10 Common Phrases You Didn’t Realize Have Origins in the Military

The American military has left a huge mark on our everyday language, with tons of common expressions coming straight from the various branches of service. Whether you’re chatting with friends or sitting in a business meeting, you’re probably using military terminology without even knowing it. These phrases, born in the structured (and sometimes chaotic) world of military life, have found their way into our daily conversations while still keeping their practical essence.

Related: 10 Common Phrases That You Might Not Know Have Nautical Origins

10Roger That

Ever catch yourself saying “Roger that” when you understand something? You’re actually using old-school military radio protocol. The term came from wireless telegraphy, where “Roger” (phonetic for ‘R’) simply meant ‘received.’ In military comms, clear confirmation is essential—no room for “maybe I heard you” when lives are on the line. Today, we toss it around casually to show agreement or understanding, completely forgetting its radio roots.

9Got Your Six

This reassuring phrase is military-speak for “I’ve got your back.” It comes from pilots and soldiers using clock positions for directions—12 o’clock is straight ahead, so 6 o’clock is directly behind you. When someone says they’ve “got your six,” they’re promising to watch your blind spot, the place you’re most vulnerable. The expression has spread like wildfire in team environments where having each other’s backs matters, from office settings to friend groups, as a shorthand for loyalty and protection.

8On the Double

When your boss tells you to do something “on the double,” they’re basically ordering you to move your butt—and channeling their inner drill sergeant. This phrase comes from marching formations where soldiers would be told to move “in double time,” meaning pick up the pace, pronto. The military’s obsession with efficiency and speed carried this expression into everyday life, where it still conveys that unmistakable sense of “do it now, not later.”

7No Man’s Land

While most of us picture the deadly ground between WWI trenches when we hear “no man’s land,” the phrase actually goes way back to 14th-century England, where it originally referred to burial grounds. Over time, it evolved to mean any dangerous or contested space where nobody has control. These days, people use it to describe everything from awkward social situations to political deadlocks—situations where you feel exposed and vulnerable, miles away from its battlefield origins but still carrying that sense of danger.

6Bite the Bullet

Facing something tough and someone tells you to “bite the bullet”? You can thank (or blame) Civil War field surgeons for that one. Back before anesthesia was widely available, wounded soldiers would literally bite down on a bullet during operations to help keep from screaming in pain. [6] Pretty brutal, right? That vivid image was so powerful that it stuck around as our go-to phrase for dealing with unpleasant situations with a stiff upper lip.

5FUBAR

This acronym stands for “Fouled Up Beyond All Recognition” (though let’s be honest, the original military version used a stronger F-word than “fouled”). Born during WWII, it perfectly captures those moments when everything has gone catastrophically wrong. Like its cousin “SNAFU” (Situation Normal, All Fouled Up), the term acknowledged the inevitable chaos of military operations. Today, you’ll hear FUBAR in offices and bars when describing total disasters, though many people who drop it in conversation have no clue they’re using military slang.

4On the Front Lines

This expression describes being in the most exposed position in any challenging situation. It originally referred to the literal front line of battle—you know, where people were actively trying to kill you. The term got a major workout during the COVID-19 pandemic when we all started describing healthcare workers as being “on the front lines” of the crisis. It’s a perfect example of how military language evolves to fit civilian crises while keeping its core meaning of facing immediate danger.

3Balls to the Wall

Despite sounding kinda dirty to modern ears, this phrase has completely mechanical origins. It comes from aviation, where the round knobs (balls) on airplane throttle levers would be pushed all the way to the firewall of the cockpit when pilots needed maximum power. The expression basically means going full throttle or giving 100% effort. These days, you’ll hear it everywhere from boardrooms to gyms, with most people having absolutely no idea they’re using pilot lingo.

2Heard Through The Grapevine

Long before it was a hit song, this phrase was all about the American Civil War. Back then, telegraph lines looked a lot like grapevines, quickly carrying news from the frontlines. The term became shorthand for hearing or learning something through informal channels. Today, it’s a catchy way to say you got the scoop through rumors and gossip.

1Hurry Up and Wait

Anyone who’s served will give a knowing eye-roll at this phrase. It perfectly captures the frustrating military experience of being rushed like crazy to prepare or arrive somewhere, only to then sit around twiddling your thumbs for hours before anything actually happens. It reflects the military’s obsession with punctuality smashing head-first into the logistical nightmare of moving large groups of people and equipment. The expression has found a natural home in civilian life, airports, DMVs, doctor’s offices, and anywhere that combines frantic preparation with soul-crushing waiting periods.