Behind the Words : The Secret Histories of 100 English Expressions

Can you imagine a world where we spoke only in literal terms, devoid of any colorful metaphors or expressions?

Language would not only lose its charm but much of its emotive power.

English, rich and sprawling in its linguistic tapestry, offers a delightful array of phrases whose origins are as fascinating as the expressions themselves. From “raining cats and dogs” to “kicking the bucket,” every phrase carries the weight of history, culture, and countless reiterations across generations.

In this article, we dive into the stories behind 100 of these popular phrases, exploring their etymological journeys from literal meanings to metaphorical richness.

Join us as we unravel the hidden histories and quirky tales behind the words we use every day.

Popular English Phrases and Their Origins

Language is not just a tool for communication but a reflection of history and culture.

Many of the phrases we use today have origins steeped in historical events, cultural practices, or the natural world. These idiomatic expressions enrich the English language, adding flavor and color to our daily conversations.

Let’s explore some of the most popular English phrases, uncovering the fascinating stories and historical contexts that gave them life.

1. It’s raining cats and dogs – This phrase meaning heavy rain dates back to the 17th century. It’s possibly derived from the Greek expression “cata doxa,” which means “contrary to experience or belief,” but it’s more commonly thought to relate to the old myth that cats and dogs, being commonly associated with witches and the devil, influenced storms.
2. Bite the bullet – Originally from the 19th century when there was no time for anesthesia during emergency procedures. Soldiers would bite on a bullet to brace against the extreme pain.
3. Break the ice – Originating from the days when navigation involved breaking literal ice to move forward, this phrase now refers to reducing tension at the start of a social interaction.
4. Barking up the wrong tree – Comes from hunting dogs that might have mistakenly believed their quarry was up a specific tree when it was actually elsewhere.
5. Let the cat out of the bag – In medieval markets, unscrupulous sellers would place a cat in a bag instead of a pig and reveal the scam only after the bag was opened.
6. Kick the bucket – One theory is that it comes from an old method of execution, which involved standing on a bucket with a noose around the neck and then kicking the bucket away.
7. More bang for your buck – Popularized in the 1950s in the United States, this phrase referred to getting more value for the money spent, possibly originating from military slang.
8. The whole nine yards – There are various theories, but one of the most popular suggests it originated from WWII fighter pilots receiving a nine-yard chain of ammunition.
9. Caught red-handed – From an old law that stated if someone was caught having butchered an animal that wasn’t theirs, they had to be caught with the animal’s blood still on their hands.
10. Don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater – From a 16th-century German proverb that warned not to empty the bath with the baby still inside, indicating not to discard something valuable along with the undesirable.
11. Spill the beans – In Ancient Greece, beans were used to vote anonymously. Spilling the beans prematurely would reveal the not-yet-public vote.
12. The pot calling the kettle black – This phrase dates back to the 17th century and refers to the pot accusing the kettle of being black with soot when it is similarly soiled.
13. Butter someone up – Originates from an ancient Indian custom of throwing balls of clarified butter at statues of the gods to seek favor.
14. Go the whole hog – From the early 19th century America, where at feasts it was a sign of affluence to serve the entire hog.
15. Mad as a hatter – In the 18th and 19th centuries, mercury was used in the making of hats. This toxic process could cause the hatter to develop dementia symptoms.
16. Paint the town red – Likely derives from one legendary night of mischief where Marquis of Waterford and his friends literally painted the town of Melton Mowbray with red paint.
17. Saved by the bell – Originally believed to be connected to people being saved from being buried alive by attaching bells to coffins, though it’s now used in sports and other contexts.
18. Steal someone’s thunder – From the 18th century playwright John Dennis, who invented a thunder machine for his plays. When his play flopped and the machine was used by another, he lamented that they had stolen his thunder.
19. The last straw – From the proverb “It is the last straw that breaks the camel’s back,” describing a small, seemingly trivial instance that causes an unpredictable large reaction due to previous events.
20. Throw in the towel – Comes from boxing, where a trainer throws a towel into the ring to stop the match, indicating the boxer can no longer continue.

