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( E, F, G, H.)

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“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”—Revelation 21:4

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Q: Teacher: What is the shortest month?

A: Student: May, it only has three letters.

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Idioms start with:

( E, F, G, H.)

A dictionary for English idioms,

Prepositions, Collocations, Slang and

Phrasal verbs?

Click here to get it at once.

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.

Benefits of English idioms:

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.

Click here to know more:

~ E ~

Each to their own: Different people have different preferences.; In American English, 'Each to his own' is more common.

Eager beaver: A person who is extremely keen is an eager beaver.

Eagle eyes: Someone who has eagle eyes sees everything;; no detail is too small.

Early bath: (UK) If someone has or goes for an early bath, they quit; or lose their job or position earlier than expected; because things have gone wrong.

Early bird catches the worm: The early bird catches the worm means that if you start; something early, you stand a better chance of success.

Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise: It means that sleeping well and not staying up late will; help you out physically and financially.

Earn a living: To make money Ex: We need to get a good job to; earn a decent living.

Easier said than done: If something is easier said than done, it is much more; difficult than it sounds. It is often used when someone; advises you to do something difficult and tries to make it; sound easy.

Easy as ABC: Something that is as easy as ABC is very easy or simple.

Easy as beans: Something that is so easy that anyone can do it is; easy as beans.

Easy as pie: If something is easy as pie, it is very easy indeed.

Easy come, easy go: This idiom means that money or other material gains; that come without much effort tend to get spent or; consumed as easily.

Easy peasy: (UK) If something is easy peasy, it is very easy indeed.; ('Easy peasy, lemon squeezy' is also used.)

Eat crow: (USA) If you eat crow, you have to admit that you were; wrong about something.


Eat humble pie: If someone apologizes and shows a lot of contrition for; something they have done, they eat humble pie.

Eat like a horse: Someone who eats like a horse, eats a lot.

Eat like a pig: If some eats like a pig, they either eat too much or; they have bad table manners.

Eat my hat: People say this when they don't believe that something; is going to happen e.g. 'If he passes that exam,; I'll eat my hat!'


Eat someone alive: If you eat someone alive, you defeat or beat them; comprehensively.

Eat your words: If you eat your words, you accept publicly that you were; wrong about something you said.

Economical with the truth: (UK) If someone, especially a politician, is economical; with the truth, they leave out information in order to; create a false picture of a situation, without actually lying.

Egg on your face: If someone has egg on their face, they are made; to look foolish or embarrassed.


Elbow grease: If something requires elbow grease, it involves; a lot of hard physical work.

Elbow room: If you haven't got enough elbow room, you haven't; got enough space.

Elephant in the room: An elephant in the room is a problem that everyone; knows very well but no one talks about because it is; taboo, embarrassing, etc.

Eleventh hour: If something happens at the eleventh hour, it happens; right at the last minute.

Empty vessels make the most noise: The thoughtless often speak the most.

End in smoke: If something ends in smoke, it produces no concrete or; positive result. This expression refers to the boasting; by a person, of having put in a lot of efforts by him,; for a particular cause or to attain a result which is very; difficult to be done by any person.

Etched in stone: Something, especially rules and customs, that cannot; be changed at all is said to be etched in stone.

Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once in a while: This expression means that even if people are ineffective; or misguided, sometimes they can still be correct just by; being lucky.

Even a broken clock is right twice a day: This is used when people get lucky and are undeservedly; successful.('Even a stopped clock is right twice a day' is; also used.)


Even keel: If something is on an even keel, it is balanced.


Even Stevens: If everything is equal between people, they are even; Stevens.

Even the dogs in the street know: (Irish) This idiom is used frequently in Ireland, and means; something is so obvious that even the dogs in the street; know it.

Every ass likes to hear himself bray: This means that people like the sound of their own voice.


Every cloud has a silver lining: People sometimes say that every cloud has a silver lining; to comfort somebody who's having problems.

Every dog has its day: This idiom means that everyone gets their moment to; shine.


Every man and his dog: A lot of people - as in sending out invitations to a large; number of people

Every man for himself: If it's every man for himself, then people are trying to; save themselves from a difficult situation without; trying to help anyone else.


