Everyday phrases from Shakespeare
Shakespeare's plays are the first place many common English phrases were written down. Some he invented; others he made popular. Here are 102, each with the line it comes from and what it means today.
A plague on both your houses
"A plague o' both your houses."
Romeo and Juliet
A curse on both sides of a quarrel. Mercutio says it in Romeo and Juliet after being wounded in the two families' feud. Used when someone is fed up with both sides of an argument: 'The neighbors kept blaming each other, so I said a plague on both your houses.'
A sorry sight
"This is a sorry sight."
Macbeth
Something pitiful or sad to look at. Macbeth says it looking at his own hands after the murder, and it is often cited as the first recorded use. Used for anything in poor shape, often with humor: 'After the hailstorm, the vegetable garden was a sorry sight.'
All that glitters is not gold
"All that glisters is not gold,"
The Merchant of Venice
Something attractive on the outside may be worthless. The proverb is far older; Shakespeare wrote 'glisters,' and his play made that version famous. Used as a warning against judging by appearances, especially deals that look too good: 'The offer sounded great, but all that glitters is not gold.'
All the world's a stage
"All the world's a stage, And all the men and women merely players;"
As You Like It
Life is like a play in which everyone has roles to perform. It opens Jaques's speech on the seven ages of life in As You Like It. Used when talking about public image, social roles or stages of life: 'Every interview is a performance; all the world's a stage.'
As good luck would have it
"As good luck would have it, comes in one Mistress Page,"
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Fortunately, by lucky chance. Falstaff uses it in The Merry Wives of Windsor, an early recorded use. Used to tell how a lucky break happened: 'As good luck would have it, the bus was late too, so I caught it.'
As merry as the day is long
"there live we as merry as the day is long."
Much Ado About Nothing
Very happy and carefree all day. Shakespeare uses it in Much Ado About Nothing and King John, among the earliest recorded uses. Now more often 'happy as the day is long': 'Since moving to the coast, Omar has been as merry as the day is long.'
Band of brothers
"We few, we happy few, we band of brothers."
Henry V
A close group bound by shared hardship. The phrase existed earlier, but King Henry's speech in Henry V made it famous. Used for teammates, soldiers or coworkers who stick together: 'After the long season, the team felt like a band of brothers.'
Bedazzled
"That have been so bedazzled with the sun"
The Taming of the Shrew
Dazzled so much that you cannot see clearly, or amazed. First recorded in The Taming of the Shrew. Used for being overwhelmed by something impressive, and for things covered in sparkles: 'The kids bedazzled their jean jackets with rhinestones.'
Beware the Ides of March
"Beware the Ides of March."
Julius Caesar
A warning of coming danger. The Ides of March (March 15) is the day Caesar is killed in Julius Caesar. Often said jokingly around March 15 or before a risky event: 'Big presentation on the fifteenth? Beware the Ides of March.'
Brave new world
"O brave new world That has such people in 't!"
The Tempest
A new era or situation, especially one shaped by change or technology. It comes from Miranda's delighted cry in The Tempest; Aldous Huxley's 1932 novel made it popular. Often used with a touch of irony for changes that may not be all good: 'Welcome to the brave new world of self-checkout lanes.'
Break the ice
"And if you break the ice, and do this feat,"
The Taming of the Shrew
To ease tension and get people talking, or to make the first move. The phrase predates Shakespeare; in The Taming of the Shrew it means taking the first step. Used for starting conversation among strangers: 'The teacher used a quick name game to break the ice on the first day.'
Brevity is the soul of wit
"since brevity is the soul of wit,"
Hamlet
Saying things briefly is the mark of intelligence and good humor. Coined by Polonius, one of Shakespeare's wordiest characters. Used to praise short, clever writing or to hurry a long talker: 'Keep the toast short; brevity is the soul of wit.'
Budge an inch
"I'll not budge an inch, boy:"
The Taming of the Shrew
To move even slightly, usually said in the negative. The drunken Christopher Sly says it at the start of The Taming of the Shrew, an early recorded use. Used for refusing to move or change your mind: 'She would not budge an inch on the price of the bike.'
Come full circle
"The wheel is come full circle;"
King Lear
To end up back where you started, often after many changes. Edmund says it in King Lear as his luck turns, and the modern phrase grew from his line. Used when events return to their starting point: 'Leo now teaches at the school he attended, so his career has come full circle.'
