idiom

A
Have an ace up your sleeve.
If you have an ace up your sleeve, it means that you have something in reserve with which you can gain an advantage.

Hold all the aces
A person who holds all the aces is in a very strong position because they have more advantages than anyone else. "Given the high unemployment figures in some countries, employers hold all the aces."

Get your act together!
If you tell someone to get their act together, you mean that they need to organize their affairs more effectively in order to be more successful.

Much ado about nothing.
If people make "much ado about nothing", they make a lot of fuss about something which is not important.

All ears
To say that you are all ears means that you are listening very attentively. "Of course I want to know - I'm all ears!"

All hell broke loose
To say that all hell broke loose means that there was a sudden angry, noisy reaction to something. " All hell broke loose when it was announced that the plant was going to close down."

All thumbs/all fingers and thumbs
If you are all fingers and thumbs, you are awkward and clumsy and do things incorrectly. "Would you mind wrapping this for me? I'm all fingers and thumbs!"

The apple of your eye.
If somebody is the apple of your eye, this means that you like them very much : "My grandson is the apple of my eye".

To upset the applecart
To upset (or to overturn) the applecart means to spoil a satisfactory plan or situation "I hope Julie doesn't attend the meeting - she could upset the applecart!"

Give your right arm
If you say "I'd give my right arm for that", you mean that you want it a lot and would do almost anything to obtain it. "I'd give my right arm to have a apartment on Central Park."

Cost an arm and a leg
If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive! "The house cost us an arm and a leg, but we have no regrets."

To be up in arms
If you are up in arms about something, you are very angry. "The population was up in arms over the demolition of the old theatre."

A rude awakening
If you get a rude awakening, you are forced to accept the unpleasant truth.

Have an axe to grind
If you have an axe to grind, you have personal reasons for adopting a particular attitude about something. "It was decided that the best candidates would be selected by a recruitment agency who had no axe to grind within the company."
B
Leave somebody holding the baby
If someone is left holding the baby, they are made responsible for a problem that others don't want to deal with. "When the angry customer started to complain, my colleague disappeared and left me holding the baby."

Get off my back!
If you tell somebody to get off your back, you ask them to stop finding faults or criticizing you.

In the back of beyonds
This expression is used to describe an isolated place located far from any town. "It took us hours to find Jack's house. He lives in the back of beyonds!"

On the back burner
If you put a project or issue on the back burner, you decide to deal with it at a later date because you do not consider it to be that urgent or important. "When Julie was offered a promotion, she put her MBA plans on the back burner."

Back to square one
To say that someone is back to square one, means that they have not succeeded in what they were trying to do, and so they have to start again. "When the plans were refused, it was back to square one for the architect."

Backseat driver
A backseat driver is a passenger in a car who gives unwanted advice to the driver. "I can't stand backseat drivers like my mother-in-law!"

A bad egg
To refer to someone as a bad egg means that they cannot be trusted. "I don't want my son to be friends with Bobby Smith. Bobby's a bad egg."

Badger someone into doing something
If you badger someone into doing something, you persistently nag or pester them until you obtain what you want. "Sophie badgered her parents into buying her a new computer."

In the bag
If you think something is in the bag, you are almost certain it will be achieved. "An hour before the polling stations closed, victory seemed in the bag for the Conservative candidate."

In the balance
If something is in the balance, it means the situation is uncertain and it is not clear what is going to happen. "The future of the company is in the balance while the takeover bid is being examined."

Be on the ball
If you are on the ball, you are aware of what is happening and are able to react to the situation quickly.

Have a ball
If you have a ball, you enjoy yourself. "The party was great. We had a ball."

Start the ball rolling
If you start the ball rolling, you start an activity in which other people will join. "Let's start the ball rolling by calling on our first speaker."

Jump on the bandwagon
If a person or organization jumps on the bandwagon, they decide to do something when it is already successful or fashionable. "When organic food became popular, certain stores were quick to jump on the bandwagon and promote it."

Bar fly
A bar fly refers to someone who spends a lot of time drinking in bars and pubs. "You'll find Johnny down at the pub - he's a real bar fly!"

Bare one's heart (or soul)
If you bare your heart or soul to someone, you reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings to them. "John couldn't keep things to himself any longer. He decided to bare his soul to his best friend."

His bark is worse than his bite
This expression is used to refer to a person who sounds much more severe or angry than they really are. "Don't be afraid of him - his bark is worse than his bite."

Bark up the wrong tree
A person who barks up the wrong tree is doing the wrong thing, because their beliefs or ideas are incorrect or mistaken.

Have bats in the belfry
If you say that somebody has bats in the belfry, you are saying that their ideas are completely mad.

Be full of beans
A person who is full of beans is lively, active and healthy.

Like a bear with a sore head
If someone is behaving like a bear with a sore head, they are very irritable and bad-tempered. "When his team lost the match, Brad was like a bear with a sore head."

At someone's beck and call
If a person is at somebody's beck and call, they are always ready to do things for them or obey orders to please them. "Parents should not be at the beck and call of their children."

Have a bee in one's bonnet
A person who has a bee in their bonnet has an idea which constantly occupies their thoughts. "She's got a bee in her bonnet about moving to New York."

The bee's knees
If you say that someone/something is the bee's knees, you think they are exceptionally good. If you say "Julie thinks she's the bee's knees", it means that Julie has a high opinion of herself!

Been there, done that
This expression is used to indicate that the speaker is familiar with the situation mentioned. It can also refer to an attitude which reflects a certain boredom at the idea of repeating an experience that has lost its novelty. "His suggestions produced a 'been there, done that' attitude which undermined his enthusiasm."

Beggars can't be choosers.
This expression means that you should not reject an offer if it is the only possibility you have. You have no choice. "Beggars can't be choosers"!

Ring a bell.
If something rings a bell, it is vaguely familiar to you, but you can't remember the exact details . "John Bentley? The name rings a bell but I don't remember him."

Below the belt
An action or remark described as below the belt means that it is considered unfair or cruel. "Politicians sometimes use personal information to hit their rivals below the belt.'

