Idioms
... A blessing in disguise- Something good that isn’t recognized by first
... Bull in china shop- One who causes damage
... A chip on your shoulder- Being upset for something that happened in the past
... A damp squib- Complete failure
... A dime A dozen- Anything that is common and easy to get
... A doubting Thomas- A skeptic who needs physical or personal evidence in order to believe something
... A drop in the bucket- A very small part of something big or whole
... A fool and his money are easily parted- It’s easy for a foolish person to lose his/ her money
... A gentleman at large- An unreliable person
... A green horn- Inexperienced
... A house divided against itself cannot stand- Everyone involved must unify and function together or it will not work out.
... A leopard can’t change his spots- You cannot change who you are
... A lost cause- A hopeless case, a person or situation having no hope of positive change.
... A man of straw- A weak person
... A mare’s nest- A false invention
... A penny saved is a penny earned- By not spending money, you are saving money (little by little...
... A picture paints a thousand words- A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words
... A piece of cake- A task that can be accomplished very easily
... A slap on the wrist- A very mild punishment
... A stalking horse- Pretence
... A steal- Very inexpensive, a bargain
... A taste of your own medicine- When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others
... A toss-up- A result hat is still unclear and can go either way
... A wolf in sheep’s clothing- A dangerous person pretending harmless
... ABC: Very common knowledge about to- Ready to, just going to
... Above all- Mainly, especially
... Above board- Fair and honest
... According to- In the order of; on the authority of
... Actions speak louder than words- It’s better to actually do something than hust talk about it
... Add fuel to the fire- Whenever something is done to make a bad situation even worse than it is
... Against the clock- Rushed and short on time
... All (day, week, month, year... long- The entire day, week, month, year
... All along- All the time, from the beginning (without change...
... All and Sundry- Without making any distinction
... All bark and no bite- When someone is threatening and/ or aggressive but not willing to engage in a fight
... All greek to me- Meaningless and incomprehensible like someone who cannot read, speak, or
... All in all- Considering everything
... All in the same boat- When everyone is facing the same challenges
... All of a sudden- Suddenly, without warning (All at once...
... All right- Acceptable, fine; yes, okay
... Alpha and omega- First and last letter of Greek alphabet, means beginning and end
... An arm and a leg- Very expensive, A large amount of money
... An axe to grind- To have a dispute with someone
... An eye wash- A pretence
... An iron hand- By force
... Apple to my eye- Someone who is cherished above all others
... As a matter of fact- Really, actually (also: as to...
... As for- Regarding, concerning (also: as to...
... As high as a kite- Anything that is high up in the sky
... As soon as- Just after, when
... As usual- as is the general case, as is typical
... At all- To any degree (also: in the least...
... At heart- Basically, fundamentally
... At last- Finally, after a long time
... At least- A minimum of, no fewer (or less... than
... At odds- In dispute
... At sixes and seven- Persons who are having different opinions
... At the drop of a hat- Willing to do something immediately
... Back and call- At the service
... Back and forth- In a backward and forward motion
... Back seat driver- People who criticize from the sidelines, much like someone giving unwanted advice
... Back to square one- Having to start all over again
... Back to the drawing board- When an attempt fails and it’s time to start all over
... Bag and baggage- with all goods
... Baker’s dozen- Thirteen
... Bank on- Depend on, count on
... Barking up the wrong tree- A mistake made in something you are trying to achieve
... Bated breath- In anxiety, expectancy
... Beat a dead horse- To force an issue that has already ended
... Beating around the bash- Avoiding the main topic, not speaking directly about the issue
... Bend over backwards- Do whatever it takes to help. Willing to do anything
... Between a Rock and a Hard place- Stuck between two very bad options
... Between Scylla and Charybdis- Choice between two unpleasant alternatives
... Between the cup and the lips- On the point of achievement
... Bite off more than you can chew- To take on a task that is a way to big
... Bite your tongue- To avoid talking
... Black and white- In writing
... Blood is thicker than water- The family bond is closer than anything else ... Blow hot and cold- Having no stand, shows favour at one time and unfavour at another
... Blue moon- A rare event or occurrence
... Body and soul- Entirely
... Break a leg- A superstitious way to say ‘Good Luck’ without saying ‘Good Luck’, ... Buy a lemon- To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after you drive it ... By & by- Gradually
... By all means- Certainly, definitely, naturally (also: of course...; using any possible way or method
... By far- By a great margin, clearly
... By fits and starts- Irregularly
... By heart- By memorizing
... By hook or by crook- By any means
... By leaps and bound- speedily
... By oneself- Alone, without assistance
... By the way- Incidentally