Come what may
"Come what come may,"
Macbeth
Whatever happens. Macbeth's 'come what come may' is an early form of the phrase. Used to show determination: 'Come what may, we're finishing this hike before dark.'
Cruel to be kind
"I must be cruel, only to be kind:"
Hamlet
To hurt someone a little for their own good. It comes from Hamlet's words to his mother. Used to explain tough love: 'Taking his phone away at bedtime is cruel to be kind; he needs the sleep.'
Cudgel your brains
"Cudgel thy brains no more about it,"
Hamlet
To think very hard to remember or solve something (a cudgel is a club). Hamlet's gravedigger uses it, an early recorded use. Used humorously for mental effort: 'I cudgeled my brains, but I couldn't remember her name.'
Dead as a doornail
"and if I do not leave you all as dead as a doornail,"
Henry VI, Part 2
Completely dead, or no longer working. The phrase is much older than Shakespeare (it goes back to the 1300s), but the rebel Jack Cade's use helped keep it alive. Used for batteries, gadgets and ideas as much as living things: 'The car battery is dead as a doornail.'
Discretion is the better part of valor
"The better part of valour is discretion,"
Henry IV, Part 1
Being careful is wiser than being reckless. Falstaff says it, in reverse order, to excuse avoiding a fight in Henry IV, Part 1. Used to justify backing away from a risk, often with humor: 'I saw the size of the dog and decided discretion was the better part of valor.'
Dogs of war
"Cry havoc and let slip the dogs of war,"
Julius Caesar
The violence and destruction that war unleashes. Coined by Mark Antony in Julius Caesar. Used in writing about conflict, and loosely for fierce rivalry: 'The two delivery apps have let slip the dogs of war over prices.'
Eaten out of house and home
"He hath eaten me out of house and home."
Henry IV, Part 2
To eat so much that someone's food and money run out. The Hostess says it about Falstaff in Henry IV, Part 2, one of the earliest recorded uses. Used jokingly about hungry teenagers, guests or pets: 'The boys are home from college and eating us out of house and home.'
Et tu, Brute
"Et tu, Brute? Then fall, Caesar!"
Julius Caesar
'And you, Brutus?' A cry of shock at betrayal by a friend. Shakespeare did not invent the Latin words, but his play made them famous. Used humorously when a friend sides against you: 'You're cheering for the other team? Et tu, Brute?'
Every inch a king
"Ay, every inch a king."
King Lear
Completely and convincingly a king. Lear says it about himself even while half mad. Usually 'every inch a ...' for someone who fully looks a role: 'In her new suit, Ana looked every inch a lawyer.'
Fair play
"And I would call it fair play."
The Tempest
Honest, equal treatment that follows the rules. Shakespeare used the phrase in several plays, which are among its early recorded uses. Used in sports and everyday life for fairness: 'The coach cares more about fair play than winning.' In British English, 'fair play to you' also means 'well done.'
Fancy-free
"In maiden meditation, fancy-free."
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Not in love and free of romantic ties ('fancy' meant love). First recorded in A Midsummer Night's Dream. Usually in 'footloose and fancy-free,' meaning carefree and unattached: 'At twenty-two, Sam was footloose and fancy-free.'
Fool's paradise
"if ye should lead her in a fool's paradise,"
Romeo and Juliet
Happiness based on false hopes or ignorance. The phrase is older than Shakespeare, but the Nurse's line in Romeo and Juliet is a well-known use. Used for ignoring a problem that is coming: 'Spending all your savings without a budget is living in a fool's paradise.'
Foregone conclusion
"But this denoted a foregone conclusion."
Othello
A result that is certain before it happens. The phrase is first recorded in Othello, though there it meant something already done rather than something sure to happen. Used when an outcome seems settled in advance: 'With their best player back, the win felt like a foregone conclusion.'
Forever and a day
"bid Bianca farewell for ever and a day."
The Taming of the Shrew
For a very long time, or forever. The Taming of the Shrew and As You Like It contain some of the earliest recorded uses. Used to exaggerate how long something takes, or in romantic promises: 'The line at the post office took forever and a day.'
Fortune's fool
"O, I am fortune's fool!"
Romeo and Juliet
Someone toyed with by bad luck. Romeo cries it after a street fight wrecks his plans. Used in literary or humorous ways for people with terrible luck: 'Losing his wallet twice in one week made Sam feel like fortune's fool.'
