Idioms: A,B,C,D.

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Corinthians 13:13



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A dictionary for English idioms,


Prepositions, Collocations, Slang and


Phrasal verbs?


Click here to get it at once.




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Idioms in English Language



Meaning:



An idiom is a phrase or saying that is commonly used in

everyday English to express certain ideas or opinions.

Understanding English idioms is important because they

require a deeper familiarity of the English language to

comprehend what someone means when they use them

 in conversation.



Idioms may seem complicated at first, but they can actually

 be a lot of fun to learn. If you’re interested in building your

 English skills, read on to find out why idioms are so

important to your English language learning.


 


Promoting Healthy Foods in Schools - Thriving Schools | A partnership for  healthy students, staff & teachers



How to Use Idioms in Writing



Idioms are a type of figurative language writers can use to

add dynamism and character to otherwise stale writing.

Writers can also use idioms to:



Add humor: Idiomatic expressions can help transform flat

descriptions with the help of a funny turn-of-phrase. For

instance, rather than describing someone as not very smart,

 you could say they are “not the sharpest tool in the shed”

or “not the brightest star in the sky.” In addition to conveying

 that the subject in question is not intelligent, the inherent

comparison of a person’s brain to a toolbox or a star is

unexpected and humorous.





Engage the reader: By inserting an idiomatic phrase into

your writing, you force the reader to shift from think inliterally

 to abstractly. This can help focus and excite the reader, as

they must activate a more conceptual part of their brain to

comprehend the idiom’s meaning. For example, the idiom

“biting off more than they can chew” describes someone

taking on a challenging task. Using this idiom can

encourage the reader to conjure a visual image in their

head.




Evoke a specific region: Certain idioms can be unique to a

 particular group of people or world area. For instance, “that

dog won’t hunt” is a common idiom in the Southern United

States that means something doesn’t work or make sense.

On the other hand, if someone were to refer to a mess or a

debacle as a “dog’s dinner,” they are likely British. In fiction

 writing, the strategic employment of specific idioms can

often add a regional flavor and authenticity to your

characters.





Share a point of view: Idioms can express commonly

shared or universal ideas, so there are often dozens of

idioms that apply to the same concept. However, depending

 on which idiom you choose, you can convey an entirely

different attitude or point of view about the subject. For

example, several idioms express the concept of death. If

you were to write that someone “passed away,” you are

using an idiom to describe death in a graceful, delicate way.

Alternatively, you could say that a person “kicked the

bucket,” a much cruder way of describing the act of dying.

Though both idioms ultimately mean the same thing, they

convey entirely different attitudes toward death.




Simplify complex ideas: Often, idioms can help express a

large or abstract idea in a way that is concise and easy to

understand. For instance, you could say that two things are

impossible to compare to one another because they

possess different traits or meanings. Or you could say it’s

like “comparing apples to oranges.” In this case, using an

idiom helps express the same idea in a much simpler way.

 






Idioms start with:


 (A,     B,      C,      D. )




Have you learnt about " Idioms '? If no, here is a research done by

other great experts. "Idioms " is one of the resources of education that

makes you practise English properly.

 






A dictionary for English idioms?


Click here to get it at once.




English language learning



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~ A ~




A bit much


If something is excessive or annoying, it is a bit much.



A chain is no stronger than its weakest link

This means that processes, organizations, etc, are vulnerable because the weakest person or part can always damage or break them.




A day late and a dollar short

(USA) If something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late.




A fool and his money are soon parted

This idiom means that people who aren't careful with their money spend it quickly. 'A fool and his money are easily parted' is an alternative form of the idiom.




A fool at 40 is a fool forever

If someone hasn't matured by the time they reach forty, they never will.





A hitch in your giddy-up

If you have a hitch in your giddy-up, you're not feeling well. ('A hitch in your gittie-up' is also used.)




A lick and a promise

If you give something a lick and a promise, you do it hurriedly, most often incompletely, intending to return to it later.





A little bird told me

If someone doesn't want to say where they got some information from, they can say that a little bird told them.




A little learning is a dangerous thing

A small amount of knowledge can cause people to think they are more expert than they really are.eg. he said he'd done a course on home electrics, but when he tried to mend my table lamp, he fused all the lights! I think a little learning is a dangerous thing





A long row to hoe

Something that is a long row to hoe is a difficult task that takes a long time.




A lost ball in the high weeds

A lost ball in the high weeds is someone who does not know what they are doing, where they are or how to do something.




A month of Sundays

A month of Sundays is a long period of time: I haven't seen her in a month of Sundays.




A OK

If things are A OK, they are absolutely fine.




A penny for your thoughts

This idiom is used as a way of asking someone what they are thinking about.




A penny saved is a penny earned

This means that we shouldn't spend or waste money, but try to save it.




A picture is worth a thousand words

A picture can often get a message across much better than the best verbal description.





A poor man's something

Something or someone that can be compared to something or someone else, but is not as good is a poor man's version; a writer who uses lots of puns but isn't very funny would be a poor man's Oscar Wilde.





A pretty penny

If something costs a pretty penny, it is very expensive.




A problem shared is a problem halved

If you talk about your problems, it will make you feel better.




A rising tide lifts all boats

This idiom, coined by John F Kennedy, describes the idea that when an economy is performing well, all people will benefit from it.





A rolling stone gathers no moss

People say this to mean that that an ambitious person is more successful than a person not trying to achieve anything. Originally it meant the opposite and was critical of people trying to get ahead.





A slice off a cut loaf is never missed

Used colloquially to describe having sexual intercourse with someone who is not a virgin, especially when they are in a relationship. The analogy refers to a loaf of bread; it is not readily apparent, once the end has been removed, exactly how many slices have been taken.('You never miss a slice from a cut loaf' is also used.)  



A steal

If something is a steal, it costs much less than it is really worth.



A still tongue keeps a wise head
Wise people don't talk much.
A watched pot never boils

Some things work out in their own time, so being impatient and constantly checking will just make things seem longer.



A1

If something is A1, it is the very best or finest.




Abide by a decision

If you abide by a decision, you accept it and comply with it, even though you might disagree with it.




Abject lesson

(India) An abject lesson serves as a warning to others. (In some varieties of English 'object lesson' is used.)





About as useful as a chocolate teapot

Someone or something that is of no practical use is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.




About face

If someone changes their mind completely, this is an about face. It can be used when companies, governments, etc, change their position on an issue.




Above board

If things are done above board, they are carried out in a legal and proper manner.





Above par

Better than average or normal




Absence makes the heart grow fonder

This idiom means that when people are apart, their love grows stronger.


 



Idioms Give You a New Way to



Express Yourself in the



English Language




The meaning of an idiom generally depends on the specific

context in which it is used. When someone in America tells

you to ‘break a leg’, for example, they aren’t saying that in a

literal sense, but instead are wishing you good luck, usually

before a performance. Similarly, if someone asks you to ‘think

outside the box’, they mean that you should use a different

approach than what you might normally do.



Idioms are particularly useful because they give you a new,

creative way to express yourself. Rather than saying ‘You’re

correct’, you could say ‘You hit the nail on the head’, which is

 a more complex and interesting expression. Idioms can also

be quite humorous to use, which allows you to express

yourself in a more genuine way, including showing off your

personality and sense of humor.




Understanding Idioms Can


Boost Your Conversational


English Skills



You may encounter idioms most often in spoken or written

conversation. Idioms can help improve your conversational

skills because it shows native speakers that you understand

the cultural meaning and context behind the idiom you’re

using. This can help you feel more comfortable and confident

with your conversational abilities the more you practice it

during your  courses.



You don’t have to start with the most complex idiom, either—

even a simple ‘break a leg’ can help you connect in a more

meaningful way during the conversation you’re sharing.




Learning about Idioms Can Help Enrich


What You Learn in Your ESL Lessons



Native speakers often use idioms more than someone who is

new to the language, simply because they are more familiar

with them and know the context in which they should be used.

Therefore, when you use an idiom, you sound more like a

native speaker.



It also helps if you think of English as if it were a soup – the

basics may be good, but you need a little extra flavor to take it

to the next level. Idioms, in that sense, are the spice that you

can add to your English skills as you progress through your

ESL lessons. Understanding the basics of English is a good

start, but idioms can help you explore the language in a

deeper, more meaningful way.


 




Accident waiting to happen

If something is an accident waiting to happen, there's definitely going to be an accident or it's bound to go wrong. ('Disaster waiting to happen' is also used.)




Ace in the hole

An ace in the hole is something other people are not aware of that can be used to your advantage when the time is right.




Ace up your sleeve

If you have an ace up your sleeve, you have something that will give you an advantage that other people don't know about.





Achilles' heel

A person's weak spot is their Achilles' heel.




Acid test
An acid test is something that proves whether something is good, effective, etc, or not.


Across the board
If something applies to everybody, it applies across the board.


Across the ditch

(NZ) This idiom means on the other side of the Tasman Sea, used to refer to Australia or New Zealand depending on the speaker's location.





Across the pond

(UK) This idiom means on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, used to refer to the US or the UK depending on the speaker's location.




Act of God

An act of God is something like an earthquake or floods that human beings cannot prevent or control.




Act of war

An act of war is a action that is either intended to start a war or that is interpreted as being sufficient cause for a war.




Actions speak louder than words

This idiom means that what people actually do is more important than what they say- people can promise things but then fail to deliver.




Adam's apple

The Adam's apple is a bulge in the throat, mostly seen in men.




Add fuel to the fire

If people add fuel to the fire, they make a bad situation worse.




Add insult to injury

When people add insult to injury, they make a bad situation even worse.




After your own heart

A person after your own heart thinks the same way as you.




Against the clock

If you do something against the clock, you are rushed and have very little time to do it.



Against the grain

If doing something goes against the grain, you're unwilling to do it because it contradicts what you believe in, but you have no real choice
.


Age before beauty

When this idiom is used, it is a way of allowing an older person to do something first, though often in a slightly sarcastic way.



