Origin This phrase has been taken from the famous opening paragraph of Charles Dickens’ novel, A Tale of Two Cities. The novel opens with, “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age…
Category: Phrase Analysis
Tomorrow, and tomorrow, and tomorrow
Origin This is one of the more famous speeches written by Shakespeare, and delivered his famous character, Macbeth, in the play of the same title. He says this to indicate that another day in his life would be just a…
The Winter of Our Discontent
Origin William Shakespeare has used this phrase in his popular play, Richard III, where King Richard is expressing his feelings of discontent regarding living in the world that hates him. He begins his soliloquy by stating, “Now is the winter…
That Way Madness Lies
Origin The origin of this phrase is tracked in William Shakespeare’s King Lear. King Lear speaks this line to Kent, to express his grief for his daughters’ selfish and cruel behavior. He says, “Your old kind father, whose frank heart…
A Thing of Beauty is a Joy For Ever
Origin This phrase is taken from John Keats’s poem, Endymion. It is the opening line that begins the poem as, “A thing of beauty is a joy for ever: Its loveliness increases; it will never.” This line implies that, as…
There is a Tide in the Affairs of Men
Origin This phrase has been taken from Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar, where Brutus talks to Cassius saying, “There is a tide in the affairs of men. Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune” (Act-IV, Scene-III). Brutus means to say…
The Quality of Mercy is Not Strain’d
Origin This phrase is taken from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice. It occurs where Portia demands Shylock be merciful, stating that “The quality of mercy is not strain’d, It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven/Upon the place beneath” (Act-IV,…
Star-crossed Lovers
Origin Like several other phrases, this phrase has been selected from Shakespeare’s famous play, Romeo and Juliet. This phrase is illustrating a couple whose bond of love is destined to fail. Its origin seems to be astrological, but it is…
Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
Origin Like several others, the origin of this phrase is also traced to Shakespeare. He has used this phrase in Act-II, Scene-II of his play, Romeo and Juliet. This scene takes place on the balcony, when Juliet says, “Sweet, so…
Ships That Pass in the Night
Origin This line originates from the poem The Theologian’s Tale, and is taken from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s collection of poems titled, Tales of a Wayside Inn. The poem reads, “Ships that pass in the night, and speak each other in passing, /…
All Animals are Equal
Origin of All Animals are Equal This phrase has been used by George Orwell in his phenomenal novel Animal Farm. This is, in fact, one of the seven commandments for the Animal Farm pigs reinterpreted to be read as “ALL…
War is Peace
Origin This phrase has been used by George Orwell in the first chapter of his novel. “1984.” In the novel, this phrase is one of the slogans of the Party. These slogans are, “War is peace / freedom is slavery [and]…
The horror! The horror!
Origin of The horror! The horror! This phrase is found in Joseph Conrad’s “Heart of Darkness.” This is the final judgment of Kurtz on his own life, actions, and generally on humankind and imperialism, when in part three of the…
Old Sport
Origin of Old Sport This phrase occurs in Scott Fitzgerald’s novel The Great Gatsby. Fitzgerald has employed this phrase several times. In lines 35 and 40 of chapter IV, the protagonist, Gatsby, speaks to his friend Nick, saying, ” ‘It’s pretty,…
If You Can’t Fly, Then Run
Origin of If You Can’t Fly Then Run The exact origin of this phrase is the Bible, specifically the book of Isaiah. Later, however, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. used this phrase in his speech at a college rally when…
Heavy is The Head That Wears The Crown
Origin of Heavy is The Head That Wears The Crown The original source of this phrase is not known, but William Shakespeare used it in his play, King Henry IV, with little modification, as he wrote, “Deny it to a…
Big Brother is Watching You
Origin of Big Brother is Watching You George Orwell coined this phrase in the third paragraph of the first chapter of his novel “1984.” He writes, “It was one of those pictures which are so contrived that the eyes follow…
Lamb to the Slaughter
Origin of Lamb to the Slaughter The origin of this phrase occurs in the Bible, both in the book of Isaiah, and the book of Jeremiah. In Jeremiah, it states, “But I was like a gentle lamb led to the…
All That Glitters is Not Gold
Meaning of “All That Glitters is Not Gold” The proverb “all that glitters is not gold” means not to trust everything you see. Gold is a precious metal and is rare. Hence it is very expensive. However, there are other…
To Sleep, Perchance to Dream
Origin of To Sleep, Perchance to Dream This phrase occurs in the most celebrated soliloquy of Prince Hamlet in the Shakespearean play of the same name, Hamlet. It starts with another famous phrase, “To be or not to be,” in…
