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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.
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.
Click here to know more
~ 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.
- If you have a hitch in your giddy-up, you're not feeling well.
- ('A hitch in your gittie-up' is also used.)
- 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 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.
- (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.
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
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Back burner
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If an issue is on the back burner, it is being given low priority.
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Back foot
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(UK) If you are on your back foot, you are at a disadvantage and forced to be defensive of your position.
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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 ~
- 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.
~ 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.
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