idioms

A Penelope's web | Endless work | This documentation feels like a Penelope's web | A Penelope's web = endless work An iron hand | Strict control | The manager rules with an iron hand | an iron hand = strict control A sea change | Big change | There's been a sea change in policy | a sea change = big change A bolt from the blue | Sudden shock | Her resignation was a bolt from the blue | a bolt from the blue = sudden shock A fish out of water | Uncomfortable | At the tech meetup, I felt like a fish out of water | a fish out of water = uncomfortable Achilles' heel | Weak point | Security is their Achilles' heel | Achilles' heel = weak point A red letter day | Important day | Graduation was a red letter day for me | a red letter day = important day A drop in the ocean | Too small amount | This donation is a drop in the ocean | a drop in the ocean = too small amount A bird in hand is worth two in the bush | Something certain is better than possibility | I took the job as a bird in hand is worth two in the bush | a bird in hand is worth two in the bush = something certain is better than possibility A stitch in time saves nine | Solve early | Fix it now as stitch in time saves nine | a stitch in time saves nine = solve early A damsel in distress | Helpless woman | The hero saved the damsel | a damsel in distress = helpless woman All hat and no cattle | Big talk no action | He is all hat and no cattle | all hat and no cattle = big talk no action A dog's life | Miserable life | He lives a dog's life | a dog's life = miserable life A chip off the old block | Like parent | He is a chip off the old block | a chip off the old block = like parent A wild goose chase | Useless search | It was a wild goose chase | a wild goose chase = useless search An about turn | Complete change | He made an about turn | an about turn = complete change As good as gold | Well behaved | The child is good as gold | as good as gold = well behaved A slap on the wrist | Mild punishment | He got a slap on the wrist | a slap on the wrist = mild punishment A bed of roses | An easy and comfortable situation | Life is not a bed of roses | a bed of roses = an easy and comfortable situation A blessing in disguise | Something good hidden in bad | Losing that job was a blessing in disguise | a blessing in disguise = something good hidden in bad All thumbs | Clumsy | I am all thumbs | all thumbs = clumsy A bird's eye view | A general overview | The map gives a bird's eye view | a bird's eye view = a general overview A diamond in the rough | Talented but unpolished | He is a diamond in the rough | a diamond in the rough = talented but unpolished A grey area | Unclear situation | This law is a grey area | a grey area = unclear situation A damp squib | Disappointing result | The show was a damp squib | a damp squib = disappointing result As high as a kite | Intoxicated | He was high as a kite | as high as a kite = intoxicated A piece of cake | Very easy | It is a piece of cake | a piece of cake = very easy A cuckoo in the nest | Unwanted intruder | He felt like a cuckoo in the nest | a cuckoo in the nest = unwanted intruder A can of worms | Complicated problem | This issue is a can of worms | a can of worms = complicated problem All in all | Overall | All in all, it was good | all in all = overall A gentleman at large | Jobless man | He is a gentleman at large | a gentleman at large = jobless man Apple cart | Plan ruined | This spoiled the apple cart | apple cart = plan ruined A cold fish | Unfriendly person | She is a cold fish | a cold fish = unfriendly person A walk of life | Profession | People from all walks of life | a walk of life = profession A burning question | Important issue | This is a burning question | a burning question = important issue An arm-chair critic | Theoretical critic | He is an arm-chair critic | an arm-chair critic = theoretical critic A wet blanket | Spoils fun | He is a wet blanket | a wet blanket = spoils fun A square deal | Fair deal | He gave me a square deal | a square deal = fair deal A dime a dozen | Very common | These are dime a dozen | a dime a dozen = very common A rainy day | Difficult time | Save for a rainy day | a rainy day = difficult time A red rag to a bull | Provoking thing | His words are a red rag to a bull | a red rag to a bull = provoking thing A man of straw | Weak person | He is a man of straw | a man of straw = weak person A fly on the wall | Silent observer | I was a fly on the wall | a fly on the wall = silent observer A hard nut to crack | Difficult problem | This question is a hard nut to crack | a hard nut to crack = difficult problem All in a day's work | Routine | It's all in a day's work | all in a day's work = routine A close-fisted person | Miser | He is a close-fisted person | a close-fisted person = miser A fool's paradise | False happiness | He lives in fool's paradise | a fool's paradise = false happiness A drop in a bucket | Very small amount | This is a drop in a bucket | a drop in a bucket = very small amount A rotten apple | Bad person | He is a rotten apple | a rotten apple = bad person As fit as a fiddle | Very healthy | He is fit as a fiddle | as fit as a fiddle = very healthy A hair's breadth | Very small margin | He escaped by a hair's breadth | a hair's breadth = very small margin A man of letters | Scholar | He is a man of letters | a man of letters = scholar A bone of contention | Cause of dispute | Money became a bone of contention | a bone of contention = cause of dispute All eyes and ears | Fully attentive | Be all eyes and ears | all eyes and ears = fully attentive A house of cards | Weak structure | His plan is a house of cards | a house of cards = weak structure A child's play | Very easy | It is child's play | a child's play = very easy A laughing stock | Object of ridicule | He became a laughing stock | a laughing stock = object of ridicule An eye opener | Shocking truth | This was an eye opener | an eye opener = shocking truth A dead loss | Useless | This item is a dead loss | a dead loss = useless A leopard can't change its spots | Nature cannot change | He will not change as leopard can't change spots | a leopard can't change its spots = nature cannot change A needle in a haystack | Very hard to find | Finding him is like a needle in a haystack | a needle in a haystack = very hard to find A dark horse | Unexpected winner | He became a dark horse | a dark horse = unexpected winner All eyes | Watching eagerly | All eyes were on him | all eyes = watching eagerly A hair in the butter | Difficult situation | This matter is a hair in the butter | a hair in the butter = difficult situation A safe pair of hands | Reliable person | She is a safe pair of hands | a safe pair of hands = reliable person A golden mean | Middle path | Follow the golden mean | a golden mean = middle path A bull in a china shop | Clumsy person | He acts like a bull in a china shop | a bull in a china shop = clumsy person A live wire | Energetic person | He is a live wire | a live wire = energetic person A moot point | Debatable issue | This is a moot point | a moot point = debatable issue A close shave | Narrow escape | It was a close shave | a close shave = narrow escape A blue-eyed boy | Favourite person | He is the teacher's blue-eyed boy | a blue-eyed boy = favourite person A bad patch | A period of difficulty | He is going through a bad patch in life | a bad patch = a period of difficulty A skeleton in the cupboard | Hidden secret | Every family has a skeleton in cupboard | a skeleton in the cupboard = hidden secret A picture paints a thousand words | Image more powerful than words | This photo paints a thousand words | a picture paints a thousand words = image more powerful than words A kick in the teeth | Great disappointment | This result is a kick in the teeth | a kick in the teeth = great disappointment A piece of the pie | Share | I want a piece of the pie | a piece of the pie = share A pain in the neck | Annoying person | He is a pain in the neck | a pain in the neck = annoying person A ray of hope | Hope | This is a ray of hope | a ray of hope = hope A fine state of affairs | Bad situation | This is a fine state of affairs | a fine state of affairs = bad situation A wolf in sheep's clothing | Dangerous person | He is a wolf in sheep's clothing | a wolf in sheep's clothing = dangerous person A bad hair day | A day when everything goes wrong | Today is a bad hair day, nothing is working for me | a bad hair day = a day when everything goes wrong A mare's nest | Confusion | This is a mare's nest | a mare's nest = confusion A little gush of gratitude | Friendly feeling | She showed a gush of gratitude | a little gush of gratitude = friendly feeling A rolling stone gathers no moss | No stability | He changes jobs as a rolling stone gathers no moss | a rolling stone gathers no moss = no stability A stiff-necked person | Stubborn | He is stiff-necked | a stiff-necked person = stubborn A change of heart | Change in opinion | He had a change of heart | a change of heart = change in opinion A stone's throw away | Very near | The school is a stone's throw away | a stone's throw away = very near A storm in a teacup | Big fuss over small issue | It is a storm in a teacup | a storm in a teacup = big fuss over small issue A white elephant | Costly burden | This project is a white elephant | a white elephant = costly burden A cut above something | Superior | She is a cut above others | a cut above something = superior A fire in someone's belly | Strong desire | He has fire in his belly | a fire in someone's belly = strong desire A carrot and stick approach | Reward and punishment method | They use carrot and stick approach | a carrot and stick approach = reward and punishment method A dry run | Practice | Let's do a dry run | a dry run = practice A long shot | Low chance | Winning is a long shot | a long shot = low chance A sacred cow | Untouchable person | He is treated as a sacred cow | a sacred cow = untouchable person A man of spirit | Brave man | He is a man of spirit | a man of spirit = brave man A shot in the arm | Encouragement | This news is a shot in the arm | a shot in the arm = encouragement A stumbling block | Obstacle | This rule is a stumbling block | a stumbling block = obstacle A sight for sore eyes | Pleasant sight | You are a sight for sore eyes | a sight for sore eyes = pleasant sight A thorn in the flesh | Constant trouble | He is a thorn in my flesh | a thorn in the flesh = constant trouble A turning point | Important moment | This is a turning point | a turning point = important moment A vexed question | Controversial issue | This is a vexed question | a vexed question = controversial issue A dog's breakfast | Total mess | The work is a dog's breakfast | a dog's breakfast = total mess A cakewalk | Very easy task | The paper was a cakewalk | a cakewalk = very easy task A closed book | Mystery | Maths is a closed book to me | a closed book = mystery A hornet's nest | Troublesome situation | He stirred a hornet's nest | a hornet's nest = troublesome situation A lame excuse | Weak excuse | That is a lame excuse | a lame excuse = weak excuse A left-handed compliment | Insult disguised as praise | That was a left-handed compliment | a left-handed compliment = insult disguised as praise A lean patch | Poor period | The company faced a lean patch | a lean patch = poor period A little bird told me | Secret source | A little bird told me the news | a little bird told me = secret source A lot on your plate | Many responsibilities | I have a lot on my plate | a lot on your plate = many responsibilities A month of Sundays | Very long time | I haven't seen him in a month of Sundays | a month of Sundays = very long time A nig-nog | Fool | Don't be a nig-nog | a nig-nog = fool A penny for your thoughts | Asking what someone thinks | Penny for your thoughts | a penny for your thoughts = asking what someone thinks A snake in the grass | Treacherous person | Beware of him, he is a snake in the grass | a snake in the grass = treacherous person A sore point | Sensitive issue | This topic is a sore point | a sore point = sensitive issue A stuffed shirt | Pompous person | He is a stuffed shirt | a stuffed shirt = pompous person ABC of something | Basic knowledge | Learn ABC of maths | ABC of something = basic knowledge Above board | Honest | He is above board | above board = honest Acid test | Final test | This exam is an acid test | acid test = final test Actions speak louder than words | Actions matter more | Actions speak louder than words | actions speak louder than words = actions matter more Adam's ale | Water | He drank Adam's ale | Adam's ale = water Add insult to injury | Make worse | He added insult to injury | add insult to injury = make worse After one's own heart | Similar taste | She is after my own heart | after one's own heart = similar taste Aid and abet | Help in crime | He aided and abetted | aid and abet = help in crime Aladdin's cave | Treasure place | This shop is Aladdin's cave | Aladdin's cave = treasure place Alarms and excursions | Confusion | There were alarms and excursions | alarms and excursions = confusion Alive and kicking | Healthy | He is alive and kicking | alive and kicking = healthy All agog | Amazed | He was all agog | all agog = amazed All and sundry | Everyone | All and sundry attended | all and sundry = everyone All hands on deck | Everyone ready | All hands on deck now | all hands on deck = everyone ready All in | Exhausted | I am all in | all in = exhausted All moonshine | Unreal | This idea is moonshine | all moonshine = unreal All our might and main | Full effort | Work with all might and main | all our might and main = full effort All over hell's half acre | Everywhere | He searched all over hell's half acre | all over hell's half acre = everywhere Alma mater | Former school | This is my alma mater | alma mater = former school Alpha and omega | Beginning and end | He is alpha and omega | alpha and omega = beginning and end Alphabet soup | Many abbreviations | The report is alphabet soup | alphabet soup = many abbreviations Always a bridesmaid never a bride | Never the main person | She is always a bridesmaid never a bride | always a bridesmaid never a bride = never the main person An account in the red | Overdrawn account | My account is in the red | an account in the red = overdrawn account An arrow in the quiver | Available option | This is another arrow in my quiver | an arrow in the quiver = available option An article of faith | Strong belief | It is an article of faith | an article of faith = strong belief An eagle eye | Sharp watch | He has an eagle eye | an eagle eye = sharp watch An olive branch | Peace offer | He extended an olive branch | an olive branch = peace offer An open book | Transparent person | He is an open book | an open book = transparent person An uphill task | Difficult task | It is an uphill task | an uphill task = difficult task Apple of one's eye | Very dear | She is apple of my eye | apple of one's eye = very dear Apples and oranges | Different things | Don't compare apples and oranges | apples and oranges = different things Argus-eyed | Watchful | He is Argus-eyed | Argus-eyed = watchful Around the clock | All time | He works around the clock | around the clock = all time As a matter of fact | Actually | As a matter of fact, he is right | as a matter of fact = actually As bald as a cue ball | Completely bald | He is bald as a cue ball | as bald as a cue ball = completely bald As clear as mud | Not clear | The explanation is clear as mud | as clear as mud = not clear As daft as a brush | Very foolish | He is daft as a brush | as daft as a brush = very foolish As hard as a nail | Emotionless | He is hard as a nail | as hard as a nail = emotionless A flying visit | Short visit | He paid a flying visit | a flying visit = short visit A green horn | Inexperienced person | He is a green horn | a green horn = inexperienced person A cog in the machine | Small part of system | I am a cog in the machine | a cog in the machine = small part of system A Good Samaritan | Helpful person | He acted as a Good Samaritan | a Good Samaritan = helpful person A bee hive | A busy place | The office looked like a bee hive | a bee hive = a busy place An iron will | Strong determination | He has iron will | an iron will = strong determination A hot potato | Controversial issue | This is a hot potato | a hot potato = controversial issue As clear as a bell | Very clear | His voice is clear as a bell | as clear as a bell = very clear A big draw | A major attraction | The actor was the big draw | a big draw = a major attraction A hairbreadth escape | Narrow escape | It was a hairbreadth escape | a hairbreadth escape = narrow escape Above one's head | Beyond understanding | This is above my head | above one's head = beyond understanding Broke down | Cry / stop | She broke down in tears | broke down = cry / stop As the crow flies | The shortest route | The village is only 5 km away as the crow flies | as the crow flies = the shortest route Barking up the wrong tree | Following wrong approach | You are barking up the wrong tree | barking up the wrong tree = following wrong approach Be on the breadline | Very poor | Many families live on the breadline | be on the breadline = very poor Back seat driver | Interferer without knowledge | Stop being a back seat driver | back seat driver = interferer without knowledge Be worlds apart | Very different | Their views are worlds apart | be worlds apart = very different Break new ground | Innovate | Scientists break new ground | break new ground = innovate Be under no illusions | Fully aware | Be under no illusions about difficulty | be under no illusions = fully aware Bring about | Cause | This will bring about change | bring about = cause At snail's pace | Very slowly | Traffic moved at a snail's pace | at snail's pace = very slowly At stake | In danger | His reputation is at stake | at stake = in danger Be in two minds | Indecisive | I am in two minds about it | be in two minds = indecisive Blind alley | Dead end | This path is a blind alley | blind alley = dead end Be behind the times | Old-fashioned | He is behind the times in technology | be behind the times = old-fashioned Bear the brunt of | Face worst | He bore the brunt of criticism | bear the brunt of = face worst Best thing since sliced bread | Very useful | This app is best thing since sliced bread | best thing since sliced bread = very useful Bite off more than one can chew | Take too much | Don't bite off more than you can chew | bite off more than one can chew = take too much Bone to pick | Reason for quarrel | I have a bone to pick with you | bone to pick = reason for quarrel Broke off | Suddenly stop | Talks broke off | broke off = suddenly stop Black sheep | Disgraced person | He is the black sheep of family | black sheep = disgraced person At a stretch | Continuously | He worked for 10 hours at a stretch | at a stretch = continuously At one's wit's end | Completely puzzled | I was at my wit's end solving the puzzle | at one's wit's end = completely puzzled Be on the square | Honest | He is always on the square | be on the square = honest Back on one's feet | Recover | After loss, he is back on his feet | back on one's feet = recover Be in someone's shoes | In same situation | Try to be in his shoes | be in someone's shoes = in same situation Build castles in the air | Daydream | Don't build castles in the air | build castles in the air = daydream Broke a lance with | Argue | He broke a lance with rival | broke a lance with = argue Be all one to | Make no difference | It is all one to me | be all one to = make no difference At loggerheads | In strong disagreement | The managers are at loggerheads over policy | at loggerheads = in strong disagreement At each other's throats | Arguing angrily | They were at each other's throats in the meeting | at each other's throats = arguing angrily Back up | Support | Evidence backs up his claim | back up = support Be an old hat | Outdated | That idea is an old hat | be an old hat = outdated Bear fruit | Produce results | Hard work will bear fruit | bear fruit = produce results At daggers drawn | In hostility | The two brothers are at daggers drawn over property | at daggers drawn = in hostility Be down with | Suffer from | He is down with fever | be down with = suffer from Be in force | In large numbers | Police were in force | be in force = in large numbers Bring the house down | Great applause | The act brought the house down | bring the house down = great applause Blow up | Explode | The bomb blew up | blow up = explode Breathing down neck | Closely watch | Boss is breathing down my neck | breathing down neck = closely watch Bear in mind | Remember | Bear in mind the rules | bear in mind = remember Be at a loss for words | Unable to speak | I was at a loss for words after hearing the news | be at a loss for words = unable to speak Be in the red | In loss | The firm is in the red | be in the red = in loss Back to square one | Start again | The plan failed, back to square one | back to square one = start again Bite someone's head off | Speak angrily | He bit my head off for no reason | bite someone's head off = speak angrily As thick as two short planks | Extremely stupid | Don't expect logic from him, he's as thick as two short planks | as thick as two short planks = extremely stupid Assume airs | Pretend superiority | He assumes airs after getting promoted | assume airs = pretend superiority At large | Escaped / not captured | The criminal is still at large | at large = escaped / not captured At sixes and sevens | In disorder | The room was at sixes and sevens after the party | at sixes and sevens = in disorder At the drop of a hat | Immediately | She starts crying at the drop of a hat | at the drop of a hat = immediately At variance with | In disagreement | His views are at variance with mine | at variance with = in disagreement Babe in the woods | Innocent person | He is a babe in the woods in business matters | babe in the woods = innocent person Back out of | Withdraw | He backed out of the deal | back out of = withdraw Bad blood | Ill feeling | There is bad blood between them | bad blood = ill feeling Bag and baggage | With all belongings | He left the city bag and baggage | bag and baggage = with all belongings Ball is in your court | Decision is yours | I've done my part, now the ball is in your court | ball is in your court = decision is yours Bark is worse than his bite | Threat greater than action | Don't fear him, his bark is worse than his bite | bark is worse than his bite = threat greater than action Batten down the hatches | Prepare for trouble | We must batten down the hatches before the storm | batten down the hatches = prepare for trouble Be a dead meat | In serious trouble | If caught, you are dead meat | be a dead meat = in serious trouble Be all ears | Listen attentively | I'm all ears for your story | be all ears = listen attentively Be born with a silver spoon | Born rich | He was born with a silver spoon | be born with a silver spoon = born rich Be going places | Successful | She is going places in life | be going places = successful Be hard hit | Badly affected | The company was hard hit by losses | be hard hit = badly affected Be hard up | Poor | He is hard up these days | be hard up = poor Be in the air | Under discussion | The idea is in the air | be in the air = under discussion Be left stranded | Stuck | He was left stranded on the road | be left stranded = stuck Be like chalk and cheese | Totally different | They are like chalk and cheese | be like chalk and cheese = totally different Be off | Go away | It's late, I must be off | be off = go away Be on high alert | Ready | Security is on high alert | be on high alert = ready Be on the air | Broadcast | The show is on the air | be on the air = broadcast Be out of order | Not working | The lift is out of order | be out of order = not working Be over the moon | Very happy | She was over the moon after results | be over the moon = very happy Be under someone's thumb | Controlled | He is under his boss's thumb | be under someone's thumb = controlled Be wet behind the ears | Inexperienced | He is wet behind the ears | be wet behind the ears = inexperienced Bear down | Move forcefully | The army bore down on enemies | bear down = move forcefully Bear garden | Noisy place | The class became a bear garden | bear garden = noisy place Bear the palm | Win | He bore the palm in competition | bear the palm = win Bear up with | Endure | She bore up with difficulties | bear up with = endure Bear with | Be patient | Bear with me for a minute | bear with = be patient Beat around the bush | Avoid main point | Stop beating around the bush | beat around the bush = avoid main point Beat one's brains out | Try hard | He beat his brains out to solve it | beat one's brains out = try hard Beauty is only skin deep | Looks not important | Remember beauty is only skin deep | beauty is only skin deep = looks not important Bed of roses | Easy life | Life is not a bed of roses | bed of roses = easy life Beggar description | Indescribable | The beauty beggars description | beggar description = indescribable Behind closed doors | Secretly | The deal was done behind closed doors | behind closed doors = secretly Behind one's back | In absence | They talked behind my back | behind one's back = in absence Behind the scenes | Secretly | Work happens behind the scenes | behind the scenes = secretly Bell the cat | Do impossible | Who will bell the cat | bell the cat = do impossible Belly laugh | Loud laugh | The joke gave us a belly laugh | belly laugh = loud laugh Below the belt | Unfair | That comment was below the belt | below the belt = unfair Bend over backwards | Try hard | He bent over backwards to help | bend over backwards = try hard Beside oneself | Overwhelmed | He was beside himself with joy | beside oneself = overwhelmed Beside the mark | Irrelevant | Your answer is beside the mark | beside the mark = irrelevant Best of both worlds | All advantages | He enjoys best of both worlds | best of both worlds = all advantages Better late than never | Late is okay | Better late than never | better late than never = late is okay Between Scylla and Charybdis | Two dangers | He is between Scylla and Charybdis | between Scylla and Charybdis = two dangers Between the devil and the deep sea | Difficult choice | He is between the devil and the deep sea | between the devil and the deep sea = difficult choice Between the horns of a dilemma | Tough choice | She faced horns of dilemma | between the horns of a dilemma = tough choice Beyond the pale | Unacceptable | His behavior is beyond the pale | beyond the pale = unacceptable Beyond doubt | Certainly | He is guilty beyond doubt | beyond doubt = certainly Bid fair | Likely | The plan bids fair to succeed | bid fair = likely Big bucks | Huge money | He earns big bucks | big bucks = huge money Birds of same feather | Similar people | Birds of same feather flock together | birds of same feather = similar people Bite the bullet | Face difficulty | He bit the bullet and accepted | bite the bullet = face difficulty Bite the dust | Die / fail | The team bit the dust | bite the dust = die / fail Bite your tongue | Stop speaking | Bite your tongue before you offend | bite your tongue = stop speaking Black out | Lose consciousness | He blacked out suddenly | black out = lose consciousness Blow a fuse | Lose temper | He blew a fuse at small issue | blow a fuse = lose temper Blow his top | Get angry | He blew his top in anger | blow his top = get angry Blow one's own trumpet | Boast | Stop blowing your own trumpet | blow one's own trumpet = boast Blow over | Pass away | The issue will blow over soon | blow over = pass away Blue-blooded | Noble | He belongs to a blue-blooded family | blue-blooded = noble Bob's your uncle | Easily done | Just follow steps and Bob's your uncle | Bob's your uncle = easily done Body and soul | Fully | He worked body and soul | body and soul = fully Boils down to | Summarizes | It boils down to one fact | boils down to = summarizes Bosom friend | Close friend | He is my bosom friend | bosom friend = close friend Bottom line | Main point | The bottom line is profit | bottom line = main point Bread and butter | Livelihood | Teaching is his bread and butter | bread and butter = livelihood Break in | Enter illegally | Thieves broke in | break in = enter illegally Break the ice | Start conversation | He broke the ice with a joke | break the ice = start conversation Breath of fresh air | Refreshing | Her ideas are a breath of fresh air | breath of fresh air = refreshing Bring home the bacon | Earn | He brings home the bacon | bring home the bacon = earn Bring to one's knees | Defeat | The army brought enemy to knees | bring to one's knees = defeat Broke Priscian's head | Bad grammar | He broke Priscian's head | broke Priscian's head = bad grammar Broke up | Disband | The group broke up | broke up = disband Broken reed | Unreliable support | He is a broken reed | broken reed = unreliable support Brought about | Caused | Reform brought about change | brought about = caused Brought to book | Punished | Criminals were brought to book | brought to book = punished Brought up | Mentioned | The issue was brought up | brought up = mentioned Brown study | Deep thought | He sat in brown study | brown study = deep thought Bugs me | Irritates | This noise bugs me | bugs me = irritates Bull's-eye | Perfect aim | He hit the bull's-eye | bull's-eye = perfect aim Burn your boats | No return | He burned his boats | burn your boats = no return At a loss | Unable to decide | I am at a loss to choose between the two options | at a loss = unable to decide At any cost | Under any circumstances | I will finish this work at any cost | at any cost = under any circumstances At beck and call | Always ready to obey | The assistant is at his boss's beck and call | at beck and call = always ready to obey At loose ends | In an uncertain situation | After quitting his job, he was at loose ends | at loose ends = in an uncertain situation At one's elbow | Very near | His friend was always at his elbow | at one's elbow = very near At random | Without order | He picked answers at random | at random = without order At sea | Confused | I was completely at sea during the lecture | at sea = confused At short notice | Without preparation time | He was called for duty at short notice | at short notice = without preparation time At somebody's expense | At someone's cost | He cracked jokes at my expense | at somebody's expense = at someone's cost At the eleventh hour | Last moment | He submitted the form at the eleventh hour | at the eleventh hour = last moment At the top of your lungs | Very loudly | He shouted at the top of his lungs | at the top of your lungs = very loudly Average out | Result in a balanced figure | Profits average out over time | average out = result in a balanced figure Back in saddle | Resume duty | After illness, he is back in saddle | back in saddle = resume duty Back me | Support me | Please back me in this decision | back me = support me Back to the drawing board | Restart plan | The project failed, back to drawing board | back to the drawing board = restart plan Bad hats | Bad characters | The gang consisted of bad hats | bad hats = bad characters Banana oil | Nonsense | That's banana oil, don't believe it | banana oil = nonsense Bang for the buck | Value for money | This phone gives great bang for the buck | bang for the buck = value for money Be a dab hand at | Skilled at | She is a dab hand at painting | be a dab hand at = skilled at Be glad to see the back of | Happy someone leaves | I'll be glad to see the back of him | be glad to see the back of = happy someone leaves Asleep at the wheel | Not attentive to duties | The guard was asleep at the wheel during the theft | asleep at the wheel = not attentive to duties Ask for trouble | Act in a way likely to cause problems | Driving fast in rain is asking for trouble | ask for trouble = act in a way likely to cause problems By hook or by crook | By any means | He got the job by hook or by crook | by hook or by crook = by any means Butterflies in the stomach | To be anxious and nervous | I had butterflies in my stomach before the interview | butterflies in the stomach = to be anxious and nervous By fair means or foul | By any means | He will win by fair means or foul | by fair means or foul = by any means By the same token | In the same way | He cheated; by the same token, he must be punished | by the same token = in the same way Bury the hatchet | To make peace / forget past quarrels | After years of rivalry, the two leaders finally buried the hatchet | bury the hatchet = to make peace / forget past quarrels By and large | In general | By and large, the plan was successful | by and large = in general By a whisker | By a small margin | He missed the medal by a whisker | by a whisker = by a small margin By fits and starts | Irregularly | The project progressed by fits and starts | by fits and starts = irregularly By courtesy of | Given or allowed by | This pass was issued by courtesy of the manager | by courtesy of = given or allowed by Button her lip | Stop talking | The teacher told him to button his lip | button her lip = stop talking By leaps and bounds | Very quickly | Her performance improved by leaps and bounds | by leaps and bounds = very quickly Butter fingers | To be clumsy | He dropped the catch again; he has butter fingers | butter fingers = to be clumsy By the skin of one's teeth | By the narrowest margin | He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth | by the skin of one's teeth = by the narrowest margin Butt in | Interrupt | He kept butting in while others were speaking | butt in = interrupt By and by | Gradually | The pain will go away by and by | by and by = graduallyCome hell or high water | No matter what | I will succeed come hell or high water | come hell or high water = no matter what Cry over spilt milk | Regret past | Don't cry over spilt milk | cry over spilt milk = regret past Cut to the chase | Come to point | Cut to the chase | cut to the chase = come to point Call off | Cancel | They called off the meeting due to rain | call off = cancel Cat's whiskers | Highly impressive | That gadget is the cat's whiskers | cat's whiskers = highly impressive Cut a sorry figure | Wrong impression | He cut a sorry figure | cut a sorry figure = wrong impression Come to light | Be revealed | The truth came to light | come to light = be revealed Cheek by jowl | Very close | They live cheek by jowl | cheek by jowl = very close Cry in the wilderness | Unheard opinion | His warning was a cry in the wilderness | cry in the wilderness = unheard opinion Carry out | Complete / execute | The police carried out the operation successfully | carry out = complete / execute Call in question | Challenge | His honesty was called in question | call in question = challenge Clam up | Become silent | He clammed up during questioning | clam up = become silent Couch potato | Lazy person | He is a couch potato | couch potato = lazy person Cut corners | Do poorly to save effort | Don't cut corners | cut corners = do poorly to save effort Cool as a cucumber | Calm | She stayed cool as a cucumber | cool as a cucumber = calm Come to blows | Fight | They came to blows | come to blows = fight Cap in hand | In a respectful manner | He went cap in hand to seek help | cap in hand = in a respectful manner Catch red handed | Caught doing wrong | The thief was caught red handed | catch red handed = caught doing wrong Cut the mustard | Succeed | He can cut the mustard | cut the mustard = succeed Cash-strapped | Impoverished | The company is cash-strapped | cash-strapped = impoverished Copycat | Imitator | Don't be a copycat | copycat = imitator Cross that bridge | Solve later | We'll cross that bridge later | cross that bridge = solve later Come off | Be separated | The handle came off | come off = be separated Chicken feed | Very little money | He works for chicken feed | chicken feed = very little money Cry wolf | Raise false alarm | Don't cry wolf | cry wolf = raise false alarm Carry the can | Take responsibility | He had to carry the can for the mistake | carry the can = take responsibility Cut short | Make shorter | The speech was cut short | cut short = make shorter Cat nap | Brief sleep | I took a quick cat nap | cat nap = brief sleep Come true | Happen as hoped | His dream came true | come true = happen as hoped Chinks in the armour | Weakness | There are chinks in his armour | chinks in the armour = weakness Crunch time | Critical moment | It's crunch time now | crunch time = critical moment Come in handy | Useful | This tool will come in handy | come in handy = useful Call upon | To order | The teacher called upon him to answer | call upon = to order Clean hands | Innocent | He has clean hands | clean hands = innocent Cut him off without a shilling | Disinherit | He cut him off without a shilling | cut him off without a shilling = disinherit Come up | Was raised | The issue came up in the meeting | come up = was raised Cry down | Depreciate | Don't cry down his efforts | cry down = depreciate Cock and bull story | False story | He told a cock and bull story | cock and bull story = false story Crack up | Laugh loudly | They cracked up at the joke | crack up = laugh loudly Close to one's heart | Very dear | This issue is close to my heart | close to one's heart = very dear Call on | Pay a visit | I will call on my friend this evening | call on = pay a visit Come to terms with | Accept | He came to terms with reality | come to terms with = accept Cold comfort | Slight satisfaction | That news is cold comfort | cold comfort = slight satisfaction Cut and dried | Already decided | It's a cut and dried case | cut and dried = already decided Creature comforts | Luxuries | He enjoys creature comforts | creature comforts = luxuries Cut down on | Reduce | Cut down on expenses | cut down on = reduce Cost an arm and a leg | Very expensive | That car costs an arm and a leg | cost an arm and a leg = very expensive Came out of his shell | Became sociable | After joining college, he came out of his shell | came out of his shell = became sociable Chew the fat | Gossip | They sat and chewed the fat | chew the fat = gossip Come to the point | Speak directly | Come to the point | come to the point = speak directly Cat's paw | Tool of another | He was just a cat's paw in the scheme | cat's paw = tool of another Cast aside | Reject | He cast aside old traditions | cast aside = reject Comb through | Search carefully | Police combed through the area | comb through = search carefully Catch a tartar | Meet a stronger person | He tried to bully but caught a tartar | catch a tartar = meet a stronger person Change for the better | Improvement | Things changed for the better | change for the better = improvement Chew something over | Consider | I will chew it over | chew something over = consider Currying favour | Flatter | He is currying favour | currying favour = flatter Cut one short | Interrupt | He cut me short | cut one short = interrupt Chicken out | Withdraw due to fear | He chickened out at the last moment | chicken out = withdraw due to fear Cope with | Handle | She can cope with pressure | cope with = handle Cross out | Eliminate | Cross out wrong answers | cross out = eliminate Cost dearly | Bring suffering | His mistake cost him dearly | cost dearly = bring suffering Carry weight | Be important | His opinion carries weight | carry weight = be important Closed the book on | Stopped | He closed the book on that chapter | closed the book on = stopped Crash and burn | Fail completely | The plan crashed and burned | crash and burn = fail completely Cry for the moon | Impossible demand | Asking that is crying for the moon | cry for the moon = impossible demand Count one's blessings | Be grateful | Count your blessings | count one's blessings = be grateful Call it a day | Stop working | Let's call it a day and continue tomorrow | call it a day = stop working Change hands | Pass ownership | The property changed hands | change hands = pass ownership Cover up | Hide | He tried to cover up the mistake | cover up = hide Capital punishment | Death sentence | The criminal was given capital punishment | capital punishment = death sentence Chicken hearted | Cowardly | He is too chicken hearted to fight | chicken hearted = cowardly Chew the scenery | Act overly emotional | The actor chewed the scenery | chew the scenery = act overly emotional Can't cut the mustard | Unable to do a job | He can't cut the mustard in this role | can't cut the mustard = unable to do a job Chill out | Calm down | Just chill out | chill out = calm down Crossed swords | Disagreed | They crossed swords | crossed swords = disagreed Cup of tea | Favorite thing | Cricket is my cup of tea | cup of tea = favorite thing Come of age | Reach maturity | He came of age last year | come of age = reach maturity Cloak and dagger | Secret activity | It was a cloak and dagger operation | cloak and dagger = secret activity Carry the day | Win victory | Our team carried the day | carry the day = win victory Catch 22 | No-win situation | It's a catch 22 situation | catch 22 = no-win situation Cast a slur upon | Damage reputation | He cast a slur upon her character | cast a slur upon = damage reputation Cut to the quick | Hurt deeply | His words cut to the quick | cut to the quick = hurt deeply Cut in | Interrupt | Don't cut in | cut in = interrupt Cut no ice with me | No effect | That excuse cuts no ice with me | cut no ice with me = no effect Come what may | No matter what | I will go come what may | come what may = no matter what Carve out a niche | Develop position | She carved out a niche in marketing | carve out a niche = develop position Carry on | Continue | Please carry on with your work | carry on = continue Catch time by the forelock | Seize opportunity | You must catch time by the forelock | catch time by the forelock = seize opportunity Changed colours | Turned pale | He changed colours on hearing the news | changed colours = turned pale Chapter and verse | Full details | He explained everything chapter and verse | chapter and verse = full details Charley horse | Cramp | I got a charley horse while running | charley horse = cramp Chase rainbows | Unrealistic goals | Don't chase rainbows | chase rainbows = unrealistic goals Child's play | Very easy | This problem is child's play | child's play = very easy Children should be seen and not heard | Children shouldn't speak before elders | In old days, children were seen and not heard | children should be seen and not heard = children shouldn't speak before elders Clear the air | Remove misunderstanding | They met to clear the air | clear the air = remove misunderstanding Cloven hoof | Evil intention | His cloven hoof was exposed | cloven hoof = evil intention Come about | Happen | How did this come about | come about = happen Come rain or shine | Under any condition | I will be there come rain or shine | come rain or shine = under any condition Come to grief | Meet disaster | He came to grief due to carelessness | come to grief = meet disaster Cook the books | Falsify accounts | He cooked the books | cook the books = falsify accounts Cool about working | Ready to work | He is cool about working | cool about working = ready to work Cool it | Relax | Cool it man | cool it = relax Cool your heels | Wait unwillingly | He cooled his heels outside | cool your heels = wait unwillingly Cordoned off | Isolated | The area was cordoned off | cordoned off = isolated Cross that bridge when you come to it | Deal when needed | Don't worry now | cross that bridge when you come to it = deal when needed Cross your fingers | Hope for best | Cross your fingers | cross your fingers = hope for best Cut a poor figure | Bad impression | He cut a poor figure | cut a poor figure = bad impression Cut the Gordian knot | Solve difficult problem | He cut the Gordian knot | cut the Gordian knot = solve difficult problem Called for | Asked | His resignation was called for | called for = asked Call the shots | Be in control | She calls the shots in the company | call the shots = be in control Carry the ball | Be in charge | He will carry the ball in this project | carry the ball = be in charge Casting pearls before swine | Offer to undeserving | Teaching him is like casting pearls before swine | casting pearls before swine = offer to undeserving Can't judge a book by its cover | Not judge by appearance | You can't judge a book by its cover | can't judge a book by its cover = not judge by appearance Call down | To scold | The manager called him down for being late | call down = to scold Dressing down | Scolding | He got a dressing down | dressing down = scolding Do a roaring trade | Highly successful | His shop does a roaring trade | do a roaring trade = highly successful Draw first blood | Gain first advantage | He drew first blood | draw first blood = gain first advantage Don't put all your eggs in one basket | Don't risk everything | Diversify | don't put all your eggs in one basket = don't risk everything Drop names | Mention famous people | He keeps dropping names | drop names = mention famous people Dog eat dog | Ruthless competition | It's a dog eat dog world | dog eat dog = ruthless competition Down to earth | Practical | He is down to earth | down to earth = practical Drive someone up the wall | Irritate | That noise drives me up the wall | drive someone up the wall = irritate Dead heat | Tie | The race ended in a dead heat | dead heat = tie Do or die | Final effort | It's do or die | do or die = final effort Down the drain | Wasted | Money went down the drain | down the drain = wasted Dig up dirt | Reveal secrets | They dug up dirt | dig up dirt = reveal secrets Drew on his fancy | Used imagination | He drew on his fancy | drew on his fancy = used imagination Down in the mouth | Sad | She looks down in the mouth | down in the mouth = sad Dance to someone's tune | Obey | He dances to his boss's tune | dance to someone's tune = obey Do away with | Abolish | They did away with the rule | do away with = abolish Down and out | Without money | He is down and out | down and out = without money Donkey's years | Long time | I haven't seen him in donkey's years | donkey's years = long time Drop in | Visit casually | Drop in anytime | drop in = visit casually Dead set against | Strongly opposed | He is dead set against it | dead set against = strongly opposed Drive home | Emphasize | He drove home the point | drive home = emphasize Draw a blank | Fail | I drew a blank | draw a blank = fail Dust and ashes | Something very disappointing | The whole trip turned into dust and ashes after the cancellation | dust and ashes = something very disappointing Draw a line | Set limit | Draw a line here | draw a line = set limit Dog in a manger | Selfish | Don't be a dog in a manger | dog in a manger = selfish Dot one's i's and cross one's t's | Be precise | Check everything | dot one's i's and cross one's t's = be precise Die hard | Unwilling to change | Old habits die hard | die hard = unwilling to change Do a good turn | Help someone | Do a good turn daily | do a good turn = help someone Deep pockets | Very rich | He has deep pockets | deep pockets = very rich Drag one's feet | Delay | Stop dragging your feet | drag one's feet = delay Down in the dumps | Depressed | He is down in the dumps | down in the dumps = depressed Dressed to kill | Attractive | She was dressed to kill | dressed to kill = attractive Done for | Ruined | He is done for | done for = ruined Died in harness | Died while working | He died in harness | died in harness = died while working Down the tubes | Failing | The project went down the tubes | down the tubes = failing Draconian law | Harsh law | It is a draconian law | draconian law = harsh law Dead in the water | No progress | The plan is dead in the water | dead in the water = no progress Don't count your chickens before they hatch | Don't assume success | Wait first | don't count your chickens before they hatch = don't assume success Dropping like flies | Dying in large numbers | People were dropping like flies | dropping like flies = dying in large numbers Every dark cloud has a silver lining | Hope in difficulty | Even after failure, remember every dark cloud has a silver lining | every dark cloud has a silver lining = hope in difficulty Egg on | Encourage | His friends egged him on to take the risk | egg on = encourage Elbow grease | Hard physical effort | Cleaning this mess needs elbow grease | elbow grease = hard physical effort Every inch a gentleman | Completely noble | He is every inch a gentleman | every inch a gentleman = completely noble Ease somebody's mind | Alleviate anxiety | The doctor's words eased her mind | ease somebody's mind = alleviate anxiety Enough rope | Freedom to act | He was given enough rope to prove himself | enough rope = freedom to act Evil twin | Imaginary excuse for bad behavior | He blamed his mistake on his evil twin | evil twin = imaginary excuse for bad behavior Eagle eye | Sharp visual powers | The teacher has an eagle eye for mistakes | eagle eye = sharp visual powers Eats like a horse | Eats a lot | After the match, he eats like a horse | eats like a horse = eats a lot Elbow room | Freedom to act | Give me some elbow room to work | elbow room = freedom to act Ended