Every man has his price: Anyone's opinion or support can be bought, everyone's; principles have a limit.



Every man jack: If every man jack was involved in something, it is an; emphatic way of saying that absolutely everybody was; involved.

Every nook and cranny: If you search every nook and cranny, you look; everywhere for something.

Every Tom, Dick and Harry: If every Tom, Dick and Harry knows about something,; then it is common knowledge.

Every trick in the book: If you try every trick in the book, you try every possible; way, including dishonesty and deceit, to get what you; want.

Everybody and their uncle

This basically means a lot of people or too many

people; everybody and their uncle was there.

Everything but the kitchen sink: If people include everything but the kitchen sink,; they include every possibility, regardless of whether; they are useful.


Exception that proves the rule: This expression is used by many to indicate that an; exception in some way confirms a rule. Others say; that the exception tests the rule. In its original legal; sense, it meant that a rule could sometimes be; inferred from an exemption or exception.

Explore all avenues: If all avenues are being explored, then every; conceivable approach is being tried that could; possibly get the desired result.

Eye candy: When a person is very attractive, they can be described; as eye candy - sweet to look at!

Eye for an eye

This is an expression for retributive justice, where the

punishment equals the crime.

Eye-opener: Something surprising, unexpected which reveals the; truth about something or someone.


Eyes are bigger than one's stomach: If someone's eyes are bigger than their stomach, they; are greedy and take on more than they can consume; or manage.

F ~

Face like thunder: If someone has a face like thunder, they are clearly; very angry or upset about something.

Face only a mother could love: When someone has a face only a mother could love,; they are ugly.

Face the music: If you have to face the music, you have to accept the; negative consequences of something you have done; wrong.


Face value: If you take something at face value, you accept the; appearance rather than looking deeper into the matter.


Face your demons: If you face your demons, you confront your fears or; something that you have been trying hard to avoid.


Facts of life: When someone is taught the facts of life, they learn; about sex and reproduction.


Failure is the mother of success: Failure is often a stepping stone towards success.

Faint heart never won fair lady: This means that you will not get the partner of your; dreams if you lack the confidence to let them; know how you feel.


Fair and square: If someone wins something fair and square, they; follow the rules and win conclusively.


Fair crack of the whip: (UK) If everybody has a fair crack of the whip,; they all have equal opportunities to do something.

Fair shake of the whip: (USA) If everybody has a fair shake of the whip,; they all have equal opportunities to do something.

Fair thee well: Meaning completely and fully: I am tied up today; to a fair-thee-well.

Fall by the wayside: To fall by the wayside is to give up or fail before; completion.


Fall from grace: If a person falls from grace, they lose favor with; someone.


Fall off the back of a lorry: (UK) If someone tries to sell you something that has; fallen of the back of a lorry, they are trying to sell you; stolen goods.

Fall off the turnip truck: (USA) If someone has just fallen off the turnip truck,; they are uninformed, naive and gullible.; (Often used in the negative)

Fight tooth and nail

If someone will fight tooth and nail for something, they

will not stop at anything to get what they want.

('Fight tooth and claw' is an alternative.)

Fighting chance: If you have a fighting chance, you have a reasonable; possibility of success.

Find your feet: When you are finding your feet, you are in the process; of gaining confidence and experience in something.

Fine and dandy: (UK) If thing's are fine and dandy, then everything is; going well.

Fine tuning: Small adjustments to improve something or to; get it working are called fine tuning.

Fine words butter no parsnips: This idiom means that it's easy to talk, but talk; is not action.

Finger in the pie: If you have a finger in the pie, you have an; interest in something.

Fire away: If you want to ask someone a question and they; tell you to fire away, they mean that you are free; to ask what you want.

Fire in the hole!: This is used as a warning when a planned; explosion is about to happen.

Fire on all cylinders: If something is firing on all cylinders, it is going as; well as it could.

First come, first served: This means there will be no preferential treatment; and a service will be provided to those that arrive first.

First out of the gate: When someone is first out of the gate, they are; the first to do something that others are trying to do.

First port of call: The first place you stop to do something is your; first port of call.