Tighten your belt
If you need to tighten your belt, you must spend your money carefully. "Another bill? I'll have to tighten my belt this month!"

Bend over backwards
If you bend over backwards, you try very hard to do something, especially to please somebody. "The manager bent over backwards to try to make Jack stay, but Jack wouldn't change his mind."

Bend the truth
If you bend the truth, you say something that is not entirely true. "OK, I bent the truth a bit; I told him it was my natural colour, but I didn't say that my hairdresser helped me to keep it natural!"

The benefit of the doubt
If you give somebody the benefit of the doubt, you choose to believe that that person is innocent, honest or telling the truth, because there is no evidence to the contrary. "Although he found it hard to believe Tom's explanation, the teacher decided to give him the benefit of the doubt."

The best of both worlds
If a person has the best of both worlds, they have the benefits and advantages of two different things. "We live in the centre of town, but only 5 minutes from the beach. We have the best of both worlds."

Better safe than sorry
It's better to be too cautious than to be careless and have regrets later. "Let's book tickets in advance - better safe than sorry!"

Think better of something
If you think better of something, you decide not to do something that you intended doing. "I wanted to go shopping, but when I saw the crowded car park, I thought better of it."

Between the devil and the deep blue sea
If you are between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a situation where there are two equally unacceptable alternatives. "When the new product didn't take off, the Marketing Director was caught between the devil and the deep blue sea!"

It's beyond me
The expression "it's beyond me" means: "it's impossible for me to understand" "It's beyond me why Mary wants to marry John."

Bide your time
If you bide your time, you wait for a good opportunity to do something. "He's not hesitating, he's just biding his time. He's waiting for the price to drop."

Clean bill of health
If a person has a clean bill of health, they have a report or certificate declaring that their health is satisfactory.

Kill two birds with one stone.
If you kill two birds with one stone, you succeed in doing two things at the same time.

Birds of a feather.
To say that two people are birds of a feather means that they are very similar in many ways.

in/wearing one's birthday suit
This humorous expression means that you are wearing nothing! "The bathroom door blew open, and there I was in my birthday suit!"

Bite off more than you can chew
If you bite off more than you can chew, you try to do something that is too difficult for you, or more than you can manage. "As soon as I started to translate the report, I realized that I had bitten off more than I could chew."

Once bitten, twice shy.
This is said by a person who has had an unpleasant experience which has made them cautious. "I'm never going to get married again. Once bitten, twice shy."

A bitter pill to swallow
A bitter pill to swallow is something very difficult or unpleasant to accept. "Losing his job after organizing the merger was a bitter pill to swallow."

In a black mood
To be in a black mood means to be irritable, angry or even depressed - also : to be in a bad mood.

In the black
To say that a person or organizaion is in the black means that they are financially sound, have a positive balance on their account, and that they owe no money.

Black gold
Black gold refers to the black colour and high value of oil.

Black market
The black market refers to the illegal buying and selling of goods or currencies.

Black out
If you black out, you lose consciousness.

Black sheep
The black sheep of the family is one who is very different from the others, and least respected by the other members of the family,

A blank cheque
If you give someone a blank cheque, you authorize them to do what they think is best in a difficult situation. "Tom was given a blank cheque and told to negotiate the best deal possible."

A wet blanket
To refer to someone as a wet blanket means that they spoil other people's fun, or make an event less enjoyable that it could have been "Come on, Mike! Don't be such a wet blanket.You're spoiling the party!"

A blessing in disguise
This expression is used to refer to something which is unpleasant at first but later turns out to have advantages. "Missing the plane was a blessing in disguise - that's how he met his wife. She was a hostess on the next flight!"

The blind leading the blind
This expression refers to a person with very little ability trying to help or guide a person with no ability. "Don't ask Sofia to translate it. She hardly speaks a word of English herself. It would be the blind leading the blind".

Blow a fuse
If you blow a fuse, you suddenly lose your temper and become very angry. "Charlie blew a fuse yesterday when he discovered that his ipod had been stolen."

Blow hot and cold
If you blow hot and cold about something, you constantly change your opinion about it. "The boss keeps blowing hot and cold about the marketing campaign - one day he finds it excellent, the next day he wants to make changes."

Feel blue
To feel blue means to have feelings of deep sadness or depression.

A bolt from the blue
To refer to something as a bolt from the blue means that it happened completely unexpectedly. "The chariman's resignation came as a bolt from the blue!"

Blue-eyed boy
A blue-eyed boy is somebody's favourite e.g. he's the director's blue-eyed boy!

Out of the blue
If something happens out of the blue, it happens unexpectedly.

Above board
If a situation or business is described as above board, it is open, honest and legal. "There are no secret negotiations. Our dealings have always been above board."

The mind boggles
The expression "the mind boggles" is used as a reaction to something you find amazing or difficult to understand.

Bold as brass
Someone who is bold as brass behaves without shame or embarrassment. "Bold as brass, he refused the gift and handed it back to his mother-in-law."

Bone of contention
A bone of contention is a matter or subject about which there is a lot of disagreement. "The salaries have been agreed on, but opening on Sundays remains a bone of contention."

Have a bone to pick with someone
To say that you have a bone to pick with somebody means that you are annoyed with them and want to talk to them about it.

Make no bones about something
If you make no bones about something, you do not hesitate to express your thoughts or feelings about it, even if it is embarrassing.

In somebody's good/bad books
If you are in somebody's good or bad books, you have their approval or disapproval. "I'm in my wife's bad books at the moment because I forgot our wedding anniversary!"

Lick someone's boots
To say that one person licks another person's boots means that they are trying to please that person, often in order to obtain something.

Get too big for your boots (or britches)
To say that a person is getting too big for their boots means that you think they are behaving as if they were more important that they really are. "Tom's really getting too big for his boots since he got a promotion - he hardly says hello any more!"

I wasn't born yesterday
This expression is used to indicate that you are not as foolish or as easily deceived as some people seem to think. "Stop inventing silly excuses. I wasn't born yesterday you know!"

