6 more strange English phrases explained

Man and a woman stood together smiling

In a previous blog, we shared somestrange English phrases that might have left you with some questions. The English language is full of peculiar phrases that can even confuse fluent speakers. In today's post, we'll take a look at a few more such phrases to help you expand your repertoire.

Strange English phrases explained
Play
Privacy and cookies

By watching, you agree app can share your viewership data for marketing and analytics for one year, revocable by deleting your cookies.

Cat got your tongue?

This phrase is used when someone has nothing to say. Attempts to get to the bottom of this phrase have left many speechless (sorry, we couldn’t resist). One tale states that, in the times of witch-hunting, a witch – or her cat – would steal a person’s tongue to prevent them from telling others about the witch.However, this is only a tale and there are many other guesses where this phrase came from. Others have suggested that ancient kings would punish those who displeased them by cutting out their tongues and feeding them to their pet cats.

Use it: “You’re very quiet – cat got your tongue?”

Don’t cut your nose off to spite your face

It is used to warn someone against a needless action (often motivated by anger or greed) that will be self-destructive. For example, if someone plots revenge but the act ultimately results in more harm to the individual than to the focus of their anger. Legend has it that this phrase originates from when pious women would disfigure themselves in order to protect their chastity. The most famous of these was Saint Ebba, the Mother Superior of the monastery of Coldingham. In 867 Viking pirates landed in Scotland, and when this news reached Ebba, she urged her nuns to cut off their noses and upper lips so they would be unappealing to the Vikings.

Use it: “I’m angry that my colleague was promoted before me, so I might just quit.” – “But you like your job and you need the money. If you react like that you’re just cutting your nose off to spite your face.”

Barking up the wrong tree

This is used when someone is pursuing a mistaken or misguided line of thought or course of action. Very simply, it alludes to the mistake made by dogs when they believe they have chased their prey up a tree, but it has actually escaped by leaping from one tree to another.

Use it: “If you think I want to get up at 5am tomorrow to go fishing with you, you’re barking up the wrong tree!”

The early bird catches the worm

This describes how a person who takes the earliest opportunity to do something will gain an advantage over others. This is first recorded in John Ray’s 1670, 1678: “The early bird catcheth the worm.”

Clearly, the title of the work indicates that this was considered proverbial even in the 17th century, and it recognizes that the first bird to spot a worm will likely grab it first.

Use it: “The sale starts tomorrow and the store opens at 8am. Arrive early to get the pick of the best stuff – the early bird catches the worm.”

Close, but no cigar

The phrase is often used to describe a good attempt at something that is almost – but not – successful. It is said that this saying is of American origin – along with its variant “nice try, but no cigar” – where fairground stalls used to give out cigars as prizes. It appeared in The Lima News in November 1949 in a report about how the Lima House Cigar and Sporting Goods Store narrowly avoided being burnt down in a fire. The title of the article was: “Close But No Cigar.”

Use it: “Actually, my name is June, not Jane – close, but no cigar.”

To add insult to injury

This means to make a bad situation worse. The origin of this phrase is debatable, but one theory is that it derives from the fables of from the first century AD. The that has landed on his head and bitten him. Instead, he hits himself on the head and the fly says: “You wished to avenge an insect’s sting with death; what will you do to yourself, who have added insult to injury?”

Use it: “I went for a job interview, but they told me I was too old for the job. To add insult to injury, my car broke down on the way home – what a bad day!”

These are just a few commonly used English phrases, so next time you hear them, you'll know exactly what they mean and their origin. You also might be able to potentially impress your friends with this knowledge.

Curious about more phrases and slang? Make sure to check out9 slang terms from across the UK.

More blogs from app

  • Children sat at desks in a classroom with their hands all raised smiling

    Back to school: Inclusive strategies to welcome and support students from day one

    By
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    As the new school year begins, teachers have an opportunity to set the tone for inclusion, belonging and respect. With the right strategies and activities, you can ensure every student feels seen, heard and valued from the very first day. Embracing diversity isn’t just morally essential: it’s a proven pathway to deeper learning, greater engagement and a more equitable society (Gay, 2018).

    Research consistently shows that inclusive classrooms foster higher academic achievement, improved social skills and increased self-esteem for all students (Banks, 2015). When students feel safe and respected, they are more likely to take risks, collaborate and reach their full potential.

