IdiomThe AbsurdEnglish

anything goes

Meaning: There are no rules, restrictions, or moral limits.

Example: “At the costume party, anything goes: last year someone came as a toaster.”

Origin: Origin uncertain; possibly from the permissive atmosphere of early twentieth-century cabarets and jazz venues, or from the free-for-all nature of a chaotic situation.

More idioms — The Absurd

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  • I have a bridge to sell you A sarcastic way of saying that someone is gullible or easily deceived.
  • fall into place To become suddenly clear and fully understood when separate elements finally align.
  • raise hell To cause a major disturbance or create considerable trouble and chaos.
  • put the pedal to the metal To accelerate a vehicle to maximum speed, or more figuratively, to exert maximum effort.

More English idioms

  • bash into shape To shape, repair, or train something or someone by vigorous, rough, or direct methods.
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  • go along for the ride To accompany someone passively, without taking an active role or responsibility.
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  • straight from the horse's mouth Information received directly from the original source, without intermediaries.
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Explore another collection: False Friends

Words that look familiar in another language but mean something else entirely.

  • Bra Actually means 'good'. Det är bra = That's good.
  • Glass Actually means 'ice cream'. En glass = an ice cream. For a glass (vessel), say ett glas.
  • Semester Actually means 'holiday' or 'vacation'. A school semester is en termin.

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