Bow and scrape
To say that someone is bowing and scraping means that they are being excessively polite or servile. "The President was greeted with much bowing and scraping."

Brain like a sieve
Someone who has a brain like a sieve has a very bad memory and forgets things easily. "Oh, I forgot to buy bread - I've got a brain like a sieve these days!"

Have something on the brain
If you have something on the brain, you think or talk about it constantly. "Stop talking about golf. You've got golf on the brain!"

Take the bread out of somebody's mouth
If you take the bread out of somebody's mouth, you take away their means of earning a living. "The decision to ban street vendors took the bread out of the mouths of many people."

Break a leg!
This is a humorous way of wishing somebody good luck, especially among stage performers. "So tonight's the opening night? Break a leg!"

Bricks and mortar/ bricks and clicks
An established trading company (office/shop) is referred to as a 'brick-and-mortar' business. 'Click companies' refer to Internet-based operations. Companies which do both are called 'bricks and clicks'. "Click businesses are usually more flexible than brick-and-mortar operations."

Brown as a berry
To say that someone is brown as a berry means that they are very tanned.

Browned-off
To be browned off means to be bored, fed up or disheartened. "Tom is browned off with his job."

The bubble has burst
To say that the bubble has burst means that the success of an idea, a product or a situation has suddenly stopped. "The video game was a phenomenal success but the bubble has burst."

Pass the buck
If you say that someone is passing the buck, you are accusing them of not taking responsibility for a problem and expecting someone else to handle it.

Kick the bucket.
To kick the bucket is a light-hearted way of talking about death. "He will inherit when his grandfather kicks the bucket."

To nip something in the bud
If you nip a problem or a bad situation in the bud, you stop it at an early stage, before it becomes worse. "He wanted to be a clown, but his parents soon nipped that idea in the bud."

Build bridges
If a person builds bridges between opposing groups, they help them to cooperate and understand each other better.

Take the bull by the horns
To take the bull by the horns means that a person decides to act decisively in order to deal with a difficult situation or problem.

Bundle of nerves
If you describe somebody as a bundle of nerves, you mean that they are very nervous, tense or worried. "My son is doing his driving test today. Needless to say he's a bundle of nerves!"

Don't beat around the bush
This expression is used to tell somebody to say what they have to say, clearly and directly, even if it's unpleasant.

Butter wouldn't melt in your mouth
If you say that somebody looks as if butter wouldn't melt in their mouth, you are saying that they look completely innocent, but that they are capable of doing unpleasant things.
C
A piece of cake
To refer to something as a piece of cake means that you consider it to be very easy. "The English test was a piece of cake!"

Have your cake and eat it
To say that someone wants to have their cake and eat it means that they want the advantages of two alternative situations when only one is possible . "Jack enjoys his comfort but is always complaining about the cost of things. He can't have his cake and eat it!"

Sell like hot cakes
Things that sell like hot cakes sell quickly or in large quantities.

Call a spade a spade
A person who calls a spade a spade speaks openly and truthfully about something, especially difficult matters. "What I like about the new manager is that he calls a spade a spade - it makes things so much easier for everyone."

Call the tune
The person who calls the tune is the one who makes all the important decisions and is in control of the situation. "He shows a lot of authority but in fact it's his wife who calls the tune."

Can of worms
To describe a situation as a can of worms means that it is complicated, unpleasant and difficult to deal with. "The discovery of the transfer of funds turned out to be a real can of worms."

Burn the candle at both ends
To say that some is burning the candle at both ends means that they are trying to do too much and that they go to bed very late and get up very early.

Paddle one's own canoe
If you paddle your own canoe, you do what you want to do without help or interference from anyone. "He decided to paddle his own canoe and set up his own company."

Can't see the wood for the trees
If someone can't see the wood for the trees, they are so concentrated on the details that they can't see the situation as a whole. "The new manager found the situation so complicated that he couldn't see the wood for the trees."

Put on your thinking cap
If you tell someone to put their thinking cap on, you ask them to find an idea or solve a problem by thinking about it. "Now here's this week's quiz - it's time to put your thinking caps on!"

If the cap fits, wear it!
You say "if the cap fits wear it" to let someone know that the critical remark they have just heard applies to them. "Are you referring to me?" "If the cap fits wear it!" (US : If the shoe fits ...)

Play your cards right
This means that you do all that is necessary in order to succeed. "If we play our cards right, we'll get the contract.

put/lay one's cards on the table
If you put your cards on the table, you speak honestly and openly about your feelings and intentions. "Let's clear the air and put our cards on the table."

Carrot and stick
If you use a carrot-and-stick approach, you use the promise of reward and the threat of punishment to make somebody work harder. "Some parents use a carrot-and-stick approach to obtain good results from their children."

Put the cart before the horse
A person who puts the cart before the horse is doing things in the wrong order. "Building a school before knowing the age of the population is putting the cart before the horse."

A fat cat
To refer to a rich and powerful person as a fat cat means that you disapprove of the way they use their money or power.

Let the cat out of the bag.
If you let the cat out of the bag, you reveal a secret, often not intentionally.

Play cat and mouse
To play cat and mouse with someone means to treat them alternately cruelly and kindly, so that they do not know what to expect.

Catch 22
A catch 22 situation refers to a frustrating situation where you need to do one thing before doing a second, and you cannot do the second before doing the first. "I can't get a job without a work permit, and I can't get a work permit without a job. It's a catch 22 situation!"

Catch somebody red-handed
If a person is caught red-handed, they are caught while they are doing something wrong or illegal. "The police arrived as the burglar was leaving the house. He was caught red-handed."

Like chalk and cheese (as different as chalk and cheese)
Two people who are like chalk and cheese are completely different from each other.

Chance in a million
A chance in a million is a very small chance, or no chance at all, that something will happen.

Change of heart
If someone has a change of heart, they change their attitude or feelings, especially towards greater friendliness or cooperation. "He was against charity, but he had a change of heart when he saw the plight of the homeless."

