One”—Was There Ever a Square?
The Bizarre History Behind “Mad as a Hatter”
The Bizarre History Behind “Mad as a Hatter”
“A Red Herring” and Its Fishy Origins
“A Red Herring” and Its Fishy Origins
Where “High on the Hog” Came From
Where “High on the Hog” Came From
Why We Say “Saved by the Bell”—Hint: It’s Darker Than You Think
Why We Say “Saved by the Bell”—Hint: It’s Darker Than You Think
How “Pull Yourself Together” Got Tied to Old-Fashioned Clothing
How “Pull Yourself Together” Got Tied to Old-Fashioned Clothing
“Hands Down” Used to Mean Something Totally Literal
“Hands Down” Used to Mean Something Totally Literal
Why We Say “Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth”
Why We Say “Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth”
“The Elephant in the Room”: Who Put It There?
“The Elephant in the Room”: Who Put It There?
The Strange Journey of “Caught in a Pickle”
The Strange Journey of “Caught in a Pickle”
Who Came Up with “Barking Up the Wrong Tree”?
Who Came Up with “Barking Up the Wrong Tree”?
“Jumping on the Bandwagon” Used to Be Literal
“Jumping on the Bandwagon” Used to Be Literal
Why “Pulling Someone’s Leg” Used to Be Way More Sinister
Why “Pulling Someone’s Leg” Used to Be Way More Sinister
The Wild Story Behind “By and Large”
The Wild Story Behind “By and Large”
“Bite the Bullet”: Gruesome Origins of a Common Phrase
“Bite the Bullet”: Gruesome Origins of a Common Phrase
Why “Cold Turkey” Isn’t About Poultry
Why “Cold Turkey” Isn’t About Poultry
“Hold Your Horses”: A Phrase with Literal Horsepower
“Hold Your Horses”: A Phrase with Literal Horsepower
Why We Say “Caught Red-Handed” (Hint: It’s Literal)
Why We Say “Caught Red-Handed” (Hint: It’s Literal)
The History Behind “Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater”
The History Behind “Don’t Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater”
“White Elephant” Gifts Weren’t Always Fun
“White Elephant” Gifts Weren’t Always Fun
What “The Whole Nine Yards” Actually Means
What “The Whole Nine Yards” Actually Means
The Surprising Origins of “Let the Cat Out of the Bag”
The Surprising Origins of “Let the Cat Out of the Bag”
“Raining Cats and Dogs”: Where Did That Even Come From?
“Raining Cats and Dogs”: Where Did That Even Come From?
Why “Under the Gun” Has Nothing to Do with Guns (Anymore)
Why “Under the Gun” Has Nothing to Do with Guns (Anymore)
What “Cut to the Chase” Has to Do with Old Movies
What “Cut to the Chase” Has to Do with Old Movies
Why We Say “Hit the Sack”—And What Sacks Have to Do with Sleep
Why We Say “Hit the Sack”—And What Sacks Have to Do with Sleep
What Does “Rule of Thumb” Really Mean?
What Does “Rule of Thumb” Really Mean?
Why We Say “Barking Up the Wrong Tree”
Why We Say “Barking Up the Wrong Tree”
“Cost an Arm and a Leg”: Where Did That Phrase Come From?
“Cost an Arm and a Leg”: Where Did That Phrase Come From?
“Kick the Can Down the Road”—Where Did It Start?
“Kick the Can Down the Road”—Where Did It Start?
Why “Burning Bridges” Isn’t Just a Metaphor
Why “Burning Bridges” Isn’t Just a Metaphor
“Get the Upper Hand”—From Cards to Control
“Get the Upper Hand”—From Cards to Control
“To the Nines”: What Does It Even Mean?
“To the Nines”: What Does It Even Mean?
The Unexpected Story Behind “Butter Someone Up”
The Unexpected Story Behind “Butter Someone Up”
Why We Say “Off the Hook”—And What Hooks Have to Do With It
Why We Say “Off the Hook”—And What Hooks Have to Do With It
“Go Cold Turkey”: The Gross Origins Behind the Phrase
“Go Cold Turkey”: The Gross Origins Behind the Phrase