Wesley Review Stage: Idioms

Showing posts with label Idioms. Show all posts

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Idiom list (I)

~ I ~

I hereby give notice of my intention: Hereby is used sometimes in formal, official declarations and statements to give greater force to the speaker' or the writer's affirmation. People will say it sometimes to emphasise their sincerity and correctness.
I may be daft, but I'm not stupid: I might do or say silly things occasionally, but in this instance I know what I am doing (Usually used when someone questions your application of common-sense).
I should cocoa: (UK) This idiom comes from 'I should think so', but is normally used sarcastically to mean the opposite.
I'll cross that road when I come to it: I'll think about something just when it happens, not in advance.
I'll eat my hat: You can say this when you are absolutely sure that you are right to let the other person know that there is no chance of your being wrong.
I've got a bone to pick with you: If somebody says this, they mean that they have some complaint to make against the person they are addressing.
I've got your number: You have made a mistake and I am going to call you on it. You are in trouble (a threat). I have a disagreement with you. I understand your true nature.
Icing on the cake: This expression is used to refer to something good that happens on top of an already good thing or situation.
Idle hands are the devil's handiwork: When someone is not busy, or being productive, trouble is bound to follow.
If at first you don't succeed try try again: When you fail, try until you get it right!
If I had a nickel for every time: (USA) When someone uses this expression, they mean that the specific thing happens a lot. It is an abbreviation of the statement 'If I had a nickel for every time that happened, I would be rich'
If it ain't broke, don't fix it: Any attempt to improve on a system that already works is pointless and may even hurt it.
If Mohammed won't come to the mountain, the mountain must come to Mohammed: If something cannot or will not happen the easy way, then sometimes it must be done the hard way.
If the cap fits, wear it: This idiom means that if the description is correct, then it is describing the truth, often when someone is being criticised. ('If the shoe fits, wear it' is an alternative)
If wishes were horses, beggars would ride: This means that wishing for something or wanting it is not the same as getting or having it.
If you are given lemons make lemonade: Always try and make the best out of a bad situation. With some ingenuity you can make a bad situation useful.
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen: Originally a Harry S. Truman quote, this means that if you can't take the pressure, then you should remove yourself from the situation.
If you fly with the crows, you get shot with the crows: If you wish to be associated with a particular high risk and/or high profile situation and benefit from the rewards of that association, you have to accept the consequences if things go wrong - you cannot dissociate yourself.
If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with fleas: This means that if you become involved with bad company, there will be negative consequences.
If you lie down with the Devil, you will wake up in hell: This means that if you become involved with bad company, there will be negative consequences.
If you will: 'If you will' is used as a way of making a concession in a sentence: He wasn't a very honest person, a liar if you will. Here, it is used a way of accepting that the reader or listener might think of the person as a liar, but without commit the writer or speaker to that position fully.
If you'll pardon my French: (UK) This idiom is used as a way of apologising for swearing.
Ill at ease: If someone is ill at ease, they are worried or uncomfortable.
Ill-gotten gains: Ill-gotten gains are profits or benefits that are made either illegally or unfairly.
In a cleft stick: If you are in a cleft stick, you are in a difficult situation, caught between choices.
In a fix: If you are in a fix, you are in trouble.
In a flash: If something happens in a flash, it happens very quickly indeed.
In a fog: If you're in a fog, you are confused, dazed or unaware.
In a heartbeat: If something happens very quickly or immediately, it happens in a heartbeat.
In a jam: If you are in a jam, you are in some trouble. If you get out of a jam, you avoid trouble.
In a jiffy: If something happens in a jiffy, it happens very quickly.
In a nutshell: This idiom is used to introduce a concise summary.
In a pickle: If you are in a pickle, you are in some trouble or a mess.
In a rut: In a settled or established pattern, habit or course of action, especially a boring one.
In a tick: (UK) If someone will do something in a tick, they'll do it very soon or very quickly.
In a tight spot: If you're in a tight spot, you're in a difficult situation.
In all honesty: If you say something in all honesty, you are telling the complete truth. It can be used as a way of introducing a negative opinion whilst trying to be polite; in all honesty, I have to say that I wasn't very impressed.
In an instant: If something happens in an instant, it happens very rapidly.
In another's shoes: It is difficult to know what another person's life is really like, so we don't know what it is like to be in someone's shoes.
In apple-pie order: If something is in apple-pie order, it is very neat and organised.
In broad daylight: If a crime or problem happens in broad daylight, it happens during the day and should have been seen and stopped.
In cahoots: If people are in cahoots, they are conspiring together.
In cold blood: If something is done in cold blood, it is done ruthlessly, without any emotion.
In dire straits: If you're in dire straits, you're in serious trouble or difficulties.
In donkey's years: 'I haven't seen her in donkey's years.' - This means for a very long time.
In dribs and drabs: If people arrive in dribs and drabs, they come in small groups at irregular intervals, instead of all arriving at the same time.
In droves: When things happen in droves, a lot happen at the same time or very quickly.
In for a penny, in for a pound: If something is worth doing then it is a case of in for a penny, in for a pound, which means that when gambling or taking a chance, you might as well go the whole way and take all the risks, not just some.
In full swing: If things are in full swing, they have been going for a sufficient period of time to be going well and very actively.
In high gear: (USA) If something is in high gear, it is in a quick-paced mode. If someone is in high gear, they are feverishly on the fast track.
In high spirits: If someone is in high spirits, they are in a very good mood or feeling confident about something.
In his cups: If someone is in their cups, they are drunk.
In hot water: If you are in hot water, you are in serious trouble.
In light of: 'In light of' is similar to 'due to'.
In like Flynn: Refers to Errol Flynn's popularity with women in the 40's. His ability to attract women was well known throughout the world. ('In like flint' is also used.)
In my bad books: If you are in someone's bad books, they are angry with you. Likewise, if you are in their good books, they are pleased with you.
In my book: This idiom means 'in my opinion'.
In my good books: If someone is in your good books, you are pleased with or think highly of them at the moment.
In one ear and out the other: If something goes in one ear and out the other, you forget it as soon as you've heard it because it was too complicated, boring etc.
In over your head: If someone is in over their head, they are out of the depth in something they are involved in, and may end up in a mess.
In perfect form: When something is as it ought to be. Or, when used cynically, it may refer to someone whose excesses are on display; a caricature.
In rude health: (UK) If someone's in rude health, they are very healthy and look it.