... Call a spade a spade- Straight talks
... Can’t cut the mustard- Someone who isn’t adequate enough to compete or participate ... Cast iron stomach- Someone who has no problems, complications or ill effects with eating anything
... Cats and bull story- Untrue story
... Cats and dogs- Heavy rain
... Charley horse- stiffness in the leg/ A leg cramp
... Chew someone out- Verbally scold someone
... Chip on his shoulder- Angry today about something that occurred in the past
... Chow down- To eat
... Clear- cut- Clearly stated, definite, apparent
... Close but no cigar- To be near and almost accomplish a goal, but fall short
... Close call- A situation involving a narrow escape from danger
... Cock and bull story- An unbelievable tale, untrue story
... Come hell or high water- Any difficult situation or obstacle
... Crack someone up- To make someone laugh
... Cross your fingers- To hope that something happens the way you want it to
... Cry wolf- Intentionally raise a false alarm
... Cup of joe- A cup of coffee
... Curtain lecture- A reproof by wife to her husband
... Cut and dried- Ready made form
... Cut to the chase- Leave out all the unnecessary details and just get to the point
... Dark horse- One who was previously unknown and is now prominent
... Day in and day out- Continuously, constantly
... Dead Ringer- % identical, a duplicate
... Devil’s advocate- Someone who takes a position for the sake of argument without believing in that
... Dog days of summer- The hottest day of the summer season
... Don’t count your chickens before they hatch- Don’t rely on it until you sure of it ... Don’t look a gift horse in the month- When someone gives you a gift, don’t be ungrateful
... Don’t pull all your eggs in one basket- Do not pull all your resources in one possibility
... Doozy- Something outstanding
... Down to the wire- Something that ends at the last minute or last few seconds ... Drastic times call for drastic measures- When you are extremely desperate you need to take extremely desperate actions
... Drink like a fish- To drink very heavily, drinking anything
... Dry run- Rehearsal
... Egg on- To urge somebody
... Eighty six- A certain item is no longer available. Or this idiom can also mean, to throw away
... Elvis has left the building- The show has come to an end. It’s all over
... Ethnic cleansing- Killing of a certain ethnic or religious group on a massive scale ... Ever and anon- Now and then
... Every cloud has a silver lining- Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days
... Every other (one...- Every second (one..., alternate (ones...
... Everything but the kitchen sink- Almost everything and anything has been included
... Excuse my French- Please forgive me for cussing
... Fabian policy- Policy of delaying decisions
... Face-to-face- Direct, personal; directly, personally (written without hyphens...
... Fair and wide- Equal opportunity to all
... Far and wide- Every where
... Few and far between- Not frequent, unusual, rare
... Field day- An enjoyable day or circumstance
... Fifty- fifty- Divided into two equal parts
... Finding your feet- To become more comfortable in whatever you are doing
... Finger licking good- To become more comfortable in whatever you are doing
... Fire and brimstone- A very tasty food or meal
... Fire and fury- Fearful penalties
... First and foremost- Extreme enthusiasm
... Fishy: doubtful- Highest priority
... Fixed in your ways- Not willing or wanting to change from your normal way of doing something
... Flash in the pan- Something that shows potential or looks promising in the beginning but fails to deliver
... Flea market- A swap meet. A place where people gather to buy and sell inexpensive goods
... Flesh and blood- This idiom can mean living material of which people are made of, or it can refer to human nature
... Flip the bird- To raise your middle finger at someone
... Foam at the mouth- To be enraged and show it
... Fools’ Gold- Iron pyrites, a worthless rock that resembles real gold
... Foot the bill- Bear expenses
... For good- Permanently, forever
... For once- This one time, for only one time
... For sure- Without doubt (also: for certain...
... For the time being- Temporarily (also: for now...
... Free and easy- Natural and simple
... French kiss- An open mouth kiss where tongues touch
... From now on- From this time into the future
... From rags to riches- To go from very poor to being very wealthy
... Fuddy- duddy- An old-fashioned and foolish type of person
... Full monty- This idiom can mean either, “The whole thing” or “Completely nude”
... Funny farm- A mental institutional facility
... Gall and wormwood- Source of irritation
... Get down to brass tacks- To become serious about something
... Get over it- To move beyond something that is bothering you
... Get up on the wrong side of the bed- Someone who is having a horrible day
... Get your walking papers- Get fired from the job
... Gird up the loin- To be ready
... Give and take- Compromise, cooperation between people
... Give him the slip- To get away from, to escape
... Give in- Surrender
... Go down like a lead balloon- To be received badly by an audience
... Go for broke- To gamble everything you have
... Go out on a limb- Put yourself in a tough position in order to support someone/ something
... Go the extra mile- Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand ... Good Samaritan- Someone who helps others when they are in need, with no discussion for
... Graveyard shift- Working hours from about : am to .