Agony aunt

An agony aunt is a newspaper columnist who gives advice to people having problems, especially personal ones.




Ahead of the curve

Similar to ahead of the pack, ahead of the curve literally refers to your position on the statistical bell curve, where the top of the curve represents the median, average result. By being ahead of the curve you represent the top percentile of results that either has the advanced skills or understanding that sets you apart.




Ahead of the pack

If you are ahead of the pack, you have made more progress than your rivals.




Ahead of time

If something happens ahead of time, it happens early or before the set time.




Air your dirty laundry in public

If you air your dirty laundry in public, you reveal aspects of your private life that should really remain private, by telling a secret, arguing in public, etc.





Albatross around your neck

An albatross around, or round, your neck is a problem resulting from something you did that stops you from being successful.




Alike as two peas

If people or things are as alike as two peas, they are identical.




Alive and kicking

If something is active and doing well, it is alive and kicking.  (It can be used for people too.)




All along

If you have known or suspected something all along, then you have felt this from the beginning.




All and sundry

This idiom is a way of emphasising 'all', like saying 'each and every one'.




All bark and no bite

When someone talks tough but really isn't, they are all bark and no bite.





All bets are off

(USA) If all bets are off, then agreements that have been made no longer apply.





All dressed up and nowhere to go

You're prepared for something that isn't going to happen.




All ears

If someone says they're all ears, they are very interested in hearing about something.




All eyes on me

If all eyes are on someone, then everyone is paying attention to them.




All fingers and thumbs

If you're all fingers and thumbs, you are too excited or clumsy to do something properly that requires manual dexterity. 'All thumbs' is an alternative form of the idiom.




All hat, no cattle

(USA) When someone talks big, but cannot back it up, they are all hat, no cattle.('Big hat, no cattle' is also used.)




All heart

Someone who is all heart is very kind and generous.




All hell broke loose

When all hell breaks loose, there is chaos, confusion and trouble.




All in a day's work

If something is all in a day's work, it is nothing special.




All in your head

If something is all in your head, you have imagined it and it is not real.




All mod cons

If something has all mod cons, it has all the best and most desirable features. It is an abbreviation of 'modern convenience' that was used in house adverts.




All mouth and trousers

(UK) Someone who's all mouth and trousers talks or boasts a lot but doesn't deliver. 'All mouth and no trousers' is also used, though this is a corruption of the original.




All my eye and Peggy Martin

(UK) An idiom that appears to have gone out of use but was prevalent in the English north Midlands of Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire from at least the turn of the 20th century until the early 1950s or so.




All of the above

This idiom can be used to mean everything that has been said or written, especially all the choices or possibilities.




All over bar the shouting

When something is all over bar the shouting, the outcome is absolutely certain.('All over but the shouting' is also used.)




All over Hell's half acre

(USA) If you have been all over Hell's half acre, you have been traveling and visiting many more places than originally intended, usually because you were unsuccessful in finding what you were looking for. It can also be used to mean everywhere.




All over the map

(USA) If something like a discussion is all over the map, it doesn't stick to the main topic and goes off on tangents.




All over the place

If something is completely disorganized or confused, it is all over the place.




All over the shop

If something is completely disorganised or confused, it is all over the shop.




All over the show

If something is all over the show, it's in a complete mess.An alternative to 'All over the shop'.




All roads lead to Rome

This means that there can be many different ways of doing something.




All set

If you're all set, you are ready for something.




All sixes

If something is all sixes, it doesn't matter how it's done; it's the same as 'six of one and half a dozen of the other'.




All skin and bone

If a person is very underweight, they are all skin and bone, or bones.




All square

If something is all square, nobody has an advantage or is ahead of the others.




All talk and no trousers

(UK) Someone who is all talk and no trousers, talks about doing big, important things, but doesn't take any action.




All that glitters is not gold

This means that appearances can be deceptive and things that look or sound valuable can be worthless. ('All that glistens is not gold' is an alternative.)




All the rage

If something's all the rage, it is very popular or fashionable at the moment.




All the tea in China

If someone won't do something for all the tea in China, they won't do it no matter how much money they are offered.




All your eggs in one basket

If you put all your eggs in one basket, you risk everything at once, instead of trying to spread the risk. )





All's fair in love and war

This idiom is used to say that where there is conflict, people can be expected to behave in a more vicious way.




All's well that ends well

If the end result is good, then everything is good.




All-singing, all-dancing

If something's all-singing, all-dancing, it is the latest version with the most up-to-date features.





Alter ego

An alter ego is a very close and intimate friend. It is a Latin phrase that literally means 'other self'.




Always a bridesmaid, never a bride

If someone is always a bridesmaid, never a bride, they never manage to fulfill their ambition- they get close, but never manage the recognition, etc, they crave.


 



Ambulance chaser
A lawyer who encourages people who have been in accidents or become ill to sue for compensation is an ambulance chaser.


Amen
Some use 'Amen' or 'Amen to that' as a way of agreeing with something that has just been said.


An apple a day keeps the doctor away
Eating healthy food keeps you healthy.


An old flame
An old flame is a person that somebody has had an emotional, usually passionate, relationship with, who is still looked on fondly and with affection.


An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
This expression means that is is better to try to avoid problems in the first place, rather than trying to fix them once they arise.


And all that jazz
This idiom means that everything related or similar is included.


Angry as a bear
If someone is as angry as a bear, they are very angry.('Angry as a bear with a sore foot' is also used.)


Angry as a bull
If someone is as angry as a bull, they are very angry.


Answers on a postcard
This idiom can be used to suggest that the answer to something is very obvious or that the person would really like to hear what people think.


Ants in your pants
If someone has ants in their pants, they are agitated or excited about something and can't keep still.


Any port in a storm
This means that in an emergency any solution will do, even one that would normally be unacceptable.


Any Tom, Dick or Harry
If something could be done by any Tom, Dick or Harry, it could be done by absolutely anyone.


Apple of your eye
Something or, more often, someone that is very special to you is the 'apple of your' eye.


Apple pie order
Everything is in perfect order and tidy if it is in apple pie order.


Apples and oranges
Tis used when people compare or describe two totally different things. ('Apples to oranges' is also used.)


Apples for apples
An apples for apples comparison is a comparison between related or simialr things. ('Apples to apples' is also used.)


Apron strings
A man who is tied to a woman's apron strings is excessively dependent on her, especially when it is his mother's apron strings.


Argue the toss
(UK) If you argue the toss, you refuse to accept a decision and argue about it.


Arm and a leg
If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive.


Armchair critic
An armchair critic is someone who offers advice but never shows that they could actually do any better.


Armed to the teeth
If people are armed to the teeth, they have lots of weapons.


Around the clock
If something is open around the clock, it is open 24 hours a day. For example, an airport is open around the clock.


Arrow in the quiver
An arrow in the quiver is a strategy or option that could be used to achieve your objective.


As a rule
If you do something as a rule, then you usually do it.


As cold as ice
This idiom can be used to describe a person who does not show any emotion.


As cold as stone
If something is as cold as stone, it is very cold. If a person is as cold as stone, they are unemotional.


As cool as a cucumber
If someone is as cool as a cucumber, they don't get worried by anything.


As good as new
If something has been used but is still in extremely good condition, it is as good as new.


As mad as a hatter
This simile means that someone is crazy or behaves very strangely. In the past many people who made hats went insane because they had a lot of contact with mercury.


As mad as a wrongly shot hog
(USA) If someone is as mad as a wrongly shot hog, they are very angry. (Same as, Angry as a bear or Angry as a bull).


As much use as a chocolate fire-guard
A fire-guard is used in front of a fireplace for safety. A chocolate fire-guard is of no use. An alternative to 'As much use as a chocolate teapot'.


As much use as a chocolate teapot
Something that is as much use as a chocolate teapot is not useful at all.


As much use as a handbrake on a canoe
This idiom is used to describe someone or something as worthless or pointless.


As neat as a new pin
This idiom means tidy and clean.


As one man
If people do something as one man, then they do it at exactly the same time or in complete agreement.


As the actress said to the bishop
(UK) This idiom is used to highlight a sexual reference, deliberate or accidental.


As the crow flies
This idiom is used to describe the shortest possible distance between two places.


As you sow, so shall you reap
This means that if you do bad things to people, bad things will happen to you, or good things if you do good things.


Asleep at the switch
If someone is asleep at the switch, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities very carefully. 'Asleep at the wheel' is an alternative.


Asleep at the wheel
If someone is asleep at the wheel, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities very carefully. 'Asleep at the switch' is an alternative.


 


At a drop of a dime
(USA) If someone will do something at the drop of a dime, they will do it instantly, without hesitation

.
At a loose end
(UK) If you are at a loose end, you have spare time but don't know what to do with it.



At a loss
If you are at a loss, you are unable to understand or comply.


At a snail's pace
If something moves at a snail's pace, it moves very slowly.


At arm's length
If something is at arm's length, it is a safe distance away from you.


At cross purposes
When people are at cross purposes, they misunderstand each other or have different or opposing objectives.


At daggers drawn
If people are at daggers drawn, they are very angry and close to violence.


At death's door
If someone looks as if they are at death's door, they look seriously unwell and might actually be dying.


At each other's throats
If people are at each other's throats, they are fighting, arguing or competing ruthlessly.


At full tilt
If something is at full tilt, it is going or happening as fast or as hard as possible.


At large
If a criminal is at large, they have not been found or caught.


At loggerheads
If people are at loggerheads, they are arguing and can't agree on anything.


At loose ends
(USA) If you are at a loose end, you have spare time but don't know what to do with it.


At odds
If you are at odds with someone, you cannot agree with them and argue.


At sea
If things are at sea, or all at sea, they are disorganized and chaotic.

At the bottom of the totem pole
(USA) If someone is at the bottom of the totem pole, they are unimportant. Opposite is at the top of the totem pole.


At the coalface
If you work at the coalface, you deal with the real problems and issues, rather than sitting in a office discussing things in a detached way.