Chase rainbows
Someone who is chasing rainbows is trying to get something they will never obtain. "She's trying to get into Harvard but I think she's chasing rainbows."

Old chestnut
A story, a joke or an idea that has been repeated so often that it has lost its novelty is referred to as an old chestnut. "The story about his boat capsizing has become an old chestnut!"

Chew the fat
If you chew the fat with somebody, you chat in an informal way about unimportant things. "It's amazing the amount of time my grandparents can spend chewing the fat with their neighbours."

Chicken out of something
If you chicken out of something, you decide not to do something because you are afraid. "He decided to join a karate class, but chickened out of it at the last minute!"

Too many chiefs, not enough Indians.
This expression refers to a situation where there are too many people giving instructions and not enough people doing the work. "The business wasn't successful. There were too many chiefs and not enough Indians."

A chink in someone's armour
If someone has a chink in their armour, they have a weakness that can be taken advantage of. "The candidate's opponents are busy looking for chinks in his armour."

A chip off the old block
If you refer to a person as a chip off the old block, you mean that they resemble one of their parents in appearance, character or behaviour. "James is a chip off the old block - he reacts exactly the same way as his father."

A chip on your shoulder
If someone has a chip on their shoulder, they feel resentful because they feel they are being treated unfairly, especially because of their background, their sex or their colour.

Have had one's chips
To say that someone has had their chips means that they have completely failed in what they set out to achieve. "After the second set, it looked as though Agassi had had his chips."

When the chips are down
This expression refers to people's behaviour in a difficult or dangerous situation when action must be taken. "It's when the chips are down that Jack is at his best."

Off someone's Christmas card list
This expression means that you are no longer on friendly terms with someone. "I've been off her Christmas card list since our dog messed up her garden!"

Close to home
If a remark or comment is close to home, it is so true, or it affects you so directly, that you feel uncomfortable. "Alan looks embarrassed. Bob's comment must have been close to home!"

A close shave
This expression is used to describe a situation where an accident or a disaster nearly happened "I almost hit the child who ran out in front of my car. It was a close shave."

Be on cloud nine
A person who is on cloud nine is very happy because something wonderful has happened. "When the boss announced my promotion, I was on cloud nine!"

Cock and bull story
This expression refers to a story, an excuse or an explanation that is very difficult to believe. "Instead of simply saying he was out of work, he invented some cock and bull story about trekking in the desert!"

Off colour
If you are off colour, you are looking or feeling ill.

Collect one's thoughts
If you collect your thoughts, you try to think calmly and clearly in order to prepare yourself mentally for something. "Anne stopped to collect her thoughts before calling back the customer."

Come apart at the seams
To say that someone is coming apart at the seams means that they are extremely upset or under severe mental stress. "Bob has had so many problems lately, he's coming apart at the seams."

Come clean.
To come clean about something means to tell the truth.

Come to grips with something
If you come to grips with a problem or situation, you start to understand or deal with it properly "After the initial shock, the patient began to come to grips with his illness."

Come/turn up trumps
To say that someone has come up trumps means that they have achieved unexpectedly good results. "Against all expectations, our team came up trumps in the cup final."

Cook the books
A person who cooks the books is one who changes the facts or figures in their financial accounts, often in order to steal money. "The actor discovered after a while that his agent was cooking the books."

Cook somebody's goose
To cook somebody's goose means to spoil that person's chance of success. "When the burglar saw the police car arriving, he realized his goose was cooked."

That's the way the cookie crumbles!
To say 'that's the way the cookie crumbles' means 'that is the way things are and nothing can be done about it' - that's life'!

Cool as a cucumber
A person who is as cool as a cucumber is a person who is not anxious, but relaxed and non-emotional.

A couch potato
If you refer to someone as a couch potato, you criticize them for spending a lot of time sitting and watching television. "Don't be such a couch potato. There are better ways of spending your time than in front of the TV."

On course (for something)
If someone is on course for something, they are likely to achieve it. "Our team is on course for a victory in the national championship."

Till the cows come home
To say that a person could do something till the cows come home means that they could do it for a long time. "You can ask till the cows come home, but I'm not buying you a scooter!"

The cream of the crop
This expression is used to refer to the best people or things in a particular group. "As usual, the cream of the crop of this year's graduates were offered the best jobs."

On the crest of a wave
If you are on the crest of a wave, you are very successful in what you are doing. "Our company is going from success to success. We're on the crest of a wave right now."

Crocodile tears
To shed crocodile tears means to shed false tears or show insincere grief. "Caroline pretended to be sad but we all knew her tears were crocodile tears."

Cross that bridge when we come to it
This is another way of saying " we will deal with that problem when it occurs and not worry about it before". "What will happen if we can't repay the loan?" "We''ll cross that bridge when we come to it."

At cross purposes
If two people are at cross purposes, there is a misunderstanding as to what each one is talking about. "Look, we seem to be at cross purposes : you're talking about 'sailing' boats but I'm talking about 'selling' boats."

As the crow flies
This expression refers to distance measured in a straight line. "It's two miles from here to the station as the crow flies, but of course it's much further by road."

A far cry from something
If one thing is a far cry from something else, it means that they are very different from each other.

On cue
If something happens on cue, it happens at exactly the appropriate or expected moment. "My grandmother was blowing out the candles on her birthday cake when, right on cue, the flowers arrived."

Cut and dried
To refer to a situation, a problem or a solution as cut and dried means that it is considered clear and straightforward with no likely complications. "When the new manager arrived, he didn't find the situation as cut and dried as he had expected."

Cut corners
Cutting corners means not following the correct procedure in order to save time, effort or money (often with unsatisfactory results)
D
Dance attendance (on somebody)
If you dance attendance on someone, you are constantly available for that person and attend to their wishes. "She's rich and famous and expects everyone to dance attendance on her."

in the dark
If someone is kept or left in the dark about something, they are not informed about it . "The personnel were kept in the dark about the merger until the last minute."

Call it a day.
A person who decides to "call it a day" decides to stop doing or finish doing something, generally because they are tired.

