One of the best ways for anyone looking to write English which is more natural, readable and lively to achieve their objective is to use idioms. Of course this isn’t much use when drafting complex contractual documentation, but in other contexts – even corresponding with clients – it’s not only tolerable but even recommended.
The individual who invented or popularised more phrases that are still used in modern English than anyone else is William Shakespeare. His impact on the language in this regard was quite extraordinary, and is well worth a closer look.
Many would claim him to be greatest writer of English who ever lived, and you’ll find no argument on that score in this blog. He also either than any other person in history. The number runs well into three figures and even spawned a joke in English about someone going to see one of his plays, claiming it was no good as it was “full of quotes”. The joke, of course, is that he invented all of them, and they’ve become a part of the language to such an extent that many native speakers use the phrases all the time without realising the derivation.
To be going on with, here, in no particular order, is a personal selection of twenty favourite phrases created or popularised.
More in sorrow than in anger
Meaning of this phrase: Usually used when a person is behaving in a way that might be expected to infuriate you, but in fact it saddens you more than anything.
Shakespeare used it in Hamlet.
A modern example: He reacted more in sorrow than in anger when he realised that his old friend had betrayed him.
A fool's paradise
Meaning of this phrase: A state of happiness based on delusion or false hope.
Shakespeare used it in Romeo and Juliet.
A modern example: If he really thinks he’ll get that promotion, he’s living in a fool’s paradise.
What’s in a name? [A rose by any other name would smell as sweet]
Meaning of this phrase: As indicated by the text in brackets that follows the question, this means that what matters is what something is, not what it is called.
Shakespeare used it in Romeo and Juliet.
A modern example: What’s in a name? The parties called this a guarantee, but it as the legal substance of an indemnity, so that’s how the Court will treat it.
All that glitters is not gold
Meaning of this phrase: Just because something looks valuable, it may not necessarily be so.
Shakespeare used it (with the old form of the verb, glisters) in The Merchant of Venice.
A modern example: He spent a fortune on his new car because it looked good, but it has spent more time in the garage being repaired than on the road. He should have remembered that all that glitters is not gold!
Beast with two backs
Meaning of this phrase: Partners engaged in sexual intercourse.
Shakespeare used it in Othello.
A modern example: It was so embarrassing when my friends came to stay and I walked in on them making the beast with two backs.
As dead as a doornail
Meaning of this phrase: When applied to an animate object - completely dead – utterly devoid of life. When applied to a thing – completely worn out or no longer able to be used for its purpose.
Shakespeare used it in King Henry VI, Part 2.
A modern example: I couldn’t start my car this morning. The battery was as dead as a doornail.
Brevity is the soul of wit
Meaning of this phrase: Clear, elegant and entertaining communication is best achieved with fewer words.
Shakespeare used it in Hamlet.
A modern example: It’s so tedious listening to him going on and on. He really needs to learn that brevity is the soul of wit.
Discretion is the better part of valour
Meaning of this phrase: It is wiser to be prudent than to take the courageous course of action.
Shakespeare used it in Henry IV, Part One.
A modern example: I was so angry with my boss that I really wanted to tell him what I thought of him, but I decided that discretion was the better part of valour.
Hoist with your own petard
Meaning of this phrase: Injured by the same means that you intended to use to injure others.
Shakespeare used it in Hamlet.
A modern example: “I have a plan to see off my rival!” “Be careful – you might end up being hoist with your own petard!”
Note: a petard was a small bomb used to blow a hole in old fortifications or walls.
I will wear my heart upon my sleeve
Meaning of this phrase: To display your feelings openly so that they are clear to everyone.
Shakespeare used it in Othello
A modern example: He’s someone who really wears his heart on his sleeve.
Wild goose chase
Meaning of this phrase: A vain or hopeless endeavour.
Shakespeare used it in Romeo and Juliet.
A modern example: His lie about the whereabouts of his wife sent the police n a wild goose chase looking for her.
Too much of a good thing
Meaning of this phrase: Excess, even of something you like, will do you harm.
Shakespeare used it in As You Like It.
A modern example: I enjoy watching football on TV, but four live matches a wee is too much of a good thing.
Milk of human kindness
Meaning of this phrase: Care and concern for others.
Shakespeare used it in Macbeth.
A modern example: He’s completely selfish and obnoxious - there's none of the milk of human kindness in him.
Green-eyed monster
Meaning of this phrase: Envy or jealousy.
Shakespeare used it in The Merchant of Venice, 1596:
A modern example: “What’s up with him?” “Ignore him, it’s just the green-eyed monster.”
Night owl
Meaning of this phrase: A person who is active late at night.
Shakespeare used it in the narrative poem The Rape of Lucrece.
A modern example: He gets up late and doesn’t go to bed until the crack of dawn: he’s a real night owl.
Pound of flesh
Meaning of this phrase: Something owed which the lender insists, with complete ruthlessness, on receiving paid back.
Shakespeare used it in Merchant of Venice.
A modern example: He’s bound to hold you to your word – he’ll insist on getting his pound of flesh.
There's method in my madness
Meaning of this phrase: Something that seems crazy but has reasoning behind it.
Shakespeare used it in Hamlet.
A modern example: The coach picked a strange line-up, but his team won so there must have been method in his madness.
More fool you
Meaning of this phrase: A response to someone who has reported doing something that is considered to be obviously foolish.
Shakespeare used it in The Taming of the Shrew:
A modern example: More fool you if you think that insulting your co-workers is the way to get them to respect you.
The game is up
Meaning of this phrase: All is lost, possibly with a sense that deceit has been exposed.
Shakespeare used it in Cymbeline.
A modern example: You can tell from the Prime Minister’s body language tat he knows the game is up and he’ll have to resign.
Set one's teeth on edge
Meaning of this phrase: To cause an unpleasant tingling of the teeth, more often used as a metaphor for any feeling of distaste or slight revulsion.
Shakespeare used it in Henry IV, Part I.
A modern example: The noise of next door’s children screaming incessantly really sets my teeth on edge.
In the twinkling of an eye
Meaning of this phrase: In an instant.
Shakespeare used it in The Merchant Of Venice.
A modern example: She said her goodbyes and, in the twinkling of an eye, was gone.