In so many words: This phrase may be used to mean 'approximately' or 'more or less'. I think it may have a sarcastic connotation in that the individual listening needed 'so many words' to get the point. It also may suggest the effort on the part of the speaker to explain an unpleasant truth or difficult concept.
In someone's pocket: If a person is in someone's pocket, they are dependent, especially financially, on them.
In spades: (UK) If you have something in spades, you have a lot of it.
In stitches: If someone is in stitches, they are laughing uncontrollably.
In tandem: If people do things in tandem, they do them at the same time.
In that vein: If you do something in that (or this) vein, you do it in the same distinctive manner or style.
In the bag: If something is in the bag, it is certain that you will get it or achieve it
In the ballpark: This means that something is close to the adequate or required value.
In the black: If your bank account is in credit, it is in the black.
In the cards: If something is in the cards, it is bound to occur, it is going to happen, or it is inevitable.
In the catbird seat: (USA) If someone is in the catbird seat, they are in an advantageous or superior position.
In the clear: If someone is in the clear, they are no longer suspected of or charged with wrongdoing.
In the clink: (UK) If someone is in the clink, they are in prison.
In the club: (UK) If a woman's in the club, she's pregnant. 'In the pudding club' is an alternative form.
In the dock: If someone is in the dock, they are on trial in court.
In the doghouse: If someone is in the doghouse, they are in disgrace and very unpopular at the moment.
In the driver's seat: If you are in the driver's seat, you are in charge of something or in control of a situation.
In the face of: If people act in the face of something, they do it despite it or when threatened by it.
In the family way: If a woman is in the family way, she is pregnant.
In the flesh: If you meet or see someone in the flesh you actually meet or see them, rather than seeing them on TV or in other media.
In the gravy: If you're in the gravy, you're rich and make money easily.
In the hole: If someone is in the hole, they have a lot of problems, especially financial ones.
In the hot seat: If someone's in the hot seat, they are the target for a lot of unwelcome criticism and examination.
In the know: If you are in the know, you have access to all the information about something, which other people don't have.
In the lap of luxury: People in the lap of luxury are very wealthy and have have everything that money can buy.
In the long run: This means 'over a long period of time', 'in the end' or 'in the final result'.
In the loop: If you're in the loop, you are fully informed about what is happening in a certain area or activity.
In the lurch: If you are left in the lurch, you are suddenly left in an embarrassing or tricky situation.
In the making: When something is in the making, it means it is in the process of being made.
In the offing: If something is in the offing, it is very likely to happen soon.
In the pink: If you are in very good health, you are in the pink.
In the pipeline: If something's in the pipeline, it hasn't arrived yet but its arrival is expected.
In the red: If your bank account is overdrawn, it is in the red.
In the saddle: If you're in the saddle, you are in control of a situation.
In the same boat: If people are in the same boat, they are in the same predicament or trouble.
In the short run: This refers to the immediate future.
In the soup: If you're in the soup, you're in trouble.
In the swim: If you are in the swim, you are up-to-date with and fully informed about something.
In the swing: If things are in the swing, they are progressing well.
In the tall cotton: A phrase that expresses good times or times of plenty and wealth as tall cotton means a good crop.
In the twinkling of an eye: If something happens in the twinkling of an eye, it happens very quickly.
In the zone: If you are in the zone, you are very focused on what you have to do.
In turn: This means one after the other. Example: She spoke to each of the guests in turn.
In two minds: If you are in two minds about something, you can't decide what to do.
In your blood: A trait or liking that is deeply ingrained in someone's personality and unlikely to change is in their blood. A similar idiom is 'in his DNA.'
In your element: If you are in your element, you feel happy and relaxed because you are doing something that you like doing and are good at. "You should have seen her when they asked her to sing; she was in her element."
In your face: If someone is in your face, they are direct and confrontational. (It is sometime written 'in yer face'colloquially)
In your sights: If you have someone or something in your sights, they are your target to beat.
Indian file: If people walk in Indian file, they walk in a line one behind the other.
Indian giver: An Indian giver gives something, then tries to take it back.
Indian summer: If there is a period of warmer weather in late autumn, it is an Indian summer.
Ins and outs: If you know the ins and outs of something, you know all the details.
Into each life some rain must fall: This means that bad or unfortunate things will happen to everyone at some time.
Into thin air: If something vanishes or disappears without trace, it vanishes into thin air; no-one knows where it has gone.
Iron fist: Someone who rules or controls something with an iron fist is in absolute control and tolerates no dissent. An iron fist in a velvet glove is used to describe someone who appears soft on the outside, but underneath is very hard. 'Mailed fist' is an alternative form.
Irons in the fire: A person who has a few irons in the fire has a number of things working to their advantage at the same time.
Is Saul also among the prophets?: It's a biblical idiom used when somebody known for something bad appears all of a sudden to be doing something very good.
It ain't over till the fat lady sings: This idiom means that until something has officially finished, the result is uncertain.
It cost an arm and a leg: If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive indeed.
It cost the earth: If something costs the earth, it is very expensive indeed.
It never rains but it pours: 'It never rains but it pours' means that when things go wrong, they go very wrong.
It takes a village to raise a child: It takes many people to teach a child all that he or she should know.
It takes two to tango: This idiom is used to suggest that when things go wrong, both sides are involved and neither side is completely innocent.
It's an ill wind that blows no good: This is said when things have gone wrong; the idea being that when bad things happen, there can also be some positive results.
It's no use crying over spilt milk: This idiom means that getting upset after something has gone wrong is pointless; it can't be changed so it should be accepted.
It's not the size of the dog in fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog: Usually refering to a small dog attacking a larger animal, this means that fierceness is not necessarily a matter of physical size, but rather mental/psychological attitude.
It's not the size of the man in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the man: This idiom means that determination is often more important than size, strength, or ability. ('It's not the size of the dog in the fight, it's the size of the fight in the dog.' is also used.)
It's your funeral: The other person has made a decision that you think is bad. However, it is their choice; it is their funeral.
Itch to: If you are itching to do something, you are very eager to do it.
Itchy feet: One gets itchy feet when one has been in one place for a time and wants to travel.
Ivory tower: People who live in ivory towers are detached from the world around them.

Idiom list (F)

~ F ~

Face like thunder: If someone has a face like thunder, they are clearly very angry or upset about something.
Face only a mother could love: When someone has a face only a mother could love, they are ugly.
Face the music: If you have to face the music, you have to accept the negative consequences of something you have done wrong.
Face value: If you take something at face value, you accept the appearance rather than looking deeper into the matter.
Face your demons: If you face your demons, you confront your fears or something that you have been trying hard to avoid.