Dead loss
Someone or something described as a dead loss is absolutely useless or a complete failure. "When it comes to gardening, my brother is a dead loss."

Dead wood
The term dead wood refers to people or things which are no longer considered useful or necessary. "The new manager wants to reduce costs by cutting out the dead wood."

A raw deal
If you say that someone has got a raw deal, you think they have been treated unfairly or badly.

Off the deep end
A person who goes off the deep end becomes suddenly very angry or emotional.

Out of your depth
If you are out of your depth, it means you are in a situation which is too difficult for you, or which you know little about.

The devil is in the details
This expression refers to a task or a job which appears simple but is in fact more difficult to accomplish. "Framing a picture looks easy but the devil is in the details!"

The devil makes work for idle hands
This expression means that people who do not have enough to do are often tempted to do something wrong. "It's not good for kids to have nothing to do at the week-end - the devil makes work for idle hands!"

Speak of the devil!
Speak of the devil! This is said to refer to a person who appears just when his/her name is mentioned. "Speak of the devil! We were just talking about your invitation!"

A different kettle of fish
To describe a person, thing or situation as a different kettle of fish means that it is completely different from what was previously mentioned. "You may have good business relations, but living in the country is a different kettle of fish."

Wash your dirty linen in public.
To wash one's dirty linen in public means to talk about unpleasant or personal matters in the presence of others.

Do someone's dirty work
To do someone's dirty work means to do the unpleasant or difficult work that the other person does not want to do.

Disappear into thin air
If someone or something disappears into thin air, they vanish in a mysterious way. " After being accused of embezzlement, the director disappeared into thin air."

A dog in the manger
A person referred to as a dog in the manger is someone who stops others enjoying something he/she cannot use or doesn't want.

Give a dog a bad name
People who lose their reputation have difficulty regaining it because others continue to blame or suspect them. "Tom was suspected as usual. Give a dog a bad name!"

Go to the dogs
To say that a company, organization or country is going to the dogs means that it is becoming less successful or efficient than before. "Some think the company will go to the dogs if it is nationalized."

Let sleeping dogs lie.
If you tell somebody to let sleeping dogs lie, you are asking them not to interfere with a situation because they could cause problems.

Why keep a dog and bark yourself?
This expression means that if someone can do a task for you, there's no reason to do it yourself. "The shuttle stops in front of our house but my father continues to drive to the airport. Why keep a dog and bark yourself!"

In the doghouse
If you are in the doghouse, somebody is angry with you because you have done something wrong. "Mark is in the doghouse because he damaged his father's car."

In the doldrums
To say that a person, a business or the economy in general is in the doldrums means that the situation is gloomy and that nothing new is happening. "Despite the recent measures, the economy remains in the doldrums."

Beyond a shadow of a doubt
This expression is used to express absolute certainty about something. "There wasn't a shadow of a doubt in our minds about Susan's sincerity."

Down the drain
To say that money, time or effort has gone down the drain, means that it has been wasted or lost. "His years of research went down the drain when the company went bankrupt."

Drag one's feet
If you say that a person is dragging their feet, you think they are unnecessarily delaying a decision which is important to you.

Dressed up to the nines
To describe someone as dressed up to the nines means that they are wearing very smart or glamorous clothes. "Caroline musts be going to a party - she's dressed up to the nines!"

Drink like a fish
A person who drinks like a fish is a heavy drinker or one who drinks a lot. 'I'm nervous if Joe drives when we go out because he drinks like a fish!"

Drive a hard bargain
A person who drives a hard bargain always makes sure they gain advantage in a business deal. "Be prepared for tough negotiations with Stuart - he drives a bard bargain."

Drop like flies
If people drop like flies, they fall ill or die in large numbers. "There's an epidemic of flu at the moment. Senior citizens are dropping like flies."

At the drop of a hat
If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately and without hesitation "I've got great friends. They're ready to help out at the drop of a hat."

A drop in the ocean
To refer to an amount as a drop in the ocean means that it is very small compared to the amount needed or expected. "The revenue from the proposed tax reform is a drop in the ocean compared to the deficit."

A sitting duck
A sitting duck is an easy target, a person who is easy to deceive. "The young girl was a sitting duck for the photographer."

Dull as ditchwater (also : dull as dishwater)
To refer to something as being as dull as ditchwater means that it is very boring. "The film was a dull at ditchwater. I nearly fell asleep."

Dumbing down
If something, such as a television programme or a film production, is dumbed down, it is deliberately made less intelligent or less demanding, in order to attract a larger audience. "Some TV channels are dumbing down their programmes in an attempt to increase their audience ratings."

Hit the dust
The expression hit the dust is a humourous way of referring to death.

Go Dutch
To go Dutch with somebody means to share the cost of something such as a meal or a concert.

Above and beyond the call of duty
If a person does something which is above and beyond the call of duty, they show a greater degree of courage or effort than is usually required or expected in their job. "The fire-fighter received a medal for his action which went above and beyond the call of duty."

To be dying for something
If you are dying for something, you have a strong desire for it. "I'm dying for a cup of tea!"
E
An eager beaver
The term eager beaver refers to a person who is hardworking and enthusiastic, sometimes considered overzealous. "The new accountant works all the time - first to arrive and last to leave -a real eager beaver!"


In one ear and out the other
To say that information goes in one ear and out the other means that it is immediately forgotten or ignored. "I keep telling him about the risks but it goes in one ear and out the other. He never listens to anyone!"

Keep your ear to the ground
If you keep your ear to the ground , you make sure that you are aware of all that is happening and being said

Lend an ear
If you lend an ear to someone, you listen carefully and sympathetically.

Music to your ears
To say that something is music to your ears, means that the information you receive makes you feel very happy.

Turn a deaf ear
A person who turns a deaf ear to something such as a request or a complaint refuses to pay attention to it.

Play it by ear
This expression means to improvise or act without preparation, according to the demands of the situation. Music : to play by remembering the tune, without printed music.

Easier said than done
To say that something is easier said than done means that what is suggested sounds easy but it is more difficult to actually do it. "Put the TV aerial on the roof? Easier said than done!"

