A browsable database of phrases and multi-word expressions for UK style crosswords. Particularly useful for Jumbo and Prize crosswords. Great inspiration for crossword setters!
Arranged by Number of Letters (Column A), then Letter Pattern/ Enumeration (Column B), then in Alphabetical Order (Columns C-K) Now all in one viewable file (arranged in 2 sheets for convenience, 3 -14 Letters and 15 - 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.
Hyphens are always treated as spaces (i.e. commas in the enumeration). Apostrophes are not always counted, 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 Vitus's dance" under (2,6,5).
Last update: 12 July 2019 (200 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. Numerologists might make something of all this!
| 1,3,2,1,6,3 |
a bit of a ladies man |
|
5,3,4,2,2,6 |
judge not lest ye be judged |
| |
a bit of a roving eye |
|
|
rules are made to be broken |
| 1,4,4,3,4 |
a bolt from the blue |
|
5,3,4,3,5 |
every Tom Dick and Harry |
| |
a gift from the gods |
|
|
stand out from the crowd |
| 1,4,4,6 |
a well kept secret |
|
5,3,5 |
speak the truth |
| |
I won't tell anyone |
|
|
spill the beans |
| 1,5,2,3,7 |
a cloud on the horizon |
|
5,3,5,2,3,5 |
cross the floor of the house |
| |
a spell of bad weather |
|
|
leave the scene of the crime |
| 1,6,2,1,8 |
a chance in a thousand |
|
5,3,7,2 |
extol the virtues of |
| |
a needle in a haystack |
|
|
stick two fingers up |
| 2,1,3,2,6 |
do a lot of damage |
|
5,4,3,3 |
brush with the law |
| |
in a fit of temper |
|
|
crime does not pay |
| 2,2,3,4,3 |
do it the hard way |
|
|
phone nine one one |
| |
in at the deep end |
|
|
under lock and key |
| 2,2,7,3 |
et in Arcadia ego |
|
5,4,6,5 |
crash bang wallop thump |
| |
of no earthly use |
|
|
throw ones weight about |
| 2,3 |
ex con |
|
5,4,7 |
drown ones sorrows |
| |
ex cop |
|
|
empty ones bladder |
| 2,3,3,3,4,2,3 |
if its all the same to you |
|
5,5,2,3,7 |
first thing in the morning |
| |
if its not too much to ask |
|
|
throw light on the subject |
| 2,3,4,2,3,3 |
in the back of the net |
|
5,5,4 |
going great guns |
| |
on the edge of the box |
|
|
going going gone |
| 2,3,4,2,3,6 |
in the name of the Father |
|
5,6,8 |
Large Hadron Collider |
| |
on the side of the angels |
|
|
split second decision |
| 2,4,2,1,4 |
as slim as a wand |
|
5,7 |
Peter Capaldi |
| |
as thin as a rake |
|
|
Peter Cushing |
| 2,5,2,4,2,2 |
I'd stake my life on it |
|
|
Peter Davison |
| |
It makes no odds to me |
|
5,7,1,5 |
going through a phase |
| 2,5,3,8 |
go forth and multiply |
|
|
Rebel without a Cause |
| |
up close and personal |
|
5,7,3 |
world without end |
| 2,6,3,3 |
ay theres the rub |
|
|
worth waiting for |
| |
it drives you mad |
|
5,8 |
Welsh Assembly |
| 3,2,3,4,2,5 |
all is not what it seems |
|
|
white elephant |
| |
fly in the face of facts |
|
|
windy rhetoric |
| 3,2,3,9 |
out of the spotlight |
|
5,8,11 |
broad spectrum antibiotics |
| |
sit on the sidelines |
|
|
every possible combination |
| 3,2,4,8 |
all on your lonesome |
|
5,9 |
muddy underfoot |
| |
set up home together |
|
|
music festivals |
| 3,3,2,4 |
the die is cast |
|
6,1,3 |
caught a bus |
| |
the end is nigh |
|
|
hailed a cab |
| 3,3,3,5,4 |
not for the first time |
|
6,1,4,2,6 |
answer a call of nature |
| |
the boy who cried wolf |
|
|
heaved a sigh of relief |
| 3,3,5,2,4 |
get the shock of ones life |
|
6,1,7,4 |
desert a sinking ship |
| |
see the error of ones ways |
|
|
offers a helping hand |