Facts of life: When someone is taught the facts of life, they learn about sex and reproduction.
Failure is the mother of success: Failure is often a stepping stone towards success.
Faint heart never won fair lady: This means that you will not get the partner of your dreams if you lack the confidence to let them know how you feel.
Fair and square: If someone wins something fair and square, they follow the rules and win conclusively.
Fair crack of the whip: (UK) If everybody has a fair crack of the whip, they all have equal opportunities to do something.
Fair shake of the whip: (USA) If everybody has a fair shake of the whip, they all have equal opportunities to do something.
Fair thee well: Meaning completely and fully: I am tied up today to a fair-thee-well.
Fairweather friend: A fairweather friend is the type who is always there when times are good but forgets about you when things get difficult or problems crop up.
Fall by the wayside: To fall by the wayside is to give up or fail before completion.
Fall from grace: If a person falls from grace, they lose favor with someone.
Fall off the back of a lorry: (UK) If someone tries to sell you something that has fallen of the back of a lorry, they are trying to sell you stolen goods.
Fall off the turnip truck: (USA) If someone has just fallen off the turnip truck, they are uninformed, naive and gullible. (Often used in the negative)
Fall off the wagon: If someone falls off the wagon, they start drinking after having given up completely for a time.
Fall on our feet: If you fall on your feet, you succeed in doing something where there was a risk of failure.
Fall on your sword: If someone falls on their sword, they resign or accept the consequences of some wrongdoing.
Familiarity breeds contempt: This means that the more you know something or someone, the more you start to find faults and dislike things about it or them.
Famous last words: This expression is used as a way of showing disbelief, rejection or self-deprecation.'They said we had no chance of winning- famous last words!'
Fast and furious: Things that happen fast and furious happen very quickly without stopping or pausing.
Fat cat: A fat cat is a person who makes a lot of money and enjoys a privileged position in society.
Fat chance!: This idiom is a way of telling someone they have no chance.
Fat head: A fat head is a dull, stupid person.
Fat hits the fire: When the fat hits the fire, trouble breaks out.
Fat of the land: Living off the fat of the land means having the best of everything in life.
Fate worse than death: Describing something as a fate worse than death is a fairly common way of implying that it is unpleasant.
Feast today, famine tomorrow: If you indulge yourself with all that you have today, you may have to go without tomorrow.
Feather in your cap: A success or achievement that may help you in the future is a feather in your cap.
Feather your own nest: If someone feathers their own nest, they use their position or job for personal gain.
Feathers fly: When people are fighting or arguing angrily, we can say that feathers are flying.
Fed up to the back teeth: When you are extremely irritated and fed up with something or someone, you are fed up to the back teeth.
Feel at home: If you feel relaxed and comfortable somewhere or with someone, you feel at home.
Feel free: If you ask for permission to do something and are told to feel free, the other person means that there is absolutely no problem
Feel like a million: If you feel like a million, you are feeling very well (healthy) and happy.
Feel the pinch: If someone is short of money or feeling restricted in some other way, they are feeling the pinch.
Feeling blue: If you feel blue, you are feeling unwell, mainly associated with depression or unhappiness.
Feet of clay: If someone has feet of clay, they have flaws that make them seem more human and like normal people.
Feet on the ground: A practical and realistic person has their feet on the ground.
Fence sitter: Someone that try to support both side of an argument without committing to either is a fence sitter.
Fever pitch: When a situation has reached fever pitch, people are extremely excited or agitated.
Few and far between: If things are few and far between, they happen very occasionally.
Fiddle while Rome burns: If people are fiddling while Rome burns, they are wasting their time on futile things while problems threaten to destroy them.
Fifth columnist: (UK) A fifth columnist is a member of a subversive organisation who tries to help an enemy invade.
Fifth wheel: (USA) A fifth wheel is something unnecessary or useless.
Fight an uphill battle: When you fight an uphill battle, you have to struggle against very unfavourable circumstances.
Fight tooth and nail: If someone will fight tooth and nail for something, they will not stop at anything to get what they want. ('Fight tooth and claw' is an alternative.)
Fighting chance: If you have a fighting chance, you have a reasonable possibility of success.
Find your feet: When you are finding your feet, you are in the process of gaining confidence and experience in something.
Fine and dandy: (UK) If thing's are fine and dandy, then everything is going well.
Fine tuning: Small adjustments to improve something or to get it working are called fine tuning.
Fine words butter no parsnips: This idiom means that it's easy to talk, but talk is not action.
Finger in the pie: If you have a finger in the pie, you have an interest in something.
Fingers and thumbs: If you are all fingers and thumbs, you are being clumsy and not very skilled with your hands.
Fire away: If you want to ask someone a question and they tell you to fire away, they mean that you are free to ask what you want.
Fire in the hole!: This is used as a warning when a planned explosion is about to happen.
Fire on all cylinders: If something is firing on all cylinders, it is going as well as it could.
First come, first served: This means there will be no preferential treatment and a service will be provided to those that arrive first.
First out of the gate: When someone is first out of the gate, they are the first to do something that others are trying to do.
First port of call: The first place you stop to do something is your first port of call.
Fish in troubled waters: Someone who fishes in troubled waters tries to takes advantage of a shaky or unstable situation. The extremists were fishing in troubled waters during the political uncertainty in the country.
Fish or cut bait: (USA) This idiom is used when you want to tell someone that it is time to take action.
Fish out of water: If you are placed in a situation that is completely new to you and confuses you, you are like a fish out of water.
Fishy: If there is something fishy about someone or something, there is something suspicious; a feeling that there is something wrong, though it isn't clear what it is.
Fit as a butcher's dog: Someone who's very healthy, fit or physically attractive is as fit as a butcher's dog.
Fit as a fiddle: If you are fit as a fiddle, you are in perfect health.
Fit for a king: If something is fit for a king, it is of the very highest quality or standard.
Fit like a glove: If something fits like a glove, it is suitable or the right size.
Fit of pique: If someone reacts badly because their pride is hurt, this is a fit of pique.
Fit the bill: If something fits the bill, it is what is required for the task.
Fit to be tied: If someone is fit to be tied, they are extremely angry.
Five o'clock shadow: A five o'clock shadow is the facial hair that a man gets if he doesn't shave for a day or two.
Flash in the pan: If something is a flash in the pan, it is very noticeable but doesn't last long, like most singers, who are very successful for a while, then forgotten.
Flat as a pancake: It is so flat that it is like a pancake- there is no head on that beer it is as flat as a pancake.