Easy as pie
To say that something is easy as pie means that it is very easy to do. "How did the English test go? - No problem - it was easy as pie!"

Eat one's words
If you eat your words, you have to admit that what you said before was wrong. "After predicting disastrous results, he had to eat his words with the success of the new product."

On edge
A person who is on edge is anxious or nervous.

Egg someone on
If you egg somebody on, you urge or strongly encourage them to do something. "She didn't really want to learn to drive but her children kept egging her on."

Have all your eggs in one basket
If you have all your eggs in one basket, you depend on one plan or one source of income. "If you invest your savings in one bank, you'll have all your eggs in one basket."

One over the eight
If a person has had one over the eight, they are slightly drunk. "Don't listen to him. You can see he's had one over eight!"

Use elbow grease :
If you use elbow grease, you need energy and strength to do physical work such as cleaning or polishing. "It took a considerable amount of elbow grease to renovate the old house."

In one's element
When you are in your element, you are doing something that you do well and you are enjoying yourself. "My brother, who is an estate agent, was in his element house-hunting for our parents."

At the eleventh hour
If something happens at the eleventh hour, it happens when it is almost too late, or at the last possible moment. "Our team won after they scored a goal at the eleventh hour."

Make ends meet
If you find it difficult to make ends meet, you find it difficult to pay for your everyday needs because you have very little money. "Anne's salary is so low she finds it hard to make ends meet."

Every nook and cranny
Every nook and cranny refers to every possible part of a place. "She searched every nook and cranny of the old town looking for antiques."

The apple of your eye
If somebody is the apple of your eye, this means that you like them very much : "My grandson is the apple of my eye".

More than meets the eye
This expression means that something is more complicated or more interesting that it first appears. "They say it's just a little disagreement, but we think there's more to it than meets the eye."

See eye to eye with someone
To see eye to eye with somebody means that you agree with them.

Turn a blind eye
If you turn a blind eye to something, you ignore it intentionally.

The eye of the storm
A person or organization who is in the eye of the storm is deeply involved in a difficult situation which affects a lot of people "The minister was often in the eye of the storm during the debate on the war in Iraq."

Keep one's eyes peeled :
To keep one's eyes peeled means to watch very carefully for something "I mislaid my wedding ring at home, so I asked my children to keep their eyes peeled."

Look someone in the eyes
If you look someone in the eye, or eyes, you look at them directly so as to convince them that you are telling the truth, even though you may be lying.

Not bat an eyelid
To say that sombody does not bat an eyelid means that they do not seem shocked or surprised, nor are they nervous or worried. They show no emotion.
F
Face the music
If you have to face the music, you have to accept the unpleasant consequences of your actions. "He was caught stealing. Now he has to face the music!"

Have a poker face.
If you have a poker face, you show no emotion at all. In spite of the repeated details of the events, the criminal kept a poker face.

Keep a straight face
If you keep a straight face, you look serious although you really want to laugh.

Fall from grace
To say that someone has fallen from grace means that they have done something wrong, immoral or unacceptable, and as a result have lost their good reputation. "The Finance Minister fell from grace as a result of a sex scandal."

Fall off the back of a lorry
If you buy goods that have fallen off the back of a lorry, they are stolen goods. "Judging by the price of that camera, it must have fallen off the back of a lorry!"

Fall on one's sword
If you fall on your sword, you take responsibility for, or accept the consequences of an unsuccessful action. "The organizer of the referendum resigned when the poor results were announced. It was said that he 'fell on his sword'."

A feather in one's cap :
To describe someone's achievement as "a feather in their cap" means that it is something they can be proud of. The overwhelming victory of the team was a "feather in the cap" for the new manager.

Feather your nest
To say of someone that they are feathering their nest is to say that they are taking advantage of their position in order to obtain money so as to have a comfortable life.

A foot in the door
If you say that someone has a foot in the door, you mean that they have a small but successful start in something and will possibly do well in the future. "With today's unemployment, it's difficult to get a foot in the door in any profession."

Put one's foot down
To put one's foot down means to exert authority to prevent something from happening.

Back on your feet
If you are back on your feet, after an illness or an accident, you are physically healthy again.

Drag one's feet
If you say that a person is dragging their feet, you think they are unnecessarily delaying a decision which is important to you.

Find your feet
To say that someone in a new situation is finding their feet means that they are learning what to do and gaining self-confidence.

Get cold feet
If you get cold feet about something, you begin to hesitate about doing it; you are no longer sure whether you want to do it or not.

Have itchy feet
A person who has itchy feet is someone who wants to move somewhere new or do something different.

Keep one's feet on the ground
A person who keeps their feet on the ground continues to act in a sensible and practical way, even if they become successful.

Think on one's feet
A person who thinks on their feet is capable of making good decisions without previous thinking or planning. "Good lawyers need to be able to think on their feet when pleading a case."

Rushed off your feet.
If your are rushed off your feet, your are extremely busy. "I'd love to have lunch with you but we're rushed off our feet at the moment at the office."

Fiddling while Rome burns
If you say that somebody is fiddling while Rome burns, you mean that they are doing unimportant things while there are serious problems to be dealt with "His visit to the trade fair was 'fiddling while Rome burns' according to the strikers."

Fight a losing battle
If someone is fighting a losing battle, they are trying to do something even when there is little chance of succeeding. "The headmaster is fighting a losing battle trying to ban mobile phones at school."

Fight tooth and nail
If you fight tooth and nail for something, you fight with all your energy. "The Transport Minister fought tooth and nail to have to have the proposed road safety law accepted."

A finger in every pie
If someone has a finger in every pie, they are involved in many activities "For information about the town development project, you should talk to John Brown. He has a finger in every pie."

Fish out of water
If you feel like a fish out of water , you feel uncomfortable because of an unfamiliar situation or unfamiliar surroundings. "As a non-golfer, I felt like a fish out of water at the clubhouse."

Have other fish to fry
If you have other fish to fry, you have more important things to do. "I don't think he'll attend the office party; he's got other fish to fry."