Fish in troubled waters: Someone who fishes in troubled waters tries to; takes advantage of a shaky or unstable situation.; The extremists were fishing in troubled water; during the political uncertainty in the country.

Fish out of water: If you are placed in a situation that is completely; new to you and confuses you, you are like a fish; out of water.

Fishy: If there is something fishy about someone or; something, there is something suspicious; a; feeling that there is something wrong, though; it isn't clear what it is.


Fit as a fiddle: If you are fit as a fiddle, you are in perfect health.


Fit for a king: If something is fit for a king, it is of the very highest; quality or standard.


Fit like a glove: If something fits like a glove, it is suitable or the; right size.

Fit of pique: If someone reacts badly because their pride is hurt,; this is a fit of pique.


Fit the bill: If something fits the bill, it is what is required for the task.


Fit to be tied: If someone is fit to be tied, they are extremely angry.

Five o'clock shadow: A five o'clock shadow is the facial hair that a man; gets if he doesn't shave for a day or two.



Fly the flag: If someone flies the flag, they represent or support; their country. ('Wave the flag' and 'show the flag'; are alternative forms of this idiom)


Foam at the mouth: If you foam at the mouth, you are very, very angry.


Follow your nose: When giving directions, telling someone to follow; their nose means that they should go straight ahead.


Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me: This means that you should learn from your; mistakes and not allow people to take advantage; of you repeatedly.


Fools rush in where angels fear to tread: This idiom is used where people who are; inexperienced or lack knowledge do something; that more informed people would avoid.

Foot in mouth: This is used to describe someone who has just said; something embarrassing, inappropriate, wrong or stupid.

Foot in the door: If you have or get your foot in the door, you start; working in a company or organisation at a low level,; hoping that you will be able to progress from there.

Foot the bill: The person who foots the bill pays the bill for everybody.

Football's a game of two halves: (UK) If something's a game of two halves, it means; that it's possible for someone's fortunes or luck to; change and the person who's winning could end; up a loser.

For a song: If you buy or sell something for a song, it is very cheap.

For donkey's years: (UK) If people have done something, usually without; much if any change, for an awfully long time, they; can be said to have done it for donkey's years.


For kicks: If you do something for kicks, or just for kicks,; you do it purely for fun or thrills.

For my money: This idiom means 'in my opinion'.


For Pete's sake: This is used as an exclamation to show exasperation; or irritation.


For the birds: If something is worthless or ridiculous, it is for the birds.

For the love of Pete: Usually used in exasperation, as in 'Oh, for the; love of Pete!'

For the time being: For the time being indicates that an action or state; will continue into the future, but is temporary. I'm; sharing an office for the time being.

Forbidden fruit: Something enjoyable that is illegal or immoral is; forbidden fruit.

Foregone conclusion: If the result of, say, a football match is a foregone; conclusion, then the result is obvious before the game; has even begun.

Forest for the trees: (USA) If someone can't see the forest for the trees,; they get so caught up in small details that they fail; to understand the bigger picture.

Fortune knocks once at every man's door: Everyone gets one good chance in a lifetime.

Foul play: If the police suspect foul play, they think a crime; was committed.

Four corners of the earth: If something goes to, or comes from, the four corners; of the earth, it goes or comes absolutely everywhere.


Free-for-all

A free-for-all is a fight or contest in which everyone

gets involved and rules are not respected.

French leave: To take French leave is to leave a gathering without; saying goodbye or without permission.

Fresh from the oven: If something is fresh from the oven, it is very new.

Freudian Slip: If someone makes a Freudian slip, they accidentally; use the wrong word, but in doing so reveal what they; are really thinking rather than what they think the; other person wants to hear.

Friendly footing: When relationships are on a friendly footing, they; are going well.


Frog in my throat: If you have a frog in your throat, you can't speak or you; are losing your voice because you have a problem with; your throat.


From Missouri: (USA) If someone is from Missouri, then they require; clear proof before they will believe something.

From pillar to post: If something is going from pillar to post, it is moving; around in a meaningless way, from one disaster to; another.

From rags to riches: Someone who starts life very poor and makes a; fortune goes from rags to riches.

From scratch: This idiom means 'from the beginning'.