Flat out: If you work flat out, you work as hard and fast as you possibly can.
Fleet of foot: If someone is fleet of foot, they are very quick.
Flesh and blood: Your flesh and blood are your blood relatives, especially your immediate family.
Flogging a dead horse: (UK) If someone is trying to convince people to do or feel something without any hope of succeeding, they're flogging a dead horse. This is used when someone is trying to raise interest in an issue that no-one supports anymore; beating a dead horse will not make it do any more work.
Flowery speech: Flowery speech is full of lovely words, but may well lack substance.
Fly by the seat of one's pants: If you fly by the seat of one's pants, you do something difficult even though you don't have the experience or training required.
Fly in the ointment: A fly in the ointment is something that spoils or prevents complete enjoyment of something.
Fly off the handle: If someone flies off the handle, they get very angry.
Fly on the wall: If you are able to see and hear events as they happen, you are a fly on the wall.
Fly the coop: When children leave home to live away from their parents, they fly the coop.
Fly the flag: If someone flies the flag, they represent or support their country. ('Wave the flag' and 'show the flag' are alternative forms of this idiom)
Foam at the mouth: If you foam at the mouth, you are very, very angry.
Follow your nose: When giving directions, telling someone to follow their nose means that they should go straight ahead.
Food for thought: If something is food for thought, it is worth thinking about or considering seriously.
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me: This means that you should learn from your mistakes and not allow people to take advantage of you repeatedly.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread: This idiom is used where people who are inexperienced or lack knowledge do something that more informed people would avoid.
Foot in mouth: This is used to describe someone who has just said something embarrassing, inappropriate, wrong or stupid.
Foot in the door: If you have or get your foot in the door, you start working in a company or organisation at a low level, hoping that you will be able to progress from there.
Foot the bill: The person who foots the bill pays the bill for everybody.
Football's a game of two halves: (UK) If something's a game of two halves, it means that it's possible for someone's fortunes or luck to change and the person who's winning could end up a loser.
For a song: If you buy or sell something for a song, it is very cheap.
For donkey's years: (UK) If people have done something, usually without much if any change, for an awfully long time, they can be said to have done it for donkey's years.
For England: (UK) A person who talks for England, talks a lot- if you do something for England, you do it a lot or to the limit.
For kicks: If you do something for kicks, or just for kicks, you do it purely for fun or thrills.
For my money: This idiom means 'in my opinion'.
For Pete's sake: This is used as an exclamation to show exasperation or irritation.
For the birds: If something is worthless or ridiculous, it is for the birds.
For the love of Pete: Usually used in exasperation, as in 'Oh, for the love of Pete!'
For the time being: For the time being indicates that an action or state will continue into the future, but is temporary. I'm sharing an office for the time being.
Forbidden fruit: Something enjoyable that is illegal or immoral is forbidden fruit.
Foregone conclusion: If the result of, say, a football match is a foregone conclusion, then the result is obvious before the game has even begun.
Forest for the trees: (USA) If someone can't see the forest for the trees, they get so caught up in small details that they fail to understand the bigger picture.
Fortune knocks once at every man's door: Everyone gets one good chance in a lifetime.
Foul play: If the police suspect foul play, they think a crime was committed.
Four corners of the earth: If something goes to, or comes from, the four corners of the earth, it goes or comes absolutely everywhere.
Four-eyes: A person who wears glasses
Four-square behind: If someone stands four-square behind someone, they give that person their full support.
Fourth estate: This is an idiomatic way of describing the media, especially the newspapers.
Free rein: If someone has a free rein, they have the authority to make the decisions they want without any restrictions. ('Free reign' is a common mistake.)
Free-for-all: A free-for-all is a fight or contest in which everyone gets involved and rules are not respected.
French leave: To take French leave is to leave a gathering without saying goodbye or without permission.
Fresh from the oven: If something is fresh from the oven, it is very new.
Freudian Slip: If someone makes a Freudian slip, they accidentally use the wrong word, but in doing so reveal what they are really thinking rather than what they think the other person wants to hear.
Friendly footing: When relationships are on a friendly footing, they are going well.
Frog in my throat: If you have a frog in your throat, you can't speak or you are losing your voice because you have a problem with your throat.
From a different angle: If you look at something from a different angle, you look at it from a different point of view.
From Missouri: (USA) If someone is from Missouri, then they require clear proof before they will believe something.
From pillar to post: If something is going from pillar to post, it is moving around in a meaningless way, from one disaster to another.
From rags to riches: Someone who starts life very poor and makes a fortune goes from rags to riches.
From scratch: This idiom means 'from the beginning'.
From soup to nuts: If you do something from soup to nuts, you do it from the beginning right to the very end.
From the bottom of your heart: If someone does something from the bottom of their heart, then they do it with genuine emotion and feeling.
From the get-go: (USA) If something happens from the get-go, it happens from the very beginning.
From the horse's mouth: If you hear something from the horse's mouth, you hear it directly from the person concerned or responsible.
From the sublime to the ridiculous: If something declines considerably in quality or importance, it is said to have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.
From the word go: From the word go means from the very beginning of something.
Full as a tick: If you are as full as a tick, you have eaten too much.
Full bore: If something is full bore, it involves the maximum effort or is complete and thorough.
Full circle: When something has come full circle, it has ended up where it started.
Full Monty: (UK) If something is the Full Monty, it is the real thing, not reduced in any way.
Full of beans: If someone's full of beans, they are very energetic.
Full of hot air: Someone who is full of hot air talks a lot of rubbish.
Full of oneself: Someone who acts in a arrogant or egotistical manner is full of himself/herself.
Full of piss and vinegar: Someone who's full of piss and vinegar is full of youthful energy.
Full of the joys of spring: If you are full of the joys of spring, you are very happy and full of energy.
Full swing: If a something is in full swing, it is going or doing well.
Full throttle: If you do something full throttle, you do it with as much speed and energy as you can.
Fullness of time: If something happens in the fullness of time, it will happen when the time is right and appropriate.
Fur coat and no knickers: Someone with airs and graces, but no real class is fur coat and no knickers.
Fuzzy thinking: Thinking or ideas that do not agree with the facts or information available

Idiom list (D)

~ D ~

Daft as a brush: (UK) Someone who is daft as a brush is rather stupid.
Damp squib: (UK) If something is expected to have a great effect or impact but doesn't, it is a damp squib.
Dancing on someone's grave: If you will dance on someone's grave, you will outlive or outlast them and will celebrate their demise.