| 3,3,5,2,6 |
its not going to happen |
|
6,2,4 |
Prince of Wales |
| |
put the world to rights |
|
|
purple in grain |
| 3,3,9,3,5 |
not all sweetness and light |
|
6,2,8,2 |
refuse to consider it |
| |
the end justifies the means |
|
|
theres no escaping it |
| 3,4,2,1,5 |
any port in a storm |
|
6,2,10 |
Houses of Parliament |
| |
The Lady is a tramp |
|
|
joined up government |
| 3,4,2,3,5 |
the sign of the cross |
|
6,2,11 |
Mother of Parliaments |
| |
the sins of the flesh |
|
|
nation of shopkeepers |
| 3,4,3,3,3 |
get what you pay for |
|
|
Palace of Westminster |
| |
the rate for the job |
|
6,3,5,4 |
scored the first goal |
| 3,4,3,4,4 |
for ever and ever amen |
|
|
struck the first blow |
| |
God does not play dice |
|
6,3,8 |
effing and blinding |
| 3,4,5,2,6 |
led from start to finish |
|
|
family get together |
| |
The Pied Piper of Hamlyn |
|
6,4,2 |
gently does it |
| 3,4,5,6 |
get rich quick scheme |
|
|
hammer away at |
| |
one born every minute |
|
6,4,2,4 |
lowest form of life |
| 3,4,6,6 |
bet your bottom dollar |
|
|
travel back in time |
| |
the last chance saloon |
|
6,4,3,3 |
patchy mist and fog |
| 3,4,8 |
the cats whiskers |
|
|
search high and low |
| |
the dogs bollocks |
|
6,4,3,5 |
turned back the clock |
| 3,4,11 |
too much information |
|
|
voices from the grave |
| |
use your imagination |
|
6,4,4 |
inject some pace |
| 3,5,2,2 |
get ready to go |
|
|
Kendal mint cake |
| |
the chase is on |
|
6,4,4,4 |
escape with ones life |
| 3,5,2,3,4 |
get ahead of the game |
|
|
fasten ones seat belt |
| |
rob Peter to pay Paul |
|
6,4,6,5 |
Angels with Broken Wings |
| 3,5,2,3,5 |
the truth is out there |
|
|
depart this mortal realm |
| |
two sides to the story |
|
6,4,4,5 |
better safe than sorry |
| 3,5,8 |
the great unwashed |
|
|
fasten your seat belts |
| |
the moral majority |
|
6,5,6 |
proven track record |
| 3,6,2,2 |
get around to it |
|
|
silver medal winner |
| |
not enough to do |
|
6,8 |
French mistress |
| 3,6,2,9 |
the centre of attention |
|
|
frilly knickers |
| |
the finger of suspicion |
|
6,10,4 |
become acquainted with |
| 3,6,2,11 |
The Mother of Parliaments |
|
|
social networking site |
| |
The Palace of Westminster |
|
7,2,2,3 |
believe it or not |
| 3,6,3,3 |
the gloves are off |
|
|
putting on an act |
| |
the knives are out |
|
7,3,3,7 |
hanging out the washing |
| 3,7,4 |
The Selfish Gene |
|
|
pegging out the clothes |
| |
The Missing Link |
|
7,3,4,2,7 |
against the laws of physics |
| 3,7,6 |
The Mounted Police |
|
|
nothing can come of nothing |
| |
The Perfect Murder |
|
7,3,6 |
predict the future |
| 3,7,6 |
two pronged attack |
|
|
prepare the ground |
| |
war against terror |
|
7,3,6,5 |
receive the wooden spoon |
| 4,1,4,3,2,2 |
make a good job of it |
|
|
rewrite the record books |
| |
make a pigs ear of it |
|
7,4,1,6 |
painted into a corner |
| 4,1,5,7 |
beat a hasty retreat |
|
|
shunted into a siding |
| |
make a quick getaway |
|
7,4,2,6 |
Newtons Laws of Motion |
| 4,1,8,4 |
take a backward step |
|
|
nothing left to chance |
| |
take a downward turn |
|
7,5,3 |
Mexican stand off |
| 4,1,8,6 |
have a criminal record |
|
|
penalty shoot out |
| |
make a citizens arrest |
|
7,5,7 |
nuclear power station |
| 4,1,9,4 |
lead a sheltered life |
|
|
weapons grade uranium |
| |
play a dangerous game |
|
7,6 |
mammary glands |
| 4,2,1,4,4,7 |
golf is a good walk spoiled |
|
|
Marilyn Monroe |
| |
when in a hole stop digging |
|
7,10 |
literal mindedness |
| 4,2,3,4,4 |
