Idiom Examples, Definitions, and Origins

We use idioms like it's raining 'cats and dogs' every day, but where do these phrases come from?

'When Pigs Fly' and Other Barnyard Idioms>
24 phrases involving chickens roosting, pigs in mud, and more
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'Avoid Like the Plague': A History>
Heading straight toward its origins
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The History of 'Wag the Dog'>
We're putting on a big show about it
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‘Pushing the Envelope’: Don’t Mail It In>
The outer limits of an idiom.
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What It Means to ‘Touch Base’>
Checking in with a sporting piece of business jargon
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Squash the Beef with 8 Meaty Idioms>
This one is not on the vegetarian menu.
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Fruity Idioms: Apples and Oranges, Cherry Pick, Etc.>
For a touch of sweetness or acidity in your conversations
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Idioms and Phrases with 'Big' and 'Small'>
11 words and phrases from 'big league' to 'small and early'
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Uncovering 'Snug as a Bug In a Rug'>
'Snug' is nautical; 'bug' refers to a hobgoblin; 'rug,' a blanket.
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The Scoop on 'The Proof Is in the Pudding'>
No evidence is in there, but it was a treat to find out.
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15 Words that Come from Names and Nicknames>
What if your nickname became a dictionary entry?
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What Does It Mean to 'Pull Out All the Stops'?>
We hold back nothing in this article.
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11 Problem Words That Come From Animal Names>
Cans of worms, wild-goose chases, and more trouble from the wild
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Know Your Football Idioms>
Tackle these phrases from the gridiron.
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Kicking It with 'Kick the Can Down the Road'>
We couldn't put it off any longer.
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The Fossil Encased in "Case In Point">
"In point" only lives on in this phrase.
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Know Your Baseball Terms and Idioms>
'Southpaw,' 'can of corn,' and other phrases from the diamond
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Body Part Idioms: Hot Heads, Cold Feet and More>
Hot heads, cold feet, sticky fingers, and more phrases from the body
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'Exact Same': A Useful Idiom>
It's redundant but harmless.
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Do You 'Say Your Piece' or 'Say Your Peace'?>
The whole truth about a confusing idiom.
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Is It 'Down the Pike' or 'Down the Pipe'?>
However it gets here, be ready for it.
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Why Do We Say 'Wear Your Heart on Your Sleeve'?>
The answer may come from medieval jousts
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Where Does the Expression 'Throw Someone Under the Bus' Come From?>
Let's blame the British
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Why Do We Say 'Put up Your Dukes'? >
If a phrase seems inexplicable, there's a chance that it comes from rhyming slang
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Quiz Time

Farm Idioms Quiz>
If you've got a pig in a poke - what exactly is a poke?
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