At the drop of a hat
If you would do something at the drop of a hat, you'd do it immediately.


At the end of the day
This is used to mean 'in conclusion' or 'when all is said and done'.


At the end of your rope
(USA) If you are at the end of your rope, you are at the limit of your patience or endurance.


At the end of your tether
(UK) If you are at the end of your tether, you are at the limit of your patience or endurance.


At the fore
In a leading position


At the top of my lungs
If you shout at the top of your lungs, you shout as loudly as you possibly can.


At the top of the list
If something is at the top of the list, it is of highest priority, most important, most urgent, or the next in one's line of attention.


At the top of your lungs
If you shout at the top of your lungs, you shout as loudly as you possibly can.


At the top of your voice
If you talk, shout or sing at the top of your voice, you do it as loudly as you can.

At your wit's end
If you're at your wit's end, you really don't know what you should do about something, no matter how hard you think about it.


At your wits' end
If you are at your wits' end, you have no idea what to do next and are very frustrated.


Average Joe
An average Joe is an ordinary person without anything exceptional about them.


Avowed intent
If someone makes a solemn or serious promise publicly to attempt to reach a certain goal, this is their avowed intent.


Away with the fairies
If someone is away with the fairies, they don't face reality and have unrealistic expectations of life.


Awe inspiring
Something or someone that is awe inspiring amazes people in a slightly frightening but positive way.


AWOL
AWOL stands for "Absent Without Leave", or "Absent Without Official Leave". Orignially a military term, it is used when someone has gone missing without telling anyone or asking for permission.


Axe to grind
If you have an axe to grind with someone or about something, you have a grievance, a resentment and you want to get revenge or sort it out. In American English, it is 'ax'.


 



~ B ~

 

Babe in arms

A babe in arms is a very young child, or a person who is very young to be holding a position.




Babe in the woods

A babe in the woods is a naive, defenceless, young person.



Baby boomer

(USA) A baby boomer is someone born in the years after the end of the Second World War, a period when the population was growing very fast.



Back burner

If an issue is on the back burner, it is being given low priority.



Back foot

(UK) If you are on your back foot, you are at a disadvantage and forced to be defensive of your position.



Back number

Something that's a back number is dated or out of fashion.



Back the wrong horse
If you back the wrong horse, you give your support to the losing side in something.


Back to back
If things happen back to back, they are directly one after another.


Back to square one
If you are back to square one, you have to start from the beginning again.


Back to the drawing board
If you have to go back to the drawing board, you have to go back to the beginning and start something again.


Back to the salt mine
If someone says they have to go back to the salt mine, they have to return to work.


Back to the wall
If you have your back to the wall, you are in a difficult situation with very little room for manoeuvre.


Backseat driver
A backseat driver is an annoying person who is fond of giving advice to the person performing a task or doing something, especially when the advice is either wrong or unwelcome.


Bad Apple
A person who is bad and makes other bad is a bad apple.


Bad blood
If people feel hate because of things that happened in the past, there is bad blood between them.


Bad egg
A person who cannot be trusted is a bad egg. Good egg is the opposite.


Bad hair day
If you're having a bad hair day, things are not going the way you would like or had planned.


Bad mouth
(UK) When you are bad mouthing,you are saying negative things about someone or something.('Bad-mouth' and 'badmouth' are also used.)


Bad shape
If something's in bad shape, it's in bad condition. If a person's in bad shape, they are unfit or unhealthy.


Bad taste in your mouth
If something leaves you with a bad taste in your mouth, you feel there is something wrong or bad about it.


Bad workers always blame their tools
"A bad worker always blames their tools" - If somebody does a job badly or loses in a game and claims that they were let down by their equipment, you can use this to imply that this was not the case.


Bag of bones
If someone is a bag of bones, they are very underweight.


Bag of nerves
If someone is a bag of nerves, they are very worried or nervous.


Baker's dozen
A Baker's dozen is 13 rather than 12.


Bald as a coot
A person who is completely bald is as bald as a coot.


Ball is in your court
If the ball is in your court, it is up to you to make the next decision or step.


Ballpark figure
A ballpark figure is a rough or approximate number (guesstimate) to give a general idea of something, like a rough estimate for a cost, etc.


Balls to the walls
(USA) If you do something balls to the wall, you apply full acceleration or exertion.


Banana republic
Banana republic is a term used for small countries that are dependent on a single crop or resource and governed badly by a corrupt elite.


Banana skin
(UK) A banana skin is something that is an embarrassment or causes problems.


Bandit territory
An area or an industry, profession, etc, where rules and laws are ignored or flouted is bandit territory.


Baptism of fire
A baptism of fire was a soldier's first experience of shooting. Any unpleasant experience undergone, usually where it is also a learning experience, is a baptism of fire.


Bar fly
A bar fly is a person who spends a lot of time drinking in different bars and pubs.


Bare your heart
If you bare your heart to someone, you tell them your personal and private feelings. ('Bare your soul' is an alternative form of the idiom.)


Barefaced liar
A barefaced liar is one who displays no shame about lying even if they are exposed.


Bark is worse than their bite
Someone who's bark is worse than their bite may well get angry and shout, but doesn't take action.


Barking up the wrong tree
If you are barking up the wrong tree, it means that you have completely misunderstood something or are totally wrong.


Barkus is willing
This idiom means that someone is willing to get married.


Barrack-room lawyer
(UK) A barrack-room lawyer is a person who gives opinions on things they are not qualified to speak about.


Barrel of laughs
If someone's a barrel of laughs, they are always joking and you find them funny.


Basket case

If something is a basket case, it is so bad that it cannot be helped.


Bat an eyelid
If someone doesn't bat an eyelid, they don't react or show any emotion when surprised, shocked, etc.


Bated breath
If someone says they're waiting with bated breath, they're very excited and find it difficult to be patient.('Baited breath' is a common mistake.)


Bats in the belfry
Someone with bats in the belfry is crazy or eccentric.


Batten down the hatches
If you batten down the hatches, you prepare for the worst that could happen to you.


Battle of nerves
A battle of nerves is a situation where neither side in a conflict or dispute is willing to back down and is waiting for the other side to weaken. ('A war of nerves' is an alternative form.)


Be all ears
If you are all ears, you are very eager to hear what someone has to say.


Be careful what you wish for
If you get things that you desire, there may be unforeseen and unpleasant consequences.('Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true.' and 'Be careful what you wish for; you may receive it.' are also used.)

Be on the pig's back
If you're on the pig's back, you're happy / content / in fine form.


Be out in force
If people are out in force, they are present somewhere in large numbers.


Be out in left field
(USA) To be out in left field is not to know what's going on. Taken from baseball, when youngsters assign less capable players to the outfield where the ball is less likely to be hit by a young player. In business, one might say, 'Don't ask the new manager; he's out in left field and doesn't know any answers yet.'


Be that as it may
Be that as it may is an expression which means that, while you are prepared to accept that there is some truth in what the other person has just said, it's not going to change your opinions in any significant manner.


Be true blue
If a person/object/situation is considered to be 'true blue', it is considered genuine.


Be up the spout
(UK) If a woman is up the spout, she is pregnant.


Bean counter
A bean counter is an accountant.


Bear fruit
If something bears fruit, it produces positive results.


Bear market
A bear market is a period when investors are pessimistic and expect financial losses so are more likely to sell than to buy shares.


Bear the brunt
People who bear the brunt of something endure the worst of something bad.


Beard the lion in his own den
If you confront a powerful or dangerous rival on their territory, you are bearding the lion in his own den.


Beat about the bush
If someone doesn't say clearly what they mean and try to make it hard to understand, they are beating about (around) the bush.


Beat someone to the draw
(USA) If you beat someone to the draw, you do something before they do.


Beat swords into ploughshares
If people beat swords into ploughshares, they spend money on humanitarian purposes rather than weapons. (The American English spelling is 'plowshares')


Beat the daylights out of someone
If someone beats the daylights out of another person, they hit them repeatedly. ('Knock' can also be used and it can be made even stronger by saying 'the living daylights'.)


Beat the rap
If you beat the rap, you escape conviction and punishment for a crime or something you have done wrong.


Beat to the punch
If you beat someone to the punch, you act before them and gain an advantage.


Beat your brains out
If you beat your brains out, you think hard about something but cannot solve, understand or remember it.


Beating a dead horse
(USA) If someone is trying to convince people to do or feel something without any hope of succeeding, they're beating a dead horse. This is used when someone is trying to raise interest in an issue that no-one supports anymore; beating a dead horse will not make it do any more work.


Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder means that different people will find different things beautiful and that the differences of opinion don't matter greatly.


Beauty is only skin deep
This idiom means that appearances can be deceptive and something that seems or looks good may turn out to be bad.


Beck and call
Someone who does everything for you, no matter when you ask, is at your beck and call.


Bedroom eyes
Someone with bedroom eyes has a sexy look in their eyes.


Bee in your bonnet
If someone is very excited about something, they have a bee in their bonnet.


Bee's Knees
If something is the bee's knees, it's outstanding or the best in its class.


Beeline for
If you make a beeline for a place, you head there directly.


Been in the wars
(UK) If someone has been in the wars, they have been hurt or look as if they have been in a struggle.


Been there, done that
People say this when they have already experienced what is being discussed.


Beer and skittles
(UK) People say that life is not all beer and skittles, meaning that it is not about self-indulgence and pleasure.


Before the ink is dry
If people make an agreement or contract and then the situation changes very quickly, it changes before the ink is dry.


Before you can say Jack Robinson
The term Jack Robinson represents 'a short amount of time'. When you do something before you can say Jack Robinson, you do it very quickly.


 



Beg the question
In philosophy "to beg the question" is to assume something to be true that has not yet been proved. I have seen the idiom also to mean that a question is crying out to be asked.


Beggars can't be choosers
This idiom means that people who are in great need must accept any help that is offered, even if it is not a complete solution to their problems.


Behind bars
When someone is behind bars, they are in prison.