From soup to nuts: If you do something from soup to nuts, you do it from; the beginning right to the very end.

From the bottom of your heart: If someone does something from the bottom of their; heart, then they do it with genuine emotion and feeling.


From the horse's mouth: If you hear something from the horse's mouth, you; hear it directly from the person concerned or responsible.

From the sublime to the ridiculous: If something declines considerably in quality or; importance, it is said to have gone from the sublime; to the ridiculous.

From the word go: From the word go means from the very beginning of; something.

Full as a tick: If you are as full as a tick, you have eaten too much.

Full bore: If something is full bore, it involves the maximum; effort or is complete and thorough.

Full circle: When something has come full circle, it has ended; up where it started.


Full of beans: If someone's full of beans, they are very energetic.


Full of oneself: Someone who acts in a arrogant or egotistical; manner is full of himself/herself.

Full of piss and vinegar: Someone who's full of piss and vinegar is full of; youthful energy.

Full of the joys of spring: If you are full of the joys of spring, you are very; happy and full of energy.

Full swing: If a something is in full swing, it is going or doing well.

Full throttle

If you do something full throttle, you do it with as

much speed and energy as you can.


Fullness of time: If something happens in the fullness of time, it will; happen when the time is right and appropriate.

Fur coat and no knickers: Someone with airs and graces, but no real class; is fur coat and no knickers.

Fuzzy thinking: Thinking or ideas that do not agree with the facts; or information available

~ G ~


Game plan: A game plan is a strategy.

Garbage fee: A garbage fee is a charge that has no value and; doesn't provide any real service.

Garbage in, garbage out: If a computer system or database is built badly,; then the results will be bad.

Gardening leave: (UK) If someone is paid for a period when they; are not working, either after they have given in; their notice or when they are being investigated,; they are on gardening leave.

Gather pace: If events gather pace, they move faster.

Get a sheepskin: Getting a sheepskin (or your sheepskin) means; getting a degree or diploma. (Sheepskin refers; to the parchment that a degree is printed on-; parchment comes from sheepskin.)

Get along famously: If people get along famously, they have an; exceedingly good relationship.

Get away scot-free: If someone gets away scot-free, they are not; punished when they have done something wrong.; ('Get off scot-free' is an alternative.)

Get away with murder: If you get away with murder, you do something bad and don't get caught or punished.('Get away with blue murder' is also used.)

Get back on the horse that bucked you: When you start drinking again after being hungover; from drinking the previous night.

Get in on the act: If people want to get in on the act, they want to; participate in something that is currently profitable; or popular.

Get in on the ground floor: If you get in on the ground floor, you enter a project; or venture at the start before people know how; successful it might be.


Get my drift: If you get someone's drift, you understand what they; are trying to say. ('Catch their drift' is an alternative; form.)


Get off the ground: If a project or plan gets off the ground, it starts; to be put into operation.

Get on like a house on fire: If people get on like a house on fire, they have; a very close and good relationship.

Get on your nerves: If something gets on your nerves, it annoys or; irritates you.

Get on your soapbox: If someone on their soapbox, they hold forth; (talk a lot) about a subject they feel strongly about.


Get out of your pram: (UK) If someone gets out of their pram, they respond; aggressively to an argument or problem that doesn't; involve them.


Get the axe: If you get the axe, you lose your job. ('Get the ax; ' is the American spelling.)


Get the ball rolling: If you get the ball rolling, you start something so; that it can start making progress.


Get the green light: If you get the green light to do something, you are; given the necessary permission, authorisation.


Get the monkey off your back: If you get the monkey off your back, you pass on a; problem to someone else.

Get the nod: (UK) If you get the nod to something, you get; approval or permission to do it.

Get the picture: If you get the picture, you understand a situation fully.

Get the show on the road: If you get the show on the road, you put a plan into; operation or begin something.

Get to grips: If you get to grips with something, you take control; and do it properly.

Get up and go: If someone has lots of get up and go, they have; lots of enthusiasm and energy.

Get wind of: If you get wind of something, you hear or learn; about it, especially if it was meant to be secret.

Get your ducks in a row: If you get your ducks in a row, you organise yourself; and your life.