in a fiasco | Complete failure | The event ended in a fiasco | ended in a fiasco = complete failure Eyebrow raising | Shocking | His remarks were eyebrow raising | eyebrow raising = shocking Eager beaver | A keen and enthusiastic person | He is an eager beaver who always volunteers for extra work | eager beaver = a keen and enthusiastic person Eat anyone's salt | Be someone's guest | I have eaten his salt, so I respect him | eat anyone's salt = be someone's guest Evening of life | Old age | He spends his evening of life peacefully | evening of life = old age Every dog has his day | Everyone gets a chance | Don't worry, every dog has his day | every dog has his day = everyone gets a chance Eye wash | Deception | The inspection was just an eye wash | eye wash = deception Egged you on | Urged | They egged you on to fight unnecessarily | egged you on = urged Excuse my French | Apology for rude words | Excuse my French, but this is ridiculous | excuse my French = apology for rude words Easy money | Money earned without effort | He made easy money through shortcuts | easy money = money earned without effort Easier said than done | Difficult to implement | Losing weight is easier said than done | easier said than done = difficult to implement For better or worse | In all conditions | Stay together for better or worse | for better or worse = in all conditions Fell through | Failed | The deal fell through | fell through = failed Feather one's own nest | Earn dishonestly | He feathered his own nest through corruption | feather one's own nest = earn dishonestly Flying off the handle | Suddenly angry | She was flying off the handle | flying off the handle = suddenly angry Face up to | Accept a difficult situation | She faced up to the challenge bravely | face up to = accept a difficult situation Full of hot air | Talking nonsense | His promises are full of hot air | full of hot air = talking nonsense Falling head over heels | Deeply in love | She is falling head over heels for him | falling head over heels = deeply in love Fall back on | Depend on | He has savings to fall back on | fall back on = depend on Foot the bill | Pay expenses | He had to foot the bill | foot the bill = pay expenses Fly the nest | Leave home | Children fly the nest after studies | fly the nest = leave home Feel blue | Sad | She feels blue today | feel blue = sad Feel his pulse | Understand views | Try to feel his pulse before deciding | feel his pulse = understand views Fire the imagination | Excite interest | The movie fired my imagination | fire the imagination = excite interest From the bottom of my heart | Sincerely | I thank you from the bottom of my heart | from the bottom of my heart = sincerely Fifth wheel | Unwanted person | I felt like a fifth wheel there | fifth wheel = unwanted person Flea market | Second-hand market | We bought it from a flea market | flea market = second-hand market Fell foul of | Got into trouble | He fell foul of the law | fell foul of = got into trouble Faint hearted | Timid | Faint-hearted people never succeed | faint hearted = timid Flash in the pan | Short-lived success | His fame was a flash in the pan | flash in the pan = short-lived success Fall for | Be deceived | Don't fall for his tricks | fall for = be deceived Few and far between | Rare | Good teachers are few and far between | few and far between = rare Fight shy of | Avoid | He fights shy of responsibility | fight shy of = avoid Follow his nose | Go straight | Just follow your nose | follow his nose = go straight For keeps | Forever | This gift is mine for keeps | for keeps = forever From far and wide | From all directions | Visitors came from far and wide | from far and wide = from all directions Face the music | Accept consequences | You must face the music for your actions | face the music = accept consequences Full steam ahead | Move with determination | Let's go full steam ahead | full steam ahead = move with determination Fly into a rage | Become very angry | He flew into a rage | fly into a rage = become very angry Fell back | Retreated | The army fell back under pressure | fell back = retreated Fair's fair | Just treatment | You got your share, fair's fair | fair's fair = just treatment Feel the pinch | Face financial difficulty | Many families felt the pinch during recession | feel the pinch = face financial difficulty Feather in one's cap | Achievement | Winning the award was a feather in his cap | feather in one's cap = achievement Foul play | Dishonesty | There is foul play involved | foul play = dishonesty Flex one's muscles | Show strength | The country flexed its muscles | flex one's muscles = show strength Forty winks | Short nap | I took forty winks | forty winks = short nap From rags to riches | From poverty to wealth | His story is from rags to riches | from rags to riches = from poverty to wealth Finish with something | Be done with | I have finished with that topic | finish with something = be done with Fall flat | Have no effect | His joke fell flat | fall flat = have no effect Fought to the bitter end | Continue despite difficulty | They fought to the bitter end | fought to the bitter end = continue despite difficulty Fly off at a tangent | Change topic | He always flies off at a tangent | fly off at a tangent = change topic Full of beans | Energetic | The kids are full of beans | full of beans = energetic Follow suit | Do the same | Others followed suit | follow suit = do the same Far cry from | Very different | This place is a far cry from home | far cry from = very different Find yourself in troubled waters | Be in difficulty | He found himself in troubled waters | find yourself in troubled waters = be in difficulty First and foremost | Most important | Health is first and foremost | first and foremost = most important Floor | Puzzle | The question floored me | floor = puzzle Four corners of the earth | Everywhere | People came from four corners of the earth | four corners of the earth = everywhere Fallout | Quarrel | They had a fallout over money | fallout = quarrel Feast one's eyes on | Look with pleasure | Feast your eyes on this view | feast one's eyes on = look with pleasure Fight your own battles | Handle your problems | Learn to fight your own battles | fight your own battles = handle your problems For good | Permanently | He left for good | for good = permanently From stem to stern | Completely | The house was cleaned from stem to stern | from stem to stern = completely Full of sound and fury | Meaningless anger | His speech was full of sound and fury | full of sound and fury = meaningless anger Finding their feet | Becoming confident | New employees are finding their feet | finding their feet = becoming confident Fed up | Annoyed | I am fed up with his excuses | fed up = annoyed Fall short | Not reach standard | His performance fell short of expectations | fall short = not reach standard Feel at sea | Confused | I felt at sea in the new job | feel at sea = confused Fit like a glove | Fit perfectly | The dress fits like a glove | fit like a glove = fit perfectly Fair weather friends | Friends only in good times | He realized they were just fair weather friends | fair weather friends = friends only in good times Give up the ghost | Stop working | The machine gave up the ghost | give up the ghost = stop working Go through fire and water | Face dangers | He went through fire and water | go through fire and water = face dangers Get your act together | Organize yourself | Get your act together | get your act together = organize yourself Get on like a house on fire | Become friends quickly | They get on like a house on fire | get on like a house on fire = become friends quickly Give a piece of one's mind | Scold strongly | She gave him a piece of her mind | give a piece of one's mind = scold strongly Get the ball rolling | Start | Let's get the ball rolling | get the ball rolling = start Go easy on something | Use less | Go easy on sugar | go easy on something = use less Give someone the cold shoulder | Ignore | She gave me the cold shoulder | give someone the cold shoulder = ignore Go for a song | Sold cheaply | It went for a song | go for a song = sold cheaply Go to rack and ruin | Get destroyed | The house went to rack and ruin | go to rack and ruin = get destroyed Get the upper hand | Gain advantage | He got the upper hand | get the upper hand = gain advantage Gave the game away | Revealed secret | He gave the game away | gave the game away = revealed secret Get something off one's chest | Express worry | I got it off my chest | get something off one's chest = express worry Go down in flames | Fail badly | The plan went down in flames | go down in flames = fail badly Get cracking | Start quickly | Get cracking on work | get cracking = start quickly Go at equal speed | Keep pace | Go at equal speed | go at equal speed = keep pace Get a gold star | Earn reward | She got a gold star | get a gold star = earn reward Get one's dander up | Lose temper | He got his dander up | get one's dander up = lose temper Go to the wall | Fail | The firm went to the wall | go to the wall = fail Give it a whirl | Try | Give it a whirl | give it a whirl = try Get up on the wrong side of the bed | Be in bad mood | He woke up on the wrong side | get up on the wrong side of the bed = be in bad mood Go belly up | Go bankrupt | The company went belly up | go belly up = go bankrupt Get your own way | Persuade others | He always gets his own way | get your own way = persuade others Gerrymander | Manipulate unfairly | They gerrymandered votes | gerrymander = manipulate unfairly Get away | Leave | Let's get away | get away = leave God's ape | Fool | Don't be God's ape | God's ape = fool Get out of hand | Become uncontrollable | Situation got out of hand | get out of hand = become uncontrollable Go getter | Achiever | She is a go-getter | go getter = achiever Give up | Quit | Don't give up | give up = quit Get the hang of | Learn | I got the hang of it | get the hang of = learn Going over one's head | Not understood | It went over my head | going over one's head = not understood Get wind of something | Hear rumor | I got wind of the plan | get wind of something = hear rumor Go through a rough patch | Face problems | He is going through a rough patch | go through a rough patch = face problems Get down to brass tacks | Focus on essentials | Let's get down to brass tacks | get down to brass tacks = focus on essentials Go haywire | Go out of control | The system went haywire | go haywire = go out of control Go bonkers | Go crazy | He went bonkers | go bonkers = go crazy Give a free hand | Full freedom | He was given a free hand | give a free hand = full freedom Get a taste of your own medicine | Same treatment | He got a taste of his own medicine | get a taste of your own medicine = same treatment Give oneself airs | Pretend superiority | He gives himself airs | give oneself airs = pretend superiority Go for the jugular | Attack strongly | He went for the jugular | go for the jugular = attack strongly Gift of the gab | Speaking ability | He has the gift of the gab | gift of the gab = speaking ability Give it a shot | Try | Give it a shot | give it a shot = try Go to the dogs | Deteriorate | The system went to the dogs | go to the dogs = deteriorate Go against the grain | Against nature | It goes against the grain | go against the grain = against nature Get a foot in the door | Get opportunity | He got a foot in the door | get a foot in the door = get opportunity Get someone's goat | Irritate | He gets my goat | get someone's goat = irritate Get the axe | Lose job | He got the axe | get the axe = lose job Getting in everyone's hair | Annoying | He is getting in everyone's hair | getting in everyone's hair = annoying Get one's ducks in a row | Organize things | Get your ducks in a row | get one's ducks in a row = organize things Get into a soup | Create trouble | He got into a soup | get into a soup = create trouble Give in | Yield | He gave in | give in = yield Go through the roof | Increase sharply | Prices went through the roof | go through the roof = increase sharply Get on somebody's nerves | Irritate | His noise gets on my nerves | get on somebody's nerves = irritate Gate crasher | Uninvited guest | He came as a gate crasher | gate crasher = uninvited guest Give me a hand with | Help | Give me a hand | give me a hand with = help Go Dutch | Share cost | Let's go Dutch | go Dutch = share cost Go the extra mile | Do extra effort | He goes the extra mile | go the extra mile = do extra effort Get the message | Understand | I got the message | get the message = understand Give a wide berth | Avoid | Give him a wide berth | give a wide berth = avoid Go with the flow | Follow others | Just go with the flow | go with the flow = follow others Gave away | Distributed | The teacher gave away prizes | gave away = distributed Game is up | Truth revealed | The game is up now | game is up = truth revealed Get a second wind | Renewed energy | I got a second wind | get a second wind = renewed energy God's acre | Cemetery | He was buried in God's acre | God's acre = cemetery Gear up for | Prepare | Gear up for the exam | gear up for = prepare Get the sack | Be dismissed | He got the sack | get the sack = be dismissed Green thumb | Natural talent for gardening | She has a green thumb | green thumb = natural talent for gardening Green-eyed | Jealous | He is green-eyed about her success | green-eyed = jealous Grin/Beam from ear to ear | Smile widely due to happiness | She grinned from ear to ear | grin/beam from ear to ear = smile widely due to happiness Getting a new lease of life | Fresh start | He got a new lease of life | getting a new lease of life = fresh start Give and take | Mutual adjustment | Marriage needs give and take | give and take = mutual adjustment Go off | Stop working | The lights went off | go off = stop working Give way | Collapse | The bridge gave way | give way = collapse Got on well | Good relation | They got on well | got on well = good relation Gnash your teeth | Show anger | He gnashed his teeth | gnash your teeth = show anger Gave vent to something | Express strongly | She gave vent to her anger | gave vent to something = express strongly Got the green light | Got permission | He got the green light | got the green light = got permission Gall and wormwood | Bitterness | His words were gall and wormwood | gall and wormwood = bitterness Grease the palm | Bribe | He greased the palm | grease the palm = bribe Great minds think alike | Same thinking | We chose the same, great minds think alike | great minds think alike = same thinking Got down to business | Started seriously | He got down to business | got down to business = started seriously Go over | Review | Go over notes | go over = review Get your money's worth | Value for money | I got my money's worth | get your money's worth = value for money Goes about | Moves around | He goes about the city | goes about = moves around Giving a false alarm | False warning | It was a false alarm | giving a false alarm = false warning Give somebody a ring | Call | I will give you a ring | give somebody a ring = call Have an axe to grind | Have a selfish/ulterior motive | He criticized the plan because he has an axe to grind | have an axe to grind = have a selfish/ulterior motive High on the hog | Living luxuriously | After the promotion, he's living high on the hog | high on the hog = living luxuriously Hit the ceiling/roof | Explode in anger | Dad will hit the ceiling when he sees the bill | hit the ceiling/roof = explode in anger Hold your horses | Be patient / slow down | Hold your horses, the results aren't out yet | hold your horses = be patient / slow down Hale and hearty | Strong and healthy | At 80, my grandfather is still hale and hearty | hale and hearty = strong and healthy Have your back against the wall | In desperate situation with few options | With no savings left, she had her back against the wall | have your back against the wall = in desperate situation with few options Hang up one's boots | Retire from a sport | The champion decided to hang up his boots this year | hang up one's boots = retire from a sport Hit a dead end | Reached a situation leading nowhere | The investigation hit a dead end | hit a dead end = reached a situation leading nowhere Hearts go out to | Feel sympathy for someone | Our hearts go out to the flood victims | hearts go out to = feel sympathy for someone Hard of hearing | Partially deaf | Please speak louder, he's hard of hearing | hard of hearing = partially deaf Head over heels | Madly in love | She fell head over heels for him | head over heels = madly in love Had better | Should | You had better leave now before it rains | had better = should Hand and glove | Very intimate terms | The two companies work hand and glove | hand and glove = very intimate terms Hold out an olive branch | Offer to end a disagreement | She held out an olive branch after the argument | hold out an olive branch = offer to end a disagreement Have a long face | Look unhappy or disappointed | Why do you have a long face today | have a long face = look unhappy or disappointed Hold the fort | Take temporary responsibility | Can you hold the fort while I'm gone | hold the fort = take temporary responsibility High and mighty | Arrogant | Don't be so high and mighty with the staff | high and mighty = arrogant Hard and fast | Cannot be altered / strict | There are no hard and fast rules here | hard and fast = cannot be altered / strict Hanging by a thread/a hair | In a dangerous situation | His career is hanging by a thread | hanging by a thread/a hair = in a dangerous situation Husband our resources | Save resources | We must husband our resources during the crisis | husband our resources = save resources Horse sense | Basic common sense | Use some horse sense before investing | horse sense = basic common sense Hold one's tongue | Be silent / keep quiet | He decided to hold his tongue in the meeting | hold one's tongue = be silent / keep quiet Hit the books | Study very hard | Exams are near, time to hit the books | hit the books = study very hard Haul over the coals | To scold | The manager hauled him over the coals for the error | haul over the coals = to scold Hang on every word | Listen very carefully | The students hung on every word of the lecture | hang on every word = listen very carefully Have the last laugh | Be victorious at the end | They doubted him, but he had the last laugh | have the last laugh = be victorious at the end Himalayan blunder | Grave error | Forgetting the client's name was a Himalayan blunder | Himalayan blunder = grave error Have a chip on one's shoulder | Nurse a grudge over a past event | He has a chip on his shoulder since he was overlooked | have a chip on one's shoulder = nurse a grudge over a past event Have your heart set on something | Want something very much | She has her heart set on studying abroad | have your heart set on something = want something very much Hold on | Wait for a short time | Hold on, I'll be right there | hold on = wait for a short time Hocus pocus | Meaningless trick talk | His explanation was pure hocus pocus | hocus pocus = meaningless trick talk Hang one's head | To be ashamed | He hung his head after the mistake | hang one's head = to be ashamed High time | Past the appropriate time | It's high time you started working seriously | high time = past the appropriate time Helter-skelter | In disorderly haste | People ran helter-skelter after the alarm | helter-skelter = in disorderly haste Hands down | Easily and without doubt | She is hands down the best singer here | hands down = easily and without doubt Hit the nail on the head | Say something exactly right | You hit the nail on the head with that comment | hit the nail on the head = say something exactly right Herculean task | Very difficult task | Cleaning the entire hall alone is a Herculean task | Herculean task = very difficult task Heart in the right place | Good at heart despite mistakes | He messed up, but his heart is in the right place | heart in the right place = good at heart despite mistakes Have a foot in the grave | Close to death | The old man has a foot in the grave | have a foot in the grave = close to death Has a bee in her bonnet | Is an obsessed person | She has a bee in her bonnet about recycling | has a bee in her bonnet = is an obsessed person Have one's hands full | To be very busy | With two kids, she has her hands full | have one's hands full = to be very busy Hand over fist | Quickly and continuously | He's making money hand over fist | hand over fist = quickly and continuously How time flies! | Time passes quickly | How time flies! It's December already | how time flies! = time passes quickly Have a finger in every pie | Involved in many activities | She has a finger in every pie at the office | have a finger in every pie = involved in many activities Hand in glove | In close dishonest partnership | The contractor and officer are hand in glove | hand in glove = in close dishonest partnership Hard cash | Notes and coins, not cheques | The dealer wants hard cash only | hard cash = notes and coins, not cheques Heart to heart talk | Frank / candid talk | We need a heart to heart talk about this | heart to heart talk = frank / candid talk His blood ran cold | He was frightened | His blood ran cold when he heard the noise | his blood ran cold = he was frightened Hold out | Endure a difficult situation | They held out till help arrived | hold out = endure a difficult situation Hold the key | Have control of something | Education holds the key to progress | hold the key = have control of something Head in the clouds | To daydream / cut off from reality | Stop with your head in the clouds and focus | head in the clouds = to daydream / cut off from reality Hue and cry | Noisy expression of anger | There was a hue and cry over the new tax | hue and cry = noisy expression of anger High and low | Everywhere | I searched high and low for my keys | high and low = everywhere High and dry | Neglected | The project was left high and dry | high and dry = neglected Had gone down the drain | Lost forever | All his efforts had gone down the drain | had gone down the drain = lost forever Hold up one's head | Be proud | You can hold up your head after that performance | hold up one's head = be proud Hit a bad patch | Experienced difficulty | The company hit a bad patch last year | hit a bad patch = experienced difficulty Have a bone to pick with somebody | Be annoyed with someone | I have a bone to pick with you about yesterday | have a bone to pick with somebody = be annoyed with someone Hope against hope | Nurture an impossible hope | He's hoping against hope for a miracle | hope against hope = nurture an impossible hope Hold water | Appear valid or reasonable | Your argument doesn't hold water | hold water = appear valid or reasonable Held up | Delayed | The train was held up due to fog | held up = delayed Have other fish to fry | Have more important work | I can't attend, I have other fish to fry | have other fish to fry = have more important work Horses for courses | Different people suit different jobs | Horses for courses, not everyone can lead | horses for courses = different people suit different jobs Heart and soul | Completely / with full effort | She put her heart and soul into the project | heart and soul = completely / with full effort Have a whale of a time | Have an exciting experience | We had a whale of a time at the beach | have a whale of a time = have an exciting experience Handle with kid gloves | Treat with extreme care | Handle this issue with kid gloves | handle with kid gloves = treat with extreme care He who laughs last laughs loudest | Long-term winner is successful | They won early, but he who laughs last laughs loudest | he who laughs last laughs loudest = long-term winner is successful Hang in there | Don't give up | It's tough, but hang in there | hang in there = don't give up Hit a brick wall | Unable to make progress | Talks hit a brick wall over funding | hit a brick wall = unable to make progress Hobson's choice | No real choice at all | It was Hobson's choice: take it or leave | Hobson's choice = no real choice at all Having a soft spot for | Being fond of someone | She has a soft spot for stray dogs | having a soft spot for = being fond of someone Have the ball at your feet | In best position to do something | With this data, you have the ball at your feet | have the ball at your feet = in best position to do something Horse around | Behave in a silly noisy way | Stop horsing around in class | horse around = behave in a silly noisy way High handed | Overbearing | His high handed manner upset everyone | high handed = overbearing