Behind closed doors
If something happens away from the public eye, it happens behind closed doors.


Behind someone's back
If you do something behind someone's back, you do it without telling them.


Behind the eight ball
A difficult position from which it is unlikely one can escape.


Behind the times
Someone that is behind the times is old-fashioned and has ideas that are regarded as out-dated.


Believe in the hereafter
A belief in the hereafter is a belief in the afterlife, or life after death. It is, therefore, associated with religions and the soul's journey to heaven or to hell, whichever way being just deserts for the person based on how they led their life.


Bells and whistles
Bells and whistles are attractive features that things like computer programs have, though often a bit unnecessary.


Bells on
(USA) To be somewhere with bells on means to arrive there happy and delighted to attend.


Belly up
If things go belly up, they go badly wrong.


Below par
If something isn't up to standard, or someone isn't feeling or doing very well, they are below par.


Below the belt
If someone says something that is cruel or unfair, it is below the belt, like the illegal punches in boxing.


Belt and braces
(UK) Someone who wears belt and braces is very cautious and takes no risks.

Belt and suspenders
(USA) Someone who wears belt and suspenders is very cautious and takes no risks.


Bend over backwards
If someone bends over backwards, they do everything they can to help someone.


Bend someone's ear
To bend someone's ear is to talk to someone about something for a long-enough period that it becomes tiresome for the listener.


Benjamin of the family
The Benjamin of the family is the youngest child.


Bent as a nine bob note
(UK) A person who is as bent as a nine bob note is dishonest. The reference comes from pre-decimalisation in UK (1971), when a ten shilling (bob) note was valid currency but no such note as nine shillings existed.


Beside the point
If something is beside the point, it's not relevant to the matter being discussed or considered.


Beside themselves
If people are beside themselves, they are very worried or emotional about something. 


Beside yourself
If you are beside yourself, you are extremely angry.


Best of a bad bunch
The best that could be obtained from a list of options that were not exactly what was required.


Best of both worlds
If you have the best of both worlds, you benefit from different things that do not normally go together.


Best thing since sliced bread
If something is the best thing since sliced bread, it is excellent. ('The greatest thing since sliced bread' is also used.)


Bet your bottom dollar
(USA) If you can bet your bottom dollar on something, you can be absolutely sure about it.


Better half
Your better half is your husband or wife.


Better late than never
This idiom suggests that doing something late is better than not doing it at all.


Better safe than sorry
This idiom is used to recommend being cautious rather than taking a risk.


Better than a kick in the teeth
If something is better than a kick in the teeth, it isn't very good, but it is better than nothing.


Better than a stick in the eye
If something is better than a stick in the eye, it isn't very good, but it is better than nothing.


Better the devil you know
This is the shortened form of the full idiom, 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't', and means that it is often better to deal with someone or something you are familiar with and know, even if they are not ideal, than take a risk with an unknown person or thing.


Between a rock and a hard place
If you are caught between a rock and a hard place, you are in a position where you have to choose between unpleasant alternatives, and your choice might cause you problems; you will not be able to satisfy everyone.


Between the devil and the deep blue sea
If you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a dilemma; a difficult choice.


Between you and me and the cat's whiskers
This idiom is used when telling someone something that you want them to keep secret.


Beyond a shadow of a doubt
If something's beyond a shadow of a doubt, then absolutely no doubts remain about it.

Beyond belief
If people behave in such a way that you find it almost impossible to accept that they actually did it, then you can say that their behaviour was beyond belief.


Beyond our ken
If something's beyond your ken, it is beyond your understanding.


Beyond the black stump
(AU) An Australian idiom idicating that even if you go as far as you can, the black stump is still a little further.


Beyond the pale
If something's beyond the pale, it is too extreme to be acceptable morally or socially.

Big Apple
(USA) The Big Apple is New York.

Big bucks
If someone is making big bucks, they are making a lot of money.

Big cheese
The big cheese is the boss.

Big Easy
(USA) The Big Easy is New Orleans, Louisiana

Big fish
An important person in a company or an organisation is a big fish.

Big fish in a small pond
A big fish in a small pond is an important person in a small place or organisation.

Big girl's blouse
A person who is very weak or fussy is a big girl's blouse.

Big hitter
A big hitter is someone who commands a lot of respect and is very important in their field.

Big nose
If someone has a big nose, it means they are excessively interested in everyone else's business.

Big picture
The big picture of something is the overall perspective or objective, not the fine detail.

Big time
This can be used to with the meaning 'very much'- if you like something big time, you like it a lot.

Bigger fish to fry
If you aren't interested in something because it isn't important to you and there are more important things for you to do, you have bigger fish to fry.

Bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
'A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush' is a proverb meaning that it is better to have something that is certain than take a risk to get more, where you might lose everything.

Bird's eye view
If you have a bird's eye view of something, you can see it perfectly clearly.

Bird-brain
Someone who has a bird-brain, or is bird-brained, is stupid.

Birds and the bees
If a child is taught about the birds and the bees, they are taught about sex.

Birds of a feather flock together
This idiom means that people with similar interests will stick together.

Birthday suit
If you are in your birthday suit, you are naked.

Bit between your teeth
If you take or have the bit between your teeth, you take or have control of a situation. (Bit = piece of metal in a horse's mouth)

Bit part
If someone has a small or unimportant role in something, they have a bit part.

Bit player
A bit player has a small or unimportant role in something.

Bite off more than you can chew
If you bite off more than you can chew, you take on more responsibilities than you can manage. 'Don't bite off more than you can chew' is often used to advise people against agreeing to more than they can handle.

Bite someone's head off
If you bite someone's head off, you criticize them angrily.

Bite the bullet
If you have to bite the bullet, you have to accept or face something unpleasant because it cannot be avoided.

Bite the dust
This is a way of saying that somebody has died, especially if they are killed violently like a soldier in battle.

Bite your lip
If you have to bite your lip, you have to make a conscious effort not to react or to keep quiet about something that displeases you.

Bite your tongue
If you bite your tongue, you refrain from speaking because it is socially or otherwise better not to.

Bits and bobs
Bits and bobs are small, remnant articles and things- the same as 'odds and ends'.

Bitter end
If you do something to the bitter end, you do it to the very end, no matter how unsuccessful you are.
Bitter pill to swallow

A bitter pill to swallow is something that is hard to accept.

Black and blue
This means bruised, either physically or metaphorically.

Black and white
When it is very clear who or what is right and wrong, then the situation is black and white.

Black as Newgate's knocker
(UK) If things are as black as Newgate's knocker, they are very bad. Newgate was an infamous prison in England, so its door knocker meant trouble.

Black hole
If there is a black hole in financial accounts, money has disappeared.

Black sheep
Someone who is the black sheep doesn't fit into a group or family because their behaviour or character is not good enough.

Blackball
If you vote against allowing someone to be a member of an organisation or group, you are blackballing him or her.

Blank cheque
If you are given a blank cheque, you are allowed to use as much money as you need for a project.

Bleeding edge
Similar to 'cutting edge', this implies a technology or process that is at the forefront or beyond current practices. However, because it is unproven, it is often dangerous to use (hence the 'bleeding').

Bleeding heart
A bleeding heart is a person who is excessively sympathetic towards other people.

Bless your pointy little head
This expression is used as to patronise someone, especially when they don't realise that they're not very clever.('Bless your pointes little head' is also used.)

Blessing in disguise
If some bad luck or misfortune ultimately results in something positive, it's a blessing in disguise.

Blind acceptance
If people accept thing blindly, they accept them without questioning them at all.

Blind as a bat
If you are in total darkness and can't see anything at all, you are as blind as a bat.

Blind leading the blind
When the blind are leading the blind, the people in charge of something don't know anything more than the people they are in charge of, when they should have greater knowledge.

Blind-sided
If you are blind-sided, an event with a negative impact takes you completely by surprise.

Blink of an eye
If something happens in the blink of an eye, it happens so fast it is almost impossible to notice it.

Blood and thunder
An emotional speech or performance is full of blood and thunder.

Blood from a turnip
It is impossible to get something from someone if they don't have it, just as you cannot get blood from a turnip.

Blood is thicker than water
This idiom means that family relationships are stronger than others.

Blood is worth bottling
(AU) If an Australian says to you "Your blood is worth bottling", he/she is complimenting or praising you for doing something or being someone very special.

Blood out of a stone
If something is like getting blood out of a stone, it is very difficult indeed.

Blood, sweat and tears
If something will take blood, sweat and tears, it will be very difficult and will require a lot of effort and sacrifice.

Blow a gasket
If you blow a gasket, you get very angry.

Blow by blow
A blow-by-blow description gives every detail in sequence.

Blow hot and cold
If you blow hot and cold on an idea, your attitude and opinion keeps changing; one minute you are for it, the next you are against.

Blow me down
People say '(well,) blow me down' when you have just told them something surprising, shocking or unexpected. ('Blow me down with a feather' is also used.) 

Blow off steam
(USA) If you blow off steam, you express your anger or frustration.

Blow out of the water
If something, like an idea, is blown out of the water, it is destroyed or defeated comprehensively.

Blow smoke
(USA) If people blow smoke, they exaggerate or say things that are not true, usually to make themselves look better.

Blow the cobwebs away
If you blow the cobwebs away, you make sweeping changes to something to bring fresh views and ideas in.

Blow the whistle
If somebody blows the whistle on a plan, they report it to the authorities.

Blow your mind
Something that will blow your mind is something extraordinary that will amaze you beyond explanation.

Blow your own horn
If you blow your own horn, you boast about your achievements and abilities. ('Blow your own trumpet' is an alternative form.)

Blow your own trumpet
If someone blows their own trumpet, they boast about their talents and achievements.  ('Blow your own horn' is an alternative form.)

Blow your stack
If you blow your stack, you lose your temper.

Blow your top
If someone blows their top, they lose their temper.

Blue blood
Someone with blue blood is royalty.

Blue-eyed boy
Someone's blue-eyed boy is their favourite person.