Dark horse: If someone is a dark horse, they are a bit of a mystery.
Davey Jones' locker: Davey Jones' locker is the bottom of the sea or resting place of drowned sailors.('Davy Jones' locker' is an alternative spelling.)
Day in the sun: If you have your day in the sun, you get attention and are appreciated.
Daylight robbery: If you are overcharged or underpaid, it is a daylight robbery; open, unfair and hard to prevent. Rip-off has a similar meaning.
Days are numbered: When someone’s days are numbered, they are expected to die soon.
Dead air: When there is a period of total silence, there is dead air.
Dead and buried: If something is dead and buried, it has all long been settled and is not going to be reconsidered.
Dead as a dodo: If something's dead as a dodo, it is lifeless and dull. The dodo was a bird that lived the island of Mauritius. It couldn't fly and was hunted to extinction.
Dead as a doornail: This is used to indicate that something is lifeless.
Dead duck: If something is a dead duck, it is a failure.
Dead even: If people competing are dead even, they are at exactly the same stage or moving at exactly the same speed.
Dead from the neck up: Someone who's dead from the neck up is very stupid indeed.
Dead heat: If a race ends in a dead heat, two or more finish with exactly the same result.
Dead in the water: If something is dead in the water, it isn't going anywhere or making any progress.
Dead level best: If you try your dead level best, you try as hard as you possibly could to do something.
Dead man walking: A dead man walking is someone who is in great trouble and will certainly get punished, lose their job or position, etc, soon.
Dead meat: This is used as a way of threatening someone: You'll be dead meat if you don't go along.
Dead men's shoes: If promotion or success requires replacing somebody, then it can only be reached by dead men's shoes' by getting rid of them.
Dead right: This means that something or someone is absolutely correct, without doubt.
Dead to the world: If somebody's fast asleep and completely unaware of what if happening around them, he or she's dead to the world.
Dead wrong: If someone is dead wrong, they are absolutely in error, absolutely incorrect or of incorrect opinion.
Deaf as a post: Someone who is as deaf as a post is unable to hear at all.
Dear John letter: A letter written by a partner explaining why they are ending the relationship is a Dear John letter.
Death of a thousand cuts: If something is suffering the death of a thousand cuts, or death by a thousand cuts, lots of small bad things are happening, none of which are fatal in themselves, but which add up to a slow and painful demise.
Death warmed up: (UK) If someone looks like death warmed up, they look very ill indeed. ('death warmed over' is the American form)
Decorate the mahogany: (USA) When someone buys a round a pub or bar, they decorate the mahogany; putting cash on the bar.
Deep pockets: If someone has deep pockets, they are wealthy.
Deep pockets but short arms: Someone who has money but never puts his hand in his pocket to pay for anything has deep pockets but short arms.
Deer in the headlights: When one is caught offguard and needs to make a decision, but cannot react quickly.
Deliver the goods: Do what is required, come up to expectations. For example, Kate delivered the goods and got us the five votes we needed. This phrase alludes to delivering an order of groceries or other items. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]
Demon weed: Tobacco is the demon weed.
Derring-do: If a person shows derring-do, they show great courage.
Devil finds work for idle hands: When people say that the devil finds work for idle hands, they mean that if people don't have anything to do with their time, they are more likely to get involved in trouble and criminality.
Devil is in the detail: When people say that the devil in the detail, they mean that small things in plans and schemes that are often overlooked can cause serious problems later on.
Devil may care: If you live a devil-may-care life it means you are willing to take more risks than most people.
Devil's advocate: If someone plays Devil's advocate in an argument, they adopt a position they don't believe in just for the sake of the argument
Diamond in the rough: A diamond in the rough is someone or something that has great potential, but isn't not refined and polished.
Die is cast: If the die is cast, a decision has been made that cannot be altered and fate will decide the consequences.
Different kettle of fish: If something is a different kettle of fish, it is very different from the other things referenced.
Different ropes for different folks: (USA) This idiom means that different people do things in different ways that suit them.
Different strokes for different folks: (USA) This idiom means that different people do things in different ways that suit them.
Dig way down deep: When someone digs way down deep, they look into their inner feelings to see how they feel about it.
Dig your heels in: If you dig your heels in, you start to resist something.
Dime a dozen: (USA) If something is a dime a dozen, it is extremely common, possibly too common.
Dine on ashes: I someone is dining on ashes he or she is excessively focusing attention on failures or regrets for past actions.
Dinosaur: A dinosaur is a person who is thought to be too old for their position.
Dip your toes in the water: If you dip your toes in the water, you try something tentatively because you are not sure whether it will work or not.
Dirty dog: A dirty dog is an untrustworthy person.
Discerning eye: If a person has a discerning eye, they are particularly good at judging the quality of something.
Discretion is the better part of valour: This idiom means that it is often better to think carefully and not act than to do something that may cause problems.
Dish the dirt: If you dish the dirt on something or someone, you make unpleasant or shocking information public.
Do a Devon Loch: (UK) If someone does a Devon Loch, they fail when they were very close to winning. Devon Loch was a horse that collapsed just short of the winning line of the Grand National race.
Do a Lord Lucan: (UK) If someone disappears without a trace or runs off, they do a Lord Lucan. (Lord Lucan disappeared after a murder)
Do a runner: (UK) If people leave a restaurant without paying, they do a runner.
Do as you would be done by: Treat and respect others as you would hope to be respected and treated by them.
Do the needful: (India) If you do the needful, you do what is necessary.
Do the running: (UK) The person who has to do the running has to make sure that things get done. ('Make the running' is also used.)
Do their dirty work: Someone who does someone's dirty work, carries out the unpleasant jobs that the first person doesn't want to do. Someone who seems to enjoy doing this is sometimes known as a 'henchman'.
Do's and don't's: The do's and don't's are what is acceptable or allowed or not within an area or issue, etc.
Dodge the bullet: If someone has dodged a bullet, they have successfully avoided a very serious problem.
Dog and pony show: (USA) A dog and pony show is a presentation or some marketing that has lots of style, but no real content.
Dog days: Dog days are very hot summer days.
Dog eat dog: In a dog eat dog world, there is intense competition and rivalry, where everybody thinks only of himself or herself.
Dog in the manger: (UK) If someone acts like a dog in the manger, they don't want other people to have or enjoy things that are useless to them.
Dog tired: If you are dog tired, you are exhausted.
Dog's dinner: Something that is a dog's dinner is a real mess.
Dog's life: If some has a dog's life, they have a very unfortunate and wretched life.