Hand in hand | Together | They walked hand in hand | hand in hand = together Has a face like thunder | Is very angry | He has a face like thunder today | has a face like thunder = is very angry Have green fingers | Good at gardening | My mom has green fingers | have green fingers = good at gardening Heads will roll | Dismissed or forced to resign | If this leaks, heads will roll | heads will roll = dismissed or forced to resign Hadn't a leg to stand on | Did not have much hope | Without evidence, he hadn't a leg to stand on | hadn't a leg to stand on = did not have much hope In the heat of the moment | Acting without thinking due to anger | He said harsh words in the heat of the moment | in the heat of the moment = acting without thinking due to anger Icing on the cake | Something making a good situation even better | Winning the bonus was icing on the cake | icing on the cake = something making a good situation even better In a tight corner | In a difficult situation | The deadline put us in a tight corner | in a tight corner = in a difficult situation In the limelight | Centre of attraction | The actor loves being in the limelight | in the limelight = centre of attraction In full swing | Very active / at peak activity | The festival is in full swing | in full swing = very active / at peak activity In the blues | Cheerless and depressed | He's been in the blues since he lost his job | in the blues = cheerless and depressed In the same breath | Saying two contradictory things at once | You can't praise and blame him in the same breath | in the same breath = saying two contradictory things at once I can't think straight | Cannot think rationally due to emotion | After the news, I can't think straight | I can't think straight = cannot think rationally due to emotion In cold blood | Cruelly / without emotions / deliberately | The crime was committed in cold blood | in cold blood = cruelly / without emotions / deliberately In a fog | Confused and dazed | I was in a fog after the long flight | in a fog = confused and dazed In the red | In danger / in debt | The company is in the red this quarter | in the red = in danger / in debt In the nick of time | Just in time | The ambulance arrived in the nick of time | in the nick of time = just in time In deep water | In great difficulty | Without a plan, we're in deep water | in deep water = in great difficulty In the good books | In favour with someone | She's in the good books of the boss | in the good books = in favour with someone In the eye of a storm | Deeply involved in a controversial situation | The minister is in the eye of a storm | in the eye of a storm = deeply involved in a controversial situation In the dark | Unaware of something others know | Keep me in the loop, don't leave me in the dark | in the dark = unaware of something others know In apple pie order | In perfect order | She keeps her desk in apple pie order | in apple pie order = in perfect order In a jiffy | Done very quickly | I'll be ready in a jiffy | in a jiffy = done very quickly Iron fist | Strictly | He rules the team with an iron fist | iron fist = strictly In your birthday suit | Not wearing any clothes | The baby was running around in his birthday suit | in your birthday suit = not wearing any clothes If it's not one thing, it's another | Problems keep happening one after another | If it's not one thing, it's another with this old car | if it's not one thing, it's another = problems keep happening one after another In the long run | Eventually / ultimately | In the long run, honesty pays | in the long run = eventually / ultimately In the running | Competing / contesting | She's still in the running for the award | in the running = competing / contesting In the loop | Informed regularly | Keep me in the loop about changes | in the loop = informed regularly In dire straits | In a very bad situation | The charity is in dire straits financially | in dire straits = in a very bad situation In high spirits | Full of joy and enthusiasm | The team was in high spirits after the win | in high spirits = full of joy and enthusiasm In a nutshell | Briefly and concisely | In a nutshell, we need more funds | in a nutshell = briefly and concisely In black and white | In writing | I want the agreement in black and white | in black and white = in writing In line with | In agreement | This decision is in line with company policy | in line with = in agreement In the ascendant | Rising in power or influence | The new party is in the ascendant | in the ascendant = rising in power or influence In the blink of an eye | Within a very short time | It happened in the blink of an eye | in the blink of an eye = within a very short time In harmony with | In agreement with | Her views are in harmony with mine | in harmony with = in agreement with In lieu of | In place of | He gave a speech in lieu of the CEO | in lieu of = in place of In the driver's seat | In control of a situation | After the merger, she's in the driver's seat | in the driver's seat = in control of a situation In the egg | In an early stage | The plan is still in the egg | in the egg = in an early stage In the offing | Appearing soon | A promotion is in the offing | in the offing = appearing soon In the pink | In good health | He looks in the pink after recovery | in the pink = in good health In the soup | In trouble | We're in the soup if we miss this deadline | in the soup = in trouble In the swim | Well-informed and up-to-date | She's always in the swim about tech trends | in the swim = well-informed and up-to-date In the teeth of | In direct opposition to | They advanced in the teeth of strong criticism | in the teeth of = in direct opposition to In vogue | Popular / in fashion | Bucket hats are in vogue again | in vogue = popular / in fashion Ins and outs | Full detailed description | He knows the ins and outs of the business | ins and outs = full detailed description It goes without saying | Implied to be obvious | It goes without saying that safety comes first | it goes without saying = implied to be obvious It's Greek to me | Incomprehensible | This contract language is Greek to me | it's Greek to me = incomprehensible It's not rocket science | Not very difficult to understand | Just follow the steps, it's not rocket science | it's not rocket science = not very difficult to understand Ignorance is bliss | Remaining unaware avoids stress | I didn't read the reviews; ignorance is bliss | ignorance is bliss = remaining unaware avoids stress Ill at ease | Feel uncomfortable or worried | She felt ill at ease at the party | ill at ease = feel uncomfortable or worried In a flutter | In a nervous state | She was in a flutter before the speech | in a flutter = in a nervous state In a pickle | In a difficult situation / trouble | We're in a pickle without the keys | in a pickle = in a difficult situation / trouble In bad taste | Not suitable or offensive | That joke was in bad taste | in bad taste = not suitable or offensive In cahoots with | In partnership or alliance with | He's in cahoots with the rival firm | in cahoots with = in partnership or alliance with In Dutch | In trouble | He's in Dutch with his teacher | in Dutch = in trouble In harness | In office | He died in harness at his desk | in harness = in office In queer street | In debt | After the losses, he's in queer street | in queer street = in debt In raptures | Extremely delighted | She was in raptures over the gift | in raptures = extremely delighted In seventh heaven | Extremely happy | Winning made her feel in seventh heaven | in seventh heaven = extremely happy In the same boat | In the same difficult situation as others | We're all in the same boat after layoffs | in the same boat = in the same difficult situation as others Jump the gun | Start too soon or act hastily | Don't jump the gun, wait for the signal | jump the gun = start too soon or act hastily Jaundiced eye | A prejudiced view | He views all politicians with a jaundiced eye | jaundiced eye = a prejudiced view Jumping down my throat | Scolding someone | Stop jumping down my throat for one mistake | jumping down my throat = scolding someone Jog someone's memory | Cause someone to remember something | This photo might jog your memory | jog someone's memory = cause someone to remember something Keep/hold something at bay | Prevent something from causing problems | Regular exercise helps keep illness at bay | keep/hold something at bay = prevent something from causing problems Keep a low profile | Avoid attracting attention | After the scandal, he decided to keep a low profile | keep a low profile = avoid attracting attention Kith and kin | Relatives | He invited all his kith and kin to the wedding | kith and kin = relatives Kick the bucket | To die | The old dog finally kicked the bucket | kick the bucket = to die Keep your wig on | To calm down | Keep your wig on, there's no need to shout | keep your wig on = to calm down Keep abreast of | Stay updated | She keeps abreast of all tech trends | keep abreast of = stay updated Keep in check | To control something | We must keep expenses in check | keep in check = to control something Know something inside out | Know something thoroughly | She knows the software inside out | know something inside out = know something thoroughly Keep your shirt on | To remain cool | Keep your shirt on, we'll sort it out | keep your shirt on = to remain cool Kept a stiff upper lip | Remained expressionless | He kept a stiff upper lip during the bad news | kept a stiff upper lip = remained expressionless Kill two birds with one stone | Achieve two results with a single effort | Cycling to work lets me kill two birds with one stone | kill two birds with one stone = achieve two results with a single effort Keep under one's hat | Keep something a secret | Keep this plan under your hat for now | keep under one's hat = keep something a secret Kicking his heels | Wasting time | He was kicking his heels waiting for approval | kicking his heels = wasting time Keep someone in the loop | Give all the information | Keep me in the loop on project updates | keep someone in the loop = give all the information Keep one's head | Remain calm | She kept her head during the emergency | keep one's head = remain calm Keep up appearances | Pretend to be happier to hide real situation | They keep up appearances despite money troubles | keep up appearances = pretend to be happier to hide real situation Kick someone when they are down | Cause further trouble to someone struggling | Criticizing him now is like kicking him when he's down | kick someone when they are down = cause further trouble to someone struggling Keep a civil tongue | Speak with great politeness | Please keep a civil tongue in the meeting | keep a civil tongue = speak with great politeness Keep in touch | Maintain contact with another person | Let's keep in touch after college | keep in touch = maintain contact with another person Keeps an open house | Welcomes all members | She keeps an open house for friends every Sunday | keeps an open house = welcomes all members Kicked up a row | Created a great fuss | The customers kicked up a row over the delay | kicked up a row = created a great fuss Knock down | To demolish | They will knock down the old building next week | knock down = to demolish Know like the back of one's hand | Have detailed knowledge of something | I know this city like the back of my hand | know like the back of one's hand = have detailed knowledge of something Kept a level head | Was sensible | She kept a level head despite the chaos | kept a level head = was sensible Knows how many beans make five | Well informed and intelligent | Ask him, he knows how many beans make five | knows how many beans make five = well informed and intelligent Keep your chin up | Remain cheerful in difficult times | Keep your chin up, things will get better | keep your chin up = remain cheerful in difficult times Kitty-corner | Located diagonally opposite | The bank is kitty-corner from the post office | kitty-corner = located diagonally opposite Like pulling teeth | Extremely difficult | Getting him to talk was like pulling teeth | like pulling teeth = extremely difficult Lead someone by the nose | Completely control someone | She lets her manager lead her by the nose | lead someone by the nose = completely control someone Let your hair down | Relax and behave uninhibitedly | The party's over, time to let your hair down | let your hair down = relax and behave uninhibitedly Lay out | Spend | He had to lay out a fortune on repairs | lay out = spend Let the chips fall where they may | Let things happen without worrying about consequences | I told the truth and let the chips fall where they may | let the chips fall where they may = let things happen without worrying about consequences Laid down their arms | Surrendered | The rebels finally laid down their arms | laid down their arms = surrendered Large-hearted | Generous | She's large-hearted and always donates | large-hearted = generous Leave no stone unturned | Try every possible effort to achieve something | The police left no stone unturned in the search | leave no stone unturned = try every possible effort to achieve something Lose your marbles | Go insane | Have you lost your marbles, spending that much | lose your marbles = go insane Like a shag on a rock | Completely alone | After they left, I felt like a shag on a rock | like a shag on a rock = completely alone Let off steam | Work off excess energy | He runs daily to let off steam | let off steam = work off excess energy Look down upon | Regard with contempt | Don't look down upon manual work | look down upon = regard with contempt Lose one's head | Lose self-control / panic | She didn't lose her head during the crisis | lose one's head = lose self-control / panic Let sleeping dogs lie | Don't bring up old controversial issues | Don't mention the merger, let sleeping dogs lie | let sleeping dogs lie = don't bring up old controversial issues Look before you leap | Think before acting | Look before you leap into that investment | look before you leap = think before acting Learn by heart | To memorize something | We had to learn the poem by heart | learn by heart = to memorize something Lion's mouth | A dangerous situation | Walking in there is going into the lion's mouth | lion's mouth = a dangerous situation Like talking to a brick wall | Inattentive / unresponsive | Asking him to help is like talking to a brick wall | like talking to a brick wall = inattentive / unresponsive Let bygones be bygones | Forgive and forget past conflicts | We argued, but let bygones be bygones | let bygones be bygones = forgive and forget past conflicts Lock horns | Fight with someone | The two leaders locked horns over policy | lock horns = fight with someone Live from hand to mouth | Having barely enough to survive | Many families live from hand to mouth | live from hand to mouth = having barely enough to survive Long in the tooth | Too old to do something | He's a bit long in the tooth for that sport | long in the tooth = too old to do something Late in the day | Too delayed to be of any use | Your apology is late in the day | late in the day = too delayed to be of any use Lose face | Become embarrassed | He'll lose face if the deal fails | lose face = become embarrassed Look out | Be careful | Look out for cars when crossing | look out = be careful Look after | Take care of | Can you look after my dog | look after = take care of Latin and Greek | Incomprehensible | The legal terms were Latin and Greek to me | Latin and Greek = incomprehensible Lend me your ear | Pay attention to someone | Lend me your ear for a minute | lend me your ear = pay attention to someone Laying it on thick | An exaggeration | He's laying it on thick about his role | laying it on thick = an exaggeration Let the cat out of the bag | Reveal a secret by mistake | She let the cat out of the bag about the surprise | let the cat out of the bag = reveal a secret by mistake Lend someone a hand | Help or assist voluntarily | Can you lend me a hand with this box | lend someone a hand = help or assist voluntarily Lean and mean | Ready and efficient | The new team is lean and mean | lean and mean = ready and efficient Little by little | Gradually | Little by little, he improved | little by little = gradually Loosen the purse strings | Increase money available for spending | The board decided to loosen the purse strings | loosen the purse strings = increase money available for spending Laying off | Dismissal from job | The company is laying off 200 staff | laying off = dismissal from job Like a dying duck in a thunderstorm | Dejected | He looked like a dying duck in a thunderstorm after the loss | like a dying duck in a thunderstorm = dejected Learn/Know the ropes | Learn to do particular jobs | It took a week to learn the ropes | learn/know the ropes = learn to do particular jobs Lap up | Accept eagerly | The audience lapped up every word | lap up = accept eagerly Look sharp | Pay attention | Look sharp, the instructions are quick | look sharp = pay attention Looking for greener pastures | Exploring new opportunities | She's looking for greener pastures abroad | looking for greener pastures = exploring new opportunities Last but not least | Final but equally important | Last but not least, thanks to the volunteers | last but not least = final but equally important Let the grass grow under one's feet | Remain idle | He doesn't let the grass grow under his feet | let the grass grow under one's feet = remain idle Loudmouth | One who talks boastfully | Don't be a loudmouth about your scores | loudmouth = one who talks boastfully Look into | To investigate | We'll look into the complaint | look into = to investigate Let down | To fail | Don't let the team down | let down = to fail Level playing field | Equal chance of succeeding for everyone | The rules ensure a level playing field | level playing field = equal chance of succeeding for everyone Laurels | Earn great prestige | She won many laurels in athletics | laurels = earn great prestige Like a phoenix | With a new life | The firm rose like a phoenix after bankruptcy | like a phoenix = with a new life Lock, stock and barrel | Completely | He sold the business, lock, stock and barrel | lock, stock and barrel = completely Left out in cold | To be ignored | I felt left out in cold at the meeting | left out in cold = to be ignored Lie low | Try not to be noticed | After the leak, he decided to lie low | lie low = try not to be noticed Like two peas in a pod | Look very similar in appearance | The twins are like two peas in a pod | like two peas in a pod = look very similar in appearance Lose your touch | Not as successful as before | He seems to have lost his touch in sales | lose your touch = not as successful as before Let something slip through one's fingers | Waste an opportunity | Don't let this chance slip through your fingers | let something slip through one's fingers = waste an opportunity Leaves you in the lurch | Abandon someone in difficulty | He left me in the lurch before the deadline | leaves you in the lurch = abandon someone in difficulty Lose count of | Forget the accurate total | I've lost count of how many times he's late | lose count of = forget the accurate total Looking forward to | Expecting with pleasure | I'm looking forward to the trip | looking forward to = expecting with pleasure Loaded words | Words carrying more meaning than their literal sense | "Freedom" is a loaded word here | loaded words = words carrying more meaning than their literal sense Left, right and centre | Happening everywhere | Criticism came left, right and centre | left, right and centre = happening everywhere Laughs like a drain | Laugh loudly | He laughs like a drain at his own jokes | laughs like a drain = laugh loudly Latched on to something | Became firmly attached | She latched on to the idea quickly | latched on to something = became firmly attached Make a beeline for | Go straight to | He made a beeline for the buffet | make a beeline for = go straight to Method to one's madness | Disorderly yet having a structure | Her desk is messy, but there's method to her madness | method to one's madness = disorderly yet having a structure Make no bones about | State something clearly without hesitation | She made no bones about disliking the plan | make no bones about = state something clearly without hesitation Made out of whole cloth | Entirely false and fabricated | That story was made out of whole cloth | made out of whole cloth = entirely false and fabricated Make up for | Replace something lost or damaged | I'll make up for the missed meeting tomorrow | make up for = replace something lost or damaged Milk and water | Weak ideas | His argument was milk and water | milk and water = weak ideas Make away with | To remove or steal | The thief made away with the cash | make away with = to remove or steal Make a scene | Create a public disturbance | Don't make a scene in the restaurant | make a scene = create a public disturbance Move heaven and earth | Make every effort to achieve something | She'll move heaven and earth to help her son | move heaven and earth = make every effort to achieve something Made light of | Treated lightly | He made light of the injury, but it was serious | made light of = treated lightly Make an ass out of | Make someone look foolish | Don't make an ass out of yourself online | make an ass out of = make someone look foolish Make short work of something | Dispose of quickly | She made short work of the paperwork | make short work of something = dispose of quickly Make believe that | Pretence | Let's make believe that we're pirates | make believe that = pretence Mind your language | Tell someone to speak politely | Mind your language in front of kids | mind your language = tell someone to speak politely Make one's mark | Distinguish oneself / attain recognition | She made her mark in the industry early | make one's mark = distinguish oneself / attain recognition Make a living | Earn enough money for daily needs | He makes a living as a tutor | make a living = earn enough money for daily needs Months on end | Several months in a row | It rained for months on end | months on end = several months in a row Make room | Make space | Can you make room for one more | make room = make space Make off with | To run away | They made off with the jewels | make off with = to run away Make a mockery of | No serious outcome | The trial made a mockery of justice | make a mockery of = no serious outcome Make a fortune | To become rich | He made a fortune in real estate | make a fortune = to become rich Make no headway | Unable to progress | We made no headway in talks | make no headway = unable to progress Making hay while the sun shines | Take advantage of a favourable opportunity | Sales are high, so we're making hay while the sun shines | making hay while the sun shines = take advantage of a favourable opportunity Make head or tail of | Understand something | I can't make head or tail of this report | make head or tail of = understand something Make big time | Attain fame and success | She finally made big time in Hollywood | make big time = attain fame and success Make up with someone | Settle differences with someone | They made up with each other after the fight | make up with someone = settle differences with someone Make a dent in | Reduce an amount of something | This payment won't make a dent in the debt | make a dent in = reduce an amount of something Make one's flesh crawl/creep | Make someone feel disgusted or horrified | That story makes my flesh crawl | make one's flesh crawl/creep = make someone feel disgusted or horrified Mad as a hatter | Eccentric | The old inventor is mad as a hatter but brilliant | mad as a hatter = eccentric Mealy mouthed | Afraid to speak frankly | Stop being mealy mouthed and say it | mealy mouthed = afraid to speak frankly Money does not grow on trees | Money is hard earned and limited | Money does not grow on trees, so budget wisely | money does not grow on trees = money is hard earned and limited Maiden speech | First speech | Her maiden speech impressed everyone | maiden speech = first speech Made a clean breast of | Confessed without reserve | He made a clean breast of his mistake | made a clean breast of = confessed without reserve Make out | Understand with difficulty | I can't make out what he's saying | make out = understand with difficulty Many a slip between the cup and the lip | Bad things may happen before task is finished | We're not done yet, and many a slip between the cup and the lip | many a slip between the cup and the lip = bad things may happen before task is finished Measure up | Reach