Bob's your uncle
(UK) This idiom means that something will be successful: Just tell him that I gave you his name and Bob's your uncle- he'll help you.

Body politic
A group of people organised under a single government or authority (national or regional) is a body politic.

Bold as brass
Someone who is as bold as brass is very confident and not worried about how other people will respond or about being caught.

Bolt from the blue
If something happens unexpectedly and suddenly, it is a bolt from the blue.

Bone of contention
If there is an issue that always causes tension and arguments, it is a bone of contention.

Bone to pick
If you have a bone to pick with someone, you are annoyed about something they have done and want to tell them how you feel.

Boot is on the other foot
When the boot's on the other foot, a person who was in a position of weakness is now in a position of strength.

Born to the purple
Someone who is born to the purple is born in a royal or aristocratic family. ("Born in the purple" is also used.)

Born with a silver spoon in your mouth
If you are born with a silver spoon in your mouth, you are born into a rich family.

Both ends meet
If you make both ends meet, you live off the money you earn and don't go into debt.

Bottom line
In accountancy, the bottom line is net income, and is used idiomatically to mean the conclusion.

Bounce ideas
If you bounce ideas off someone, you share your ideas with them to know whether they think they would work.
Bounce off the walls
If someone's bouncing off the walls, they are very excited about something.

Bouquet of orchids
Id someone deserves a bouquet of orchids, they have done something worthy of praise.

Box and dice
Box and dice means everything.

Box clever
(UK) If you box clever, you use your intelligence to get what you want, even if you have to cheat a bit.

Boxing and coxing
If people are boxing and coxing, they are sharing responsibilities so that one of them is working while the other isn't. It can also be used when couples are sharing a house, but their relationship has broken down and when one is at home, the other stays out.

Boys in blue
The boys in blue are the police.

Brain surgery
If something is not brain surgery, it isn't very complicated or difficult to understand or master.

Brass monkey
If it's brass monkey weather, or cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey, it is extremely cold.

Brass neck
(UK) Someone who has the brass neck to do something has no sense of shame about what they do.

Brass tacks
If you get down to brass tacks, you get down to the real business.

Bread and butter
Bread and butter issues are ones that affect people directly and in a very important way.

Breadwinner
Used to describe the person that earns the most money. For example - She's the breadwinner in the family.

Break a leg
This idiom is a way of wishing someone good luck.

Break even
If you break even, you don't make any money, but you don't lose any either.

Break ground
If you break ground, or break new ground, you make progress, taking things into a new area or going further than anyone has gone before. 'Ground-breaking' is used an adjective.

Break the back of the beast
If you break the back of the beast, you accomplish a challenge.

Break the ice
When you break the ice, you get over any initial embarrassment or shyness when you meet someone for the first time and start conversing.
 


~ C ~


Cake's not worth the candle

If someone says that the cake's not worth the candle, they mean that the result will not be worth the effort put in to achieve it.



Calf lick

A calf lick is the weird parting in your fringe where your hair grows in a different direction, usually to one side.



Call a spade a spade

A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience.



Call it a day

If you call it a day, you stop doing something for a while, normally at least until the following day.



Call on the carpet

If you are called on the carpet, you are summoned for a reprimand by superiors or others in power.



Call the dogs off

If someone calls off their dogs, they stop attacking or criticising someone.



Call the shots

If you call the shots, you are in charge and tell people what to do.


Call the tune

The person who calls the tune makes the important decisions about something.



Calm before the storm

A calm time immediately before period of violent activity or argument is the calm before the storm.


Can of worms

If an action can create serious problems, it is opening a can of worms.


Can't dance and it's too wet to plow

(USA) When you can't dance and it's too wet to plow, you may as well do something because you can't or don't have the opportunity to do anything else.


Can't do it for toffee

If you can't so something for toffee, you are incapable of doing something properly or to any sort of standard.



Can't hack it

Unable to perform an act, duty, job etc. (example: I have to quit my job as a computer technician; I just can't hack it.)



Can't hold a candle

If something can't hold a candle to something else, it is much worse.



Can't see the forest for its trees

If someone can't see the forest for its trees, they are too focused on specific details to see the picture as a whole.


Canary in a coal mine

(UK) A canary in a coal mine is an early warning of danger.



Card up your sleeve

If you have a card up your sleeve, you have a surprise plan or idea that you are keeping back until the time is right.



Carpetbagger

A carpetbagger is an opportunist without any scruples or ethics, or a politican who wants to represent a place they have no connection with.


Carrot and stick

If someone offers a carrot and stick, they offer an incentive to do something combined with the threat of punishment.


Carry the can

If you carry the can, you take the blame for something, even though you didn't do it or are only partly at fault.


Carry the day

If something carries the day, it wins a battle (the sense is that the battle has been long and could have gone either way) or competition for supremacy.



Case by case

If things are done case by case, each situation or issue is handled separately on its own merits and demerits.



Case in point

Meaning an instance of something has just occurred that was previously discussed.


Cash cow

A product, business, etc, that generates a continuous flow of money or a high proportion of overall profits is a cash cow.




Cash in your chips

If you cash in your chips, you sell something to get what profit you can because you think its value is going to fall. It can also mean 'to die'.


Cast a long shadow

Something or someone that casts a long shadow has considerable influence on other people or events.


Cast aspersion

If you cast aspersion, you try to blacken someone's name and make people think badly of them.



Cast doubt on

If you make other people not sure about a matter, then you have cast doubt on it.


Cast iron stomach

A person with a cast iron stomach can eat or drink anything without any ill effects.


Cast pearls before swine

If you cast pearls before swine, you offer something of value to someone who doesn't appreciate it- 'swine' are 'pigs'.



Cast sheep's eyes at

If you cast sheep's eyes at at someone, you look lovingly or with longing at them.



Cast your mind back

If somebody tells you to cast your mind back on something, they want you to think about something that happened in the past, but which you might not remember very well, and to try to remember as much as possible.



Cast your net widely

If you cast your net widely, you use a wide range of sources when trying to find something.



Casting vote

The casting vote is a vote given to a chairman or president that is used when there is a deadlock.


Castles in the air

Plans that are impractical and will never work out are castles in the air.



Cat among the pigeons

If something or someone puts, or sets or lets, the cat among the pigeons, they create a disturbance and cause trouble.


Cat and dog life

If people lead a cat and dog life, they are always arguing.


Cat fur and kitty britches

(USA) When I used to ask my grandma what was for dinner, she would say 'cat fur and kitty britches'.



Cat got your tongue?

If someone asks if the cat has got your tongue, they want to know why you are not speaking when they think you should.



Cat's lick

(Scot) A cat's lick is a very quick wash.



Cat's pajamas

(USA) Something that is the cat's pajamas is excellent.


Cat's whiskers

Something excellent is the cat's whiskers.



Catch as catch can

This means that people should try to get something any way they can.



Catch hell

If you catch hell, you get into trouble or get scolded. ('Catch heck' is also used.)


Catch some z's

If you catch some z's, you get some sleep.



Catch someone red-handed

If someone is caught red-handed, they are found doing something wrong or illegal.



Catch-22

Catch-22 is a situation where conflicting rules make the desired outcome impossible. It comes from a novel by the American author Joseph Heller



Caught with your hand in the cookie jar

(USA) If someone is caught with his or her hand in the cookie jar, he or she is caught doing something wrong.



Champ at the bit

If someone is champing at the bit, they are very eager to accomplish something.  ('Chomping at the bit' is also used.)



Champagne taste on a beer budget

Someone who lives above their means and likes things they cannot afford has champagne taste on a beer budget.




Champing at the bit

To betray impatience, as to begin some action. "I'm champing at the bit to tell you" "Chomping at the bit" is also commonly used, though some regard it as an error.



Change horses in midstream

If people change horses in midstream, they change plans or leaders when they are in the middle of something, even though it may be very risky to do so.



Change of heart

If you change the way you think or feel about something, you have a change of heart.



Change tack

If you change tack, you use a different method for dealing with something.


Change your tune

If someone changes their ideas or the way they talk about them, they change their tune.



Chaps my ass

When something/someone really annoys you, it chaps your ass.



Chapter and verse

When you know something very well, and can quote it, you know it chapter and verse.



Charity begins at home

This idiom means that family members are more important than anyone else, and should be the focus of a person's efforts.



Chase rainbows

If someone chases rainbows, they try to do something that they will never achieve.



Chase your tail

If you are chasing your tail, you are very busy but not being very productive.



Cheap as chips

(UK) If something is very inexpensive, it is as cheap as chips.



Cheap at half the price

If something's cheap at half the price, it's very cheap indeed.



Cheap shot

A cheap shot is an unprincipled criticism.



Cheat death

If someone cheats death, they narrowly avoid a major problem or accident.



Cheek by jowl

If things or people are cheek by jowl, they are very close together.



Cherry pick

If people cherry pick, they choose things that support their position, while ignoring things that contradict it.



Chew on a bone

If someone is chewing on a bone, he or she is thinking about something intently.

 



Circle the wagons

(USA) If you circle the wagons, you stop communicating with people who don't think the same way as you to avoid their ideas.



Circling the drain

If someone is circling the drain, they are very near death and have little time to live. The phrase can also describe a project or plan or campaign that that is on the brink of failure.



Class act

Someone who's a class act is exceptional in what they do.



Clean as a whistle

If something is as clean as a whistle, it is extremely clean, spotless.



Clean bill of health

If something or someone has a clean bill of health, then there's nothing wrong; everything's fine.



Clean break

If you make a clean break, you break away completely from something.



Clean hands

Someone with clean hands, or who keeps their hands clean, is not involved in illegal or immoral activities.


Clean sheet

When someone has a clean sheet, they have got no criminal record or problems affecting their reputation. In football and other sports, a goalkeeper has a clean sheet when let no goals in.



Clean slate

If you start something with a clean slate, then nothing bad from your past is taken into account.