... Great minds think alike- Intelligent people think like each other
... Green room- The waiting room, especially for those who are about to go on a TV or radio show
... Gut feeling- A personal intuition you get, especially when feel something may not be right
... Had better- Should, ought to, be advisable to
... Hand a gloves- Very intimate friends
... Hard and fast- Certain
... Hard of hearing- Partially deaf, not able to hear well
... Haste makes waste- Quickly doing things results in a poor ending
... Hat Trick- When one player scores three goals in the same hockey game.
... Haughty and naughty- Arrogant and naughty
... Have an axe to grind- To have a dispute with someone
... Have got- To have, to possess
... Have got to- Must (also: have to...
... He lost his head- Angry and overcome by emotions
... Head and shoulder- Superior
... Head over heels- Very excited and/ or joyful, especially when in love
... Heart and soul- With full devotion
... Hell in a hand basket- Deteriorating and headed for complete disaster
... Helter Shelter-Here and there
... Herculean task- A tedious job
... High five- Slapping palms above each others heads as celebration gesture
... High on the Hog- Living in luxury
... Hit below the belt- Contrary the principles of fairness
... Hit the books- To study, especially for a test or exam
... Hit the hay- Go to bed or go to sleep
... Hit the nail on the head- Do something exactly right or say something exactly right
... Hit the sack- Go to bed or go to sleep
... Hither and thither- Here and there
... Hocus Pocus- In general, a term used in magic or trickery
... Hold your horses- Be patient
... Hole and corner policy- A secret policy for an evil purpose
... Hornet’s nest- Raise controversy
... Hue and cry- Great noise
... Hush money- A bribe
... Icing on the cake- When you already have it good and get something on top of what you already have
... Idle hands are the devil’s tools- You are more likely to get in trouble if you have nothing to do
... If it’s not one thing, it’s another- When one thing goes wrong, then another, and another…
... Ill at ease- Uncomfortable or worried in a situation
... In a hurry- Hurried, rushed (also: in a rush...
... In case- In order to be prepared if the meaning is in order to be prepared if something happens
... In hand- Under firm control, well managed
... In like Flynn- To be easily successful, especially when sexual or romantic
... In no time- Very quickly, rapidly
... In the bag- To have something secured
... In the buff- Nude
... In the heat of the moment- Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment
... In the long run- Eventually, after a long period of time
... In the worst way- Very much, greatly
... In time to- Before the time necessary to do something
... In touch- Having contact
... In vain- Useless, without the desired result
... In your face- An aggressive and bold confrontation
... Ins and outs- Full detail
... Inside out- With the inside facing the outside
... Intents and purposes- Practically
... It figures- It seems likely, reasonable, or typical
... It takes two to tango- A two person conflict where both people are at fault
... It’s a small world- You frequently see the same people in different places
... It anyone’s call- A competition where the outcome is difficult to judge or predict
... Ivory tower- Imaginary world
... Ivy league- Since the Ivy league has been the following universities: Columbia, Brown, Cornell
... Jaywalk- Crossing the street (from the middle... without using the crosswalk
... Joshing me- Tricking me
... Keep an eye on him- You should carefully watch him. Keep an eye on
... Keep body and soul together- To earn a sufficient amount of money in order to keep yourself alive
... Keep your chin up- To remain joyful in a tough situation
... Kick the bucket- Die
... Kith and kin- Blood relatives
... Kitty-corner- Diagonally across. Sometimes called Catty- Corner as well
... Knock on Wood- Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid some bad luck
... Know the ropes- To understand the details
... Last but not least- An introduction phrase to let the audience know that the last person mentioned is also very important
... Last straw- The final event in a series of unacceptable actions
... Latin and Greek- Unable to understand
... Leave no stone unturned- Make all possible efforts
... Lend me your ear- To politely ask for someone’s full attention
... Length and breadth- All over
... Let along- and certainly not (also: not to mention, to say nothing of...
... Let the cat out of the bag- To share a secret that wasn’t suppose to be shared
... Level playing field- A fair competition where no side has an advantage
... Life and soul- Main support
... Like a chicken and its head cut off- To act in a frenzied manner
... Liquor someone up- To get someone drunk
... Little by little- Gradually, slowly (also: step by step...
... Live-wire- Energetic
... Loaves and fish- Material interests
... Lock and key- In safe place
... Long in the tooth- Old people (or horses...
... Loose cannon- Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage if not kept in check
... Make no bones about- To state a fact so there are no doubts or objections
... Method to my madness- Strange or crazy actions that appear meaningless but in the end are done for a good reason
... Might and main- With all enthusiasm
... Milk and water- Weak
... More or less- Approximately, almost, somewhat, to a certain degree
... Mumbo Jumbo- Nonsense or meaningless speech
... Mum’s the word- To keep quiet, To say nothing
... Narrow-minded- Not willing to accept the ideas of others