Dog-eared: If a book is dog-eared, it is in bad condition, with torn pages, etc.
Dog-whistle politics: (AU) When political parties have policies that will appeal to racists while not being overtly racist, they are indulging in dog-whistle politics.
Doggy bag: If you ask for a doggy bag in a restaurant, they will pack the food you haven't eaten for you to take home.
Doldrums: If a person is in the doldrums, they are depressed. If a project or something similar is in the doldrums, it isn't making any progress.
Dollars for doughnuts: (USA) If something is dollars for doughnuts, it is a sure bet or certainty.
Don't bite the hand that feeds: When someone says this to you, they are trying to tell you not to act against those on whom you depend.
Don't catch your chickens before they're hatched: This means that you should wait until you know whether something has produced the results you desire, rather than acting beforehand. ('Don't count your chickens until they've hatched' is an alternative.)
Don't cry over spilt milk: When something bad happens and nothing can be done to help it people say, 'Don't cry over spilt milk'.
Don't give up the day job: This idiom is used a way of telling something that they do something badly.
Don't hold your breath: If you are told not to hold your breath, it means that you shouldn't have high expectations about something.
Don't judge a book by the cover: This idiom means that you should not judge something or someone by appearances, but should look deeper at what is inside and more important.
Don't know whether to wind a watch or bark at the moon: If you don't know what to do, you don't know whether to wind a watch or bark at the moon.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth: This means that if you are given something, a present or a chance, you should not waste it by being too critical or examining it too closely.
Don't mention the war: This means that you shouldn't speak about things that could cause an argument or tension.This idiom was used in a classic episode of the much-loved British comedy series Fawlty Towers. As a consequence if you use this phrase in Britain, listeners will understand you to be referring to Germans, or just start laughing.
Don't push my buttons!: This can be said to someone who is starting to annoy you.
Don't shoot the messenger: This phrase can be used when breaking some bad news to someone and you don't want to be blamed for the news. ('Don't kill the messenger' is also used.)
Don't stand there with curlers in your hair: This means 'don't keep me waiting'. It's said to someone who is taking too long to get moving.
Don't sweat the small stuff: (USA) This is used to tell people not to worry about trivial or unimportant issues.
Don't take any wooden nickels: (USA) This idiom is used to advise people not to be cheated or ripped off.
Don't throw bricks when you live in a glass house: Don't call others out on actions that you, yourself do. Don't be a hypocrite.
Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you: Don't go looking for trouble or problems- let them come to you.
Don't upset the applecart: If you are advised not to upset the applecart, you are being told not to disturb the way things are done because it might ruin things.
Don't wash your dirty laundry in public: (UK) People, especially couples, who argue in front of others or involve others in their personal problems and crises, are said to be washing their dirty laundry in public; making public things that are best left private. (In American English, 'don't air your dirty laundry in public' is used.)
Done to death: If a joke or story has been done to death, it has been told so often that it has stopped being funny.
Donkey work: Donkey work is any hard, boring work or task.
Donkey's years: This idiom means 'a very long time'.
Doormat: A person who doesn't stand up for themselves and gets treated badly is a doormat.
Dot all the i's and cross all the t's: If you dot all the i's and cross all the t's, you do something very carefully and thoroughly.
Double Dutch: (UK) If something is double Dutch, it is completely incomprehensible.
Double take: If someone does a double take, they react very slowly to something to show how shocked or surprised they are.
Double whammy: A double whammy is when something causes two problems at the same time, or when two setbacks occur at the same time.
Double-edged sword: If someone uses an argument that could both help them and harm them, then they are using a double-edged sword sword; it cuts both ways.
Doubting Thomas: A Doubting Thomas is someone who only believes what they see themselves, not what they are told.
Down and out: If someone is down and out, they are desperately poor and need help.
Down at heel: Someone who is down at heel is short of money. ('Down in heel' is used in American English)
Down for the count: If someone is down for the count, they have lost a struggle, like a boxer who has been knocked out.
Down in the doldrums: If somebody's down in the doldrums, they are depressed and lacking energy.
Down in the dumps: If someone's down in the dumps, they are depressed.
Down in the mouth: If someone is down in the mouth, they look unhappy or depressed.
Down the drain: If something goes down the drain, especially money or work, it is wasted or produces no results.
Down the hatch: This idiom can be said before drinking alcohol in company.
Down the pan: If something has gone down the pan, it has failed or been ruined.
Down the tubes: If something has gone down the tubes, it has failed or been ruined.
Down to the wire: (USA) If something goes down to the wire, like a competition, then it goes to the very last moment before it is clear who has won.
Down-to-earth: Someone who's down-to-earth is practical and realistic. It can also be used for things like ideas.
Drag your feet: If someone is dragging their feet, they are taking too long to do or finish something, usually because they don't want to do it.
Drag your heels: If you drag your heels, you either delay doing something or do it as slowly as possible because you don't want to do it.
Draw a blank: If you try to find something out and draw a blank, you don't get any useful information.
Draw a line in the sand: If you draw a line in the sand, you establish a limit beyond which things will be unacceptable.
Draw a long bow: If someone draws a long bow, they lie or exaggerate.
Draw the line: When you draw the line, you set out limits of what you find acceptable, beyond which you will not go.
Draw the shortest straw: If someone draws the shortest straw, they lose or are chosen to do something unpleasant.
Dress someone down: If you dress someone down, you scold them.
Dress to kill: When someone is dressed to kill, they are dressed very smartly.
Dressed to the nines: If you are in your very best clothes, you're dressed to the nines.
Drink like a fish: If someone drinks like a fish, they drink far too much alcohol.
Drive a wedge: If you drive a wedge between people, you exploit an issue so that people start to disagree.
Drive home: The idiomatic expression 'drive home' means 'reinforce' as in 'The company offered unlimited technical support as a way to drive home the message that customer satisfaction was its highest priority.'
Drive someone up the wall: If something or someone drives you up the wall, they do something that irritates you greatly.
Drive you spare: If someone or something drives you spare, it is extremely annoying.
Driven by a motor: This is used to describe people with Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder when they talk excessively: 'they act as if driven by a motor.'
Drop a bombshell: If someone drops a bombshell, they announce something that changes a situation drastically and unexpectedly.
Drop a dime: (USA) If you drop a dime, you inform the police about someone's illegal activities.
Drop in the bucket: (USA) A drop in the bucket is something so small that it won't make any noticeable difference.
Drop in the ocean: A drop in the ocean implies that something will have little effect because it is small and mostly insignificant.