Get your feathers in a bunch: If you get your feathers in a bunch, you get upset or; angry about something.

Get your feet wet: If you get your feet wet, you gain your first; experience of something.

Get your goat: If something gets your goat, it annoys you.


Get your hands dirty: If you get your hands dirty, you become involved in; something where the realities might compromise; your principles.

Get your head around something: If you get your head around something, you come to; understand it even though it is difficult to comprehend.

Get your teeth into: If you get your teeth into something, you become; involved in or do something that is intellectually; challenging or satisfying.

Get your wires crossed: If people get their wires cross, they misunderstand; each other, especially when making arrangements.; ('Get your lines crossed' is also used.)

Ghost of a chance: If something or someone hasn't got a ghost of a; chance, they have no hope whatsoever of; succeeding.

Ghostly presence: You can feel or otherwise sense a ghostly presence,; but you cannot do it clearly only vaguely.

Gift of the gab: If someone has the gift of the gab, they speak in a; persuasive and interesting way.

Gild the lily: If you gild the lily, you decorate something that is; already ornate.


Girl Friday: A girl Friday is a female employee who assists; someone without any specific duties.

Give a big hand: Applaud by clapping hands. 'Let's give all the; contestents a big hand.'

Give a dog a bad name: A person who is generally known to have been; guilty of some offence will always be suspected; to be the author of all similar types of offence.

Give and take: Where there is give and take, people make; concessions in order to get things they want in; negotiations.

Give as good as you get: If you give as good as you get, you are prepared to; treat people as badly as they treat you and to fight; for what you believe.

Give away the store: (USA) If someone gives away the store, they say; or do something that makes their position in; negotiations, debates, etc, much weaker.


Give me five: If someone says this, they want to hit your open; hand against theirs as a way of congratulation; or greeting.

Give someone a leg up: If you give someone a leg up, you help them to; achieve something that they couldn't have done alone.

Give someone a piece of your mind: If you give someone a piece of your mind, you; criticise them strongly and angrily.

Go down like a lead balloon: (UK) If something goes down like a lead balloon,; it fails or is extremely badly received.


Go down without a fight: If someone goes down without a fight, they surrender; without putting up any resistance.

Go Dutch: If you go Dutch in a restaurant, you pay equal shares; for the meal.

Go fly a kite: (USA) This is used to tell someone to go away and; leave you alone.

Go for broke: If someone goes for broke, they risk everything they have for a potentially greater gain.

Go for the jugular: If you go for the jugular, you attack someone where they are most vulnerable.

Go fry an egg: (USA) This is used to tell someone to go away and leave you alone.

Go hand in hand: If things go hand in hand, they are associated and go together.

Go nuts: If someone goes nuts, they get excited over something.

Go off on a tangent: If someone goes off on a tangent, they change the subject completely in the middle of a conversation or talk.

Go over like a lead balloon: (USA) If something goes over like a lead balloon, it will not work well, or go over well.

Go overboard: If you go overboard, you do something excessively.

Go pear-shaped: If things have gone wrong, they have gone pear-shaped.

Go play in traffic: This is used as a way of telling someone to go away.

Go round in circles: If people are going round in circles, they keep discussing the same thing without reaching any agreement or coming to a conclusion.

Go south: If things go south, they get worse or go wrong.

Go spare: (UK) If you go spare, you lose your temper completely.

Go tell it to birds: This is used when someone says something that is not credible or is a lie.

Go the distance: If you go the distance, you continue until something ends, no matter how difficult.

Go the extra mile: If someone is prepared to go the extra mile, they will do everything they can to help or to make something succeed, going beyond their duty what could be expected of them .

Go the whole hog: If you go the whole hog, you do something completely or to its limits.

Go through the motions: When you go through the motions, you do something like an everyday routine and without any feelings whatsoever.

Go to seed: If someone has gone to seed, they have declined in quality or appearance.

Go to the wire: If someone goes to the wire, they risk their life, job, reputation, etc, to help someone.

Go to your head: If something goes to your head, it makes you feel vain. If alcohol goes to your head, it makes you feel drunk quickly.


Go under the hammer: If something goes under the hammer, it is sold in an auction.

