1900s

An excellent, stylish or thoroughly admirable person or thing; the very best of its kind, worthy of enthusiastic praise.

Something or someone regarded as outstanding, the height of excellence, in a playful, informal register that dates from 1920s slang.

An ironic phrase said to performers before they go on stage, wishing them good luck by seeming to wish the opposite.

To get rid of something, refuse a customer service, cancel a plan, or mark a menu item as no longer available.

The full monty means the complete amount, the whole thing, everything that is wanted or expected, with nothing left out.

“Cat got your tongue?” is a teasing question asked of someone who is unexpectedly silent, especially a child with nothing to say.

To ride shotgun is to occupy the front passenger seat beside the driver; more broadly, to accompany someone as a protective or supporting second.

To bring home the bacon is to earn a living or achieve a decisive success, supplying what is needed through one’s efforts.

To spill the beans is to disclose secret or private information, often prematurely or accidentally, giving away what was meant to stay hidden.

To do or include the whole nine yards means everything possible, the full extent, with nothing held back or left out.