Drop into your lap: If something drops into your lap, you receive it suddenly, without any warning. ('Fall into your lap' is also used.)
Drop like flies: This means that something is disappearing very quickly. For example, if you said people were dropping like flies, it would mean that they were dying off, quitting or giving up something rapidly.
Drop someone a line: If you drop someone a line, you send a letter to them.
Drop the ball: If someone drops the ball, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities seriously enough and let something go wrong.
Dropped like a hot cake: If something is dropped like a hot cake, it is rejected or disposed of very quickly.
Drown your sorrows: If someone gets drunk or drinks a lot to try to stop feeling unhappy, they drown their sorrows.
Drunk as a lord: (UK) Someone who is very drunk is as drunk as a lord.
Drunker than a peach orchard boar: (USA) Southern US expression - Very drunk, as when a boar would eat fermented peaches that have fallen from the tree.
Dry as a bone: If your lawn is as dry as a bone, the soil is completely dry.
Dry as snuff: If something is as dry as snuff, it is very dry indeed.
Dry run: A dry run is a full rehearsal or trial exercise of something to see how it will work before it is launched.
Dry spell: If something or someone is having a dry spell, they aren't being as successful as they normally are.
Duck soup: (USA) If something is duck soup, it is very easy.
Duck to water: If you take to something like a duck to water, you find when you start that you have a natural affinity for it.
Ducks in a row: (USA) If you have your ducks in a row, you are well-organized.
Dull as ditchwater: (UK) If something is as dull as ditchwater, it is incredibly boring. A ditch is a long narrow hole or trench dug to contain water, which is normally a dark, dirty colour and stagnant (when water turns a funny colour and starts to smell bad). (In American English,'things are 'dull as dishwater'.)
Dumb as a rock: If you are dumb as a rock, you have no common sense and are stupid.
Dunkirk spirit: (UK) Dunkirk spirit is when people pull together to get through a very difficult time.
Dutch auction: If something is sold by setting a price, then reducing it until someone buys it, it is sold in a Dutch auction. It can also mean that something is changed until it is accepted by everyone.
Dutch courage: Dutch courage is the reckless bravery caused by drinking too much.
Dutch treat: If something like a meal is a Dutch treat, then each person pays their own share of the bill.
Dutch uncle: A Dutch uncle is a person who gives unwelcome advice.
Dutch wife: A Dutch wife is a long pillow or a hot water bottle.
Dwell on the past: Thinking too much about the past, so that it becomes a problem is to dwell on the past.
Dyed-in-the-wool: If someone is a dyed-in-the-wool supporter of a political party, etc, they support them totally, without any questions.

Idiom list (C)

~ C ~

Cake's not worth the candle: If someone says that the cake's not worth the candle, they mean that the result will not be worth the effort put in to achieve it.
Calf lick: A calf lick is the weird parting in your fringe where your hair grows in a different direction, usually to one side.
Call a spade a spade: A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience.
Call it a day: If you call it a day, you stop doing something for a while, normally at least until the following day.
Call on the carpet: If you are called on the carpet, you are summoned for a reprimand by superiors or others in power.
Call the dogs off: If someone calls off their dogs, they stop attacking or criticising someone.
Call the shots: If you call the shots, you are in charge and tell people what to do.
Call the tune: The person who calls the tune makes the important decisions about something.
Calm before the storm: A calm time immediately before period of violent activity or argument is the calm before the storm.
Can of worms: If an action can create serious problems, it is opening a can of worms.
Can't dance and it's too wet to plow: (USA) When you can't dance and it's too wet to plow, you may as well do something because you can't or don't have the opportunity to do anything else.
Can't do it for toffee: If you can't so something for toffee, you are incapable of doing something properly or to any sort of standard.
Can't hack it: Unable to perform an act, duty, job etc. (example: I have to quit my job as a computer technician; I just can't hack it.)
Can't hold a candle: If something can't hold a candle to something else, it is much worse.
Can't see the forest for its trees: If someone can't see the forest for its trees, they are too focused on specific details to see the picture as a whole.
Canary in a coal mine: (UK) A canary in a coal mine is an early warning of danger.
Card up your sleeve: If you have a card up your sleeve, you have a surprise plan or idea that you are keeping back until the time is right.
Carpetbagger: A carpetbagger is an opportunist without any scruples or ethics, or a politican who wants to represent a place they have no connection with.
Carrot and stick: If someone offers a carrot and stick, they offer an incentive to do something combined with the threat of punishment.
Carry the can: If you carry the can, you take the blame for something, even though you didn't do it or are only partly at fault.
Carry the day: If something carries the day, it wins a battle (the sense is that the battle has been long and could have gone either way) or competition for supremacy.
Case by case: If things are done case by case, each situation or issue is handled separately on its own merits and demerits.
Case in point: Meaning an instance of something has just occurred that was previously discussed. For instance, a person may have told another that something always happens. Later that day, they see it happening, and the informer might say, 'case in point'.
Cash cow: A product, business, etc, that generates a continuous flow of money or a high proportion of overall profits is a cash cow.
Cash in your chips: If you cash in your chips, you sell something to get what profit you can because you think its value is going to fall. It can also mean 'to die'.
Cast a long shadow: Something or someone that casts a long shadow has considerable influence on other people or events.
Cast aspersion: If you cast aspersion, you try to blacken someone's name and make people think badly of them.
Cast doubt on: If you make other people not sure about a matter, then you have cast doubt on it.
Cast iron stomach: A person with a cast iron stomach can eat or drink anything without any ill effects.
Cast pearls before swine: If you cast pearls before swine, you offer something of value to someone who doesn't appreciate it- 'swine' are 'pigs'.
Cast sheep's eyes at: If you cast sheep's eyes at at someone, you look lovingly or with longing at them.
Cast your mind back: If somebody tells you to cast your mind back on something, they want you to think about something that happened in the past, but which you might not remember very well, and to try to remember as much as possible.
Cast your net widely: If you cast your net widely, you use a wide range of sources when trying to find something.
Casting vote: The casting vote is a vote given to a chairman or president that is used when there is a deadlock.
Castles in the air: Plans that are impractical and will never work out are castles in the air.
Cat among the pigeons: If something or someone puts, or sets or lets, the cat among the pigeons, they create a disturbance and cause trouble.
Cat and dog life: If people lead a cat and dog life, they are always arguing.
Cat burglar: A cat burglar is a skillful thief who breaks into places without disturbing people or setting off alarms.
