Phrase guide
Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.
Sound
Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.
No pronunciation record was provided for this word.
verb
To perform an action in which the result falls apart immediately or to work on organizing something that cannot be organized.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK, figuratively
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: none provided
Antonyms: none provided
verb
Used as a metaphor for accomplishing an impossible task.
Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract
Usage: UK
No example sentence was provided for this meaning.
Synonyms: knit fog, plait sawdust
Antonyms: none provided
History
From the fact that fog is too insubstantial to be plaited.