Foul play
"I doubt some foul play:"
Hamlet
Unfair or criminal behavior. The phrase is older than Shakespeare, but he used it many times and helped make it common. Mostly used by police and reporters about suspicious events: 'Investigators say there is no sign of foul play.'
Gild the lily
"To gild refined gold, to paint the lily,"
King John
To spoil something already beautiful by adding needless decoration. Shakespeare actually wrote 'paint the lily'; the popular version blends his two images. Used for overdoing something that was fine as it was: 'The cake looks perfect; more frosting would be gilding the lily.'
Give the devil his due
"He will give the devil his due."
Henry IV, Part 1
To give credit even to someone you dislike. It was already a proverb; Prince Hal calls it one in Henry IV, Part 1. Used when admitting a rival's good points: 'I can't stand that team, but to give the devil his due, they played brilliantly.'
Good riddance
"A good riddance."
Troilus and Cressida
Said when you are glad that someone or something unwanted is gone. Troilus and Cressida has one of the earliest recorded uses. Often said bluntly when a person leaves or a nuisance ends: 'The old printer finally broke down for good. Good riddance.'
Green-eyed monster
"It is the green-ey'd monster which doth mock The meat it feeds on."
Othello
Jealousy, pictured as a monster that torments the person who feels it. The phrase is first recorded in Othello. Used lightly or seriously for envy and jealousy: 'The green-eyed monster showed up when her best friend won the prize.'
Heart of gold
"The King's a bawcock, and a heart of gold,"
Henry V
A very kind and generous nature. Pistol uses it to praise the king in Henry V, one of the earliest recorded uses. Used for kind people, especially ones who seem rough on the outside: 'He looks gruff, but he has a heart of gold.'
Heart of hearts
"In my heart's core, ay, in my heart of heart,"
Hamlet
Your deepest, truest feelings. Hamlet says 'heart of heart' to show how much he values Horatio; the plural form came later. Used for private convictions: 'In her heart of hearts, Maya knew it was time to move.'
Hoist with your own petard
"Hoist with his own petard,"
Hamlet
Harmed by the very plan you made to harm someone else. A petard was a small bomb, and 'hoist' meant blown into the air. First recorded in Hamlet. Used when a scheme backfires on its maker: 'The rule he wrote to block his rivals ended up blocking him: hoist with his own petard.'
Hold the mirror up to nature
"to hold as 'twere the mirror up to nature;"
Hamlet
To show life truthfully, as it really is. Hamlet uses it to explain what good acting should do. Used in talk about art, film and writing that reflects real life: 'The novel holds the mirror up to nature, flaws and all.'
Household words
"Familiar in his mouth as household words,"
Henry V
Names or sayings that everyone knows. King Henry predicts that his soldiers' names will become household words after the battle. Mostly in 'household name' or 'household word' for famous people and ideas: 'Within a year, her recipes were household words.'
In a pickle
"How cam'st thou in this pickle?"
The Tempest
In trouble or a tricky situation. The phrase is older than Shakespeare, but The Tempest helped make it popular; there it also jokes that a character is soaked and drunk. Used for any awkward fix: 'I locked my keys in the car, so I'm in a bit of a pickle.'
Infinite variety
"Age cannot wither her, nor custom stale Her infinite variety."
Antony and Cleopatra
Endless freshness and surprise. Enobarbus uses it to describe Cleopatra's charm in Antony and Cleopatra. Used for anything that never gets dull, from cities to cooking: 'The market's infinite variety keeps us coming back every weekend.'
Into thin air
"Are melted into air, into thin air:"
The Tempest
Completely, leaving no trace. The phrase is traced to Prospero's speech in The Tempest about spirits who vanish after a magic show. Usually 'vanish into thin air,' for something that disappears without explanation: 'My phone charger seems to have vanished into thin air.'
It's Greek to me
"but for mine own part, it was Greek to me."
Julius Caesar
I can't understand it at all. Casca says it in Julius Caesar because Cicero spoke Greek. A similar Latin saying existed earlier, but the play made the English phrase popular. Used for confusing jargon, instructions or math: 'The tax form might as well be in code; it's all Greek to me.'
Kill with kindness
"This is a way to kill a wife with kindness;"
The Taming of the Shrew
To overwhelm someone with niceness. The saying was already a proverb before Shakespeare; Petruchio gives it an ironic twist in The Taming of the Shrew. Usually means answering rudeness with politeness: 'When the customer snapped at her, Ana decided to kill him with kindness.'
