Thread: Oft repeated nonsense phrases, what do they mean?

Knocks your socks off, what does that mean? The best part of 30 yards? What part is that?

Ive used both, but they are weird when you study them up close.

Best part of 30 yards? 16 yards right? Its not 30 yards but its over 15 easy therefore the best part.

Knock your socks off must come from the urban myth that people get hit out of their shoes when they get hit by a car.

Break a leg.....I have always thought that to be a bit dodgy. Not 'good luck' or 'dazzle them sunshine', no just 'Oi you break a leg'.

"break a leg" is something actors came up with. It's a superstition that you should never wish someone well for a performance...I guess the idea being if you set the bar low ie "break a leg" you'll always do better than that even if you bomb......all this was of course before they attempted to make Spiderman the Musical where several cast members were injured.

Pushing the boat out.

Willie Thorne always says this in snooker commentary when the player does something risky, although I don't think it's actually meant to mean that?

Up in the van.

This is used in horse racing for horses that are up the front. Ain't got a clue why?

Originally Posted by Fenster

Pushing the boat out.

Willie Thorne always says this in snooker commentary when the player does something risky, although I don't think it's actually meant to mean that?

Up in the van.

This is used in horse racing for horses that are up the front. Ain't got a clue why?

I'm guessing but I think 'pushing the boat out' might be to do with the Vikings being pushed out to sea on a burning boat filled with possessions when dead. Hence it has come to mean someone doing something extravagantly/expensively.

"taking the piss" is another strange one that we use all the time.

Originally Posted by Saddo

"taking the piss" is another strange one that we use all the time.

Now your just extracting the Urine

Explain "cheap at half the price". If it was cheap at half the price then it would be cheaper than what you are offering it for.

"Out on her feet".

That phrase swings both ways.

Originally Posted by GOAT

"Out on her feet".

That phrase swings both ways.

Frank Bruno has been out on his feet many times.

"escaped by the skin of your teeth". I reckon dentists invented this one in a bid to get prospective customers not to brush. If Indiana Jones had wasted time polishing his gnashers he would never have managed to roll under a giant malteser and "escape by the skin of his teeth"

When I hear people say " It was to die for... " when talking about food! Where is a sack filled with soda cans when ya need it

'As cute as a button'.... buttons are not cute! Unless its the final in a row on her jeans it is meaningless!

Originally Posted by Master

Originally Posted by GOAT

"Out on her feet".

That phrase swings both ways.

Frank Bruno has been out on his feet many times.

I guess you mean he was on the run because of fraud.