hunky-dory
Meaning: Perfectly fine.
Language: English
Literally: (Already vivid in English)
Example: “The mechanic checked the brakes and said everything was hunky-dory.”
Category: Daily Life
Origin: American slang from the 1860s. "Hunky" meant safe or satisfactory, from a Dutch dialect word for home in children's games; the "-dory" half has never been explained, though a story about a street in Yokohama is often repeated without evidence.
Equivalents in other languages
- German: Alles in Butter — literally: Everything in butter
- German: alles im grünen Bereich sein — literally: to be all in the green area
More idioms — Daily Life
- the morning after the night before — A hangover, and the regret that comes with it.
- behind the scenes — Out of public view, where the real work or decisions happen.
- kick up a fuss — To complain loudly and cause a commotion.
- cry at the drop of a hat — To burst into tears very easily.
- been there, done that — Said of an experience one already knows well, often with a shrug.
- not get off the ground — To fail to make any progress at all.
More English idioms
- be over the moon — Absolutely delighted.
- rub salt in the wound — To make someone's pain or humiliation worse.
- tread on someone's toes — To offend someone, especially by interfering in what they see as their business.
- get under someone's feet — To be in the way while someone is trying to work.
- think outside the box — To find an unconventional solution.
- green with envy — Extremely jealous.
From our compliments & insults
- Joli comme un cœur — Utterly charming or adorable.
- Tu as un cœur d'or — You are genuinely kind and generous.
- Tu déchires — You're awesome — you totally rock.