Knock, knock! Who's there?
"Knock, knock, knock! Who's there?"
Macbeth
The comic porter in Macbeth, roused by knocking, pretends to be the gatekeeper of hell and greets imaginary visitors. It is a famous early version of the routine. The words now open knock-knock jokes, a format that became a craze in the 1930s. Children still trade them: 'Knock, knock.' 'Who's there?'
Lackluster
"And, looking on it with lack-lustre eye,"
As You Like It
Dull, without shine or energy. 'Lack-lustre' is first recorded in As You Like It, describing a fool's dull eye. Very common in reviews and sports reports: 'The team gave a lackluster performance in the second half.'
Laid on with a trowel
"That was laid on with a trowel."
As You Like It
Done far too thickly, especially flattery. First recorded in As You Like It, comparing overdone words to plaster spread with a trowel. Used for exaggerated praise or emotion: 'The compliments in his speech were laid on with a trowel.' People also say 'lay it on thick.'
Laughing stock
"Pray you, let us not be laughing stocks to other men's humours."
The Merry Wives of Windsor
A person or thing that everyone makes fun of. The word is older than Shakespeare, but he used it in several plays and helped keep it common. Used for anyone publicly embarrassed: 'After the website crashed on launch day, the company became a laughing stock.'
Lily-livered
"Thou lily-liver'd boy."
Macbeth
Cowardly. People once linked courage with a blood-filled liver, so a pale, lily-white liver meant fear. First recorded in Macbeth. Now sounds old-fashioned or playful, as in old western films: 'Come out and face me, you lily-livered sneak!'
Love is blind
"But love is blind, and lovers cannot see"
The Merchant of Venice
People in love do not see their partner's faults. The idea is older (Chaucer used it), and Shakespeare repeated it in several plays, which made it popular. Used when someone overlooks obvious flaws in a partner: 'He thinks her singing is beautiful, but love is blind.'
Make a virtue of necessity
"To make a virtue of necessity"
Two Gentlemen of Verona
To accept with good grace what you are forced to do anyway. The idea goes back at least to Chaucer; Shakespeare used it in Two Gentlemen of Verona. Used when people turn a limit into an advantage: 'With no car, Ben made a virtue of necessity and got fit cycling to work.'
Method in the madness
"Though this be madness, yet there is method in't."
Hamlet
A sensible purpose behind behavior that looks crazy. It comes from Polonius's comment on Hamlet's strange talk. Usually 'there's method in my madness,' said to explain an odd approach: 'My desk looks messy, but there's method in my madness.'
Mind's eye
"In my mind's eye, Horatio."
Hamlet
Your imagination or memory, the inner 'eye' that pictures things. The idea is older than Shakespeare, but Hamlet made the phrase famous. Used for picturing something mentally: 'In my mind's eye, I can still see my grandmother's kitchen.'
More in sorrow than in anger
"A countenance more in sorrow than in anger."
Hamlet
Feeling sad rather than angry about what someone did. Horatio uses it to describe the ghost's face in Hamlet, the first recorded use. Used when criticizing someone with regret: 'The coach spoke more in sorrow than in anger about the team's careless mistakes.'
More sinned against than sinning
"More sinn'd against than sinning."
King Lear
Treated worse by others than you have treated them. Coined by King Lear in the storm scene. Used to defend someone who did wrong but suffered more for it: 'The fired coach felt more sinned against than sinning.'
Mortal coil
"When we have shuffled off this mortal coil,"
Hamlet
The troubles and turmoil of earthly life ('coil' meant fuss or confusion). The phrase comes from Hamlet's 'to be or not to be' speech. Mostly in 'shuffle off this mortal coil,' a literary or humorous way to say die: 'My old laptop finally shuffled off its mortal coil.'
Neither a borrower nor a lender be
"Neither a borrower nor a lender be:"
Hamlet
Avoid borrowing and lending money. Polonius gives this advice to his son in Hamlet. Quoted in money advice, especially about loans between friends: 'My dad's rule was neither a borrower nor a lender be.'
Neither here nor there
"'Tis neither here nor there."
Othello
Not important or relevant to the point. It appears in Othello and The Merry Wives of Windsor, among the earlier recorded uses. Used to brush aside a side issue: 'Whether you like the color is neither here nor there; the car is reliable.'
