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the real McCoy

Meaning: the genuine article; something authentic and high quality.

Language: English

Literally: the real McCoy

Category: Daily Life

Origin: Possibly from boxer Norman Selby nicknamed 'Kid McCoy' or Scotch whisky brand.

More idioms — Daily Life

  • get a kick out of something — to enjoy something greatly; to find something amusing.
  • run it up the flagpole — to test an idea; to present something for approval or feedback.
  • Mad as a hatter — Completely eccentric or unhinged.
  • To steal someone's thunder — To take credit for another's idea or upstage their big moment.
  • Die Kirche im Dorf lassen — To keep things in proportion and not get carried away.
  • Das Leben ist kein Ponyhof — Life is not all fun and games; expect hardship.

More English idioms

  • cry over spilled milk — to regret something past; useless to grieve over unchangeable events.
  • white as a sheet — extremely pale; shocked or frightened.
  • go pear-shaped — to go wrong; to develop badly; to become misshapen.
  • hard pill to swallow — difficult to accept; unpleasant truth or reality.
  • be on cloud nine — to be extremely happy; in a state of bliss.
  • sharp as a tack — intelligent; quick-witted; keen-minded.

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