Phrases, Clichés, Expressions & Sayings (Q)

Phrases, Clichés, Expressions & Sayings
~ Q ~

Quick as a wink

Meaning: Very speedily.

Example: He was out of here quick as a wink.

Origin: First recorded in 1825. One wink = 1/10 second.
Source: “Word And Phrase Origins” by Robert Hendrickson.
Related terms: Quick as a bunny; Quick as a flash; Quick as greased lightning; Greased lightning.

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Quick as greased lightning

Meaning: Extremely fast.

Example:

Origin: This is an Americanism dating from about the 1840s, but is a typical western exaggeration of the British “quick as lightning”, first recorded 100 years earlier. “Quicker than hell can scorch a feather” is a similar Americanism from the mid-19th Century. Source: “Word And Phrase Origins” by Robert Hendrickson.
Related terms: Quick as a wink; Greased lightning.

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Quid pro quo

Meaning: One thing in return for another.

Example: What is the quid pro quo for my entering into this deal?

Origin: Quid pro quo is Latin for "something for something." Shakespeare used a similar expression in Henry VI (1591): "I cry you mercy, 'tis but Quid for Quo."

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Quiet as a mouse

Meaning: Silent or still; making very little noise; saying nothing; hushed, subdued.

Example: Returning from the disco at 3 AM, Roger walked quiet as a mouse into his bedroom.

Origin: ."Quiet as a mouse" goes back to the late 1500s. Mice are quiet little animals who scurry almost noiselessly in search of food, especially in the dark of night.

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Quit your belly aching

Meaning: Stop complaining, bitching, or whining.

Example: Quit your belly aching and get a job.

Origin: Someone afflicted with a bellyache might do a bit of complaining. The phrase might be a shortened version of "quit telling me about your belly aching".

*Meaning:*	Very speedily.
*Example:*	He was out of here quick as a wink.
*Origin:*	First recorded in 1825. One wink = 1/10 second. Source: “Word And Phrase Origins” by Robert Hendrickson. Related terms: Quick as a bunny; Quick as a flash; Quick as greased lightning; Greased lightning.

*Meaning:*	Extremely fast.
*Example:*
*Origin:*	This is an Americanism dating from about the 1840s, but is a typical western exaggeration of the British “quick as lightning”, first recorded 100 years earlier. “Quicker than hell can scorch a feather” is a similar Americanism from the mid-19th Century. Source: “Word And Phrase Origins” by Robert Hendrickson. Related terms: Quick as a wink; Greased lightning.

*Meaning:*	One thing in return for another.
*Example:*	What is the quid pro quo for my entering into this deal?
*Origin:*	Quid pro quo is Latin for "something for something." Shakespeare used a similar expression in Henry VI* (1591): "I cry you mercy, 'tis but Quid for Quo."*

*Meaning:*	Silent or still; making very little noise; saying nothing; hushed, subdued.
*Example:*	Returning from the disco at 3 AM, Roger walked quiet as a mouse into his bedroom.
*Origin:*	."Quiet as a mouse" goes back to the late 1500s. Mice are quiet little animals who scurry almost noiselessly in search of food, especially in the dark of night.

*Meaning:*	Stop complaining, bitching, or whining.
*Example:*	Quit your belly aching and get a job.
*Origin:*	Someone afflicted with a bellyache might do a bit of complaining. The phrase might be a shortened version of "quit telling me about your belly aching".