The Meaning Behind Some of the Most Common American Catchphrases

Maybe you’ve heard words that spill from an American’s mouth but had trouble comprehending exactly what they were saying. Sometimes, an accent throws you off. But in some cases, you can hear a perfectly enunciated phrase and still end up scratching your head, wondering what the person you’re speaking with is trying to communicate.

Americans have a way with words. They use catchphrases in their day-to-day language without thinking twice about it. Equip yourself with understanding so the next time a conversation with one of these catchphrases rolls around, you can keep up and make sense of what’s being said. To be fair, some of these phrases have wild backstories. But when you learn what they mean, you can enjoy a chuckle the next time you hear them uttered.

To put this list of common American catchphrases together, 247 Tempo reviewed sources like the Urban Dictionary and Reddit, where people come together to discuss (just about) anything under the sun in a casual and unfiltered way.

“John Hancock”

American Founding Father, John Hancock, was the first to sign the U.S. Declaration of Independence in 1776. His signature was anything but timid. He was bold and intentional, ensuring his name stood out among the sea of signatures. Today, Americans use “John Hancock” to substitute the word “signature.” So, when someone wants you to “put your John Hancock on it,” they’re asking you to sign your name.

“This Side of the Mississippi”

In the U.S., the Mississippi River runs down from Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico, effectively dividing the western and eastern regions of the country. This phrase relates to American geography but is used in various comparison contexts. For example, if you say that something on “this side of the Mississippi” is better, you’re acknowledging your preference for a certain type of culture, cuisine, weather, cost of living, etc. You might also use this phrase to describe the worst attributes of a given area. Typically, this phrase is used playfully to denote two extremes.

“Plead the Fifth”

The U.S. Constitution lists certain unalienable rights for the American people. The Fifth Amendment protects those charged with a crime against self-incrimination. Essentially, an American has the right to remain silent when facing charges to not add fuel to the prosecutor’s attempts at conviction. When someone says they “plead the fifth,” they’re refusing to answer any questions that may get them into trouble. Often, it’s used light-heartedly with humor to deflect questions that if answered, would reveal information they’d rather keep to themselves.

“F*ck Around and Find Out”

This catchphrase isn’t rooted in American history. It emerged as part of internet culture, which tends to push the boundaries of what is socially acceptable. Though it can be used playfully, it can be quite an aggressive phrase used as a warning or threat. If someone with a furrowed brow and a fighting stance says to you, “F*ck around and find out,” they’re letting you know that if you don’t cease your behavior, they are prepared to take matters into their own hands (which may or may not include violence).

“The Buck Stops Here”

In poker, you “pass the buck” when you turn over the responsibility of dealing cards. Former U.S. President Harry S. Truman popularized this catchphrase when he kept a desk sign with those words on it. When “the buck stops here,” it means that there is no more turning over of responsibility. The person who speaks these words is taking full responsibility for a specific situation, which puts them in an empowered and respectable state.

“Go Big or Go Home”

There is no certainty about how this phrase originated. It’s used in several contexts and may have at one point been used in advertising but may have originated in a sports setting as well. Ultimately, “go big or go home” encourages you to give it your all or cease trying. Half measures lead to mediocre results. If you’re going to go big, you’re going to dream big and put forth big effort to reach the unimaginable. This catchphrase says if that’s not your energy, you may as well not even try.

“Rain Check”

It sounds like a wet piece of paper. But when you ask for a “rain check,” what you’re saying is you’re not available to accept an invitation but would like to reschedule at a later time. Often, it’s used as a way to politely decline without an intention to follow up but may also be sincere, letting the person inviting you know to set up a meeting at a later time. The origins of this catchphrase make sense because they involve rain. In baseball, when rain caused a cancellation, spectators were provided with a voucher or “rain check” that ensured they would be permitted to attend a game in the future.

“Don’t Mess With Texas”

The Texas Department of Transportation can take the credit for this phrase that has taken on a new life over time. In the 1980s, there was an anti-littering campaign in the state of Texas that was all about keeping the roads clean. Today, “Don’t mess with Texas” has taken on a new meaning but the pride of the state remains. It’s more about declaring that Texas is not a state that shies away from anything. It’s filled with a culture that values resiliency and doesn’t back down from adversity or threats.

“That’s All, Folks!”

This catchphrase came from the Looney Tunes cartoons. At the close of each episode, Porky Pig would announce the ending by saying, “That’s all, folks!” When used in any context, it’s to alert those present that whatever the event they’ve attended has come to a close. It could be a presentation, the end of a toast at a dinner event, or even a simple conversation. It’s meant to be humorous but could certainly be used rudely with the right (or wrong) tone.

“Think Outside the Box”

When you’re thinking inside the box, you’re limited. You may be using traditional thinking to make sense of a problem or situation. You may be limited in your ability to innovate due to the constraints of your thinking. So, when someone calls you to “think outside the box,” they’re inviting you to abandon your preconceived notions and the confinement of standard ideas. Instead, they’re encouraging you to explore your innate creativity and explore unconventional avenues to discover something new and original.

“Playing Hardball”

When this phrase was first used, it was literal. It referred to the game of baseball (contrasting softball, which uses a softer ball). However, it turned into a metaphor in varying contexts and is now used differently than it was originally. When you’re “playing hardball,” you’re acting ruthlessly. There is no flexibility in your approach and you’re willing to get aggressive and forceful to get your way. This can occur in negotiations in business settings or in attempts to sway decision-making in politics. For some, playing hardball is a way of life. Others see this uncompromising approach as detestable.