Neither rhyme nor reason
"When in the why and the wherefore is neither rhyme nor reason?"
The Comedy of Errors
No sense or logic at all. The phrase predates Shakespeare, who used it in several comedies. Usually 'no rhyme or reason,' for confusing decisions or systems: 'There's no rhyme or reason to how they price the tickets.'
Once more unto the breach
"Once more unto the breach, dear friends, once more,"
Henry V
Let's try again with courage. King Henry rallies his soldiers at a gap in a town's walls in Henry V. Used playfully before facing a hard task again: 'Monday morning, back to the inbox: once more unto the breach.'
One fell swoop
"At one fell swoop?"
Macbeth
All at once, in a single sudden action. First recorded in Macbeth, where Macduff compares a cruel ('fell') attack on his family to a hawk swooping on chicks. Now neutral and everyday, used for doing many things at once: 'She paid off all three bills in one fell swoop.' The dark original sense has faded.
Parting is such sweet sorrow
"Parting is such sweet sorrow That I shall say good night till it be morrow."
Romeo and Juliet
Saying goodbye hurts but is also tender. Juliet says it to Romeo at the end of the balcony scene. Used for bittersweet goodbyes, often jokingly: 'Leaving the beach house is such sweet sorrow.'
Play fast and loose
"Play fast and loose with faith?"
King John
To act carelessly or dishonestly, ignoring rules or promises. The phrase comes from an old cheating game and predates Shakespeare, who used it often. Used for careless handling of facts, money or rules: 'The report played fast and loose with the numbers.'
Pomp and circumstance
"Pride, pomp, and circumstance of glorious war!"
Othello
Grand ceremony and formal display. Othello uses it while saying goodbye to the glory of military life. Best known as the name of Edward Elgar's marches, played at graduations. Used for showy ceremony: 'The library opening had all the pomp and circumstance of a royal visit.'
Pound of flesh
"The pound of flesh which I demand of him Is dearly bought;"
The Merchant of Venice
Something owed that a person insists on collecting in full, however harsh. It comes from Shylock's contract with Antonio in The Merchant of Venice. Used for someone demanding every last bit of what they are owed, without mercy: 'The landlord wanted his pound of flesh, late fees included.'
Primrose path
"Himself the primrose path of dalliance treads,"
Hamlet
An easy, pleasant way of life that leads to ruin. First recorded in Hamlet, where Ophelia warns her brother not to preach one thing and do another. Used for a tempting choice that ends badly: 'Easy credit can lead people down the primrose path to serious debt.'
Salad days
"My salad days, When I was green in judgment, cold in blood,"
Antony and Cleopatra
Your youth, when you were inexperienced and naive. Coined by Cleopatra, who compares her younger self to green salad. Used to look back fondly on younger years: 'In our salad days, we drove across the country on a few dollars a day.'
Sea change
"But doth suffer a sea-change Into something rich and strange."
The Tempest
A deep and complete transformation. Coined in Ariel's song in The Tempest, which imagines the sea turning a drowned man's bones to coral and his eyes to pearls. Used for big shifts in attitudes, habits or style: 'There has been a sea change in how people shop for groceries.'
Seen better days
"True is it that we have seen better days,"
As You Like It
Worn out or past your best. As You Like It and Timon of Athens have early recorded uses. Used for old, battered things and tired people: 'That couch in the basement has definitely seen better days.'
Send packing
"Faith, and I'll send him packing."
Henry IV, Part 1
To dismiss someone abruptly or send them away. Falstaff says it in Henry IV, Part 1, an early recorded use. Used for rejecting or getting rid of someone, and often in sports: 'The home team sent the visitors packing with a 5 to 1 win.'
Set your teeth on edge
"And that would set my teeth nothing on edge,"
Henry IV, Part 1
To irritate someone strongly, like a sound that makes you wince. The phrase is older than Shakespeare; Hotspur uses it to mock bad poetry. Used for grating sounds or habits: 'The squeaky classroom door sets my teeth on edge.'
Short shrift
"Make a short shrift."
Richard III
Little time or attention. 'Shrift' was confession, and a short shrift was the brief confession allowed to a condemned prisoner. First recorded in Richard III. Used when something is dismissed quickly: 'The committee gave our proposal short shrift.'
Something is rotten in the state of Denmark
"Something is rotten in the state of Denmark."
