“Meet your Waterloo” means to suffer a decisive, often final defeat. The phrase comes from Napoleon’s loss at Waterloo in 1815.

“Carte blanche” came from the idea of a signed blank document. Today it means complete freedom to decide or act.

Absquatulate is a playful old American slang verb meaning to leave suddenly, often to avoid trouble. Learn its tone and see an example.

Serendipity was not inherited from old English. Horace Walpole coined it in 1754 for lucky discoveries made by accident.

This expression means being born into wealth and privilege. Its image comes from silver spoons as old signs of family status.