You may use the following idioms all the time, but did you ever think about where they came from or why we say them?

Many of these expressions trace their roots to historical events and legends. Understanding the cultural context and anecdotes behind idioms will not only help you connect with them and remember them better but also make you feel more confident using them in spoken or written conversations with native speakers.

Here are 5 commonly used idioms and their origins, with explanations and examples.

Do you know any other phrases with unusual origins? Share them with me in the comments below!

Photo credits: Pinterest, Tall Ship Celebration, VectorStock

References

7 everyday English idioms and where they come from https://www.britannica.com/list/7-everyday-english-idioms-and-where-they-come-from

15 English idioms and their interesting origins https://leveragegrowth.com/2019/01/22/idioms-origins/

20 English idioms with surprising origins https://www.inklyo.com/english-idioms-origins/

20 English idioms with their meanings and origins https://www.oxford-royale.com/articles/bizarre-english-idioms-meaning-origins/

23 common idioms and their surprising origins https://www.tckpublishing.com/common-idioms-and-their-origins/

30 incredible stories behind English idioms and phrases you use every day https://www.theintrepidguide.com/english-idioms-and-their-origins/#.YFconmQzbDI

Online Cambridge Dictionary https://dictionary.cambridge.org

The interesting origins of 7 common English idioms https://allthatsinteresting.com/origins-common-english-idioms

The origins of 14 commonly used phrases https://www.rd.com/list/idiom-origins/