Clean sweep

If someone makes a clean sweep, they win absolutely everything in a competition or contest.



Clean your clock

If you clean your clock, you beat someone decisively in a contest or fight.



Clear as a bell

If something is as clear as a bell, it is very clear or easy to understand.




Clear as mud

If something is as clear as mud, then it is very confusing and unclear.



Cliffhanger

If something like a sports match or an election is a cliffhanger, then the result is so close that it cannot be predicted and will only be known at the very end.



Climb on the bandwagon

When people climb on the bandwagon they do something because it is popular and everyone else is doing it.



Climb the greasy pole

Advance within an organization - especially in politics.



Cling to hope

If people cling to hope, they continue to hope though the chances of success are very small.



Close at hand

If something is close at hand, it is nearby or conveniently located.



Close but no cigar

(USA) If you are close but no cigar, you are close to success, but have not got there.



Close call

If the result of something is a close call, it is almost impossible to distinguish between the parties involved and to say who has won or whatever.



Close shave

If you have a close shave, you very nearly have a serious accident or get into trouble.



Close the stable door after the horse has bolted

If people try to fix something after the problem has occurred, they are trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted. 




Close to your heart

If something is close to your heart, you care a lot about it. ('Dear to your heart' is an alternative.)




Closed book to me

If a subject is a closed book to you, it is something that you don't understand or know anything about.



Cloth ears

If you don't listen to people, they may suggest you have cloth ears.



Cloud cuckoo land

If someone has ideas or plans that are completely unrealistic, they are living on cloud cuckoo land.



Cloud nine

If you are on cloud nine, you are extremely happy. ('cloud seven' is a less common alternative)



Cloud of suspicion

If a cloud of suspicion hangs over an individual, it means that they are not believed or are distrusted.



Cloud on the horizon

If you can see a problem ahead, you can call it a cloud on the horizon.



Clutch at straws

If someone is in serious trouble and tries anything to help them, even though their chances of success are probably nil, they are clutching at straws.



Clutch play

If an activity is referred to as a clutch play, it means that the activity was the key to the success or failure of the venture. For instance, a clutch play in a baseball game may be striking out a batter with the bases loaded.



Coals to Newcastle

(UK) Taking, bringing, or carrying coals to Newcastle is doing something that is completely unnecessary.



Coast is clear

When the coast is clear, the people supposed to be watching you are not there and you are able to move or leave.



Cock a snook

To make a rude gesture by putting one thumb to the nose with the fingers outstretched.




Cock and bull story

A cock and bull story is a lie someone tells that is completely unbelievable.


Cock in the henhouse

This is used to describe a male in an all-female environment.



Cock of the walk

A man who is excessively confident and thinks he's better than other people is the cock of the walk.



Cold day in hell

This is used as a prediction there is no chance some event or condition will ever happen.'There will be a cold day in hell before he manages it.'




Cold feet

If you get cold feet about something, you lose the courage to do it.




Cold fish

A cold fish is a person who doesn't show how they feel.



Cold light of day

If you see things in the cold light of day, you see them as they really are, not as you might want them to be.



Cold shoulder

If you give or show someone the cold shoulder, you are deliberately unfriendly and unco-operative towards them.


Cold sweat

If something brings you out in a cold sweat, it frightens you a lot.


Cold turkey

If someone suddenly stops taking drugs, instead of slowly cutting down, they do cold turkey.



Colder than a witches tit

If it is colder than a witches tit, it is extremely cold outside.


Collateral damage

Accidental or unintended damage or casualties are collateral damage.


Collect dust

If something is collecting dust, it isn't being used any more.


Color bar

Rules that restrict access on the  basis of race or ethnicity are a color bar.


Come a cropper

(UK) Someone whose actions or lifestyle will inevitably result in trouble is going to come a cropper.


Come clean

If someone comes clean about something, they admit to deceit or wrongdoing.


Come hell or high water

If someone says they'll do something come hell or high water, they mean that nothing will stop them, no matter what happens.


Come of age

When something comes of age it develops completely and reaches maturity. When someone comes of age, they reach adulthood or fulfill their potential.


Come on hard

If you come on hard, you are aggressive in your dealing with someone.



Come on the heels of

If something comes on the heels of something, it follows very soon after it.



Come out in the wash

If something will come out in the wash, it won't have any permanent negative effect.



Come out of the woodwork

When things come out of the woodwork, they appear unexpectedly.  ('Crawl out of the woodwork' is also used.)



Come out of your shell

If someone comes out of their shell, they stop being shy and withdrawn and become more friendly and sociable.



Come rain or shine

If I say I'll be at a place come rain or shine, I mean that I can be relied on to turn up; nothing, not even the vagaries of British weather, will deter me or stop me from being there.



Come to a head

If events reach a crisis point, they come to a head.



Come to bear

If something comes to bear on you, you start to feel the pressure or effect of it. 


Come to call

If someone comes to call, they respond to an order or summons directly.


Come to grips

If you come to grips with a problem or issue, you face up to it and deal with it.



Come to heel

If someone comes to heel, they stop behaving in a way that is annoying to someone in authority and start being obedient.


Come up roses

If things come up roses, they produce a positive result, especially when things seemed to be going badly at first.



Come up smelling of roses

(UK) If someone comes up smelling of roses, they emerge from a situation with their reputation undamaged.



Come up trumps

When someone is said to have 'come up trumps', they have completed an activity successfully or produced a good result, especially when they were not expected to.



Come what may

If you're prepared to do something come what may, it means that nothing will stop or distract you, no matter how hard or difficult it becomes.



Come with the territory

If something comes with the territory, it is part of a job or responsibility and just has to be accepted, even if unpleasant.


Comes with the territory

If something comes with the territory, especially when undesirable, it is automatically included with something else, like a job, responsibility, etc.('Goes with the territory' is also used.) 



Comfort zone

It is the temperature range in which the body doesn't shiver or sweat, but has an idiomatic sense of a place where people feel comfortable, where they can avoid the worries of the world. It can be physical or mental.

 


Connect the dots

When you connect the dots, you understand the connections and relationships.



Constitution of an ox

If someone has the constitution of an ox, they are less affected than most people by things like tiredness, illness, alcohol, etc.


Cook someone's goose

If you cook someone's goose, you ruin their plans.


Cook the books

If people cook the books, they keep false accounts to make money illegally or avoid paying tax.



Cooking with gas

(USA) If you're cooking with gas, you're working very efficiently.


Cool as a cat

To act fine when you a actually scared or nervous



Cool your heels

If you leave someone to cool their heels, you make them wait until they have calmed down.



Coon's age

(USA) A very long time, as in 'I haven't seen her in a coon's age!'



Corner a market

If a business is dominant in an area and unlikely to be challenged by other companies, it has cornered the market.


Couch potato

A couch potato is an extremely idle or lazy person who chooses to spend most of their leisure time horizontal in front of the TV and eats a diet that is mainly junk food.


Could eat a horse

If you are very hungry, you could eat a horse.



Couldn't give two hoots

If you couldn't give two hoots about something, you don't care at all about it.


Count sheep

If people cannot sleep, they are advised to count sheep mentally.


Count your blessings

When people count their blessings, they concentrate on all the good things in their lives instead of the negative ones.



Cover all the bases

If you cover all the bases, you deal with all aspects of a situation or issue, or anticipate all possibilities. ('Cover all bases' is also used.)


Crack a nut with a sledgehammer

If you use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, you apply too much force to achieve a result. ('Jackhammer' is also used.)



Crack of dawn

The crack of dawn is very early in the morning.



Crash a party

If you crash a party, or are a gatecrasher, you go somewhere you haven't been invited to.



Cream of the crop

The cream of the crop is the best there is.


Cream rises to the top

A good person or idea cannot go unnoticed for long, just as cream poured in coffee or tea eventually rises to the top.


Creature comforts

If a person said "I hate camping. I don't like giving up my creature comforts." the person would be referring, in particular, to the comfortable things he/she would have at home but not when camping.



Crème de la crème

The crème de la crème is the very best of something.



Crepe hanger

(USA) One who always looks at the bad side of things and is morbid or gloomy. In olden days crepe was hung on the door of a deceased person's home.



Crocodile tears

If someone cries crocodile tears, they pretend to be upset or affected by something.



Crooked as a dog's hind leg

Someone who is very dishonest is as crooked as a dog's hind leg.



Cross swords

When people cross swords, they argue or dispute. This expression is used when some groups accuse each other for non-adherence to norms.



Cross that bridge when you come to it

If you will cross that bridge when you come to it, you will deal with a problem when it arises, but not until that point



Cross to bear

If someone has a cross to bear, they have a heavy burden of responsibility or a problem that they alone must cope with.



Crossing the Rubicon

When you are crossing the Rubicon, you are passing a point of no return. After you do this thing, there is no way of turning around. The only way left is forward.



Crunch time

When people, companies, etc, have to make an important decision that will have a considerable effect on their future, it is crunch time.



Cry wolf
If someone cries wolf, they raise a false alarm about something.



Cry your eyes out

If you cry your eyes out, you cry uncontrollably.



Cry-baby

A cry-baby is a person who gets emotional and cries too easily.


Cuckoo in the nest

Is an issue or a problem, etc, is a cuckoo in the nest, it grows quickly and crowds out everything else.



Cupboard love

(UK) To show love to gain something from someone



Curate's egg

(UK) If something is a bit of a curate's egg, it is only good in parts.


Curiosity killed the cat

As cats are naturally curious animals, we use this expression to suggest to people that excessive curiosity is not necessarily a good thing, especially where it is not their business.



Curry favour

If people try to curry favour, they try to get people to support them. ('Curry favor' is the American spelling.)



Curve ball

(USA) If something is a curve ball, it is deceptive.


Cut a long story short

This idiom is used as a way of shortening a story by getting to to the end or the point.


Cut a rug

To cut a rug is to dance.



Cut above

If a person is described as a cut above other people, they are better in some way.


Cut and dried

If something is cut and dried, then everything has already been decided and, in the case of an opinion, might be a little stale and predictable.



