A browsable database of phrases and multi-word expressions arranged by enumeration (letter pattern) for UK style crosswords. Particularly useful for Jumbo and Prize crosswords. Great inspiration for crossword setters! Crossword solvers might proceed as follows:
Anglophobic tigress discovered by the Large Hadron Collider? (5,5,8)
...look up the 5,5,8 entries by clicking on the "16 - 20 Letters" link below, then on the 18a tab, and scroll down - everything is laid out in numeric then alphabetical order. There you find: Higgs Boson Particle. (It's an anagram of 'anglophobic tigress'.)
From 3 to 31 letters.
Double nouns (including plurals), phrasal verbs (including inflections), proverbs, quotations, mottoes, people and places, literature, the performing arts, sport, common expressions, colloquialisms, idioms ...over 800 categories of information have been mined for this database, as well as thousands of answers from old crosswords. All entries have been selected by a human, not computer-generated.
To proceed, select the total number of letters in a phrase or multiple-word expression:
Hyphens are always treated as spaces (i.e. commas in the enumeration). Apostrophes are omitted, so if the answer is "St Vitus's dance" and it is enumerated in the clue as (2,5'1,5), you'll find it here as "St Vituss dance" under (2,6,5).
Last update: 10 December 2014 (600 new entries).
There is now a single word Proper Case list too - see link on the side panel.
You come across some interesting and amusing coincidences while looking through phrases arranged by enumeration. There's a list below where the meanings either complement or contradict each other. My favourite is under 10,2,10. 9,2,3,4 is also very topical. Numerologists might make something of all this!
| 1,4,4,3,4 |
a bolt from the blue |
|
4,11,5 |
Lady Chatterleys lover |
| |
a gift from the gods |
|
|
slow comfortable screw |
| 1,5,2,3,7 |
a cloud on the horizon |
|
5,2,4,2,3,6 |
first in line to the throne |
| |
a spell of bad weather |
|
|
suits me down to the ground |
| 1,6,2,1,8 |
a chance in a thousand |
|
5,3,1,4 |
going for a song |
| |
a needle in a haystack |
|
|
taken for a ride |
| 2,1,3,2,6 |
do a lot of damage |
|
5,3,4,2,2,6 |
judge not lest ye be judged |
| |
in a fit of temper |
|
|
rules are made to be broken |
| 2,2,3,4,3 |
do it the hard way |
|
5,3,4,3,5 |
every Tom Dick and Harry |
| |
in at the deep end |
|
|
stand out from the crowd |
| 2,2,7,3 |
et in Arcadia ego |
|
5,3,5 |
speak the truth |
| |
of no earthly use |
|
|
spill the beans |
| 2,3 |
ex con |
|
5,3,5,2,3,5 |
cross the floor of the house |
| |
ex cop |
|
|
leave the scene of the crime |
| 2,3,3,3,4,2,3 |
if its all the same to you |
|
5,3,7,2 |
extol the virtues of |
| |
if its not too much to ask |
|
|
stick two fingers up |
| 2,3,4,2,3,3 |
in the back of the net |
|
5,4,3,3 |
brush with the law |
| |
on the edge of the box |
|
|
crime does not pay |
| 2,4,2,1,4 |
as slim as a wand |
|
|
phone nine one one |
| |
as thin as a rake |
|
|
under lock and key |
| 2,5,2,4,2,2 |
I'd stake my life on it |
|
5,4,6,5 |
crash bang wallop thump |
| |
It makes no odds to me |
|
|
throw ones weight about |
| 2,5,3,8 |
go forth and multiply |
|
5,4,7 |
drown ones sorrows |
| |
up close and personal |
|
|
empty ones bladder |
| 2,6,3,3 |
ay theres the rub |
|
5,5,2,3,7 |
first thing in the morning |
| |
it drives you mad |
|
|
throw light on the subject |
| 3,2,3,4,2,5 |
all is not what it seems |
|
5,5,4 |
going great guns |
| |
fly in the face of facts |
|
|
going going gone |
| 3,2,3,9 |
out of the spotlight |
|
5,6,8 |
Large Hadron Collider |
| |
sit on the sidelines |
|
|
split second decision |
| 3,2,4,8 |
all on your lonesome |
|
5,7 |
Peter Capaldi |
| |
set up home together |
|
|
Peter Cushing |
| 3,3,2,4 |
the die is cast |
|
|
Peter Davison |
| |
the end is nigh |
|
5,7,1,5 |
going through a phase |
