History is filled with rich and vibrant language that helps us understand and describe the past. This blog post will explore 20 idioms and phrasal verbs related to history, each with a concise meaning and an example sentence to help you integrate them into your everyday language.
1. Ancient History
Meaning: Something very old.
Example: That argument is ancient history now.
2. Make History
Meaning: Achieve something memorable.
Example: She made history by becoming the first female president.
3. Rewrite History
Meaning: Change the way events are recorded.
Example: The new evidence may rewrite history.
4. History Repeats Itself
Meaning: Similar events occur again.
Example: They say history repeats itself.
5. In the Annals of History
Meaning: Recorded in historical records.
Example: His deeds are in the annals of history.
6. Go Down in History
Meaning: Be remembered for a long time.
Example: This event will go down in history.
7. On the Wrong Side of History
Meaning: Supporting a losing or unethical cause.
Example: They are on the wrong side of history.
8. Turn Back the Clock
Meaning: Return to an earlier time.
Example: If I could turn back the clock, I would.
9. A Blast from the Past
Meaning: A nostalgic reminder of the past.
Example: Seeing her was a blast from the past.
10. Bury the Hatchet
Meaning: End a conflict.
Example: Let’s bury the hatchet and move on.
11. Stand the Test of Time
Meaning: Last for a long period.
Example: This tradition has stood the test of time.
12. In Living Memory
Meaning: Within a person’s memory.
Example: It’s the worst flood in living memory.
13. A Thing of the Past
Meaning: No longer existing.
Example: Typewriters are a thing of the past.
14. On Record
Meaning: Officially recorded.
Example: This is the coldest winter on record.
15. From Time Immemorial
Meaning: Since ancient times.
Example: These lands have been ours from time immemorial.
16. Pass into History
Meaning: Become a thing of the past.
Example: The old regime has passed into history.
17. Lost to History
Meaning: Forgotten over time.
Example: Many ancient cultures are lost to history.
18. Trace Back
Meaning: Follow history or origin.
Example: We can trace back our family roots.
19. Hark Back
Meaning: Recall or evoke.
Example: This tradition harks back to medieval times.
20. A Chapter of History
Meaning: A distinct period.
Example: The revolution was a dark chapter of history.