the required level | The candidate didn't measure up | measure up = reach the required level Mark up | Increase the price | Stores mark up goods before holidays | mark up = increase the price Move the goalposts | Unfairly change rules during a process | They keep moving the goalposts on us | move the goalposts = unfairly change rules during a process More or less | Approximately | It'll cost more or less ₹500 | more or less = approximately Mend your ways | Improve one's behaviour | You need to mend your ways | mend your ways = improve one's behaviour Monkey business | Dishonest or unacceptable behaviour | No monkey business during the exam | monkey business = dishonest or unacceptable behaviour Mince matters | To confuse issues | Don't mince matters, be clear | mince matters = to confuse issues Much ado about nothing | Making a big fuss over a small thing | It was much ado about nothing | much ado about nothing = making a big fuss over a small thing Mouth-watering | Very tasty and appetising | The bakery smells mouth-watering | mouth-watering = very tasty and appetising Murdered in cold blood | A murder done without feeling | He was murdered in cold blood | murdered in cold blood = a murder done without feeling Made off | Ran away | The suspect made off before police came | made off = ran away Make a fool of oneself | To be stupid | He made a fool of himself at the party | make a fool of oneself = to be stupid No love lost between | Intense dislike between persons | There's no love lost between the two rivals | no love lost between = intense dislike between persons Not to mince matters | Speak out politely | I won't mince matters, your report needs work | not to mince matters = speak out politely Nine times out of ten | In most cases | Nine times out of ten, he's late | nine times out of ten = in most cases Nail your colours to their mast | Make your opinions or plans obvious | She nailed her colours to their mast during the debate | nail your colours to their mast = make your opinions or plans obvious No dice | No chance of success | Asking for a raise now? No dice | no dice = no chance of success Not one's cup of tea | Not one's preference | Horror movies are not my cup of tea | not one's cup of tea = not one's preference Not make head or tail | Unable to understand anything | I can't make head or tail of these instructions | not make head or tail = unable to understand anything Not see eye to eye with somebody | Have different opinions | We don't see eye to eye on politics | not see eye to eye with somebody = have different opinions Neck and crop | Totally and completely | He was thrown out neck and crop | neck and crop = totally and completely Nip in the bud | Stop something at the very start | We must nip the rumor in the bud | nip in the bud = stop something at the very start No spring chicken | A person who is no longer young | He's no spring chicken, but he still runs marathons | no spring chicken = a person who is no longer young Not mince words | Speak in a direct way | She didn't mince words about the failure | not mince words = speak in a direct way Not breathe a word | Remain silent about a secret | Don't breathe a word about the party | not breathe a word = remain silent about a secret Not playing with the full deck | Mentally or intellectually deficient | He's not playing with the full deck | not playing with the full deck = mentally or intellectually deficient Not fit to hold a candle | Inferior / cannot be compared to | The remake is not fit to hold a candle to the original | not fit to hold a candle = inferior / cannot be compared to Now and again | Occasionally | I see her now and again at the gym | now and again = occasionally Null and void | Invalid / not binding | The contract is null and void | null and void = invalid / not binding Nail-biting | Suspenseful | The match had a nail-biting finish | nail-biting = suspenseful New kid on the block | Newcomer to a place or activity | He's the new kid on the block in the office | new kid on the block = newcomer to a place or activity Neither fish nor fowl | Cannot be categorized easily | That design is neither fish nor fowl | neither fish nor fowl = cannot be categorized easily Never-never land | An imaginary utopian place | His plan exists in never-never land | never-never land = an imaginary utopian place Nine days' wonder | A short-lived sensation of no real value | That viral clip was a nine days' wonder | nine days' wonder = a short-lived sensation of no real value No ifs and buts | No doubts | Finish it by Monday, no ifs and buts | no ifs and buts = no doubts No strings attached | Without conditions or restrictions | The gift came with no strings attached | no strings attached = without conditions or restrictions Not hold water | Cannot be believed / not reasonable | His excuse doesn't hold water | not hold water = cannot be believed / not reasonable Not to look a gift horse in the mouth | Don't find fault with gifts received | It's free, so don't look a gift horse in the mouth | not to look a gift horse in the mouth = don't find fault with gifts received Nothing doing | Not a chance | I asked for a day off, but nothing doing | nothing doing = not a chance Nothing ventured, nothing gained | Must make effort to achieve something | Apply anyway, nothing ventured, nothing gained | nothing ventured, nothing gained = must make effort to achieve something On the back burner | Temporarily not dealing with something | We put the redesign on the back burner | on the back burner = temporarily not dealing with something Off the record | Informally / in confidence | Off the record, the deal is shaky | off the record = informally / in confidence Out of thin air | Appear suddenly | Solutions don't come out of thin air | out of thin air = appear suddenly On the spur of the moment | Acting impulsively without thinking | We booked tickets on the spur of the moment | on the spur of the moment = acting impulsively without thinking Of no avail | Useless | His apology was of no avail | of no avail = useless On the double | At a fast pace | Move on the double, we're late | on the double = at a fast pace Out of the woods | No longer in trouble / out of danger | After surgery, she's out of the woods | out of the woods = no longer in trouble / out of danger On tenterhooks | In suspense and anxiety | We're on tenterhooks waiting for results | on tenterhooks = in suspense and anxiety Odd man out | Person who doesn't fit into a group | I felt like the odd man out at the party | odd man out = person who doesn't fit into a group Out of bounds | Forbidden | The construction site is out of bounds | out of bounds = forbidden On shank's mare | On foot | We went on shank's mare to the market | on shank's mare = on foot Off the hook | No longer in trouble / escaped from blame | The evidence let him off the hook | off the hook = no longer in trouble / escaped from blame On the brink of disaster | Very close to failure | The project is on the brink of disaster | on the brink of disaster = very close to failure Once bitten, twice shy | Bitter experience makes one cautious for future | After that scam, I'm once bitten, twice shy | once bitten, twice shy = bitter experience makes one cautious for future Out of sorts | To be unwell | I'm feeling out of sorts today | out of sorts = to be unwell On the wane | On the decline | His influence is on the wane | on the wane = on the decline On one's last legs | Near to death | The old car is on its last legs | on one's last legs = near to death On account of | Because of | The game was cancelled on account of rain | on account of = because of Out of print | Book no longer available from publisher | That edition is out of print | out of print = book no longer available from publisher Out of spirits | Gloomy or sad | She's been out of spirits lately | out of spirits = gloomy or sad On the cards | Likely to happen | A merger is on the cards | on the cards = likely to happen Out at the elbows | Poor | He was out at the elbows after losing his job | out at the elbows = poor On cloud nine | Extremely happy and excited | She's on cloud nine after the engagement | on cloud nine = extremely happy and excited On the horizon | An event likely to happen soon | Elections are on the horizon | on the horizon = an event likely to happen soon On a wing and a prayer | With very little chance of success | We launched on a wing and a prayer | on a wing and a prayer = with very little chance of success Over egg the pudding | Spoil something by trying too hard to improve it | Don't over egg the pudding, keep it simple | over egg the pudding = spoil something by trying too hard to improve it On the cuff | On credit | He bought it on the cuff | on the cuff = on credit On the wrong side of sixty | To be older than sixty | He's on the wrong side of sixty but still active | on the wrong side of sixty = to be older than sixty Over head and ears | Completely | I'm over head and ears in debt | over head and ears = completely Out of the blue | Completely unexpectedly | The call came out of the blue | out of the blue = completely unexpectedly On thin ice | In a precarious or risky situation | You're on thin ice with the boss | on thin ice = in a precarious or risky situation Once and for all | Bring to an end / conclusively | Let's settle this once and for all | once and for all = bring to an end / conclusively On purpose | Deliberately / intentionally | Did you do that on purpose | on purpose = deliberately / intentionally On the tip of my tongue | Readily available in memory | His name is on the tip of my tongue | on the tip of my tongue = readily available in memory On the level | Honest | Is he on the level about the costs | on the level = honest On the brink of | At the point of | We're on the brink of a breakthrough | on the brink of = at the point of On the ball | To be alert | You need to be on the ball in this job | on the ball = to be alert On the face of it | What appears on the surface | On the face of it, the plan looks fine | on the face of it = what appears on the surface Of the old school | Old fashioned in thought | He's of the old school about discipline | of the old school = old fashioned in thought Old hand | Experienced person | Ask her, she's an old hand at this | old hand = experienced person Off-colour | Feeling slightly ill | I'm a bit off-colour today | off-colour = feeling slightly ill Oily tongue | Flattery | Don't trust his oily tongue | oily tongue = flattery Old head on young shoulders | Wise beyond one's years | She's an old head on young shoulders | old head on young shoulders = wise beyond one's years Out for the count | In a deep insensible sleep | After the trek, he was out for the count | out for the count = in a deep insensible sleep Out of date | Something old fashioned | That software is out of date | out of date = something old fashioned Out of my wits | Greatly confused | The directions had me out of my wits | out of my wits = greatly confused Out of the question | Impossible | A refund is out of the question | out of the question = impossible Out of this world | Extraordinary | The dessert was out of this world | out of this world = extraordinary One track mind | Always thinking of only one thing | He has a one track mind about cricket | one track mind = always thinking of only one thing Once in a blue moon | Rarely and infrequently | We meet once in a blue moon | once in a blue moon = rarely and infrequently Open-ended | Having no planned ending | The contract is open-ended | open-ended = having no planned ending Out and out | Totally | That was an out and out lie | out and out = totally Over my dead body | Fiercely opposing something | Over my dead body will you quit school | over my dead body = fiercely opposing something Over and over again | Do something repeatedly | She told me over and over again | over and over again = do something repeatedly Off the cuff | Without preparation | He spoke off the cuff | off the cuff = without preparation On good terms | Friendly with someone | I'm on good terms with my ex-boss | on good terms = friendly with someone On one's guard | To be careful | Be on your guard in this area | on one's guard = to be careful On the same page | To understand and agree | Let's get on the same page before the client call | on the same page = to understand and agree On all hands | Everywhere | The news was heard on all hands | on all hands = everywhere On edge | Nervous and unable to relax | I'm on edge before exams | on edge = nervous and unable to relax Off and on / On and Off | Occasionally / periodically | It rains off and on here | off and on / on and off = occasionally / periodically On the verge of | On the brink of | She's on the verge of tears | on the verge of = on the brink of Of the first water | Of the best quality | These diamonds are of the first water | of the first water = of the best quality Play with fire | Do something dangerous / risky | Investing all savings in crypto is playing with fire | play with fire = do something dangerous / risky Pay lip service | Pretend to agree but not support | They pay lip service to sustainability but do nothing | pay lip service = pretend to agree but not support Pull a fast one | Trick someone | He tried to pull a fast one during the deal | pull a fast one = trick someone Pillar to post | One place to another | I was sent from pillar to post for approval | pillar to post = one place to another Pin-money | Small allowance for personal expenses | She saved her pin-money for books | pin-money = small allowance for personal expenses Pouring cold water on | To discourage doing something | Don't keep pouring cold water on my ideas | pouring cold water on = to discourage doing something Play one's ace | Use one's best resource | She played her ace and revealed the data | play one's ace = use one's best resource Put one's foot down | Take a firm stand / refuse to yield | Dad put his foot down about the trip | put one's foot down = take a firm stand / refuse to yield Pass the buck | Refuse responsibility / blame someone else | Stop passing the buck and fix it | pass the buck = refuse responsibility / blame someone else Paper over the cracks | To hide problems | They tried to paper over the cracks in the report | paper over the cracks = to hide problems Pedal to the metal | To drive very fast | With the deadline near, we put pedal to the metal | pedal to the metal = to drive very fast Pick a quarrel | To start an argument | He always tries to pick a quarrel over nothing | pick a quarrel = to start an argument Pale into insignificance | Seemed less important | My problems pale into insignificance beside hers | pale into insignificance = seemed less important Part and parcel | Essential element / important part | Hard work is part and parcel of success | part and parcel = essential element / important part Pull someone up | Criticise / reprimand someone | The teacher pulled him up for being late | pull someone up = criticise / reprimand someone Put across | Effectively conveyed | She put her point across clearly | put across = effectively conveyed Play truant | Stay away from duty | He used to play truant in school | play truant = stay away from duty Played havoc | Caused destruction | The storm played havoc with the crops | played havoc = caused destruction Pull strings | Use personal influence | He pulled strings to get the permit | pull strings = use personal influence Put your best foot forward | Try as hard as one can | Put your best foot forward in the interview | put your best foot forward = try as hard as one can Put into action | To execute | We need to put the plan into action | put into action = to execute Point-blank | Directly / very close range | He refused point-blank | point-blank = directly / very close range Pocket an insult | Tolerate insult without protest | She had to pocket an insult to keep the job | pocket an insult = tolerate insult without protest Playing to the gallery | Appeasing the masses | His speech was just playing to the gallery | playing to the gallery = appeasing the masses Pull the plug | Prevent something from continuing | They pulled the plug on the project | pull the plug = prevent something from continuing Pull something off | Make something happen successfully | We actually pulled it off | pull something off = make something happen successfully Pull a long face | Look dejected / sad | Don't pull a long face, we'll try again | pull a long face = look dejected / sad Play safe | Avoid risks and take precautions | Let's play safe and back up the data | play safe = avoid risks and take precautions Plain sailing | Very easy | After that, it was plain sailing | plain sailing = very easy Plain as day | Very obvious and easy to understand | It's plain as day that he's lying | plain as day = very obvious and easy to understand Pipe dream | An illusory / impossible plan | A mansion by 25 is a pipe dream | pipe dream = an illusory / impossible plan Pick and choose | Select only the best | You can't pick and choose assignments | pick and choose = select only the best Picking holes in | Finding fault with | Stop picking holes in every idea | picking holes in = finding fault with Pick to pieces | Analyse critically | The panel picked his thesis to pieces | pick to pieces = analyse critically Pull up your socks | Put in extra effort | You need to pull up your socks for finals | pull up your socks = put in extra effort Pull yourself together | Regain composure and act appropriately | Pull yourself together before the meeting | pull yourself together = regain composure and act appropriately Pulls no punches | Speaks frankly | She pulls no punches in reviews | pulls no punches = speaks frankly Pulled the chestnuts out of fire | Accomplish a difficult job for someone else | He pulled the chestnuts out of fire for the team | pulled the chestnuts out of fire = accomplish a difficult job for someone else Pulled all the stops | Do something with maximum effort | They pulled all the stops for the launch | pulled all the stops = do something with maximum effort Pull together | Work harmoniously | We need to pull together to finish | pull together = work harmoniously Pull the wool over someone's eyes | Deceive someone by telling lies | Don't try to pull the wool over my eyes | pull the wool over someone's eyes = deceive someone by telling lies Put off | To delay | Don't put off the dentist visit | put off = to delay Put one's cards on the table | To be honest | Let's put our cards on the table | put one's cards on the table = to be honest Put our heads together | Consult and work together | If we put our heads together, we'll solve it | put our heads together = consult and work together Put someone's back up | To irritate someone | His tone really put my back up | put someone's back up = to irritate someone Put something by | Saves | She puts something by each month | put something by = saves Put two and two together | Reason logically from given facts | I put two and two together and realized he lied | put two and two together = reason logically from given facts Put up the shutters | Went out of business | The shop put up the shutters last year | put up the shutters = went out of business Putting the cart before the horse | Doing things in the wrong order | Hiring staff now is putting the cart before the horse | putting the cart before the horse = doing things in the wrong order Play devil's advocate | Argue the opposite just for argument's sake | Let me play devil's advocate for a minute | play devil's advocate = argue the opposite just for argument's sake Play it by ear | Do something without special preparation | We'll play it by ear tomorrow | play it by ear = do something without special preparation Play for time | Make excuses to gain time | He's just playing for time | play for time = make excuses to gain time Played ducks and drakes | Spent lavishly / squandered recklessly | He played ducks and drakes with his inheritance | played ducks and drakes = spent lavishly / squandered recklessly Picks on someone | Treats someone badly | The coach picks on the new players | picks on someone = treats someone badly Pie in the sky | Something not possible | That promotion plan is pie in the sky | pie in the sky = something not possible Peas in a pod | Very similar | The twins are like peas in a pod | peas in a pod = very similar Pay on the nail | Pay promptly | He insists you pay on the nail | pay on the nail = pay promptly Pay heed to | Listen carefully with attention | Pay heed to the safety instructions | pay heed to = listen carefully with attention Pat on the back | Praise for doing something good | She deserves a pat on the back | pat on the back = praise for doing something good Pass the hat | To collect money | They passed the hat for the charity | pass the hat = to collect money Pass the baton | Shift responsibility to others | It's time to pass the baton to the new lead | pass the baton = shift responsibility to others Parthian shot | Parting hit | His Parthian shot insulted everyone | Parthian shot = parting hit Pandora's Box | A prolific source of trouble | Opening that file is a Pandora's Box | Pandora's Box = a prolific source of trouble Palm off | Dispose with intent to deceive | He tried to palm off the fake as real | palm off = dispose with intent to deceive Pot-luck dinner | Dinner where everyone brings something to eat | We're having a pot-luck dinner Friday | pot-luck dinner = dinner where everyone brings something to eat Poured cats & dogs | Rained heavily | It poured cats & dogs all night | poured cats & dogs = rained heavily Poke one's nose | Interfere in others' affairs | Stop poking your nose into my business | poke one's nose = interfere in others' affairs Pore over | Go through carefully | She pored over the contract | pore over = go through carefully Pull a rabbit out of a hat | Do something unexpected | He pulled a rabbit out of a hat with that solution | pull a rabbit out of a hat = do something unexpected Provide a blueprint | Give a detailed plan or scheme | The report provides a blueprint for growth | provide a blueprint = give a detailed plan or scheme Quack like a duck | Speak foolishly or meaninglessly | He's just quacking like a duck | quack like a duck = speak foolishly or meaninglessly Quaff to the dregs | Enjoy something fully to the last drop | He quaffed life to the dregs | quaff to the dregs = enjoy something fully to the last drop Quail before | Show fear or lose courage | He quailed before the principal | quail before = show fear or lose courage Quandary | State of confusion or uncertainty | I'm in a quandary about this | quandary = state of confusion or uncertainty Quarrel with one's bread and butter | Reject one's main source of livelihood | Don't quarrel with your bread and butter | quarrel with one's bread and butter = reject one's main source of livelihood Quarter of an hour | A period of fifteen minutes | I'll be there in a quarter of an hour | quarter of an hour = a period of fifteen minutes Queer fish | Strange or eccentric person | He's a queer fish | queer fish = strange or eccentric person Queer the pitch | Spoil someone's chances unfairly | The delay queered the pitch for us | queer the pitch = spoil someone's chances unfairly Quench one's thirst | Satisfy a desire or need | A cold drink will quench your thirst | quench one's thirst = satisfy a desire or need Question of time | Something that will happen sooner or later | It's only a question of time | question of time = something that will happen sooner or later Quick as a flash | Very fast | He replied quick as a flash | quick as a flash = very fast Quick fix | Temporary or superficial solution | That's just a quick fix | quick fix = temporary or superficial solution Quick on the uptake | Able to understand quickly | She's quick on the uptake | quick on the uptake = able to understand quickly Quick study | Person who learns fast | He's a quick study | quick study = person who learns fast Quick to judge | Form opinions hastily | Don't be so quick to judge | quick to judge = form opinions hastily Quicken the pace | Increase speed | We need to quicken the pace | quicken the pace = increase speed Quicken the pulse | Make people excited or interested | The trailer quickened the pulse | quicken the pulse = make people excited or interested Red-tape | Official rules causing unnecessary delay | The permit is stuck in red-tape | red-tape = official rules causing unnecessary delay Rise like a phoenix | Become successful again with new life | The brand rose like a phoenix after rebranding | rise like a phoenix = become successful again with new life Run out of steam | Lose enthusiasm and stop doing something | The campaign ran out of steam