From beware of Greeks bearing gifts to sink or swim, this dictionary of cliches explains the meanings and origins of more than 3000 cliches and common expressions. Drawing from a wide range of sources, including the Bible, Shakespeare, and other works of literature, this book details the meaning of the cliche or expression, its source, early uses, the history of the phrase over time, and its level of use in contemporary English. Sample entries include: been there done that - a phrase from the mid-eighties to express world-weariness, boredom, or empathy; get a life - a contemporary way of telling someone to find their own interests, social life, or concerns; and in your face - a rude confrontational expression of extreme contempt that originated in 1970s basketball.