Go with the flow: If you go with the flow, you accept things as they happen and do what everyone else wants to do.

Go-to guy: A go-to guy is a person whose knowledge of something is considerable so everyone wants to go to him or her for information or results.

Going concern: A successful and active business is a going concern.

Going Jesse: (USA) If something is a going Jesse, it's a viable, successful project or enterprise.


Going overboard: If you go overboard with something, then you take something too far, or do too much.


Golden handshake: A golden handshake is a payment made to someone to get them to leave their job.


Golden rule: The golden rule is the most essential or fundamental rule associated with something.

Golden touch: Someone with a golden touch can make money from or be successful at anything they do.

Gone to the dogs: If something has gone to the dogs, it has gone badly wrong and lost all the good things it had.

Good antennae: Someone with good antennae is good at detecting things.

~ H ~

Hail-fellow-well-met: Someone whose behavior is hearty, friendly and congenial.


Hair of the dog: If someone has a hair of the dog, they have an alcoholic drink as a way of getting rid of a hangover, the unpleasant effects of having drunk too much alcohol the night before.

Hairy at the heel: (UK) Someone who is hairy at the heel is dangerous or untrustworthy.


Hale and hearty: Someone who is hale and hearty is in very good health.


Half a loaf is better than no bread: It means that getting part of what you want is better than getting nothing at all.

Half a mind: If you have half a mind to do something, you haven't decided to do it, but are thinking seriously about doing it.


Half-baked: A half-baked idea or scheme hasn't not been thought through or planned very well.


Hammer and tongs: If people are going at it hammer and tongs, they are arguing fiercely. The idiom can also be used hen people are doing something energetically.

Hand in glove: If people are hand in glove, they have an extremely close relationship.


Hand in hand: Hand in hand= work together closely When people in a group, say in an office or in a project, work together with mutual understanding to achieve the target, we say they work hand in hand.


Hand that rocks the cradle: Women have a great power and influence because they have the greatest influence over the development of children- the hand that rocks the cradle.

Hand to mouth: Someone who's living from hand to mouth, is very poor and needs the little money they have coming in to cover their expenses.

Hands down: If someone is better hands down than everyone else, they are much better.

Handwriting like chicken scratch: If your handwriting is very hard to read, it is like chicken scratch.

Hang by a thread: If something hangs by a thread, there is a very small chance indeed of it being successful or surviving.

Hang in the balance: If an outcome is hanging in the balance, there are at least two possibilities and it is impossible to predict which will win out.

Hang out to dry: If you hang someone out to dry, you abandon them when they are in trouble.


Happy medium: If you reach a happy medium, you are making a compromise; reaching a conclusion or decision.

Happy-go-lucky: If someone is happy-go-lucky, they don't worry or plan and accept things as they happen.

Hard as nails: A person who is as hard as nails is either physically tough or has little or no respect for other people's feelings.

Hard by: "Hard by" means mean "close to" or "near".

Hard cheese: (UK) Hard cheese means hard luck.

Hard of hearing: Someone who's hard of hearing is a bit deaf.

Hard on someone's heels: If you are hard on someone's heels, you are close to them and trying to catch or overtake them. ('Hot on someone's heels' is also used.)

Hard sell: If someone puts a lot of pressure on you to do or buy something, they are hard selling it.

Hard to come by: If something is hard to come by, it is difficult to find.

Hard up: If you are hard up, you have very little money.

Haste makes waste: This idiom means that if you try to do something quickly, without planning it, you're likely to end up spending more time, money, etc, doing it.

Have a ball: If you have a ball, you have a great time, a lot of fun.

Have a bash: If you have a bash at something, you try to do it, especially when there isn't much chance of success.

Have a blast: It means "to have a lot of fun".

Have a crack: If you have a crack at something, you try to do it. If someone is attempting to do something and they are unsuccessful, you might say, "Let me have a crack at it" suggesting that you might be successful at performing the task. ('Take a crack' is also used.)

Have a foot in both camps: Someone who plays a part or who is involved in two different groups of people, opinions, ways of thinking or living, etc, has a foot in both camps.