  • A group of university students sat on the stone steps of a university campus

    From experience to innovation: How PTE Academic helped shape app English Express Test

    By
    Reading time: 2 minutes

    When we launched the app English Express Test, it’s true - we were not starting from scratch. We were building on years of experience, research, and innovation from PTE Academic, our globally recognised, high-stakes English test trusted by thousands of institutions.

    app English Express Test may be new, but it is backed by everything we have learned from delivering millions of secure, accurate, and trusted assessments around the world.

    A legacy of trust

    PTE Academic has been setting the standard for English language testing since 2009. It is known for its AI-powered scoring, robust security, and global recognition. Over the years, we have refined every part of the testing journey, from how we assess speaking and writing, to how we protect against fraud and ensure fairness.

    That legacy gave us a strong foundation to build something new. With app English Express Test, we took the best of what we know and reimagined it for a different kind of test taker, one who needs speed, flexibility, and simplicity, without compromising on quality.

    What we carried forward

    app English Express Test uses the same AI scoring technology that powers PTE Academic, trained on over 147,000 responses and verified by human experts. 

    This ensures that every score is consistent, fair, and accurate, no matter where or when the test is taken. We also brought our deep understanding of test security into the design of app English Express Test. From dual-camera proctoring to biometric voice verification, every layer of the test is built to protect integrity and build trust. 

    And just like PTE Academic, app English Express Test is aligned to the Global Scale of English and mapped to CEFR levels, so institutions can set score requirements with confidence. 

    Designed for a new generation of learners

    While PTE Academic is ideal for students applying globally, app English Express Test is purpose-built for learners with their sights set on the United States. It is still faster, fairer and simple, all at a great price, without losing the rigour that institutions expect.

    Students can take the test from home, receive results in minutes, and get certified scores within 48 hours. That kind of accessibility is a game-changer, especially for students in remote regions.

    Why this matters for institutions

    By accepting app English Express Test, institutions are not just offering another test option. They are offering a test backed by years of proven success. They are giving students a faster, more flexible way to apply, while maintaining the standards that support academic success.

    And for institutions already familiar with PTE Academic, app English Express Test is a natural extension, one that complements your admissions toolkit and helps you reach more students, more easily.

    Experience you can trust

    At app, we believe that innovation should be grounded in experience. That is why app English Express Test is not just a new test. It is the next step in our mission to make English testing more accessible, more secure, and more student-friendly.

    Because when we combine what we have learned with what students need today, we create something truly powerful.

  • A girl sat at a laptop with headphones on in a library

    5 myths about online language learning

    By
    Reading time: 3 minutes

    Technology has radically changed the way people are able to access information and learn. As a result, there are a great number of tools to facilitate online language learning – an area that’s been the subject of many myths. Here we highlight (and debunk) some of the bigger ones…

    Myth #1: You will learn more quickly

    Although online learning tools are designed to provide ways to teach and support the learner, they won’t provide you with a shortcut to proficiency or bypass any of the key stages of learning.Although you may well be absorbing lots of vocabulary and grammar rules while studying in isolation, this isn’t a replacement for an environment in which you can immerse yourself in the language with English speakers. Such settings help you improve your speaking and listening skills and increase precision, because the key is to find opportunities to practise both – widening your use of the language rather than simply building up your knowledge of it.

    Myth #2: It replaces learning in the classroom

    With big data and AI increasingly providing a more accurate idea of their level, as well as a quantifiable idea of how much they need to learn to advance to the next level of proficiency, classroom learning is vital for supplementing classroom learning. And with the Global Scale of English providing an accurate measurement of progress, students can personalise their learning and decide how they’re going to divide their time between classroom learning and private study.

    Myth #3: It can’t be incorporated into classroom learning

    There are a huge number of ways that students and teachers can use the Internet in the classroom. Meanwhile, app’s online courses and apps have a positive, measurable impact on your learning outcomes.

    Myth #4:You can't learn in the workplace

    Online language learning is ideally suited to the workplace and we must create the need to use the language and opportunities to practise it. A job offers one of the most effective learning environments: where communication is key and you’re frequently exposed to specialized vocabulary. Online language learning tools can flexibly support your busy schedule.

    Myth #5: Online language learning is impersonal and isolating

    A common misconception is that online language learning is a solitary journey, lacking the personal connection and support found in traditional classrooms. In reality, today’s digital platforms are designed to foster community and real interaction. With features like live virtual classrooms, discussion forums and instant feedback, learners can connect with peers and educators around the world, building skills together.