| 3,3,3,5,4 |
not for the first time |
|
|
Rebel without a Cause |
| |
the boy who cried wolf |
|
5,7,3 |
world without end |
| 3,3,5,2,4 |
get the shock of ones life |
|
|
worth waiting for |
| |
see the error of ones ways |
|
5,8 |
Welsh Assembly |
| 3,3,5,2,6 |
its not going to happen |
|
|
white elephant |
| |
put the world to rights |
|
|
windy rhetoric |
| 3,3,9,3,5 |
not all sweetness and light |
|
5,8,11 |
broad spectrum antibiotics |
| |
the end justifies the means |
|
|
every possible combination |
| 3,4,2,1,5 |
any port in a storm |
|
5,9 |
muddy underfoot |
| |
The Lady is a tramp |
|
|
music festivals |
| 3,4,2,3,5 |
the sign of the cross |
|
6,1,3 |
caught a bus |
| |
the sins of the flesh |
|
|
hailed a cab |
| 3,4,3,3,3 |
get what you pay for |
|
6,1,4,2,6 |
answer a call of nature |
| |
the rate for the job |
|
|
heaved a sigh of relief |
| 3,4,3,4,4 |
for ever and ever amen |
|
6,1,7,4 |
desert a sinking ship |
| |
God does not play dice |
|
|
offers a helping hand |
| 3,4,5,2,6 |
led from start to finish |
|
6,2,4 |
Prince of Wales |
| |
The Pied Piper of Hamlyn |
|
|
purple in grain |
| 3,4,5,6 |
get rich quick scheme |
|
6,2,8,2 |
refuse to consider it |
| |
one born every minute |
|
|
theres no escaping it |
| 3,4,6,6 |
bet your bottom dollar |
|
6,2,10 |
Houses of Parliament |
| |
the last chance saloon |
|
|
joined up government |
| 3,4,8 |
the cats whiskers |
|
6,2,11 |
Mother of Parliaments |
| |
the dogs bollocks |
|
|
nation of shopkeepers |
| 3,4,11 |
too much information |
|
|
Palace of Westminster |
| |
use your imagination |
|
6,3,5,4 |
scored the first goal |
| 3,5,2,2 |
get ready to go |
|
|
struck the first blow |
| |
the chase is on |
|
6,3,8 |
effing and blinding |
| 3,5,2,3,4 |
get ahead of the game |
|
|
family get together |
| |
rob Peter to pay Paul |
|
6,4,2 |
gently does it |
| 3,5,2,3,5 |
the truth is out there |
|
|
hammer away at |
| |
two sides to the story |
|
6,4,2,4 |
lowest form of life |
| 3,5,8 |
the great unwashed |
|
|
travel back in time |
| |
the moral majority |
|
6,4,3,3 |
patchy mist and fog |
| 3,6,2,2 |
get around to it |
|
|
search high and low |
| |
not enough to do |
|
6,4,3,5 |
turned back the clock |
| 3,6,2,9 |
the centre of attention |
|
|
voices from the grave |
| |
the finger of suspicion |
|
6,4,4 |
inject some pace |
| 3,6,2,11 |
The Mother of Parliaments |
|
|
Kendal mint cake |
| |
The Palace of Westminster |
|
6,4,4,4 |
escape with ones life |
| 3,6,3,3 |
the gloves are off |
|
|
fasten ones seat belt |
| |
the knives are out |
|
6,4,6,5 |
Angels with Broken Wings |
| 3,7,4 |
The Selfish Gene |
|
|
depart this mortal realm |
| |
The Missing Link |
|
6,4,4,5 |
better safe than sorry |
| 3,7,6 |
The Mounted Police |
|
|
fasten your seat belts |
| |
The Perfect Murder |
|
6,5,6 |
proven track record |
| 3,7,6 |
two pronged attack |
|
|
silver medal winner |
| |
war against terror |
|
6,8 |
French mistress |
| 4,1,4,3,2,2 |
make a good job of it |
|
|
frilly knickers |
| |
make a pigs ear of it |
|
6,10,4 |
become acquainted with |
| 4,1,5,7 |
beat a hasty retreat |
|
|
social networking site |
| |
make a quick getaway |
|
7,3,4,2,7 |
Against the laws of physics |
| 4,1,8,4 |
take a backward step |
|
|
Nothing can come of nothing |
| |
take a downward turn |
|
7,3,6 |
predict the future |
| 4,1,8,6 |
have a criminal record |
|
|
prepare the ground |
| |
make a citizens arrest |
|
7,3,6,5 |
receive the wooden spoon |
| 4,1,9,4 |
lead a sheltered life |
|
|
rewrite the record books |
| |
play a dangerous game |
|
7,4,1,6 |
painted into a corner |
| 4,2,1,4,4,7 |
golf is a good walk spoiled |
|
|
shunted into a siding |
| |
when in a hole stop digging |
|
7,4,2,6 |
Newtons Laws of Motion |
| 4,2,3,4,4 |
life in the fast lane |
|
|
Nothing left to chance |
| |
make up for lost time |
|
7,5,3 |
Mexican stand off |
| 4,2,3,5 |
last in the queue |