in week three | run out of steam = lose enthusiasm and stop doing something Ring a bell | To sound familiar | That name rings a bell but I can't place it | ring a bell = to sound familiar Raining cats and dogs | Raining extremely heavily | It was raining cats and dogs all night | raining cats and dogs = raining extremely heavily Rare bird | An exceptional person; a rarity | She's a rare bird in this industry | rare bird = an exceptional person; a rarity Reap the whirlwind | Suffer negative consequences of one's actions | You'll reap the whirlwind if you cheat | reap the whirlwind = suffer negative consequences of one's actions Raise the bar | Set higher goals | The new standards really raise the bar | raise the bar = set higher goals Ran riot | Acted without restraint | The crowd ran riot after the match | ran riot = acted without restraint Rest on one's laurels | Be satisfied with achievements and stop trying | Don't rest on your laurels, keep improving | rest on one's laurels = be satisfied with achievements and stop trying Roll up your sleeves | Get ready for something difficult | Time to roll up your sleeves and start | roll up your sleeves = get ready for something difficult Rule the roost | Dominate / make all decisions | Grandma rules the roost at home | rule the roost = dominate / make all decisions Rub somebody the wrong way | Annoy or irritate someone | His arrogance rubs me the wrong way | rub somebody the wrong way = annoy or irritate someone Run into rough weather | Experienced difficulties | The startup ran into rough weather this quarter | run into rough weather = experienced difficulties Rip up old sores | Revive forgotten quarrel | Bringing that up will rip up old sores | rip up old sores = revive forgotten quarrel Rise to the occasion | Prove you can handle a situation successfully | She rose to the occasion and led the team | rise to the occasion = prove you can handle a situation successfully Rides the high horse | Acts superior | He rides the high horse since the promotion | rides the high horse = acts superior Raise an alarm | Warn of a dangerous situation | We need to raise an alarm about the leak | raise an alarm = warn of a dangerous situation Ran in the same groove | Moved in harmony | The partners ran in the same groove | ran in the same groove = moved in harmony Ran into | Met accidentally | I ran into her at the store | ran into = met accidentally Rank and file | Ordinary workers in a company | The policy affects the rank and file most | rank and file = ordinary workers in a company Rat race | Fierce competition for power | He's tired of the rat race | rat race = fierce competition for power Red herrings | Clues intended to distract or mislead | The report is full of red herrings | red herrings = clues intended to distract or mislead Reinventing the wheel | Wasting time on things already done | Don't waste time reinventing the wheel | reinventing the wheel = wasting time on things already done Ring fencing | Ensure funds are used only for allocated purpose | The grant has strict ring fencing | ring fencing = ensure funds are used only for allocated purpose Rises with the lark | Wake up very early | She rises with the lark to train | rises with the lark = wake up very early Roll back | Reduce, limit or devalue | They plan to roll back the tax | roll back = reduce, limit or devalue Root and branch | Completely / wholly | We removed it root and branch | root and branch = completely / wholly Rose-coloured glasses | A positive outlook on life | He sees everything through rose-coloured glasses | rose-coloured glasses = a positive outlook on life Ruffle somebody's feathers | Annoy somebody | That comment really ruffled her feathers | ruffle somebody's feathers = annoy somebody Run down | Criticise | Stop running down your teammates | run down = criticise Ran into | Incurred / encountered | We ran into unexpected costs | ran into = incurred / encountered Rained on the new bride's parade | Spoil a moment | The power cut rained on the new bride's parade | rained on the new bride's parade = spoil a moment Square peg in a round hole | A misfit in the environment | He felt like a square peg in a round hole in sales | square peg in a round hole = a misfit in the environment Saw through | Detected | She saw through his excuse immediately | saw through = detected Sit on the fence | Not take sides / remain undecided | Stop sitting on the fence and decide | sit on the fence = not take sides / remain undecided Spill the beans | Reveal a secret | Don't spill the beans about the party | spill the beans = reveal a secret Strike while the iron is hot | Act at the right favourable moment | Strike while the iron is hot and pitch now | strike while the iron is hot = act at the right favourable moment Salt of the earth | A good, reliable, honest person | Our driver is salt of the earth | salt of the earth = a good, reliable, honest person Shoot through | Leave to escape from someone | The suspect tried to shoot through the back door | shoot through = leave to escape from someone Shook in their shoes | Trembled with fear | The kids shook in their shoes during the storm | shook in their shoes = trembled with fear Selling like hot cakes | Selling very quickly / in great demand | The new phone is selling like hot cakes | selling like hot cakes = selling very quickly / in great demand Second to none | As good as or better than all others | Their service is second to none | second to none = as good as or better than all others Set the wheels in motion | Initiate a chain of events | The email set the wheels in motion | set the wheels in motion = initiate a chain of events Scapegoats | Punished for others' misdeeds | They made him the scapegoat for the failure | scapegoats = punished for others' misdeeds Sail close to the wind | Do something dangerous or illegal | That deal sails close to the wind | sail close to the wind = do something dangerous or illegal Saved by the bell | Saved at the last moment | I was saved by the bell before the test | saved by the bell = saved at the last moment Separate the wheat from the chaff | Separate the valuable from the worthless | The interview will separate the wheat from the chaff | separate the wheat from the chaff = separate the valuable from the worthless Set at liberty | To release | The prisoner was set at liberty | set at liberty = to release Set forth | Explained | He set forth his reasons clearly | set forth = explained Set the record straight | Give a correct account | Let me set the record straight | set the record straight = give a correct account Set their face against | Opposed strongly | The board set their face against the merger | set their face against = opposed strongly Shake off | Forget / get rid of | I can't shake off this cold | shake off = forget / get rid of Sharp as a tack | Mentally very active | She's 80 but sharp as a tack | sharp as a tack = mentally very active Sharp practices | Dishonest means | The firm was fined for sharp practices | sharp practices = dishonest means Shed light on | To explain a situation | The report sheds light on the delay | shed light on = to explain a situation Shooting fish in a barrel | Exceptionally easy to do | With this data, winning was shooting fish in a barrel | shooting fish in a barrel = exceptionally easy to do Shot in the dark | An attempt with very little chance of success | It was a shot in the dark but it worked | shot in the dark = an attempt with very little chance of success Show white flag | Surrendered | The company showed the white flag in court | show white flag = surrendered Silver bullet | A simple magical solution to a complicated problem | There's no silver bullet for climate change | silver bullet = a simple magical solution to a complicated problem Sit in judgement | Criticize someone without the right to do so | Don't sit in judgement if you weren't there | sit in judgement = criticize someone without the right to do so Sit tight | Wait patiently | Sit tight, help is coming | sit tight = wait patiently Sitting on a gold mine | Own something potentially very valuable | With that patent, you're sitting on a gold mine | sitting on a gold mine = own something potentially very valuable Sleep on it | Wait before making a decision | I'll sleep on it and tell you tomorrow | sleep on it = wait before making a decision Slip off | Leave quietly | He tried to slip off after lunch | slip off = leave quietly Slow and steady | Make consistent progress for success | Slow and steady wins the race | slow and steady = make consistent progress for success Smooth ruffled feathers | Make people feel less offended | The apology smoothed ruffled feathers | smooth ruffled feathers = make people feel less offended Smooth sailing | Easy progress | From here on, it's smooth sailing | smooth sailing = easy progress Snowed under | Busy | I'm snowed under with emails | snowed under = busy So far so good | Things are going well so far | So far so good on the rollout | so far so good = things are going well so far Soft option | Easiest and least troublesome option | He took the soft option and quit | soft option = easiest and least troublesome option Sought after | In great demand | She's a sought-after speaker | sought after = in great demand Sow wild oats | Waste time in foolish youthful behaviour | He sowed wild oats in college | sow wild oats = waste time in foolish youthful behaviour Speak of the devil | The person being talked about just appeared | Speak of the devil, here he comes | speak of the devil = the person being talked about just appeared Speaks volumes | Gives enough proof / conveys a great deal | Her silence speaks volumes | speaks volumes = gives enough proof / conveys a great deal Spick and span | Clean and tidy | The kitchen is spick and span | spick and span = clean and tidy Spin one's wheels | Expend much effort for little or no gain | We're just spinning our wheels here | spin one's wheels = expend much effort for little or no gain Spread like wild fire | Spread rapidly | The rumor spread like wild fire | spread like wild fire = spread rapidly Stab someone in the back | Betray someone | He stabbed me in the back by leaking it | stab someone in the back = betray someone Stand by | Support | I'll stand by you no matter what | stand by = support Stand for | Represent | What does NASA stand for | stand for = represent Stand in one's own light | Act against one's own interest | Refusing help is standing in your own light | stand in one's own light = act against one's own interest Stand-offish | Indifferent | She seemed stand-offish at first | stand-offish = indifferent Standstill | Complete halt | Traffic came to a standstill | standstill = complete halt Start from scratch | Start entirely from the beginning | We'll have to start from scratch | start from scratch = start entirely from the beginning Status quo | Unchanged position | The talks aim to change the status quo | status quo = unchanged position Sword of Damocles | Imminent and constant danger / impending threat | The lawsuit hangs like a sword of Damocles over the firm | sword of Damocles = imminent and constant danger / impending threat Sweeping statement | Generalised statement | Saying all teens are lazy is a sweeping statement | sweeping statement = generalised statement Swept under the carpet | Kept hidden | The complaints were swept under the carpet | swept under the carpet = kept hidden Swim with the tide | Agree with the popular opinion | He just swims with the tide to avoid conflict | swim with the tide = agree with the popular opinion Swan song | Last performance | That concert was the singer's swan song | swan song = last performance Swollen-headed | Full of pride / arrogant | Success made him swollen-headed | swollen-headed = full of pride / arrogant Steal someone's thunder | Take credit for someone else's achievement | He stole her thunder at the meeting | steal someone's thunder = take credit for someone else's achievement Stick to his guns | Maintain one's own opinion | He stuck to his guns despite pressure | stick to his guns = maintain one's own opinion Sticky fingers | An inclination to steal | Keep an eye out, he has sticky fingers | sticky fingers = an inclination to steal Stir up a hornet's nest | Provoke anger or controversy | That tweet stirred up a hornet's nest | stir up a hornet's nest = provoke anger or controversy Stole the show | Won everybody's praise | The kid stole the show with that dance | stole the show = won everybody's praise Straight from the horse mouth | Hear directly from the source | I heard it straight from the horse's mouth | straight from the horse mouth = hear directly from the source Strain every nerve | Work very hard / make utmost efforts | We strained every nerve to finish | strain every nerve = work very hard / make utmost efforts Straw in the wind | An indication of what might happen | Low sales are a straw in the wind | straw in the wind = an indication of what might happen Strike a bargain | To negotiate a deal | They struck a bargain on price | strike a bargain = to negotiate a deal Struck a chill to the heart | Aroused fear | The news struck a chill to the heart | struck a chill to the heart = aroused fear Struck several bad patches | Had many professional difficulties | He struck several bad patches early on | struck several bad patches = had many professional difficulties Suit you to a T | Look very good on you | That jacket suits you to a T | suit you to a T = look very good on you Sum and substance | Essence | The sum and substance is: we're over budget | sum and substance = essence Salad days | Adolescence | In my salad days I played in a band | salad days = adolescence See eye to eye | Be in full agreement with each other | We don't see eye to eye on this | see eye to eye = be in full agreement with each other See the light of day | Become publicly known | The draft never saw the light of day | see the light of day = become publicly known Send him packing | Terminate someone's services | The boss sent him packing | send him packing = terminate someone's services Turned his head | Cause to become conceited or infatuated | The sudden fame turned his head | turned his head = cause to become conceited or infatuated To take the bull by the horns | To handle difficulties / deal with a difficult situation directly | She took the bull by the horns and confronted the client | to take the bull by the horns = to handle difficulties / deal with a difficult situation directly To be in a quandary | To be in a confusing situation | I'm in a quandary about which offer to accept | to be in a quandary = to be in a confusing situation Take exception to | Object strongly | I take exception to that remark | take exception to = object strongly To keep under wraps | Secret | The merger was kept under wraps | to keep under wraps = secret To put one out of countenance | To make one feel ashamed | The criticism put her out of countenance | to put one out of countenance = to make one feel ashamed Take away your breath | Astonishing | The view took away my breath | take away your breath = astonishing Talking through her hat | Talking nonsense | Ignore him, he's talking through his hat | talking through her hat = talking nonsense The crux of the matter | The most important and critical point | Cost is the crux of the matter | the crux of the matter = the most important and critical point To burn the candle at both ends | Work very hard | She's burning the candle at both ends with two jobs | to burn the candle at both ends = work very hard To hit the sack | To prepare for sleep / went to bed | I'm exhausted, time to hit the sack | to hit the sack = to prepare for sleep / went to bed Throw up the sponge | To surrender | After the third loss, they threw up the sponge | throw up the sponge = to surrender To be off your food | To have no appetite | I've been off my food since the fever | to be off your food = to have no appetite To beat a dead horse | Uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond resolution / a futile effort | Arguing about it now is beating a dead horse | to beat a dead horse = uselessly dwell on a subject far beyond resolution / a futile effort To call a spade a spade | Be frank / speak in a straightforward manner | She calls a spade a spade | to call a spade a spade = be frank / speak in a straightforward manner To doctor the accounts | To manipulate the accounts | He was caught trying to doctor the accounts | to doctor the accounts = to manipulate the accounts To eat a humble pie | To accept defeat / apologise humbly / suffer humiliation | He had to eat humble pie after losing | to eat a humble pie = to accept defeat / apologise humbly / suffer humiliation To fight tooth and nail | Make every possible effort / fight very fiercely | We'll fight tooth and nail for this contract | to fight tooth and nail = make every possible effort / fight very fiercely To get cold feet | Experience nervousness or anxiety before attempting something | I got cold feet before the speech | to get cold feet = experience nervousness or anxiety before attempting somethingTo go bananas | To become very excited or angry / become irrational | The fans went bananas when they won | to go bananas = to become very excited or angry / become irrational To have eggs on one's face | To be embarrassed because of one's action | He had egg on his face after the prediction failed | to have eggs on one's face = to be embarrassed because of one's action To keep an eye on | To be cautious / to watch attentively | Keep an eye on the stock levels | to keep an eye on = to be cautious / to watch attentively To make a mountain of a molehill | Give great importance to little things / exaggerate a minor problem | You're making a mountain of a molehill | to make a mountain of a molehill = give great importance to little things / exaggerate a minor problem To miss the boat/bus | To miss an opportunity | Apply now or you'll miss the boat | to miss the boat/bus = to miss an opportunity To play second fiddle | Take a subordinate role / position of lesser importance | I'm tired of playing second fiddle | to play second fiddle = take a subordinate role / position of lesser importance To put one's foot in one's mouth | To accidentally embarrass or upset someone | I put my foot in my mouth at dinner | to put one's foot in one's mouth = to accidentally embarrass or upset someone To read between the lines | Understand the hidden meaning / discern what is implied but not stated | You need to read between the lines in his email | to read between the lines = understand the hidden meaning / discern what is implied but not stated To rub salt in someone's wound | To make a bad or painful situation worse | Mentioning her ex just rubs salt in the wound | to rub salt in someone's wound = to make a bad or painful situation worse To set the Thames on fire | Do a heroic or wonderful deed | He won't set the Thames on fire, but he's reliable | to set the Thames on fire = do a heroic or wonderful deed To steer clear of | Avoid someone or something dangerous | Steer clear of that investment | to steer clear of = avoid someone or something dangerous To take a back seat | Become less important / give up control over things | I'll take a back seat on this project | to take a back seat = become less important / give up control over things To take French leave | Absent oneself without permission / leave without any intimation | He took French leave yesterday | to take French leave = absent oneself without permission / leave without any intimation To throw dust in one's eyes | To deceive / to mislead or confuse | The data was meant to throw dust in our eyes | to throw dust in one's eyes = to deceive / to mislead or confuse To turn a deaf ear | Disregard / refused to obey / pay no heed / neglected | Management turned a deaf ear to complaints | to turn a deaf ear = disregard / refused to obey / pay no heed / neglected To wrangle over an ass's shadow | To quarrel over trifles | They're wrangling over an ass's shadow | to wrangle over an ass's shadow = to quarrel over trifles Too many irons in the fire | Engaged in too many enterprises at the same time | She has too many irons in the fire | too many irons in the fire = engaged in too many enterprises at the same time Turn a blind eye | To ignore a situation, facts or reality | The teacher turned a blind eye to the cheating | turn a blind eye = to ignore a situation, facts or reality Touch and go | Uncertain | It was touch and go whether we'd make the flight | touch and go = uncertain Took a leap in the dark | Took a risk | Quitting my job was a leap in the dark | took a leap in the dark = took a risk Toffee-nosed | Person who thinks he is of high social class and looks down on others | Don't be so toffee-nosed about it | toffee-nosed = person who thinks he is of high social class and looks down on others To walk on air | To be very happy | She's walking on air since the proposal | to walk on air = to be very happy To win laurels | To achieve honours and glory | He won laurels at the science fair | to win laurels = to achieve honours and glory To work like a dog | To work very hard | I've been working like a dog all week | to work like a dog = to work very hard Token strike | Short strike held as a warning | Workers held a token strike today | token strike = short strike held as a warning Tongue in cheek | In an ironic or insincere way | His comment was tongue in cheek | tongue in cheek = in an ironic or insincere way Too close for comfort | So close as to be a cause of worry | That car came too close for comfort | too close for comfort = so close as to be a cause of worry Too close to call | A very narrow margin | The election is too close to call | too close to call = a very narrow margin Too fond of her own voice | Does not listen properly to anyone else | She's too fond of her own voice | too fond of her own voice = does not listen properly to anyone else Too many chiefs and not enough Indians | An inefficient situation | This team has too many chiefs and not enough Indians | too many chiefs and not enough Indians = an inefficient situation Took exception | Objected | She took exception to the policy | took exception = objected Took to their heels | Ran away | The kids took to their heels when caught | took to their heels = ran away Tooth and nail | With all their might | They fought tooth and nail | tooth and nail = with all their might Touch all bases | Include everything | The plan touches all bases | touch all bases = include everything Tricks of the trade | Special skills or knowledge | He knows all the tricks of the trade | tricks of the trade = special skills or knowledge True colours | Real character | His true colours showed under pressure | true colours = real character Trump card | That which gives someone an advantage | Our low price is our trump card | trump card = that which gives someone an advantage Turn an honest penny | Make a legitimate living | He turns an honest penny as a carpenter | turn an honest penny = make a legitimate living Turn down | Reject | They turned down our offer | turn down = reject Turn turtle | Over-turn / turn upside down | The boat turned turtle in the storm | turn turtle = over-turn / turn upside down Turn up | Appear | He didn't turn up for the meeting | turn up = appear Turned up one's nose | Treat with contempt / despises | She turned up her nose at the idea | turned up one's nose = treat with contempt / despises Twiddling one's thumbs | Feeling bored | I was twiddling my thumbs waiting | twiddling one's thumbs = feeling bored Twist someone's arm | Force someone to do something by making it hard to refuse | I had to twist his arm to come | twist someone's arm = force someone to do something by making it hard to refuse Take a cue from someone | Be strongly influenced by someone | She took a cue from her mentor | take a cue from someone = be strongly influenced by someone Take a dim view of | Disapprove of something | The boss takes a dim view of lateness | take a dim view of = disapprove of something Take heart | Take courage / gain confidence | Take heart, we can fix this | take heart = take courage / gain confidence Take in their stride | Handle calmly | She took the criticism in her stride | take in their stride = handle calmly Take something at face value | Accept something without deeper thought | Don't take his promise at face value | take something at face value = accept something without deeper thought Take the heat | Receive criticism | I'll take the heat for the delay | take the heat = receive criticism Take thee at thy word | Truly believe someone | I'll take thee at thy word | take thee at thy word = truly believe someone Take up room | Occupy space | This