Have a go: If you have a go, you try to do something, often when you don't think you have much chance of succeeding.

Have a heart: If someone has a heart, they arekind and sympathetic. If you say, 'Have a heart' to someone, you are asking them to be understanding and sympathetic.

Have a ripper: If you have a ripper of a time, you enjoy yourself.

Have a trick up your sleeve: If you have a trick up your sleeve, you have a secret strategy to use when the time is right.

Holy smoke!: This is a way of expressing surprise: "Holy smoke! Look at all of those geese!"

Home and hearth: 'Home and hearth' is an idiom evoking warmth and security.

Home is where you lay your hat: Wherever you are comfortable and at ease with yourself is your home, regardless where you were born or brought up.('Home is where you lay your head' and 'Home is where you hang your hat' are also used.)

Home stretch: The home stretch is the last part of something, like a journey, race or project.

Home sweet home: This is said when one is pleased to be back at one's own home.


Home, James: (UK) This is a cliched way of telling the driver of a vehicle to start driving. It is supposed to be an order to a chauffeur (a privately employed driver). The full phrase is 'Home, James, and don't spare the horses'.

Honest truth: If someone claims that something is the honest truth, they wish to sound extra-sincere about something.

Honor among thieves: If someone says there is honor among thieves, this means that even corrupt or bad people sometimes have a sense of honor or integrity, or justice, even if it is skewed. ('Honour among thieves' is the British English version.)

Honours are even: If honours are even, then a competition has ended with neither side emerging as a winner.

Hook, line, and sinker: If somebody accepts or believes something hook, line, and sinker, they accept it completely.

Hop, skip, and a jump: If a place is a hop, skip, and a jump from somewhere, it's only a short distance away.

Hope against hope: If you hope against hope, you hope for something even though there is little or no chance of your wish being fulfilled.


Hornets' nest: A hornets' nest is a violent situation or one with a lot of dispute. (If you create the problem, you 'stir up a hornets' nest'.)

Horns of a dilemma: If you are on the horns of a dilemma, you are faced with two equally unpleasant options and have to choose one.

Horse of a different color: (USA) If something is a horse of a different color, it's a different matter or separate issue altogether.

Horse trading: Horse trading is an idiom used to describe negotiations, especially where these are difficult and involve a lot of compromise.

Horses for courses: Horses for courses means that what is suitable for one person or situation might be unsuitable for another.

Hostile takeover: If a company is bought out when it does not want to be, it is known as a hostile takeover.

Hot air: Language that is full of words but means little or nothing is hot air.

Hot as blue blazes: If something's as hot as blue blazes, it's extremely hot.

Hot as Hades: If something's as hot as Hades, it's extremely hot.

Hot button: (USA) A hot button is a topic or issue that people feel very strongly about.

Hot foot: If you hot foot it out of a place, you leave very quickly, often running.

Hot potato: A problem or issue that is very controversial and no one wants to deal with is a hot potato.

Hot ticket: (USA) A hot ticket is something that is very much in demand at the moment.

Hot to trot: If someone is hot to trot, they are sexually aroused or eager to do something.

Hot under the collar: If you're hot under the collar, you're feeling angry or bothered.



Hot-blooded: Someone who is hot-blooded is easily excitable or passionate.

Hot-headed: A hot-headed person gets angry very easily. (The noun 'hothead' can also be used.)

Hour of need: A time when someone really needs something, almost a last chance, is their hour of need.

House of cards: Something that is poorly thought out and can easily collapse or fail is a house of cards.

How come: If you want to show disbelief or surprise about an action, you can ask a question using 'how come'. How come he got the job? (You can't believe that they gave the job to somebody like him)

How do you like them apples: (USA) This idiomatic expression is used to express surprise or shock at something that has happened. It can also be used to boast about something you have done.

How long is a piece of string: If someone has no idea of the answer to a question, they can ask 'How long is a piece of string?' as a way of indicating their ignorance.

How's tricks?: This is used as a way of asking people how they are and how things have been going in their life.

Hue and cry: Hue and cry is an expression that used to mean all the people who joined in chasing a criminal or villain. Nowadays, if you do something without hue and cry, you do it discreetly and without drawing attention.