Etymonline provides accounts of the origins and histories of English words, phrases and idioms.
Phrases.org
Phrases.org explains the meanings and origins of thousands of English phrases, idioms, sayings and proverbs.
About Phrases.org
Phrases.org is a reference site documenting the meanings and origins of English phrases, sayings, idioms and proverbs. Entries have been researched and written by Gary Martin since 1997, with citations to the earliest printed use the author can find. The site also includes a phrase thesaurus, sections for famous last words and quotes, a 'guess the phrase' game, and trending lists based on Google Books usage over roughly 25 years. It is presented as a reference rather than a forum, and it states that no sign-up is required.
Key features
- Meanings and origins for 2,330+ phrases, with citations
- 363+ everyday idioms with meanings and origins
- Phrase thesaurus with 10,636+ entries organised by component words
- Sections for famous last words and notable quotes
- Guess the phrase letter-picking game drawn from the dictionary
- Trending lists based on Google Books usage over about 25 years
Best for: Writers, students and general readers who want to check what an English phrase means and where it came from.
Good for
- Entries have been researched and written by Gary Martin since 1997
- Entries cite the earliest printed use the author can find
- No sign-up is required and the site describes its ads as not of the in-your-face kind
Watch out for
- Content covers English phrases only
- Corrections and additions depend on reader submissions through forms at the foot of each page
Phrases.org at a glance
- Website
- phrases.org.uk
- Category
- Research & Data › Research & Study Tools
- Type
- Website
- Pricing
- Not confirmed. Check the site
- Platforms
- Web
- Open source
- Not stated
- Language
- English
- Last checked
- Oct 5, 2026 · Online when checked
- Listed
- Oct 5, 2026
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Phrases.org FAQ
Who writes the entries on Phrases.org?
The site says every entry is researched and written by Gary Martin.
Do I need an account to use the site?
No. The site states there is no sign-up.
Can I report an error or an earlier use of a phrase?
Yes. Each entry has a form at the foot of the page, and the site lists 156 published reader notes correcting and extending entries.
Is something wrong or out of date?
Tell us and an editor will check it.
Own this website?
Claim this listing
Claim the listing and suggest updates yourself. An editor checks every claim first.