Oxford Dictionary of Idioms

What is it to 'cock a snook', where is the land of Nod, and who was first to go the extra mile? Find the answers to these questions (and many more ) in the new edition of the Oxford Dictionary of Idioms.

This dictionary uncovers the meanings of myriad phrases and sayings that are used daily in the English language, encompassing more than 10,000 figurative expressions, similes, sayings, and proverbs. More than 400 idioms have been added to this new edition, and comprise recently coined and common sayings alike. New additions include 'back of the net', 'drag and drop', 'go it alone', 'how come?', 'if you ask me', 'make your skin crawl', and 'woe betide'.

Illustrative quotations sourced from the Oxford corpora give contextual examples of the idioms and their standard usage, and many entries include background information on the origins of the idiom in question. An updated thematic index makes for easy navigation, and anyone who is interested in the origins and diversity of English vernacular will have hours of fun browsing this fascinating dictionary.

John Ayto is an experienced lexicographer and author of many language titles, including The Oxford Essential Guide to the English Language, The Longman Register of New Words, the Bloomsbury Dictionary of Word Origins, Twentieth Century Words, and Wobbly Bits and Other Euphemisms. He was also editor of the nineteenth edition of Brewer’s Dictionary of Phrase and Fable.