Wizarding Expressions

"No such thing as conjuring a sandwich."

The wizarding equivalent to "No such thing as a free lunch". Based on the idea of Gamp's Law of Elemental Transfiguration in that food cannot be created out of thin air. Essentially, nothing worthwhile is ever free, or good deals always have a price.

In context...Cards on the Table

"Secrets are like manticores. They might kill your chickens if you let it out, but you'll die trying to keep it in your cottage."

Based on an old Wizarding fairy tale, this saying cautions readers from keeping secrets even if telling the truth might cause you trouble. Keeping the secret could be even worse.

In context... Little Red Pays a House Call

"Too many witches around the cauldron."

Essentially, too many people trying to make decisions, just like 'too many cooks in the kitchen'.

"We've got a gas leak."

In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Muggles mistake the Killing Curse (which leaves no sign, other than the victim being dead) used on a family of Muggles for a gas leak. The expression "we've got a gas leak" has entered into use among Aurors and Hitwizards to mean one or more Muggles have been killed, and Dark wizards are suspected of the murders.

"Dawlish is on it."

A reference to Auror John Dawlish who, despite his excellent qualifications (all "Outstanding"s on his N.E.W.T.s), was overcome not only by Albus Dumbledore (twice), but also Rubeus Hagrid and Augusta Longbottom. On Level Two, "Dawlish is on it" is used to mean "It's about to be bungled."

"Late to the battle, early to the grave."

An Auror proverb, stressing the importance of being on time. Its exact origin is unknown, but it was definitely in use by the end of the First Wizarding War. Possibly coined by Alastor Moody.

"Crouched"

Capitalized and used as a transitive verb ("Yeah, Bob got Crouched"), this phrase is used in the Ministry to mean someone was transferred between departments, usually as a punitive measure or to avoid promoting him. It is a reference to Bartemius Crouch, Sr., who, after a loss of public favor, went from being Head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement to Head of the Department of International Magical Cooperation, instead of the previously expected promotion to Minister for Magic.

"Oblivated Grin"

The daffy, vapid, blissful expression of someone who's had their memory removed. Used figuratively, it's used to describe people who don't know enough any better and smile anyway.

In context ...Defense Class

"Flush Yourself"

A phrase that means something similar to 'bugger off' or 'sod off', and references the least popular method of transportation in the Ministry: flooing by flushing. It was mentioned by Harry in Book 7, as he watched a Ministry worker use a gold token, stand in the toilet bowl, flush, and then appear in one of the Ministry fireplaces.

In context ...Floo Powder Power, Great Hall Fight

"Cusses like a thrown gnome"

To swear colorfully. References how grumbling lawn gnomes are expelled from a garden, sometimes violently, and their vehement protestations.

In context...Your Princess is in Another Castle

"Cauldron bottom"

References to cauldron bottoms and cauldron thickness is an inside Ministry expression to describe mundane, trivial and otherwise archaic Ministry matters. Used frequently among Wizengamot Elders.

"Don't be such a Glumbumble!"

Don't be a wet blanket or a spoilsport! The Glumbumble is a magical creature that harvests a melancholy-inducing treacle.

In Context... The Case of Sir Bredbeddle Greene.

"Can't put a spell back in a wand, old friend!"

Can't withdraw what has already been said. Possibly also equivalent to 'cat out of the bag'.

"Diagon wasn’t built in a day!"

The wizarding equivalent of 'Rome wasn't built in a day', cautioning others that things take time.

"Throw salt in the cauldron"

To ruin something or gum up the works. Like throwing a wrench/spanner into the works. Based on the idea that salt, curiously, will ruin just about any potion. [1]

"A witch has only one wand."

You can only do so much at a time.

"Pogrebin[2] Parents."

The wizarding equivalent of helicopter parents.

"You can dip your quill into my inkpot anytime."

Infamous pick-up line, more likely to incite groans than interest.

"There's gold in a clean cauldron."

An old saying among potion-brewers. Doing things properly pays off in the long run. [3]

"You can't live on Pensieve soup."

Dwelling on past memories isn't good for you. [4]

"Demonstrating to the sorcerer"

Explaining something to someone who already is an expert or in the know. Equivalent of 'teaching your grandmother to suck eggs' or 'preaching to the converted'. [5]

= "When the shit hits the broomstick"

The equivalent of 'when it hits the fan'. When things get really bad.