“Cost an Arm and a Leg”

It’s not clear exactly how this catchphrase originated but some suggest it may have come about as a result of the major World Wars. Soldiers lost their limbs in battle, which was a high price to pay for war. Today, this phrase isn’t used literally. Rather, it is used when the price of a service or good is astronomical and beyond what feels reasonable to pay. This could be anything from a medical bill to a parking ticket to a luxury resort. When you use this phrase, you’re pretty much saying you’re unwilling to pay the asking price of something. Even if the cost is in your budget, overpriced items make you feel like you’re giving up more than what they’re worth.

“The Big Apple”

John J. Fitz Gerald, a sportswriter for the New York Morning Telegraph, is the one who popularized this phrase. Initially, “The Big Apple” was used in horse race betting but Fitz Gerald used it to refer to the city of New York. The city liked it and started using it as part of their marketing campaigns to invite tourists to visit the buzzing environment. Today, it’s a phrase commonly used to refer to the big, bustling city.

“It’s All Downhill From Here”

This phrase has a dual meaning. When you’re on a bicycle or a skateboard, going uphill is a battle. But you get to breathe easy when it’s downhill. That’s how this phrase originated but today, it can be used in different contexts, noting that things get easier after the climb when you head downhill. However, it could also be used negatively to say things are only going to get worse. Some joke that as you get older, “it’s all downhill from here” (a comment about how aging bodies break down).

“Thrown Under the Bus”

This catchphrase isn’t about murder, though that might be your initial thought. It’s metaphorical, describing betrayal. It’s believed this phrase originated in British politics but it took on a new life in the U.S. To “throw someone under the bus” means to sacrifice someone to ensure your survival. For example, in a corporate setting, a boss may throw an employee under the bus to protect their position and have someone else face the brunt of consequences for their mistakes. To “throw someone under the bus” is a cowardly act.

“Cruisin’ for a Bruisin'”

Like many of the other phrases in this list, the exact origins aren’t known but “cruisin’ for a bruisin'” rose in popularity in the 1950s. Certain cultures used this phrase more regularly at the time (like street gangs, for instance). It’s a threatening phrase but humor is embedded into it. It means that someone is behaving in a way that is likely to land them in hot water.

“Come Hell or High Water”

This phrase originated in the American West when settlers were faced with nature’s difficulties as they inched across the frontier. When you say “come hell or high water,” you’re acknowledging that there may be difficulties ahead but that no matter what, you’re determined. You have a goal in mind, a final destination to reach, and it doesn’t matter what you encounter—you are committed to getting there.

“Hit the Nail on the Head”

This phrase likely has its roots in carpentry, as hitting the nail on the head is the goal when putting something together. However, it became a metaphor that can be used in a range of different contexts. When you “hit the nail on the head,” it means you are accurate. This could mean you’ve accurately described a person or situation or you’ve arrived at the correct answer for a problem.

“Light’s Are On But No One’s Home”

Just like in the image above, you can have a gorgeous home with all the lights on and not a single sign of life. But this phrase isn’t about actual homes and lights. It’s used when you’re trying to connect with someone and they appear lucid but they’re mentally elsewhere. The person may be daydreaming, may be intellectually limited, or may be under the influence. In some cases, it’s used humorously to snap someone out of a daydream but in other cases, it’s used as an insult about someone who lacks knowledge or understanding.

“A Dime a Dozen”

When something is “a dime a dozen,” it’s cheap and easily available. This was used literally when it originated in the early 19th century. At that time, certain goods (like eggs) cost a dime for a dozen. Today, the phrase refers not only to goods but to people, too. For instance, a person who doesn’t value themselves may make themselves easily available to anyone and everyone. That person may be referred to as “a dime a dozen.”

“This is Not My First Rodeo”

When you say “This is not my first rodeo,” what you’re communicating is you’re not a newbie, you have experience, and you know better than to be fooled. It originated in American cowboy culture, wherein rodeo skills are coveted. When you use this phrase, you’re not just conveying your experience, but also the confidence that comes along with it.

“Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk”

Once milk is spilled, there is nothing you can do to restore it to its former glory. It’s tainted by the ground it touched and even if you slurp it up and pour it back into the glass, it’s no longer the same. Therefore, this phrase invites you to accept what is instead of lamenting what was. It’s a waste of time to worry and obsess over something that has already occurred. This phrase encourages you to move on from an unfortunate event with acceptance in your heart.

“Rode Hard and Put Up Wet”

This phrase is about horseback riding. When you ride a horse hard, you need to let it recover and cool down with a walk before you take it back to its stable. If you put a wet, sweaty horseback in its stable, it’s likely to become ill. Used out of a horseback riding context, when you say to someone they look “rode hard and put up wet,” you’re letting them know they look absolutely worn out and exhausted. It’s not the kindest remark but may acknowledge and validate the feelings of someone who is feeling depleted.

“Let’s Table That”

You don’t require a table for this phrase to make sense. When someone says “Let’s table that,” they’re saying they’d like to postpone a certain topic for a later date. This could occur in a business meeting when the focus is on more pressing matters but could also be used in a personal context when addressing various issues. One or several issues may need to be set aside temporarily.

“Bless Your Heart”

This phrase sounds awfully sweet but it’s sneaky because it could go both ways. It’s a Southern phrase that can be used politely but often, it’s used with underlying sarcasm. You might say “bless your heart” compassionately or gratefully when someone does something kind. But if someone does something unthinking, a Southern person may utter “bless your heart,” politely critiquing the thinking, words, or behavior of another.

“Jump on the Bandwagon”

When you “jump on the bandwagon,” you’re on board with a new idea. You might start a new fitness routine with friends, join in toward charitable efforts, or become part of a team to complete a business project. However, this phrase also has a bit of a negative connotation in some contexts. It may imply that you are not being original or are too eager to fit in.

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