|
|
penalty shoot out |
| |
late to the party |
|
7,5,7 |
nuclear power station |
| 4,2,3,8 |
play to the audience |
|
|
weapons grade uranium |
| |
rise to the occasion |
|
7,6 |
mammary glands |
| |
take up the gauntlet |
|
|
Marilyn Monroe |
| 4,2,5,4,2 |
come to terms with it |
|
7,10 |
literal mindedness |
| |
lose no sleep over it |
|
|
logical positivism |
| 4,2,8,7 |
have an attitude problem |
|
8,1,4 |
shooting a line |
| |
lack of parental control |
|
|
spinning a yarn |
| 4,3,4,2,4 |
don’t try this at home |
|
8,1,4,5 |
fighting a lost cause |
| |
draw the line at that |
|
|
flogging a dead horse |
| 4,3,4,2,4 |
lose the will to live |
|
8,1,6 |
Category A prison |
| |
make the most of life |
|
|
Category B prison |
| 4,3,5,2,6 |
body and blood of Christ |
|
|
Category C prison |
| |
puts the world to rights |
|
|
Category D prison |
| 4,3,5,3,3 |
give the devil his due |
|
|
compound a felony |
| |
take the money and run |
|
8,2,5 |
proceeds of crime |
| 4,3,6,4 |
kill the fatted calf |
|
|
property is theft |
| |
lean and hungry look |
|
8,2,5 |
schedule of works |
| 4,3,6,7 |
cold and frosty morning |
|
|
shortage of staff |
| |
keep the engine running |
|
8,3,5 |
Scotland the Brave |
| 4,3,8 |
tout for business |
|
|
scrimped and saved |
| |
used car salesman |
|
8,3,5 |
shoulder the blame |
| 4,3,8,3 |
burn the midnight oil |
|
|
sidestep the issue |
| |
make the polluter pay |
|
8,3,7 |
battered and bruised |
| 4,4,1,6 |
back into a corner |
|
|
bloodied but unbowed |
| |
hold over a barrel |
|
8,4 |
Immanuel Kant |
| |
make life a misery |
|
|
immortal soul |
| 4,4,2,3,4,4 |
live life in the fast lane |
|
8,5,4,5 |
fiddling while Rome burns |
| |
what time do you call this |
|
|
whatever takes your fancy |
| 4,4,3,11 |
know ones own limitations |
|
8,6,5 |
American client state |
| |
some room for improvement |
|
|
handling stolen goods |
| 4,4,4,2,3,6 |
have both feet on the ground |
|
8,7 |
credible witness |
| |
have ones head in the clouds |
|
|
criminal offence |
| 4,4,4 |
look like hell |
|
8,13 |
auditory hallucination |
| |
look ones best |
|
|
multiple personalities |
| 4,4,5 |
cast iron alibi |
|
|
paranoid schizophrenia |
| |
sure fire thing |
|
9,2,3,4 |
mortgaged to the hilt |
| 4,4,5,3,4,4 |
wipe that smile off your face |
|
|
overdrawn at the bank |
| |
wash your mouth out with soap |
|
9,2,3,5 |
gentlemen of the press |
| 4,4,5,4,4 |
make ones dream come true |
|
|
possessed by the devil |
| |
turn base metal into gold |
|
|
preaching to the choir |
| 4,4,8 |
tall dark stranger |
|
9,2,3,5 |
stretched to the limit |
| |
whet ones appetite |
|
|
teetering on the brink |
| 4,5,2,3,4 |
sail close to the wind |
|
9,2,3,6 |
injurious to the health |
| |
stay ahead of the game |
|
|
pretender to the throne |
| 4,5,4,8 |
dont count your chickens |
|
9,4 |
pregnancy test |
| |
here today gone tomorrow |
|
|
premature baby |
| 4,5,7 |
here comes trouble |
|
9,7 |
attempted suicide |
| |
high speed pursuit |
|
|
attention seeking |
| 4,5,8 |
calm under pressure |
|
10,2,3 |
casualties of war |
| |
can't think straight |
|
|
Walmington on Sea |
| 4,6,3,6 |
Eats Shoots and Leaves |
|
10,2,10 |
Archbishop of Canterbury |
| |
Here endeth the lesson |
|
|
everything in moderation |
| 4,7,4 |
full frontal nude |
|
10,3,4 |
guaranteed for life |
| |
give oneself airs |
|
|
overegging the cake |
| 4,7,4,2,4 |
make someone feel at home |
|
10,7 |
unswerving loyalty |
| |
pump someone full of lead |
|
|
unwavering support |
| 4,7,5 |
anti wrinkle cream |
|
11,2,3 |
brotherhood of man |
| |
full frontal nudes |
|
|
declaration of war |
| 4,9,6 |
self inflicted wounds |
|
13,8,4 |
consciousness altering drug |
| |
semi automatic weapon |
|
|
International monetary fund |
© Ben Iscatus 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015.
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