21. Under the weather – Originating from maritime sources, sick sailors would be sent below deck to recover, away from the weather.
22. Bite the dust – This phrase, implying death or defeat, comes from a translation of a line in Homer’s “Iliad,” and also appears in translations of Virgil’s writings.
23. Apple of my eye – Originally meaning the central aperture of the eye, it has been used in Old English to mean something cherished and valued, as seen in early literature.
24. Burn the midnight oil – Before electricity, one would have to use oil lamps for light to work late into the night.
25. Chip on your shoulder – Historically, young boys would place a wood chip on their shoulders and dare anyone to knock it off as a way of showing toughness.
26. Cold feet – Popularized in the 19th century, likely from military men who would get “cold feet” before a battle, indicating fear or hesitation.
27. Crocodile tears – Based on an ancient belief that crocodiles weep while consuming their prey, this phrase refers to insincere or fake tears.
28. Curiosity killed the cat – A twist on the original phrase “care killed the cat,” used to warn against unnecessary investigation or experimentation.
29. Dead as a doornail – Used since at least the 14th century, this refers to the doornails that were hammered and then bent over to secure them on medieval doors, thus “dead” because they were unusable afterwards.
30. Face the music – Likely originating from the tradition of disgraced soldiers being ‘drummed out’ of their regiment.
31. Fit as a fiddle – Dating back to the 17th century, this phrase refers to being in good health, similar to how a well-maintained fiddle (violin) is in good condition.
32. Fly off the handle – Comes from poorly made axes of the past, which would literally fly off the handle if not secured properly.
33. Get your goat – Refers to horse racing, where goats were placed with racehorses to calm them. Stealing the goat would unsettle the horse, affecting its performance.
34. Hair of the dog – From the old belief that a cure for rabies was to place hair from the dog that bit you into the wound.
35. In the limelight – In the 19th century, stage lighting was achieved using a combustion of hydrogen and oxygen on a cylinder of lime, producing a bright light.
36. Jump on the bandwagon – From the custom of politicians riding a bandwagon, which would carry the band in a parade, during campaigns to gain public support.
37. Keep the ball rolling – Originating from the game of croquet, where keeping the ball moving is advantageous, and extended metaphorically to other activities.
38. Let bygones be bygones – From the saying “let bygones be bygones,” urging to forget past disagreements or troubles.
39. No holds barred – From wrestling, where certain holds were barred, thus “no holds barred” meant that all moves and tactics were permitted.
40. On tenterhooks – From the process of making woolen cloth, where “tenterhooks” were hooks on a frame used to stretch the cloth tight.

41. On the ball – Originating from sports, specifically from being alert and active in baseball or other ball games, indicating readiness and competence.
42. Out of the blue – From the old nautical phrase “out of the blue sky,” which means something happening suddenly and unexpectedly, just like a storm appearing suddenly in clear skies.
43. Pass the buck – From poker in the 19th century, where a marker or “buck” was passed to the person next to deal the cards, used to avoid responsibility.
44. Piece of cake – Popularized by the U.S. military in the 1940s to describe an easy or effortless task, similar to something as easy as eating a piece of cake.
45. Pulling my leg – Originally believed to come from the streets of London where thieves would trip their victims to rob them more easily.
46. Read between the lines – Stemming from a time when sensitive messages had to be concealed, the practice involved writing between visible lines of text with invisible ink.
47. Red herring – From the practice of using strong-smelling smoked fish to train hounds to track scents, sometimes used to throw them off the scent during fox hunts.
48. Seeing eye to eye – Originating from the Bible (Isaiah 52:8), referring to agreement and mutual understanding.
49. Silver lining – From John Milton’s “Comus” (1634) where the term “silver lining” was first penned as a metaphor for optimism.
50. Sitting shotgun – From the Old West, where the person sitting next to the stagecoach driver carried a shotgun for protection.
51. Sleep tight – Originating from when beds were supported by ropes; sleeping tight meant sleeping with the ropes pulled tight for better support.
52. Spitting image – Likely a corruption of “spit and image,” suggesting that someone is so similar to another as if they were spat out as their exact image.
53. Straight from the horse’s mouth – Referring to horse racing, where the most reliable information about a horse’s condition came from the horse’s mouth, metaphorically speaking.
54. Take with a grain of salt – From ancient times when salt was believed to be an antidote to poison, the phrase now suggests viewing something with skepticism.
55. The ball is in your court – From tennis, meaning it’s now the other person’s turn to take action.
56. The best of both worlds – Describing a situation where one can enjoy the benefits of two different opportunities at once.
57. The writing on the wall – From the Biblical story of Belshazzar’s feast in the Book of Daniel, where a divine hand writes a mysterious message on the palace wall, foretelling the fall of the kingdom.
58. Third time’s the charm – Suggests that after two failures, the third attempt may come with better outcomes, origin uncertain but often seen as an optimistic belief in persistence.
59. Tie the knot – From an ancient custom where the hands of a bride and groom were tied together as a sign of their commitment during wedding ceremonies.
60. Turn a blind eye – Popularized by Admiral Horatio Nelson, who allegedly held his telescope to his blind eye, thus avoiding signals from his superior to withdraw from battle.