Neither fish nor fowl
This is said to describe people or things that are difficult to classify, that are neither one thing nor another. "Interns are neither fish nor fowl. They are neither students nor fully qualified practitioners."

Fit as a fiddle
If you are fit as a fiddle, you are active and healthy. "My grandfather is still fit as a fiddle at the age of 90."

In fits and starts
If you do something in fits and starts, you do it in an irregular manner, often stopping and starting again. "You'll never make progress in English if you work in fits and starts."

Five-finger discount
If somebody gets a five-finger discount, they take something without paying. In other words, they steal. "How could he afford that watch?" "Who knows - perhaps with a five-finger discount!"

There are no flies on him!
To say that there are no flies on someone means that they understand quickly and cannot be tricked or deceived easily. "It's better to tell him all the facts. There are no flies on him."

Fly off the handle
A person who flies off the handle becomes suddenly very angry. "Dad flew off the handle when I told him I had damaged his new car."

A fly on the wall
This expression is used to describe a person who watches a situation without being noticed. "I'd like to be a fly on the wall when the management discusses my project.

With flying colours
To achieve something with flying colours means to do it very successfully. "My daughter passed the entrance exam with flying colours. I'm so proud of her!"

Follow one's nose
If you follow your nose, you go straight ahead (also: follow your instinct in life). "The station is at the end of the road - just follow your nose."

Follow in someone's footsteps
If you follow in someone's footsteps ( for example a parent), you lead a similar life or do the same job. "Lily followed in her mother's footsteps and became a teacher."




Follow suit
If you follow suit, you do the same as somebody else has just done. The first robber held up his hands. The other two followed suit.

Food for thought
If something gives you food for thought, it makes you think very hard about something. "The documentary on poverty in the world really gave me food for thought."

Get (or start) off on the right/wrong foot
This expression means to start a relationship well or badly. 'I was looking forward to working with Julie but we seem to have started off on the wrong foot."

Footloose and fancy-free
A person who is footloose and fancy-free has few responsibilities or commitments of any kind and feels free to do as they please. "John will never get married. He says he prefers to be footloose and fancy-free."

Forewarned is forearmed
This expression means that if you know something is going to happen, you can be prepared for it. "The Chairman is going to attend the meeting tomorrow. Your presentation had better be good. Forewarned is forearmed.!"

Have a frog in one's throat
A person who has a frog in their throat is unable to speak clearly because their throat is sore, or because they want to cough.

Out of the frying pan and into the fire.
This expression means to go from one difficult situation to another, usually even worse."The flight was delayed because of snow. When the plane eventually took off, it had to turn back because of engine trouble - out of the frying pan into the fire!"

In full swing
When something, such as an event, gets into full swing, it is at its busiest or liveliest time. "When we got back to the office, the Christmas party was in full swing."
G
The gift of the gab
To say that somebody has the gift of the gab means that they are able to speak confidently and clearly. "As a politician, not only is he competent, but he has the gift of the gab!"

Give the game away
If you give the game away, you reveal a secret or a plan, often unintentionally.

Play the game
If you play the game, you accept to do things according to the rules laid down by others.

Gatecrash
If someone gatecrashes, they attend a private social event without being invited. "We need volunteers to to keep an eye out for gatecrashers tonight."

Get away with murder
To say that someone gets away with murder means that you think they can do something unacceptable without being punished or criticized.

Get cracking
When you get cracking, you start doing something immediately. "I'd better get cracking or I'll never get my homework done."

Get down to brass tacks
When people get down to brass tacks, they start to discuss the essential aspects of a problem or situation. "The situation was so serious that after a few polite exchanges, they immediately got down to brass tacks."

Get off the hook
If you do something wrong and manage to get off the hook, you avoid punishment or blame. "Barry was questioned by the police but his lawyer managed to get him off the hook."

Get the better of someone
If someone or something gets the better of you, they defeat you "She went on a diet but it didn't last long - her love of chocolate got the better of her!"

Get to the bottom of something
If you get to the bottom of a problem or mystery, you solve it by finding out the true cause of it. "We have a problem of goods disappearing during transport. Hopefully the investigation will get to the bottom of it."

Give someone a run for their money
If you give someone a run for their money, you present strong competition in circumstances where the other person expects to win easily. "We didn't win the match but we gave the other team a run for their money."

Go against the grain
If something goes against the grain, it is difficult to accept because it is very different from what is considered normal or natural. "Having to import apples in an apple-growing region really goes against the grain!"

Go for a song
If something goes for a song, it is sold at an unexpectedly low price. "I was able to buy the car simply because it going for a song."

Go through the motions
If someone goes through the motions, they do something because they have to, but without enthusiasm. "After his wife died, he tried to continue life as before, but he just went through the motions."

Go with the flow
If you go with the flow, you follow the general tendency and go along with whatever happens. "When my colleagues organize an office party, I just go with the flow when it comes to the details. "

Golden handshake
A golden handshake is a generous sum of money given to a person when they leave a company or retire (sometimes given to encourage early retirement).

Golden opportunity
A golden opportunity is a favourable time or excellent occasion which should not be missed.

Good walls make good neighbours
This expression means that respecting one another's privacy helps create a good relationship between neighbours.

Have goose pimples
If you have goose pimples, you are so cold or so afraid that your skin is temporarily raised into little lumps. "I was so scared that I had goose pimples all through the film!"

A wild goose chase
If you say that you were sent on a wild goose chase, you mean that you wasted a lot of time looking for something that there was little chance of finding. "They tried to find out who sent the anonymous complaint, but it turned out to be a wild goose chase."

Play gooseberry
If you play gooseberry, you join or accompany two people who have a romantic relationship and want to be alone. "They invited me to join them but I didn't want to play gooseberry."

Sour grapes
To say that someone's attitude is sour grapes means that they are making complaints or accusations because they are jealous.

Grass roots
The term grass roots refers to the ordinary people who form the main body of an organization.