life in the fast lane |
|
|
logical positivism |
| |
make up for lost time |
|
8,1,4 |
shooting a line |
| 4,2,3,5 |
last in the queue |
|
|
spinning a yarn |
| |
late to the party |
|
8,1,4,5 |
fighting a lost cause |
| 4,2,3,8 |
play to the audience |
|
|
flogging a dead horse |
| |
rise to the occasion |
|
8,1,6 |
Category A prison |
| |
take up the gauntlet |
|
|
Category B prison |
| 4,2,5,4,2 |
come to terms with it |
|
|
Category C prison |
| |
lose no sleep over it |
|
|
compound a felony |
| 4,2,8,7 |
have an attitude problem |
|
8,2,5 |
proceeds of crime |
| |
lack of parental control |
|
|
property is theft |
| 4,3,2,5 |
feel out of place |
|
8,2,5 |
schedule of works |
| |
fish out of water |
|
|
shortage of staff |
| 4,3,4,2,4 |
don’t try this at home |
|
8,3 |
mouthing off |
| |
draw the line at that |
|
|
Muhammad Ali |
| 4,3,4,2,4 |
lose the will to live |
|
8,3,5 |
Scotland the Brave |
| |
make the most of life |
|
|
scrimped and saved |
| 4,3,5,2,6 |
body and blood of Christ |
|
8,3,5 |
shoulder the blame |
| |
puts the world to rights |
|
|
sidestep the issue |
| 4,3,5,3,3 |
give the devil his due |
|
8,3,7 |
battered and bruised |
| |
take the money and run |
|
|
bloodied but unbowed |
| 4,3,6,4 |
kill the fatted calf |
|
8,3,7 |
sunshine and showers |
| |
lean and hungry look |
|
|
whatever the weather |
| 4,3,6,7 |
cold and frosty morning |
|
8,4 |
Immanuel Kant |
| |
keep the engine running |
|
|
immortal soul |
| 4,3,8 |
tout for business |
|
8.4.2 |
collided head on |
| |
used car salesman |
|
|
multiple pile up |
| 4,3,8,3 |
burn the midnight oil |
|
8,4,6 |
multiple stab wounds |
| |
make the polluter pay |
|
|
screamed blue murder |
| 4,4,1,6 |
back into a corner |
|
|
wounding with intent |
| |
hold over a barrel |
|
8,5,3,6 |
cracking under the strain |
| |
make life a misery |
|
|
groaning under the weight |
| 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 |
| 4,5,3,9 |
book early for Christmas |
|
9,4 |
pregnancy test |
| |
kiss under the mistletoe |
|
|
premature baby |
| 4,5,4,8 |
dont count your chickens |
|
9,5 |
emotional block |
| |
here today gone tomorrow |
|
|
encounter group |
| 4,5,7 |
here comes trouble |
|
9,6 |
celebrity gossip |
| |
high speed pursuit |
|
|
celestial bodies |
| 4,5,8 |
calm under pressure |
|
9,7 |
attempted suicide |
| |
can't think straight |
|
|
attention seeking |
| 4,6,3,6 |
Eats Shoots and Leaves |
|
10,2,3 |
casualties of war |
| |
Here endeth the lesson |
|
|
Walmington on Sea |
| 4,7,4 |
full frontal nude |
|
10,2,10 |
Archbishop of Canterbury |
| |
give oneself airs |
|
|
everything in moderation |
| 4,7,4,2,4 |
make someone feel at home |
|
10,3,4 |
guaranteed for life |
| |
pump someone full of lead |
|
|
overegging the cake |
| 4,7,5 |
anti wrinkle cream |
|
10,7 |
unswerving loyalty |
| |
full frontal nudes |
|
|
unwavering support |
| 4,9,6 |
self inflicted wounds |
|
11,2,3 |
brotherhood of man |
| |
semi automatic weapon |
|
|
declaration of war |
| 4,11,5 |
Lady Chatterleys lover |
|
11,2,9 |
presentment of Englishry |
| |
slow comfortable screw |
|
|
presumption of innocence |
| 5,2,4,2,3,6 |
first in line to the throne |
|
12,7 |
extramarital affairs |
| |
suits me down to the ground |
|
|
heterosexual couples |
| 5,3,1,4 |
going for a song |
|
13,8,4 |
consciousness altering drug |
| |
taken for a ride |
|
|
International monetary fund |
© Ben Iscatus 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
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