{"product_id":"cliches-over-1500-phrases-explored-and-explained-9780312198442","title":"Cliches: Over 1500 Phrases Explored and Explained","description":"\u003cp\u003eBetty Kirkpatrick has complied and exhaustive dictionary--a must for writers, crossword puzzle buffs, and anyone who is intrigued by language. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003eSample entries from \u003ci\u003eCliches\u003c\/i\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eLet the cat out of the bag \u003c\/b\u003eis an idiom cliche meaning to reveal a secret. In origin it refers allegedly to a fairground tick by which traders sold unwary buyers a cat in a bag, assuring them it was a pig. The buyers did not realize their mistake until they let the cat out of the back, by which time it was too late. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eBite the bullet \u003c\/b\u003eis an idiom cliche meaning to steel oneself to accept something distressing. In origin it probably refers to the days before anesthesia, when soldiers wounded in battle were given a lead bullet to bite on to brace themselves against the pain of surgery. \u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cb\u003eFly off the handle\u003c\/b\u003e is an idiom cliche meaning to lose one's temper. Originally American, the expression has its origin in an ax or hammer, the handle of which becomes loosened and flies off after it has struck a blow.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBetty Kirkpatrick\u003c\/b\u003e is a writer and lexicographer. Editor of both the \u003ci\u003eBloomsbury Thesaurus \u003c\/i\u003eand \u003ci\u003eRoget's Thesaurus\u003c\/i\u003e, she was formerly editor of the \u003ci\u003eChambers Twentieth-Century Dictionary\u003c\/i\u003e. She lives in Scotland.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e","brand":"St. Martins Press-3PL","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50319192359186,"sku":"9780312198442","price":14.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_31c2ebe4-fe67-4056-b2bc-d6bb8fd35cef.jpg?v=1727565633","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/cliches-over-1500-phrases-explored-and-explained-9780312198442","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}