Cut and run

If people cut and run, they take what they can get and leave before they lose everything.



Cut corners

If people try to do something as cheaply or as quickly as possible, often sacrificing quality, they are cutting corners.



Cut down the tall poppies

(AU) If people cut down the tall poppies, they criticise people who stand out from the crowd.



Cut it fine

If you cut it fine, you only just manage to do something- at the very last moment. 'Cut things fine' is the same. 'Cut it a bit fine' is a common variation.



Cut off your nose to spite your face

If you cut off your nose to spite your face, you do something rash or silly that ends up making things worse for you, often because you are angry or upset.


Cut someone some slack

To relax a rule or make an allowance, as in allowing someone more time to finish something.


Cut the Gordian knot

If someone cuts the Gordian knot, they solve a very complex problem in a simple way.



Cut the mustard

If somebody or something doesn't cut the mustard, they fail or it fails to reach the required standard.



Cut to the chase

If you cut to the chase, you get to the point, or the most interesting or important part of something without delay.



Cut to the quick

If someone's cut to the quick by something, they are very hurt and upset indeed.



Cut your coat according to your cloth

If you cut your coat according to your cloth, you only buy things that you have sufficient money to pay for.



Cut your losses

If you cut your losses, you avoid losing any more money than you already have by getting out of a situation before matters worsen.



Cut your teeth on

The place where you gain your early experience is where you cut your teeth.



Cute as a bug

(USA) If something is as cute as a bug, it is sweet and endearing.



Cuts no ice

If something cuts no ice, it doesn't have any effect or influence.



Cutting edge

Something that is cutting edge is at the forefront of progress in its area

 


~ D ~

 


Daft as a brush


  • (UK) Someone who is daft as a brush is rather stupid.


  • Damp squib

  • (UK) If something is expected to have a great effect or impact but doesn't, it is a damp squib.


  • Dancing on someone's grave

  • If you will dance on someone's grave, you will outlive or outlast them and will celebrate their demise.


  • Dark horse

  • If someone is a dark horse, they are a bit of a mystery.


  • Davey Jones' locker

  • Davey Jones' locker is the bottom of the sea or resting place of drowned sailors.('Davy Jones' locker' is an alternative spelling.)


  • Day in the sun

  • If you have your day in the sun, you get attention and are appreciated.


  • Daylight robbery

  • If you are overcharged or underpaid, it is a daylight robbery; open, unfair and hard to prevent. Rip-off has a similar meaning.

  • Days are numbered

  • When someone’s days are numbered, they are expected to die soon.



  • Dead air

  • When there is a period of total silence, there is dead air.


  • Dead and buried

  • If something is dead and buried, it has all long been settled and is not going to be reconsidered.



  • Dead as a dodo

  • If something's dead as a dodo, it is lifeless and dull. The dodo was a bird that lived the island of Mauritius. It couldn't fly and was hunted to extinction.



  • Dead as a doornail

  • This is used to indicate that something is lifeless.


  • Dead duck

  • If something is a dead duck, it is a failure.



  • Dead even

  • If people competing are dead even, they are at exactly the same stage or moving at exactly the same speed.



  • Dead from the neck up

  • Someone who's dead from the neck up is very stupid indeed.


  • Dead heat

  • If a race ends in a dead heat, two or more finish with exactly the same result.



  • Dead in the water

  • If something is dead in the water, it isn't going anywhere or making any progress.


  • Dead level best

  • If you try your dead level best,  you try as hard as you possibly could to do something.


  • Dead man walking

  • A dead man walking is someone who is in great trouble and will certainly get punished, lose their job or position, etc, soon.



  • Dead meat

  • This is used as a way of threatening someone: You'll be dead meat if you don't go along.


  • Dead men's shoes

  • If promotion or success requires replacing somebody, then it can only be reached by dead men's shoes' by getting rid of them.


  • Dead right

  • This means that something or someone is absolutely correct, without doubt.


  • Dead to the world

  • If somebody's fast asleep and completely unaware of what if happening around them, he or she's dead to the world.


  • Dead wrong

  • If someone is dead wrong, they are absolutely in error, absolutely incorrect or of incorrect opinion.



  • Deaf as a post

  • Someone who is as deaf as a post is unable to hear at all.


  • Dear John letter

  • A letter written by a partner explaining why they are ending the relationship is a Dear John letter.



  • Death of a thousand cuts

  • If something is suffering the death of a thousand cuts, or death by a thousand cuts, lots of small bad things are happening, none of which are fatal in themselves, but which add up to a slow and painful demise.



  • Death warmed up

  • (UK) If someone looks like death warmed up, they look very ill indeed. ('death warmed over' is the American form)



  • Decorate the mahogany

  • (USA) When someone buys a round a pub or bar, they decorate the mahogany; putting cash on the bar.


  • Deep pockets

  • If someone has deep pockets, they are wealthy.



  • Deep pockets but short arms

  • Someone who has money but never puts his hand in his pocket to pay for anything has deep pockets but short arms.


  • Deer in the headlights

  • When one is caught offguard and needs to make a decision, but cannot react quickly.


  • Deliver the goods

  • Do what is required, come up to expectations. For example, Kate delivered the goods and got us the five votes we needed. This phrase alludes to delivering an order of groceries or other items. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]


  • Demon weed

  • Tobacco is the demon weed.


  • Derring-do

  • If a person shows derring-do, they show great courage.



  • Devil finds work for idle hands

  • When people say that the devil finds work for idle hands, they mean that if people don't have anything to do with their time, they are more likely to get involved in trouble and criminality.


  • Devil is in the detail

  • When people say that the devil in the detail, they mean that small things in plans and schemes that are often overlooked can cause serious problems later on.



  • Devil may care

  • If you live a devil-may-care life it means you are willing to take more risks than most people.


  • Devil's advocate

  • If someone plays Devil's advocate in an argument, they adopt a position they don't believe in just for the sake of the argument



  • Diamond in the rough

  • A diamond in the rough is someone or something that has great potential, but isn't not refined and polished.



  • Die is cast

  • If the die is cast, a decision has been made that cannot be altered and fate will decide the consequences.



  • Different kettle of fish

  • If something is a different kettle of fish, it is very different from the other things referenced.


  • Different ropes for different folks

  • (USA) This idiom means that different people do things in different ways that suit them.



  • Different strokes for different folks

  • (USA) This idiom means that different people do things in different ways that suit them.



  • Dig way down deep

  • When someone digs way down deep, they look into their inner feelings to see how they feel about it.


  • Dig your heels in

  • If you dig your heels in, you start to resist something.



  • Dime a dozen

  • (USA) If something is a dime a dozen, it is extremely common, possibly too common.



  • Dine on ashes

  • I someone is dining on ashes he or she is excessively focusing attention on failures or regrets for past actions.



  • Dinosaur

  • A dinosaur is a person who is thought to be too old for their position.


  • Dip your toes in the water

  • If you dip your toes in the water, you try something tentatively because you are not sure whether it will work or not.
 



  • Dirty dog

  • A dirty dog is an untrustworthy person.




  • Discerning eye

  • If a person has a discerning eye, they are particularly good at judging the quality of something.




  • Discretion is the better part of valour

  • This idiom means that it is often better to think carefully and not act than to do something that may cause problems.




  • Dish the dirt

  • If you dish the dirt on something or someone, you make unpleasant or shocking information public.




  • Do a Devon Loch

  • (UK) If someone does a Devon Loch, they fail when they were very close to winning. Devon Loch was a horse that collapsed just short of the winning line of the Grand National race.




  • Do a Lord Lucan

  • (UK) If someone disappears without a trace or runs off, they do a Lord Lucan.  (Lord Lucan disappeared after a murder)




  • Do a runner

  • (UK) If people leave a restaurant without paying, they do a runner.




  • Do as you would be done by

  • Treat and respect others as you would hope to be respected and treated by them.




  • Do the needful

  • (India) If you do the needful, you do what is necessary.



  • Do the running

  • (UK) The person who has to do the running has to make sure that things get done. ('Make the running' is also used.)





  • Do their dirty work

  • Someone who does someone's dirty work, carries out the unpleasant jobs that the first person doesn't want to do. Someone who seems to enjoy doing this is sometimes known as a 'henchman'.



  • Do's and don't's
  • The do's and don't's are what is acceptable or allowed or not within an area or issue, etc.


  • Dodge the bullet

  • If someone has dodged a bullet, they have successfully avoided a very serious problem.





  • Dog and pony show

  • (USA) A dog and pony show is a presentation or some marketing that has lots of style, but no real content.

  • Dog days

  • Dog days are very hot summer days.




  • Dog eat dog

  • In a dog eat dog world, there is intense competition and rivalry, where everybody thinks only of himself or herself.


  • Dog in the manger
  • (UK) If someone acts like a dog in the manger, they don't want other people to have or enjoy things that are useless to them.


  • Dog tired

  • If you are dog tired, you are exhausted.



  • Dog's dinner

  • Something that is a dog's dinner is a real mess.




  • Dog's life

  • If some has a dog's life, they have a very unfortunate and wretched life

  • .


  • Dog-eared

  • If a book is dog-eared, it is in bad condition, with torn pages, etc.




  • Dog-whistle politics

  • (AU) When political parties have policies that will appeal to racists while not being overtly racist, they are indulging in dog-whistle politics.


  • Doggy bag

  • If you ask for a doggy bag in a restaurant, they will pack the food you haven't eaten for you to take home.




  • Doldrums

  • If a person is in the doldrums, they are depressed. If a project or something similar is in the doldrums, it isn't making any progress.





  • Dollars for doughnuts

  • (USA) If something is dollars for doughnuts, it is a sure bet or certainty.





  • Don't bite the hand that feeds

  • When someone says this to you, they are trying to tell you not to act against those on whom you depend.



  • Don't catch your chickens before they're hatched

  • This means that you should wait until you know whether something has produced the results you desire, rather than acting beforehand. ('Don't count your chickens until they've hatched' is an alternative.)