Hamlet
Something is seriously wrong, usually corruption at the top. A guard says it in Hamlet after the ghost appears. Used when things seem suspicious, often with another place named: 'Three managers quit in one week; something is rotten in the state of Denmark.'
Sound and fury
"Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury, Signifying nothing."
Macbeth
Lots of noise and drama with no real meaning. It comes from Macbeth's bleak speech about life. Used for loud arguments or campaigns that achieve nothing: 'The meeting was all sound and fury, and nothing was decided.'
Star-crossed lovers
"A pair of star-cross'd lovers take their life;"
Romeo and Juliet
Lovers whose relationship is doomed by fate, as if the stars were against them. 'Star-crossed' is first recorded in the prologue to Romeo and Juliet. Used for couples kept apart by bad luck or circumstance, in fiction and real life: 'The film follows two star-crossed lovers from rival towns.'
Strange bedfellows
"misery acquaints a man with strange bed-fellows."
The Tempest
Unlikely partners brought together by circumstance. First recorded in The Tempest, where Trinculo crawls under Caliban's cloak to hide from a storm. Used for surprising alliances: 'A shared problem with parking turned the two rival bakeries into strange bedfellows.'
Such stuff as dreams are made on
"We are such stuff As dreams are made on,"
The Tempest
Human life is as brief and unreal as a dream. It comes from Prospero's speech in The Tempest. Often misquoted as 'made of' and used for wonderful things: 'That sunset over the canyon was the stuff dreams are made of.'
Sweets to the sweet
"Sweets to the sweet. Farewell."
Hamlet
Lovely things for a lovely person. Queen Gertrude says it while scattering flowers at Ophelia's funeral. Used lightly when giving candy or flowers: 'Here's a box of chocolates; sweets to the sweet.' Few people know its sad origin.
The be-all and end-all
"Might be the be-all and the end-all"
Macbeth
The most important thing, the part that matters above everything. First recorded in Macbeth, who wishes a single deed could settle everything. Often used in the negative: 'Grades aren't the be-all and end-all of school.'
The course of true love never did run smooth
"The course of true love never did run smooth."
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Real love always meets obstacles. Lysander says it in A Midsummer Night's Dream to comfort Hermia. Used to comfort couples facing setbacks: 'The wedding was postponed twice, but the course of true love never did run smooth.'
The game is afoot
"Before the game is afoot thou still let'st slip."
Henry IV, Part 1
The action has begun. 'Game' first meant the animal being hunted. Henry IV, Part 1 has an early use, and Henry V repeats it as 'The game's afoot.' Made famous again by the Sherlock Holmes stories, it is used playfully when a plan or mystery gets going: 'The clues are in place; the game is afoot.'
The jaws of death
"I snatch'd one half out of the jaws of death,"
Twelfth Night
Great danger, very close to dying. Twelfth Night has one of the earliest recorded uses in English. Used for narrow escapes: 'The rescue team pulled the lost hikers from the jaws of death.' Sports fans twist it into 'snatching victory from the jaws of defeat.'
The lady doth protest too much
"The lady protests too much, methinks."
Hamlet
Someone's strong denials make them seem guilty. Many editions print 'doth protest'; the edition used here has 'protests.' Used when someone denies something too eagerly: 'He keeps insisting he isn't nervous. Methinks he doth protest too much.'
The long and the short of it
"this is the short and the long of it:"
The Merry Wives of Windsor
The basic facts in brief. Mistress Quickly says 'the short and the long'; today the order is usually reversed. Used to sum things up: 'The long and the short of it is that we need a bigger car.'
The milk of human kindness
"It is too full o' th' milk of human kindness"
Macbeth
Natural kindness and compassion. Coined by Lady Macbeth, who fears her husband is too gentle to seize the crown. Used for warm compassion, often with irony: 'The landlord isn't exactly overflowing with the milk of human kindness.'
The undiscovered country
"The undiscover'd country, from whose bourn No traveller returns,"
Hamlet
Death, pictured as a land no traveler comes back from. Coined by Hamlet. Used in literary writing about death, and sometimes for the unknown future: 'For Grace, retirement was an undiscovered country.'
The wish is father to the thought
"Thy wish was father, Harry, to that thought."
Henry IV, Part 2
We believe things because we want them to be true. First recorded in Henry IV, Part 2, when the dying king accuses his son of wanting the crown too soon. Used to point out wishful thinking: 'He says sales will double next year, but perhaps the wish is father to the thought.'
