rhyme or reason

English

Etymology

Attributed to the poet Edmund Spenser. See [1].

Noun

rhyme or reason (uncountable)

1. (idiomatic) Logic. Common sense.

   Prices vary considerably from one town to another with no apparent rhyme or reason.

   He would often fly into an unexpected rage without rhyme or reason.

Usage notes

• Almost always used in a negative form, particularly with no and without

Translations