61. Turn the tables – Originating from backgammon or other board games, referring to turning the board around to reverse one’s fortunes.
62. Up in arms – From the historical act of taking up arms in a literal sense, now used to describe being very angry or ready to protest.
63. Wet blanket – From the 19th century, referring to someone who dampens enthusiasm as a wet blanket would smother a fire.
64. When pigs fly – An expression indicating disbelief that certain claims or promises will ever come to fruition, similar to saying when an impossible event occurs.
65. With flying colors – From the practice of ships returning to home port with flags flying to signify victory or honor after a successful voyage.
66. You can’t judge a book by its cover – Encouraging looking beyond appearances, this phrase dates back to at least the mid-19th century.
67. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks – From animal training, this adage suggests that it’s difficult to change someone’s long-established habits or behaviors.
68. Zero in – From military slang during World War II, meaning to adjust the aim of a gun with zero error for distance.
69. Zip your lip – An informal command to stop talking or to keep a secret, likely related to the motion of zipping one’s lips shut.
70. By the skin of your teeth – From the Bible (Job 19:20), meaning narrowly or barely escaping a disaster.
71. Chew the fat – Possibly from the historical practice of sailors, who while chewing on salt-hardened fat, would converse to pass the time.
72. Clam up – From the behavior of clams snapping shut, used to describe someone who suddenly becomes silent or refuses to speak.
73. Cost an arm and a leg – Thought to originate from the 1940s, possibly from World War II, indicating something very expensive.
74. Cut to the chase – From silent films, where directors would say this to skip to the chase scene, skipping over the unnecessary build-up.
75. Don’t count your chickens before they hatch – From Aesop’s Fables, advising against making plans based on expectations that may not come to pass.
76. Eat crow – An American colloquialism implying the acceptance of humiliation by admitting wrongness, possibly from an old tale involving a backward cooking mistake.
77. Every cloud has a silver lining – Encourages optimism by suggesting that every negative situation has the potential for a positive outcome.
78. Flogging a dead horse – Refers to continuing futile efforts, from the 17th century practice of stimulating a dead or dying horse to get up and continue working.
79. Get a taste of your own medicine – Comes from the idea of experiencing the negative effects of one’s own actions, similar to taking the medicine you prescribe to others.
80. Give the benefit of the doubt – From legal practice, meaning to assume someone innocent until proven guilty when evidence is inconclusive.

81. Go down in flames – Originates from aviation, where it literally refers to a plane crashing and catching fire, metaphorically meaning a spectacular failure.
82. Go for broke – From gambling, specifically from the Hawaiian Pidgin English phrase “go for broke,” meaning to risk everything on one attempt.
83. Go the extra mile – From the Bible (Matthew 5:41), where Jesus teaches if someone compels you to go one mile, go with them two, implying doing more than what is required.
84. Hit the nail on the head – Refers to doing something exactly right, like driving a nail with a single precise strike.
85. In hot water – Likely comes from the practice of placing someone in a tub of hot water as a form of punishment or interrogation, now meaning to be in trouble.
86. Jump the gun – From track and field races, where an athlete starts running before the starting gun is fired, meaning to start something prematurely.
87. Keep at bay – Originally from hunting, where dogs would hold animals in the “bay” or keep them at a distance, now meaning to prevent something from coming too close.
88. Left high and dry – Nautical term for a ship that is out of the water and unable to move, now used to describe abandonment.
89. Make no bones about it – From the 15th century, meaning to state something plainly without hesitation; possibly from finding bones in soup, making it difficult to eat.
90. On pins and needles – Originating from the tingling sensation one feels when recovering from numbness, now used to describe anxious anticipation.
91. Play it by ear – From musicians playing without sheet music, now means to improvise or decide a course of action as you go.
92. Pull out all the stops – From organ playing, where pulling out stops increases the volume of the instrument, now meaning to do everything possible to achieve success.
93. Put the cart before the horse – A metaphor from a time when carts were commonly used, indicating doing things in the wrong order.
94. Raining buckets – A vivid description of heavy rain, as if buckets of water are being emptied from the sky.
95. Ring a bell – Refers to triggering a memory or recognition, similar to ringing a bell to attract attention or summon memories.
96. Run of the mill – From factory production, where ‘run of the mill’ items were made in a standard, unexceptional manner, now meaning ordinary or average.
97. Saved by the bell – Although commonly believed to relate to people being saved from being buried alive by ringing a bell attached to their coffins, it’s more likely from boxing, where a fighter is saved from defeat by the bell ending a round.
98. Speak of the devil – From the superstition that speaking about the devil may invoke his presence, now used when someone appears just as they are mentioned.
99. Take the bull by the horns – A direct approach to problem-solving, likely from the practice of handling a bull by grasping its horns to control or direct it.
100. Under your nose – Meaning something occurring right in front of you without being noticed, suggesting that it is so close it is right under your nose.

The End

Traversing through these 100 phrases has been more than just a linguistic journey—it’s a voyage across time and culture, revealing how language evolves with society.

These idioms (many of them are) add not only color but a connection to our past, echoing the lives and times of those before us. They remind us that language is not just a tool for communication but a living, breathing entity that grows, shifts, and adapts to the changing tides of human existence.

So, the next time you tell someone you’re ‘on cloud nine’ or ‘feeling under the weather,’ remember that you’re not just speaking—you’re keeping the intricate mosaic of the English language alive and vibrant