desk takes up too much room | take up room = occupy space Take up the hatchet | Prepare for war | They took up the hatchet after the insult | take up the hatchet = prepare for war Take with a pinch/grain of salt | Listen with considerable doubt / believe with scepticism | Take his advice with a grain of salt | take with a pinch/grain of salt = listen with considerable doubt / believe with scepticism Taken fancy | Developed liking for something | She's taken a fancy to painting | taken fancy = developed liking for something Takes after | Resemble in appearance | He takes after his father | takes after = resemble in appearance Taking a toll on | Harm or damage gradually | Stress is taking a toll on her | taking a toll on = harm or damage gradually Talked over | Discussed | We talked over the plan yesterday | talked over = discussed Tall tales | Boasting | Stop telling tall tales | tall tales = boasting Teething problems | Problems at the start of a new project | We're having teething problems with the app | teething problems = problems at the start of a new project Tell upon | To affect adversely | The strain told upon his health | tell upon = to affect adversely That ship has sailed | Too late to do something | That job offer? That ship has sailed | that ship has sailed = too late to do something The apple of discord | Reason for quarrel / cause of animosity | The inheritance was the apple of discord | the apple of discord = reason for quarrel / cause of animosity The ayes have it | Affirmative votes are in the majority | The ayes have it, motion passed | the ayes have it = affirmative votes are in the majority The bad egg | A dishonest or ill-behaved person | He's the bad egg in the group | the bad egg = a dishonest or ill-behaved person The bee's knees | Extraordinary | This coffee is the bee's knees | the bee's knees = extraordinary The big fish | Main leaders | We need the big fish to approve it | the big fish = main leaders The calm before the storm | A quiet period before a time of excitement or violence | This is the calm before the storm | the calm before the storm = a quiet period before a time of excitement or violence The devil is beating his wife | The sun is shining while it rains | Look, the devil is beating his wife | the devil is beating his wife = the sun is shining while it rains The die is cast | The decision has been taken | The die is cast, we're launching | the die is cast = the decision has been taken The elephant in the room | A big obvious problem everyone is ignoring | Layoffs are the elephant in the room | the elephant in the room = a big obvious problem everyone is ignoring The gnomes of Zurich | Big international bankers | The gnomes of Zurich control the market | the gnomes of Zurich = big international bankers The grass is greener on the other side | Things appear better for others | He thinks the grass is greener on the other side | the grass is greener on the other side = things appear better for others The graveyard shift | Work shift during the night | I'm on the graveyard shift this week | the graveyard shift = work shift during the night The green-eyed monster | Jealousy | The green-eyed monster got him | the green-eyed monster = jealousy The jury is out | No decision has been reached | The jury is out on that technology | the jury is out = no decision has been reached The last straw | Final minor problem that makes a situation unbearable | That was the last straw, I quit | the last straw = final minor problem that makes a situation unbearable The Lion's share | The biggest and best part of something | She did the lion's share of work | the Lion's share = the biggest and best part of something The man in the street | Simple / ordinary man | What does the man in the street think | the man in the street = simple / ordinary man The movers and shakers | People with a lot of power and influence | The movers and shakers were all there | the movers and shakers = people with a lot of power and influence The nitty-gritty | The most important practical details of a subject | Let's get to the nitty-gritty | the nitty-gritty = the most important practical details of a subject The pros and cons | Advantages and disadvantages / consider all facts | Weigh the pros and cons | the pros and cons = advantages and disadvantages / consider all facts The seamy side | The unpleasant aspects | He saw the seamy side of fame | the seamy side = the unpleasant aspects The straw that broke the camel's back | Last in a series of events leading to intolerance | That delay was the straw that broke the camel's back | the straw that broke the camel's back = last in a series of events leading to intolerance The tail is wagging the dog | Less important factor dominates a situation | Marketing is the tail wagging the dog here | the tail is wagging the dog = less important factor dominates a situation The thin end of the wedge | Start of harmful development | This rule is the thin end of the wedge | the thin end of the wedge = start of harmful development The tip of an iceberg | A small visible part of something much bigger | These bugs are the tip of an iceberg | the tip of an iceberg = a small visible part of something much bigger The wheels have come off | Things start to fail after a period of success | The wheels have come off the project | the wheels have come off = things start to fail after a period of success Thick as thieves | Having a very close friendship | Those two are thick as thieves | thick as thieves = having a very close friendship Think on your feet | Adjust quickly and make fast decisions | You need to think on your feet in sales | think on your feet = adjust quickly and make fast decisions Threw a spanner | Did something to prevent a plan from succeeding / sabotage | The strike threw a spanner in our plans | threw a spanner = did something to prevent a plan from succeeding / sabotage Threw down the glove | Gave a challenge | He threw down the glove and dared us | threw down the glove = gave a challenge Through and through | Completely | She's honest through and through | through and through = completely Through thick and thin | Support under all circumstances | I'll stand by you through thick and thin | through thick and thin = support under all circumstances Throw caution to the winds | Do something recklessly without worrying about risk | He threw caution to the winds and invested all | throw caution to the winds = do something recklessly without worrying about risk Throw cold water | Discourage by showing indifference | She threw cold water on the idea | throw cold water = discourage by showing indifference Throw in the towel | Acknowledge defeat / admit failure | After three tries, I threw in the towel | throw in the towel = acknowledge defeat / admit failure Throw over | Refuse to accept / reject | They threw over the proposal | throw over = refuse to accept / reject Throw up cards | Gave up one's plan | He threw up his cards and left | throw up cards = gave up one's plan Tick all the boxes | Fulfil the required norms | This candidate ticks all the boxes | tick all the boxes = fulfil the required norms Tickled pink | Very pleased | She was tickled pink with the gift | tickled pink = very pleased Tide over | To overcome | This loan will tide us over | tide over = to overcome Tide someone over | Give temporary financial help | Can you tide me over till payday | tide someone over = give temporary financial help Tie the knot | Get married | They're ready to tie the knot | tie the knot = get married Tighten one's belt | Cut one's expenditure | We need to tighten our belt | tighten one's belt = cut one's expenditure Till the cows come home | For a very long time | You can argue till the cows come home | till the cows come home = for a very long time Time and again | Often | I've told you time and again | time and again = often Tit for tat | Counter attack / do harm as done to you | This is tit for tat | tit for tat = counter attack / do harm as done to you To accept the gauntlet | To accept a challenge | He accepted the gauntlet | to accept the gauntlet = to accept a challenge To add fuel to the fire | Make things worse / worsen a difficult situation | Don't add fuel to the fire | to add fuel to the fire = make things worse / worsen a difficult situation To aim for the stars | To set high goals | Aim for the stars, kid | to aim for the stars = to set high goals To air / to wash dirty linen in public | Discuss private affairs in public | Don't air dirty linen in public | to air / to wash dirty linen in public = discuss private affairs in public To and fro | Forward and backward | He paced to and fro | to and fro = forward and backward To angle | To fish | We went to angle at the lake | to angle = to fish To be all at sea | Puzzled / in a state of confusion | I'm all at sea with this math | to be all at sea = puzzled / in a state of confusion To be at home | To be at ease | Make yourself at home | to be at home = to be at ease To be devil's advocate | Present a counter argument just for the sake of it | I'll be devil's advocate here | to be devil's advocate = present a counter argument just for the sake of it To be fair and square | To be honest / according to the rules | Let's be fair and square | to be fair and square = to be honest / according to the rules To be in a fix | In a difficult / puzzling situation | I'm in a fix without cash | to be in a fix = in a difficult / puzzling situation To be light years away | Too distant for human beings to reach | That tech is light years away | to be light years away = too distant for human beings to reach To be moved to tears | To be overwhelmed with emotion | I was moved to tears | to be moved to tears = to be overwhelmed with emotion To be on a roll | To be experiencing a successful period | We're on a roll with sales | to be on a roll = to be experiencing a successful period To be on pins and needles | To be in an agitated state of suspense | I'm on pins and needles waiting | to be on pins and needles = to be in an agitated state of suspense To be taken aback | To be surprised / shocked | I was taken aback by the news | to be taken aback = to be surprised / shocked To be thrown in at the deep end | Learn to do difficult things too soon | I was thrown in at the deep end | to be thrown in at the deep end = learn to do difficult things too soon To be tight-lipped | To keep quiet | He was tight-lipped about it | to be tight-lipped = to keep quiet To be under the weather | To not feel well / feel sick or unhealthy | I'm under the weather today | to be under the weather = to not feel well / feel sick or unhealthy To beat a retreat | To run away in fear | They beat a retreat when police came | to beat a retreat = to run away in fear To beat the air | To make useless efforts | Arguing is just beating the air | to beat the air = to make useless efforts To beat the clock | Perform a task within the time limit | We beat the clock and submitted | to beat the clock = perform a task within the time limit To beat the rap | To be acquitted of a crime | He beat the rap on a technicality | to beat the rap = to be acquitted of a crime To bid defiance | To disregard recklessly | He bid defiance to the rules | to bid defiance = to disregard recklessly To blaze a trail | To lead the way as a pioneer / start something new | She blazed a trail in biotech | to blaze a trail = to lead the way as a pioneer / start something new To blow hot and cold | Be friendly and unfriendly at the same time / vacillating | He blows hot and cold | to blow hot and cold = be friendly and unfriendly at the same time / vacillating To blow one's own horn | To praise oneself | He loves to blow his own horn | to blow one's own horn = to praise oneself To break a leg | To wish good luck | Break a leg tonight | to break a leg = to wish good luck To break into tears | To cry suddenly | She broke into tears | to break into tears = to cry suddenly To break loose | To escape | The dog broke loose | to break loose = to escape To breathe one's last | To die | He breathed his last peacefully | to breathe one's last = to die To bring to light | To reveal clearly | The audit brought fraud to light | to bring to light = to reveal clearly To burn all bridges | Destroy all relations / make it impossible to return to previous situation | Don't burn all bridges | to burn all bridges = destroy all relations / make it impossible to return to previous situation To burn one's fingers | Suffer financial losses / get into trouble | I burned my fingers in crypto | to burn one's fingers = suffer financial losses / get into trouble To burn the midnight oil | Work till very late in the night | I burned the midnight oil for exams | to burn the midnight oil = work till very late in the night To catch someone's fancy | To appeal to someone | The design caught my fancy | to catch someone's fancy = to appeal to someone To catch up with | To come to someone's level | I need to catch up with the class | to catch up with = to come to someone's level To clear the decks | To remove obstructions | Let's clear the decks for launch | to clear the decks = to remove obstructions To clip one's wings | To restrict someone's freedom | Rules clip our wings | to clip one's wings = to restrict someone's freedom To come clean | To make an honest disclosure | It's time to come clean | to come clean = to make an honest disclosure To come round | To become conscious again | He came round after fainting | to come round = to become conscious again To cross one's mind | To think of something | It never crossed my mind | to cross one's mind = to think of something To cudgel one's brains | To think hard | I cudgeled my brains for the answer | to cudgel one's brains = to think hard To cut a long story short | To tell something briefly | To cut a long story short, we won | to cut a long story short = to tell something briefly To cut both ends | To argue in support of both sides | He tries to cut both ends | to cut both ends = to argue in support of both sides To cut my teeth on | To gain experience | I cut my teeth on small projects | to cut my teeth on = to gain experience To cut one short | To interrupt one | Don't cut me short | to cut one short = to interrupt one To cut one's coat according to one's cloth | Live within one's means | We must cut our coat according to our cloth | to cut one's coat according to one's cloth = live within one's means To cut the crackle | To stop talking and start working | Cut the crackle, let's work | to cut the crackle = to stop talking and start working To die in harness | To continue occupation till death | He wants to die in harness | to die in harness = to continue occupation till death To do the dishes | To wash and dry dishes | I'll do the dishes | to do the dishes = to wash and dry dishes To draw the longbow | To exaggerate | He tends to draw the longbow | to draw the longbow = to exaggerate To eat one's own words | Forced to retract one's own statement | He had to eat his words | to eat one's own words = forced to retract one's own statement To end in smoke | To come to nothing / end without practical result | The plan ended in smoke | to end in smoke = to come to nothing / end without practical result To explore every avenue | To try every opportunity | We'll explore every avenue | to explore every avenue = to try every opportunity To fan the flames | To make a bad situation worse | His tweet fanned the flames | to fan the flames = to make a bad situation worse To feel at home | To feel comfortable | Make yourself feel at home | to feel at home = to feel comfortable To fish in troubled waters | Make a profit out of disturbance | He fishes in troubled waters | to fish in troubled waters = make a profit out of disturbance To flog a dead horse | Attempt the impossible / waste energy on an unalterable situation | You're flogging a dead horse | to flog a dead horse = attempt the impossible / waste energy on an unalterable situation To foam at one's mouth | To get very angry and show it | He was foaming at the mouth | to foam at one's mouth = to get very angry and show it To gain ground | To make progress | The idea is gaining ground | to gain ground = to make progress To gather roses only | To seek all enjoyments of life | He wants to gather roses only | to gather roses only = to seek all enjoyments of life To get away with | To escape from something | He won't get away with it | to get away with = to escape from something To get more kicks than half pence | Harsh treatment than rewards | We get more kicks than half pence here | to get more kicks than half pence = harsh treatment than rewards To get one's own back | To get one's revenge | He got his own back later | to get one's own back = to get one's revenge To gird up the loins | To prepare for hard work / prepare for a difficult situation | Time to gird up our loins | to gird up the loins = to prepare for hard work / prepare for a difficult situation To give the devil his due | Give credit even to a notorious person / give encouragement to the enemy | To give the devil his due, he's efficient | to give the devil his due = give credit even to a notorious person / give encouragement to the enemy To give the slip | To escape | The thief gave us the slip | to give the slip = to escape To go nuts | To become crazy | I'll go nuts if this continues | to go nuts = to become crazy To go off the air | To stop broadcasting a radio or TV programme | The show went off the air | to go off the air = to stop broadcasting a radio or TV programme To go red in the face | To feel embarrassed | I went red in the face | to go red in the face = to feel embarrassed To go scot-free | To escape without punishment | He went scot-free | to go scot-free = to escape without punishment To go the whole hog | To do it completely | Let's go the whole hog | to go the whole hog = to do it completely To go to somebody's head | To make someone dizzy or slightly drunk / damage judgment | Success went to his head | to go to somebody's head = to make someone dizzy or slightly drunk / damage judgment To go/run around in circles | Waste time doing trivial things / make no progress | We're going around in circles | to go/run around in circles = waste time doing trivial things / make no progress To hail from | To come from | She hails from Kerala | to hail from = to come from To hammer out | To arrive at an agreement | We hammered out a deal | to hammer out = to arrive at an agreement To hang together | To be connected with each other | The issues hang together | to hang together = to be connected with each other To have a blast | To have a good time | We had a blast | to have a blast = to have a good time To have a gut feeling | Strong instinct / to feel an intuition | I have a gut feeling this will work | to have a gut feeling = strong instinct / to feel an intuition To have a jaundiced eye | To be prejudiced | He has a jaundiced eye toward new tech | to have a jaundiced eye = to be prejudiced To have a yen for | To have a very strong desire or craving for something | I have a yen for sushi | to have a yen for = to have a very strong desire or craving for something To have at one's fingertips | Recall factual information at one's command | She has data at her fingertips | to have at one's fingertips = recall factual information at one's command To have second thoughts | To reconsider | I'm having second thoughts | to have second thoughts = to reconsider To have something on the brain | To be obsessed with something | He has cricket on the brain | to have something on the brain = to be obsessed with something To have something up one's sleeve | To have a secret or alternative plan | She has something up her sleeve | to have something up one's sleeve = to have a secret or alternative plan To heave a sigh of relief | To suddenly feel very happy because something unpleasant has ended | We heaved a sigh of relief | to heave a sigh of relief = to suddenly feel very happy because something unpleasant has ended To his heart's content | As much as he wanted to | He ate to his heart's content | to his heart's content = as much as he wanted to To hit below the belt | To attack in an unfair manner | That comment hit below the belt | to hit below the belt = to attack in an unfair manner To hit the jackpot | To make money quickly / find exactly what was sought | We hit the jackpot with that client | to hit the jackpot = to make money quickly / find exactly what was sought To hit the road | Begin one's journey | Time to hit the road | to hit the road = begin one's journey To hold a brief for | To support someone's cause | I don't hold a brief for him | to hold a brief for = to support someone's cause To hold good | To remain valid | The warranty still holds good | to hold good = to remain valid To judge a book by its cover | Evaluate people's worth by their outward appearance | Don't judge a book by its cover | to judge a book by its cover = evaluate people's worth by their outward appearance To jump on the bandwagon | Follow popular trends / get involved in an activity likely to succeed | Everyone's jumping on the bandwagon | to jump on the bandwagon = follow popular trends / get involved in an activity likely to succeed To keep a good table | To offer sumptuous food to guests | She keeps a good table | to keep a good table = to offer sumptuous food to guests To keep body and soul together | To manage to live / have just enough to sustain | He barely keeps body and soul together | to keep body and soul together = to manage to live / have just enough to sustain To keep in abeyance | In a state of suspension | The rule is kept in abeyance | to keep in abeyance = in a state of suspension To keep someone at arm's length | Avoid being too close or friendly with someone | Keep him at arm's length | to keep someone at arm's length = avoid being too close or friendly with someone To keep the ball rolling | To maintain progress | Let's keep the ball rolling | to keep the ball rolling = to maintain progress To keep the wolf away from the door | To keep off starvation | This job keeps the wolf from the door | to keep the wolf away from the door = to keep off starvation To keep up | To keep in touch | Let's keep up | to keep up = to keep in touch To know what's what | To know the facts of a situation | She knows what's what | to know what's what = to know the facts of a situation To lag behind | To fail to maintain pace or progress | We can't afford to lag behind | to lag behind = to fail to maintain pace or progress To land a job | To be hired | He landed a job at Google | to land a job = to be hired To lead astray | To misguide | Don't let them lead you astray | to lead astray = to misguide To let someone off | To release someone from blame / punish lightly | The judge let him off | to let someone off = to release someone from blame / punish lightly To look blue | To be disheartened | You look blue today | to look blue = to be disheartened To look down one's nose | To regard with contempt | She looks down her nose at us | to look down one's nose = to regard with contempt To lose ground | Becoming less acceptable | The policy is losing ground | to lose ground = becoming less acceptable To lose one's temper | To become angry | Don't lose your temper | to lose one's temper = to become angry To make a fuss about | An excessive display of attention or activity | Don't make a fuss about it | to make a fuss about = an excessive display of attention or activity To make a pile | To make a lot of money | He made a pile in stocks | to make a pile = to make a lot of money To make amends | To compensate / to correct a mistake | He made amends for the error | to make amends = to compensate / to correct a mistake To make both ends meet | To live within one's income / manage expenses with just enough funds | We struggle to make both ends meet | to make both ends meet = to live within one's income / manage expenses with just enough funds To make do | Manage | We'll make do with this | to make do = manage To make matters worse | Make the situation worse | To make matters worse, it rained | to make matters worse = make the situation worse To make one's blood boil | To make somebody furious / be very angry | The lie made my blood boil | to make one's blood boil = to make somebody furious / be very angry To make up one's mind | To decide what to do / decide firmly | Make up your mind | to make up one's mind = to decide what to do / decide firmly To measure swords | To engage in competition | The rivals measured swords | to measure swords = to engage in competition To meet one's Waterloo | To experience defeat | He met his Waterloo in the finals | to meet one's Waterloo = to experience defeat To mind one's p's and q's | To be