  • Don't cry over spilt milk

  • When something bad happens and nothing can be done to help it people say, 'Don't cry over spilt milk'.



  • Don't give up the day job

  • This idiom is used a way of telling something that they do something badly.


  • Don't hold your breath

  • If you are told not to hold your breath, it means that you shouldn't have high expectations about something.




  • Don't judge a book by the cover

  • This idiom means that you should not judge something or someone by appearances, but should look deeper at what is inside and more important.



  • Don't know whether to wind a watch or bark at the moon

  • If you don't know what to do, you don't know whether to wind a watch or bark at the moon.



  • Don't look a gift horse in the mouth

  • This means that if you are given something, a present or a chance, you should not waste it by being too critical or examining it too closely.



  • Don't mention the war

  • This means that you shouldn't speak about things that could cause an argument or tension.This idiom was used in a classic episode of the much-loved British comedy series Fawlty Towers. As a consequence if you use this phrase in Britain, listeners will understand you to be referring to Germans, or just start laughing.



  • Don't push my buttons!

  • This can be said to someone who is starting to annoy you.




  • Don't shoot the messenger

  • This phrase can be used when breaking some bad news to someone and you don't want to be blamed for the news. ('Don't kill the messenger' is also used.)



  • Don't stand there with curlers in your hair

  • This means 'don't keep me waiting'. It's said to someone who is taking too long to get moving.



  • Don't sweat the small stuff

  • (USA) This is used to tell people not to worry about trivial or unimportant issues.



  • Don't take any wooden nickels

  • (USA) This idiom is used to advise people not to be cheated or ripped off.



  • Don't throw bricks when you live in a glass house

  • Don't call others out on actions that you, yourself do. Don't be a hypocrite.



  • Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you

  • Don't go looking for trouble or problems- let them come to you.



  • Don't upset the applecart

  • If you are advised not to upset the applecart, you are being told not to disturb the way things are done because it might ruin things.




  • Don't wash your dirty laundry in public

  • (UK) People, especially couples, who argue in front of others or involve others in their personal problems and crises, are said to be washing their dirty laundry in public; making public things that are best left private. (In American English, 'don't air your dirty laundry in public' is used.)



  • Done to death

  • If a joke or story has been done to death, it has been told so often that it has stopped being funny.



  • Donkey work

  • Donkey work is any hard, boring work or task.




  • Donkey's years

  • This idiom means 'a very long time'.




  • Doormat

  • A person who doesn't stand up for themselves and gets treated badly is a doormat.



  • Dot all the i's and cross all the t's

  • If you dot all the i's and cross all the t's, you do something very carefully and thoroughly.



  • Double Dutch

  • (UK) If something is double Dutch, it is completely incomprehensible.



  • Double take

  • If someone does a double take, they react very slowly to something to show how shocked or surprised they are.




  • Double whammy

  • A double whammy is when something causes two problems at the same time, or when two setbacks occur at the same time.




  • Double-edged sword

  • If someone uses an argument that could both help them and harm them, then they are using a double-edged sword sword; it cuts both ways.



  • Doubting Thomas

  • A Doubting Thomas is someone who only believes what they see themselves, not what they are told.



  • Down and out

  • If someone is down and out, they are desperately poor and need help.


  • Down at heel

  • Someone who is down at heel is short of money. ('Down in heel' is used in American English)




  • Down for the count

  • If someone is down for the count, they have lost a struggle, like a boxer who has been knocked out.




  • Down in the doldrums

  • If somebody's down in the doldrums, they are depressed and lacking energy.




  • Down in the dumps

  • If someone's down in the dumps, they are depressed.




  • Down in the mouth

  • If someone is down in the mouth, they look unhappy or depressed.



  • Down the drain

  • If something goes down the drain, especially money or work, it is wasted or produces no results.




  • Down the hatch

  • This idiom can be said before drinking alcohol in company.



  • Down the pan

  • If something has gone down the pan, it has failed or been ruined.



  • Down the tubes

  • If something has gone down the tubes, it has failed or been ruined.



  • Down to the wire

  • (USA) If something goes down to the wire, like a competition, then it goes to the very last moment before it is clear who has won.



  • Down-to-earth

  • Someone who's down-to-earth is practical and realistic. It can also be used for things like ideas.
  •  



  • Drag your feet

  • If someone is dragging their feet, they are taking too long to do or finish something, usually because they don't want to do it.




  • Drag your heels

  • If you drag your heels, you either delay doing something or do it as slowly as possible because you don't want to do it.


  • Draw a blank

  • If you try to find something out and draw a blank, you don't get any useful information.



  • Draw a line in the sand

  • If you draw a line in the sand, you establish a limit beyond which things will be unacceptable.



  • Draw a long bow

  • If someone draws a long bow, they lie or exaggerate.



  • Draw the line

  • When you draw the line, you set out limits of what you find acceptable, beyond which you will not go.



  • Draw the shortest straw

  • If someone draws the shortest straw, they lose or are chosen to do something unpleasant.



  • Dress someone down

  • If you dress someone down, you scold them.




  • Dress to kill

  • When someone is dressed to kill, they are dressed very smartly.



  • Dressed to the nines

  • If you are in your very best clothes, you're dressed to the nines.




  • Drink like a fish

  • If someone drinks like a fish, they drink far too much alcohol.



  • Drive a wedge

  • If you drive a wedge between people, you exploit an issue so that people start to disagree.



  • Drive home

  • The idiomatic expression 'drive home' means 'reinforce' as in 'The company offered unlimited technical support as a way to drive home the message that customer satisfaction was its highest priority.'



  • Drive someone up the wall

  • If something or someone drives you up the wall, they do something that irritates you greatly.



  • Drive you spare

  • If someone or something drives you spare, it is extremely annoying.



  • Driven by a motor

  • This is used to describe people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder when they talk excessively: 'they act as if driven by a motor.'



  • Drop a bombshell

  • If someone drops a bombshell, they announce something that changes a situation drastically and unexpectedly.



  • Drop a dime

  • (USA) If you drop a dime, you inform the police about someone's illegal activities.


  • Drop in the bucket

  • (USA) A drop in the bucket is something so small that it won't make any noticeable difference.


  • Drop in the ocean

  • A drop in the ocean implies that something will have little effect because it is small and mostly insignificant.




  • Drop into your lap

  • If something drops into your lap, you receive it suddenly, without any warning. ('Fall into your lap' is also used.)



  • Drop like flies

  • This means that something is disappearing very quickly. For example, if you said people were dropping like flies, it would mean that they were dying off, quitting or giving up something rapidly.



  • Drop someone a line

  • If you drop someone a line, you send a letter to them.




  • Drop the ball

  • If someone drops the ball, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities seriously enough and let something go wrong.



  • Dropped like a hot cake

  • If something is dropped like a hot cake, it is rejected or disposed of very quickly.



  • Drown your sorrows

  • If someone gets drunk or drinks a lot to try to stop feeling unhappy, they drown their sorrows.



  • Drunk as a lord

  • (UK) Someone who is very drunk is as drunk as a lord.



  • Drunker than a peach orchard boar

  • (USA) Southern US expression - Very drunk, as when a boar would eat fermented peaches that have fallen from the tree.




  • Dry as a bone

  • If your lawn is as dry as a bone, the soil is completely dry.


  • Dry as snuff

  • If something is as dry as snuff, it is very dry indeed.



  • Dry run

  • A dry run is a full rehearsal or trial exercise of something to see how it will work before it is launched.
  •  



  • Dry spell

  • If something or someone is having a dry spell, they aren't being as successful as they normally are.



  • Duck to water

  • If you take to something like a duck to water, you find when you start that you have a natural affinity for it.




  • Ducks in a row

  • (USA) If you have your ducks in a row, you are well-organized.



  • Dull as ditchwater

  • (UK) If something is as dull as ditchwater, it is incredibly boring. A ditch is a long narrow hole or trench dug to contain water, which is normally a dark, dirty colour and stagnant (when water turns a funny colour and starts to smell bad). (In American English,'things are 'dull as dishwater'.)




  • Dumb as a rock

  • If you are dumb as a rock, you have no common sense and are stupid

  • .
  • Dunkirk spirit
  • (UK) Dunkirk spirit is when people pull together to get through a very difficult time.




  • Dutch auction

  • If something is sold by setting a price, then reducing it until someone buys it, it is sold in a Dutch auction. It can also mean that something is changed until it is accepted by everyone.



  • Dutch courage

  • Dutch courage is the reckless bravery caused by drinking too much.




  • Dutch treat

  • If something like a meal is a Dutch treat, then each person pays their own share of the bill.




  • Dutch uncle

  • A Dutch uncle is a person who gives unwelcome advice.



  • Dutch wife

  • A Dutch wife is a long pillow or a hot water bottle.



  • Dwell on the past

  • Thinking too much about the past, so that it becomes a problem is to dwell on the past.



  • Dyed-in-the-wool

  • If someone is a dyed-in-the-wool supporter of a political party, etc, they support them totally, without any questions.
  •  


    Click on each to study

    grammar / Syntax:




    1-Nouns.




    2 )Verbs.





    3-Adjectives




    4-Adverbs




    5- Articles.




    6)-Question.



    7-Phrasal verbs.




    8- E.  Prepositions.




    9-) Active & Passive.




    10-) Kinds of Sentences.



    11- The Punctuation marks.




    12-) Direct & Indirect Speech.



    13--The Communicative grammar

    Internal Links:

    1-Cultures.



    2-Practice



    3-TILO Project.



    4-Pre-Shool Education.



    5-Reading abilities.



    6-A model Lesson.




    7-Curriculum Design.




    8-Interaction  /  Interactivity



    9-Education with a good quality.



    10-Teaching methods for 4 stages



    11-Social media inside classrooms


    12-Talented / Gifted and Slow Learners.



    13-Uk Education System.



    14-Creativity in English


    15-The role of the Good teacher



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