Grease sombody's palm
If you accuse someone of greasing somebody's palm, you are accusing them of giving money to someone in order to gain an unfair advantage, or to obtain something they want. "In some countries, it is common practice to grease government officials' palms."

Green fingers
To have green fingers means to be good at gardening.

Green with envy
Someone who is green with envy is a person who is very envious.

Grey area
To refer to something as a grey area means that it is not clear or easy to define, and is therefore difficult to deal with. "The law concerning email is still a grey area in some countries."

Grey existence
To have a grey existence is to lead a dull, monotonous life.

Grey matter (U.S.: gray)
Grey matter refers to the brain, or the grey colour of brain tissue.

Grin and bear it
When faced with a difficult or unpleasant situation, if you say that someone will have to grin and bear it, you mean that they will have to accept it without complaining. "The only seat available is on a low-cost flight. You'll just have to grin and bear it!"

Grin from ear to ear
If somebody is grinning from ear to ear, they look very satisfied and happy. "When we saw Paul grinning from ear to ear, we knew he had passed the exam."

Keep your nose to the grindstone
A person who keeps their nose to the grindstone is someone who concentrates on working hard at his job.

Prepare the ground
To prepare the ground means that you try to make it easier for a future event or action to happen.

Guinea pig
People who are used as guinea pigs are people on whom new methods, treatment or ideas are tested.
H
Old habits die hard
This expression means that people are often reluctant to change the way they do something, especially if they have been doing it for a long time. "My grandfather refuses to use a mobile phone - old habits die hard!"

Get in someone's hair :
If you are getting in somebody's hair, you are annoying them so much that they can't get on with what they're doing. "I'd finish the report more quickly if my colleague wasn't getting in my hair all the time!"

Let one's hair down.
If you suggest that someone should let their hair down, you are telling them to relax and enjoy themselves. "Come on! We' re not in the office now. You can let your hair down!"

Split hairs
If you split hairs, you pay too much attention to differences that are very small or not important. "If we start splitting hairs, we'll never reach an agreement!"

In safe (good) hands
If something is in safe (or good) hands, it is being looked after by a reliable person or organization, and is therefore at no risk. "I'll look after Jamie while you go shopping. Don't worry - he'll be in safe hands."

The upper hand
If a person or organization gets or gains the upper hand, they take control over something.

Get the hang of something
When you get the hang of an activity, you now know how to do it correctly.

Have your hands full.
If you have your hands full, you are very busy or you have a lot to do.

Have one's hands tied
If a person has their hands tied, something, such as an agreement or a rule, is preventing them from doing what they would like to do. "Mark deserves to earn more, but the manager's hands are tied by the recent salary agreement."

A show of hands
A show of hands is a method of voting in which people give their opinion by raising a hand. "How many people agree? Could we have a show of hands please?"

Wash your hands off something.
If you wash your hands off a problem or situation, you refuse to deal with it any longer.

Happy-go-lucky
If you are a happy-go-lucky person, you are cheerful and carefree all the time. "He's a happy-go-lucky sort of guy - always in good humour."

Hard of hearing
If you are hard of hearing, you can't hear very well. "You'll have to speak louder to Mr. Jones. He's a bit hard of hearing."

Hard as nails
A person who is hard (or 'tough') as nails is unsentimental and shows no sympathy. "Don't expect any sympathy from him. He's as hard as hails."

To be hard up
If you are hard up, you have very little money. "We were so hard up we had to sleep in the car."

Hard and fast
Something which is hard and fast cannot be changed. "Unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules related to English spelling"

Have a hangover
To have a hangover means to suffer from the unpleasant after-effects of drinking too much alcohol.

Have your back to the wall
If you have your back to the wall, you are in serious difficulty. " With his back to the wall, the supplier had to accept the deal."

Have you gone out of your mind?
If you ask someone if they've gone out of their mind, you think they are crazy, foolish or insane. "You're going to ask for a 100% increase in salary? Have you gone out of your mind?"

Have something on the brain
If you have something on the brain, you think or talk about it constantly. "Stop talking about golf. You've got golf on the brain!"

Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds
This expression refers to someone who wants to stay on friendly terms with both sides in a quarrel. "Bob always wants to keep everyone happy, but I'm afraid he can't run with the hare and hunt with the hounds this time - the issue is too important."

Keep something under one's hat
To keep something under one's hat means to keep a secret. "My boss has promised me a promotion, but it's not official yet, so keep it under your hat."

Take one's hat off to somebody
You say this to express admiration for something someone has done. "I take my hat off to the chef. The meal was wonderful."

Bury the hatchet :
The expression " bury the hatchet" is used when people who have had a disagreement decide to forget their quarrel and become friends again. "I don't get on well with my mother-in-law, but to keep my wife happy, I decided to bury the hatchet."

Make hay while the sun shines
This expression is used as an encouragement to take advantage of a good situation which may not last. Successful sportsmen are advised to make hay while the sun shines.

Bury one's head in the sand
If you bury your head in the sand, you refuse to face the unpleasant reality by pretending that it doesn't exist. "It's no good burying your head in the sand. We've got a problem on our hands."

Off the top of your head
To say something off the top of your head means that you are giving an immediate reaction and not a carefully considered opinion, and so it might not be correct.

Keep one's head above water
To keep one's head above water means to try to survive by staying out of debt, for example a small business.

Look the picture of health
To look the picture of health means to look completely or extremely healthy.

Heard it through the grapevine
If you hear of something through the grapevine, you learn about it informally, for example through friends, colleagues or acquaintances. "How did you hear that? Oh, through the grapevine as usual!"

Have one's heart in one's mouth
A person who has their heart in their mouth feels extremely anxious or nervous faced with a dangerous or unpleasant situation. "Emma had her heart in her mouth when she saw her 2 year-old son standing in front of the open window."

Your heart misses a beat
If your heart misses a beat, you have a sudden feeling of fear or excitement. "When the lights suddenly went out, her heart missed a beat."

Your heart sinks
If your heart sinks, you feel very unhappy and despondent "My heart sank when I saw the amount of work waiting for me."