careful about one's speech and behaviour | Mind your p's and q's | to mind one's p's and q's = to be careful about one's speech and behaviour To not have a clue | To not know about something | I don't have a clue | to not have a clue = to not know about something To paddle once own canoe | Manage independently / depend on oneself | She paddles her own canoe | to paddle once own canoe = manage independently / depend on oneself To pass away | Die | He passed away peacefully | to pass away = die To pay off old scores | To take revenge | He paid off old scores | to pay off old scores = to take revenge To pay through the nose | Pay an extremely high price | We paid through the nose for it | to pay through the nose = pay an extremely high price To pick holes | To criticise someone | Stop picking holes | to pick holes = to criticise someone To pick up the threads | To restart from the previous closing point | Let's pick up the threads tomorrow | to pick up the threads = to restart from the previous closing point To pigeon hole | To typecast someone | Don't pigeon hole me | to pigeon hole = to typecast someone To play fast and loose | To act in an unreliable way | He plays fast and loose with rules | to play fast and loose = to act in an unreliable way To play to the gallery | To seek to win approval | That's just playing to the gallery | to play to the gallery = to seek to win approval To pour oil in troubled water | To calm a dispute | She poured oil on troubled waters | to pour oil in troubled water = to calm a dispute To pull a fast one on someone | To cheat someone | He pulled a fast one on me | to pull a fast one on someone = to cheat someone To put a spoke in one's wheel | To put a difficulty in the way of progress | The strike put a spoke in our wheel | to put a spoke in one's wheel = to put a difficulty in the way of progress To put an end to | Stop | Let's put an end to this | to put an end to = stop To put in a nut-shell | To state something very concisely | To put it in a nutshell, we're late | to put in a nut-shell = to state something very concisely To put one's hand to plough | To take up a difficult task / get busy working | Time to put our hand to the plough | to put one's hand to plough = to take up a difficult task / get busy working To put something on hold | To postpone something | We put the plan on hold | to put something on hold = to postpone something To put up with | Tolerate | I can't put up with this noise | to put up with = tolerate To quit on someone | To stop helping someone when support is needed | Don't quit on me now | to quit on someone = to stop helping someone when support is needed To raise a dust | To cause disruption or confusion | The news raised a dust | to raise a dust = to cause disruption or confusion To raise a few eyebrows | To cause surprise or shock | That decision raised a few eyebrows | to raise a few eyebrows = to cause surprise or shock To roll out the red carpet | To give a grand welcome | They rolled out the red carpet | to roll out the red carpet = to give a grand welcome To run across | To meet by chance | I ran across him at the mall | to run across = to meet by chance To run amok | To run about in a frenzy | The kids ran amok | to run amok = to run about in a frenzy To run around like a headless chicken | Do many things in a disorganised manner | We ran around like headless chickens | to run around like a headless chicken = do many things in a disorganised manner To run one down | To disparage someone | Stop running me down | to run one down = to disparage someone To scale up | To increase the size, amount or importance of | We need to scale up production | to scale up = to increase the size, amount or importance of To set aside | To move sideways | Set aside your doubts | to set aside = to move sideways To shed crocodile tears | Pretend to be sympathetic / false tears | He shed crocodile tears | to shed crocodile tears = pretend to be sympathetic / false tears To show a clean pair of heels | To escape / run away | The thief showed a clean pair of heels | to show a clean pair of heels = to escape / run away To shun | To avoid deliberately and habitually | She shuns publicity | to shun = to avoid deliberately and habitually To smell a rat | Suspect a trick or deceit / detect something wrong | I smell a rat in this deal | to smell a rat = suspect a trick or deceit / detect something wrong To sound red alert | To raise an alarm | The report sounded red alert | to sound red alert = to raise an alarm To sow the dragon's teeth | Do something that inadvertently leads to trouble | That policy will sow the dragon's teeth | to sow the dragon's teeth = do something that inadvertently leads to trouble To speak one's mind | To express one's thoughts plainly | She spoke her mind | to speak one's mind = to express one's thoughts plainly To stand on his feet | To be independent | He can stand on his feet now | to stand on his feet = to be independent To stand one's ground | Refused to yield / refuse to change opinion | She stood her ground | to stand one's ground = refused to yield / refuse to change opinion To stave off | Postpone | We staved off the crisis | to stave off = postpone To steal a march | To outshine | They stole a march on us | to steal a march = to outshine To steal her brother's thunder | Get more recognition than her brother for their success | She stole her brother's thunder | to steal her brother's thunder = get more recognition than her brother for their success To take a chill pill | To calm down | Take a chill pill | to take a chill pill = to calm down To take a stock of | Assess and evaluate before taking a decision / think carefully | Let's take stock of the situation | to take a stock of = assess and evaluate before taking a decision / think carefully To take for granted | Accept or assume without question | Don't take me for granted | to take for granted = accept or assume without question To take into account | To consider | Take costs into account | to take into account = to consider To take one's hat off | To admire someone / congratulations to | I take my hat off to her | to take one's hat off = to admire someone / congratulations to To take pains | To make efforts / try hard | She took pains to explain | to take pains = to make efforts / try hard To take someone for a ride | To deceive someone | He took me for a ride | to take someone for a ride = to deceive someone To take to heart | To grieve over / be greatly affected / consider very seriously | Don't take it to heart | to take to heart = to grieve over / be greatly affected / consider very seriously To take to one's heels | To run away in fear | They took to their heels | to take to one's heels = to run away in fear To take to task | Punished / to rebuke / to scold someone | The boss took him to task | to take to task = punished / to rebuke / to scold someone To talk him over | To discuss something thoroughly / convince | We need to talk him over | to talk him over = to discuss something thoroughly / convince To the letter | In every detail | Follow the instructions to the letter | to the letter = in every detail To the nines | To perfection | She was dressed to the nines | to the nines = to perfection To throw a fit | Express extreme anger | He threw a fit | to throw a fit = express extreme anger To toe the line | To follow the lead / follow the rules | Toe the line or leave | to toe the line = to follow the lead / follow the rules To turn over a new leaf | To change one's behaviour for better / begin again | He turned over a new leaf | to turn over a new leaf = to change one's behaviour for better / begin again To turn the corner | To pass the critical stage | The patient turned the corner | to turn the corner = to pass the critical stage Up in arms | To be angry / protesting vigorously / in rebellion | The staff are up in arms over the cuts | up in arms = to be angry / protesting vigorously / in rebellion Under the gun | To be under pressure | We're under the gun to finish by Friday | under the gun = to be under pressure Up a blind alley | Following a course of action leading to an undesirable outcome | This strategy is up a blind alley | up a blind alley = following a course of action leading to an undesirable outcome Under his nose | Right in front of him | It happened right under his nose | under his nose = right in front of him Under a cloud | Under suspicion / in disgrace / untrustworthy | He left the firm under a cloud | under a cloud = under suspicion / in disgrace / untrustworthy Up in the air | Something that is unknown entirely | Our plans are still up in the air | up in the air = something that is unknown entirely Up against the wall | In an inextricable situation | With no funds, we're up against the wall | up against the wall = in an inextricable situation Upset someone's applecart | Cause trouble by spoiling someone's plans | The delay upset our applecart | upset someone's applecart = cause trouble by spoiling someone's plans Under duress | Under pressure | He signed under duress | under duress = under pressure Up to the mark | As good as the others / up to the required standard | Her work isn't up to the mark | up to the mark = as good as the others / up to the required standard Voice of reason | Sensible opinion in a discussion | She was the voice of reason in the meeting | voice of reason = sensible opinion in a discussion Vanish into thin air | Completely disappear | The files vanished into thin air | vanish into thin air = completely disappear Vote with your feet | Show disapproval by leaving | Customers voted with their feet | vote with your feet = show disapproval by leaving Vicious circle | Situation where problems worsen each other | Debt and stress create a vicious circle | vicious circle = situation where problems worsen each other Veil of secrecy | Hidden or concealed situation | The deal was under a veil of secrecy | veil of secrecy = hidden or concealed situation Venture forth | Set out on a journey | We ventured forth at dawn | venture forth = set out on a journey Vested interest | Personal stake in something | He has a vested interest in the outcome | vested interest = personal stake in something Vying for attention | Competing to be noticed | The startups are vying for attention | vying for attention = competing to be noticed Vow and declare | Promise strongly | I vow and declare I'll finish it | vow and declare = promise strongly Value for money | Worth the cost | This phone is great value for money | value for money = worth the cost Vary like the wind | Change frequently | His moods vary like the wind | vary like the wind = change frequently Vanish without a trace | Disappear completely with no evidence | The witness vanished without a trace | vanish without a trace = disappear completely with no evidence Vent one's anger | Express anger openly | He vented his anger in the email | vent one's anger = express anger openly Vote of confidence | Expression of support | The board gave a vote of confidence | vote of confidence = expression of support Venture capital | Money invested in risky business | They raised venture capital | venture capital = money invested in risky business Veer off course | Change direction suddenly | The project veered off course | veer off course = change direction suddenly Voice one's opinion | Express thoughts openly | Feel free to voice your opinion | voice one's opinion = express thoughts openly Venture a guess | Make a guess | I'll venture a guess it's about cost | venture a guess = make a guess Vested rights | Rights that are secured | Employees have vested rights here | vested rights = rights that are secured Vexed question | Problem difficult to solve | Privacy is a vexed question | vexed question = problem difficult to solve Vital signs | Important indicators | Sales are the vital signs of growth | vital signs = important indicators Vying with each other | Competing intensely | The teams are vying with each other | vying with each other = competing intensely Veil the truth | Hide the reality | Don't veil the truth from users | veil the truth = hide the reality Voice concerns | Express worries | Staff voiced concerns about safety | voice concerns = express worries Venture into unknown | Enter unfamiliar area | We're venturing into unknown markets | venture into unknown = enter unfamiliar area Vouch for | Guarantee or support | I can vouch for her work | vouch for = guarantee or support Vote down | Reject by voting | The committee voted down the proposal | vote down = reject by voting Value judgment | Opinion based on personal values | That's a value judgment, not fact | value judgment = opinion based on personal values Vanish from sight | Disappear from view | The boat vanished from sight | vanish from sight = disappear from view Vis-a-vis | In relation to / face-to-face | Our position vis-a-vis competitors is strong | vis-a-vis = in relation to / face-to-face White lie | A harmless or trivial lie | I told a white lie about the gift | white lie = a harmless or trivial lie Went pear-shaped | Went terribly wrong | The launch went pear-shaped fast | went pear-shaped = went terribly wrong Wet his whistle | Have a drink | He stopped to wet his whistle | wet his whistle = have a drink Walking on thin ice | Doing something risky | You're walking on thin ice with that comment | walking on thin ice = doing something risky Wear the green willow | Suffer unrequited love | He's been wearing the green willow for years | wear the green willow = suffer unrequited love Wheels within wheels | Complication | The case has wheels within wheels | wheels within wheels = complication When it rains, it pours | Problems seem to happen together | When it rains, it pours: server down and staff sick | when it rains, it pours = problems seem to happen together Whole nine yards | The entirety of something | Give me the whole nine yards on the report | whole nine yards = the entirety of something Wild and woolly | Uncouth in appearance or behaviour | That was a wild and woolly meeting | wild and woolly = uncouth in appearance or behaviour With a fine tooth comb | To examine in great detail | We went through it with a fine tooth comb | with a fine tooth comb = to examine in great detail Work against the clock | Work very fast to complete something within a deadline | We're working against the clock | work against the clock = work very fast to complete something within a deadline Wrap my head around it | To comprehend something challenging or confusing | I still can't wrap my head around it | wrap my head around it = to comprehend something challenging or confusing Walk the talk | To do what one says | She walks the talk on sustainability | walk the talk = to do what one says Walk the tight rope | Be very cautious | We're walking the tight rope with budget cuts | walk the tight rope = be very cautious Want to curl up and die | Feel terribly ashamed and sorry | I wanted to curl up and die after that typo | want to curl up and die = feel terribly ashamed and sorry Wash one's hands off something | Refuse to be responsible for something | He washed his hands off the project | wash one's hands off something = refuse to be responsible for something Watching grass grow | Very boring | The lecture was like watching grass grow | watching grass grow = very boring Water under the bridge | Something from the past no longer important or worth arguing about | That fight is water under the bridge | water under the bridge = something from the past no longer important or worth arguing about Weal and woe | Good times and bad times / joys and sorrows | Friends share weal and woe | weal and woe = good times and bad times / joys and sorrows Wear and tear | Damage | There's normal wear and tear on the car | wear and tear = damage Wear someone out | To exhaust someone | The kids wore me out | wear someone out = to exhaust someone Wears his heart on his sleeve | Expresses feelings openly / shows true emotions | He wears his heart on his sleeve | wears his heart on his sleeve = expresses feelings openly / shows true emotions Weather the storm | Survive a period of difficulty | We weathered the storm together | weather the storm = survive a period of difficulty Wee hours of the day | Dawn | I was up in the wee hours | wee hours of the day = dawn Went a long way | Helped considerably | That advice went a long way | went a long way = helped considerably Went to the winds | Dissipated | Our savings went to the winds | went to the winds = dissipated When pigs fly | Something that will never happen | He'll apologize when pigs fly | when pigs fly = something that will never happen When the balloon goes up | The situation turns unpleasant or serious | When the balloon goes up, we'll be ready | when the balloon goes up = the situation turns unpleasant or serious Whet your appetite | To want something more | The trailer whet my appetite | whet your appetite = to want something more Whistle in the dark | Pretend to be unafraid | He's just whistling in the dark | whistle in the dark = pretend to be unafraid Whole bag of tricks | Make use of all possibilities or techniques to achieve something | She used her whole bag of tricks | whole bag of tricks = make use of all possibilities or techniques to achieve something Whoop it up | Enjoying in a noisy way usually in a group | They whooped it up after the win | whoop it up = enjoying in a noisy way usually in a group Wide off the mark | Irrelevant | Your estimate is wide off the mark | wide off the mark = irrelevant Will-o-the wisp | Something impossible to get or achieve / unreal imagining | Chasing perfection is a will-o'-the wisp | will-o-the wisp = something impossible to get or achieve / unreal imagining Wine and dine | When somebody is treated to an expensive meal | They wined and dined the client | wine and dine = when somebody is treated to an expensive meal Wipe the floor with someone | To defeat someone | Our team wiped the floor with them | wipe the floor with someone = to defeat someone Wiped the nose | Cheated | He wiped my nose in that deal | wiped the nose = cheated With a vengeance | To emphasize the degree to which something occurs | The rain returned with a vengeance | with a vengeance = to emphasize the degree to which something occurs With bated breath | In anxiety | We waited with bated breath | with bated breath = in anxiety With one voice | Unanimously | The board spoke with one voice | with one voice = unanimously With open arms | Cordially / warmly | They welcomed us with open arms | with open arms = cordially / warmly Without rhyme or reason | Without a reasonable explanation | Prices rose without rhyme or reason | without rhyme or reason = without a reasonable explanation Word of mouth | Through verbal sharing of information | We grew by word of mouth | word of mouth = through verbal sharing of information Work like a charm | To work very well | The fix worked like a charm | work like a charm = to work very well Work out | Exercise or develop a plan | Let's work out the details | work out = exercise or develop a plan Worked like a dream | A plan succeeded perfectly | The launch worked like a dream | worked like a dream = a plan succeeded perfectly Worth its weight in gold | Very valuable | That tip is worth its weight in gold | worth its weight in gold = very valuable Yellow journalism | Exaggerated / biased news reporting | That channel is known for yellow journalism | yellow journalism = exaggerated / biased news reporting Your guess is as good as mine | To have no idea of the answer | When will it ship? Your guess is as good as mine | your guess is as good as mine = to have no idea of the answer Yoke of oppression | Burden of control or suffering | They lived under the yoke of oppression | yoke of oppression = burden of control or suffering Yank someone around | Treat someone unfairly / manipulate | Stop yanking me around with delays | yank someone around = treat someone unfairly / manipulate Yeoman service | Excellent service / useful help in need | He did yeoman service during the crisis | yeoman service = excellent service / useful help in need Yellow streak | Cowardly nature | He showed a yellow streak and backed out | yellow streak = cowardly nature Year in, year out | Continuously every year | We meet year in, year out | year in, year out = continuously every year Yield the floor | Stop speaking to allow others | I'll yield the floor to the next speaker | yield the floor = stop speaking to allow others Yank someone's chain | Tease or provoke someone | He's just yanking your chain | yank someone's chain = tease or provoke someone Young at heart | Feeling or acting younger than one's age | She's eighty but young at heart | young at heart = feeling or acting younger than one's age Yield to temptation | Give in to desire | I yielded to temptation and bought it | yield to temptation = give in to desire Yellow press | Sensational or exaggerated journalism | The story was from the yellow press | yellow press = sensational or exaggerated journalism Your number is up | The time has come when someone is doomed to suffer a disaster | If they find out, your number is up | your number is up = the time has come when someone is doomed to suffer a disaster Yawn at | Show boredom or lack of interest | The students yawned at the lecture | yawn at = show boredom or lack of interest Yoke together | Join or link closely | The issues are yoked together | yoke together = join or link closely Yank out of | Remove suddenly | He yanked the paper out of my hand | yank out of = remove suddenly Yell one's head off | Shout loudly | The coach yelled his head off | yell one's head off = shout loudly Young blood | Youthful energy / young people | We need young blood on the team | young blood = youthful energy / young people Year of plenty | Time of abundance | It was a year of plenty for farmers | year of plenty = time of abundance Year of famine | Time of scarcity | Last season was a year of famine | year of famine = time of scarcity Yield results | Produce outcomes | The campaign finally yielded results | yield results = produce outcomes Yield ground | Give way / surrender | We won't yield ground on quality | yield ground = give way / surrender Yoke around | Move together / associate closely | They yoke around at events | yoke around = move together / associate closely Yank up short | Stop suddenly | The car yanked up short | yank up short = stop suddenly Yen for | Strong desire for something | I have a yen for travel | yen for = strong desire for something Yoke oneself to | Bind oneself to something | He yoked himself to the cause | yoke oneself to = bind oneself to something Yank back | Pull back suddenly | She yanked back her hand | yank back = pull back suddenly Yoke under | Bring under control | They yoked the region under new rule | yoke under = bring under control Yellow-bellies | Cowards | Don't be yellow-bellies, speak up | yellow-bellies = cowards Xerox something | Copy exactly (informal idiomatic usage) | Don't just xerox their strategy | xerox something = copy exactly (informal idiomatic usage) X marks the spot | Exact location of something | X marks the spot on the map | X marks the spot = exact location of something X-factor | Special quality that makes someone stand out | Her energy is the X-factor | X-factor = special quality that makes someone stand out X out | Cross out / cancel | X out the last line | X out = cross out / cancel Zing someone | Criticize sharply or humorously | She zinged him in the meeting | zing someone = criticize sharply or humorously Zip your lip | Keep quiet about something | Zip your lip about the surprise | zip your lip = keep quiet about something Zero in on | Focus attention on something | Let's zero in on the main issue | zero in on = focus attention on something Zest for life | Great enthusiasm for living | He has real zest for life | zest for life = great enthusiasm for living Zigzag course | Path with many turns or changes | The road took a zigzag course | zigzag course = path with many turns or changes Zone out | Lose focus / become inattentive | I zoned out during the lecture | zone out = lose focus / become inattentive Zoom past | Pass very quickly | The car zoomed past us | zoom past = pass very quickly Zany idea | Strange or unconventional idea | That's a zany idea, but it might work | zany idea = strange or unconventional idea Zero tolerance | No acceptance at all | We have zero tolerance for bullying | zero tolerance = no acceptance at all Zest for something | Strong enjoyment or excitement | She has zest for adventure | zest for something = strong enjoyment or excitement Zoom in on | Focus closely on a detail | Zoom in on the budget slide | zoom in on = focus closely on a detail