The world is your oyster
"Why then, the world's mine oyster,"
The Merry Wives of Windsor
Life is full of chances waiting to be taken, like a pearl inside an oyster. First recorded in The Merry Wives of Windsor, where Pistol plans to pry it open with his sword. Used to encourage young people and graduates: 'You're young and healthy; the world is your oyster.'
There's the rub
"ay, there's the rub,"
Hamlet
That is the problem or catch. A 'rub' was something that blocked a ball in the game of bowls. Hamlet made the phrase famous. Used, often playfully, to point out a hidden difficulty: 'The job pays well, but it's two hours away, and there's the rub.'
To be or not to be
"To be, or not to be, that is the question:"
Hamlet
Hamlet's question about whether to go on living, the opening of the most famous speech in English. Borrowed for any big decision, usually with a smile: 'To paint or not to paint the kitchen, that is the question.'
To the manner born
"And to the manner born,"
Hamlet
Used to a custom since birth, and so naturally suited to it. First recorded in Hamlet, where the prince talks about a Danish custom. Used for someone who fits a role naturally: 'She ran the shop as if to the manner born.' It is often written 'to the manor born.'
To thine own self be true
"This above all: to thine own self be true;"
Hamlet
Be honest with yourself and stay faithful to your own values. More advice from Polonius in Hamlet. Popular on posters, cards and graduation speeches as a call to be authentic: 'Whatever career you choose, to thine own self be true.'
Too much of a good thing
"can one desire too much of a good thing?"
As You Like It
An excess of something pleasant, which can turn harmful or tiresome. As You Like It has an early recorded use. Used as a gentle warning: 'Sunshine is lovely, but you can have too much of a good thing without sunscreen.'
Tower of strength
"the King's name is a tower of strength"
Richard III
A person or thing that gives steady support. The phrase appears in earlier English writing, and Richard III helped make it popular. Used for dependable people in hard times: 'My sister was a tower of strength while I was recovering.'
Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown
"Uneasy lies the head that wears a crown."
Henry IV, Part 2
People with power carry constant worry. The sleepless king says it in Henry IV, Part 2. Used for leaders, captains and bosses under pressure. It is often misquoted as 'heavy is the head that wears the crown.'
Wear your heart on your sleeve
"But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve For daws to peck at:"
Othello
To show your feelings openly. First recorded in Othello, where Iago says he would never be so exposed. Used for emotionally open people: 'Priya wears her heart on her sleeve, so you always know how she feels.'
What the dickens
"I cannot tell what the dickens his name is"
The Merry Wives of Windsor
A mild exclamation of surprise or annoyance, like 'what on earth.' 'Dickens' was a polite word for the devil. First recorded in The Merry Wives of Windsor, long before Charles Dickens. Now sounds old-fashioned or playful: 'What the dickens is that noise in the attic?'
What's done is done
"Should be without regard: what's done is done."
Macbeth
The past cannot be changed, so stop dwelling on it. Lady Macbeth says it in Macbeth; the idea itself is older. Used to move on from mistakes: 'We missed the deadline. What's done is done; let's plan the next one better.'
What's in a name?
"What's in a name? That which we call a rose"
Romeo and Juliet
Names and labels do not change what something really is. Juliet asks it in the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet. Used in debates about names, labels and titles: 'The store changed its name, but what's in a name? The prices are the same.'
Wild-goose chase
"Nay, if thy wits run the wild-goose chase, I am done."
Romeo and Juliet
A long, hopeless search for something you will probably never find. First recorded in Romeo and Juliet, where it named a horse race in which riders had to copy the leader's every turn. Used for any pointless hunt or errand: 'The wrong address sent us on a wild-goose chase across town.'
Winter of discontent
"Now is the winter of our discontent"
Richard III
A period of hardship and unhappiness. Richard's opening line in Richard III is the source, though in the play the winter is ending. Used for any bleak stretch, often one of strikes or frustration: 'Fans called the long losing season a winter of discontent.'
With bated breath
"With bated breath and whisp'ring humbleness,"
The Merchant of Venice
Anxiously, almost holding your breath while you wait ('bated' means held back). The phrase is first recorded in The Merchant of Venice. Used for tense waiting for news or results: 'We waited with bated breath for the exam scores.' It is often misspelled 'baited breath.'