Cat fur and kitty britches: (USA) When I used to ask my grandma what was for dinner, she would say 'cat fur and kitty britches'. This was her Ozark way of telling me that I would get what she cooked. (Ozark is a region in the center of the United States)
Cat got your tongue?: If someone asks if the cat has got your tongue, they want to know why you are not speaking when they think you should.
Cat nap: If you have a short sleep during the day, you are cat napping.
Cat's lick: (Scot) A cat's lick is a very quick wash.
Cat's pajamas: (USA) Something that is the cat's pajamas is excellent.
Cat's whiskers: Something excellent is the cat's whiskers.
Catch as catch can: This means that people should try to get something any way they can.
Catch hell: If you catch hell, you get into trouble or get scolded. ('Catch heck' is also used.)
Catch some z's: If you catch some z's, you get some sleep.
Catch someone red-handed: If someone is caught red-handed, they are found doing something wrong or illegal.
Catch-22: Catch-22 is a situation where conflicting rules make the desired outcome impossible. It comes from a novel by the American author Joseph Heller, in which pilots would not have to fly missions if they were mentally ill, but not wanting to fly dangerous missions was held to be proof of sanity, so they had to fly anyway. ('Catch 22', without the hyphen, is also used.)
Caught with your hand in the cookie jar: (USA) If someone is caught with his or her hand in the cookie jar, he or she is caught doing something wrong.
Chalk and cheese: Things, or people, that are like chalk and cheese are very different and have nothing in common.
Champ at the bit: If someone is champing at the bit, they are very eager to accomplish something. ('Chomping at the bit' is also used.)
Champagne taste on a beer budget: Someone who lives above their means and likes things they cannot afford has champagne taste on a beer budget.
Champing at the bit: To betray impatience, as to begin some action. "I'm champing at the bit to tell you" "Chomping at the bit" is also commonly used, though some regard it as an error.
Change horses in midstream: If people change horses in midstream, they change plans or leaders when they are in the middle of something, even though it may be very risky to do so.
Change of heart: If you change the way you think or feel about something, you have a change of heart.
Change tack: If you change tack, you use a different method for dealing with something.
Change your tune: If someone changes their ideas or the way they talk about them, they change their tune.
Chaps my ass: When something/someone really annoys you, it chaps your ass.
Chapter and verse: When you know something very well, and can quote it, you know it chapter and verse.
Charity begins at home: This idiom means that family members are more important than anyone else, and should be the focus of a person's efforts.
Chase rainbows: If someone chases rainbows, they try to do something that they will never achieve.
Chase your tail: If you are chasing your tail, you are very busy but not being very productive.
Cheap as chips: (UK) If something is very inexpensive, it is as cheap as chips.
Cheap at half the price: If something's cheap at half the price, it's very cheap indeed.
Cheap shot: A cheap shot is an unprincipled criticism.
Cheat death: If someone cheats death, they narrowly avoid a major problem or accident.
Cheek by jowl: If things or people are cheek by jowl, they are very close together.
Cherry pick: If people cherry pick, they choose things that support their position, while ignoring things that contradict it.
Chew on a bone: If someone is chewing on a bone, he or she is thinking about something intently.
Chew the cud: If you chew the cud, you think carefully about something.
Chew the fat: If you chew the fat with someone, you talk at leisure with them.
Chickenfeed: If something is small or unimportant, especially money, it is chickenfeed.
Child's play: If something is child's play, it is very easy and simple.
Chinese walls: Chinese walls are regulatory information barriers that aim to stop the flow of information that could be misused, especially in financial corporations.
Chinese whispers: (UK) When a story is told from person to person, especially if it is gossip or scandal, it inevitably gets distorted and exaggerated. This process is called Chinese whispers.
Chip off the old block: If someone is a chip off the old block, they closely resemble one or both of the parents in character.
Chip on your shoulder: If someone has a chip on their shoulder, they are resentful about something and feel that they have been treated badly.
Chop and change: If things chop and change, they keep changing, often unexpectedly.
Cigarette paper: If you cannot get or put a cigarette paper between people, they are so closely bonded that nothing will separate them or their positions on issues.
Circle the wagons: (USA) If you circle the wagons, you stop communicating with people who don't think the same way as you to avoid their ideas. It can also mean to bring everyone together to defend a group against an attack.
Circling the drain: If someone is circling the drain, they are very near death and have little time to live. The phrase can also describe a project or plan or campaign that that is on the brink of failure.
Class act: Someone who's a class act is exceptional in what they do.
Clean as a whistle: If something is as clean as a whistle, it is extremely clean, spotless. It can also be used to mean 'completely', though this meaning is less common nowadays. If somebody is clean as a whistle, they are not involved in anything illegal.
Clean bill of health: If something or someone has a clean bill of health, then there's nothing wrong; everything's fine.
Clean break: If you make a clean break, you break away completely from something.
Clean hands: Someone with clean hands, or who keeps their hands clean, is not involved in illegal or immoral activities.
Clean sheet: When someone has a clean sheet, they have got no criminal record or problems affecting their reputation. In football and other sports, a goalkeeper has a clean sheet when let no goals in.
Clean slate: If you start something with a clean slate, then nothing bad from your past is taken into account.
Clean sweep: If someone makes a clean sweep, they win absolutely everything in a competition or contest.
Clean your clock: If you clean your clock, you beat someone decisively in a contest or fight.
Clear as a bell: If something is as clear as a bell, it is very clear or easy to understand.
Clear as mud: If something is as clear as mud, then it is very confusing and unclear.
Cliffhanger: If something like a sports match or an election is a cliffhanger, then the result is so close that it cannot be predicted and will only be known at the very end.
Climb on the bandwagon: When people climb on the bandwagon they do something because it is popular and everyone else is doing it.
Climb the greasy pole: Advance within an organisation - especially in politics.
Cling to hope: If people cling to hope, they continue to hope though the chances of success are very small.
Close at hand: If something is close at hand, it is nearby or conveniently located.
Close but no cigar: (USA) If you are close but no cigar, you are close to success, but have not got there.
Close call: If the result of something is a close call, it is almost impossible to distinguish between the parties involved and to say who has won or whatever. It can also mean that you very nearly have a serious accident or get into trouble.
Close shave: If you have a close shave, you very nearly have a serious accident or get into trouble.
Close the stable door after the horse has bolted: If people try to fix something after the problem has occurred, they are trying to close the stable door after the horse has bolted. 'Close the barn door after the horse has bolted' is alternative, often used in American English.
Close to your heart: If something is close to your heart, you care a lot about it. ('Dear to your heart' is an alternative.)
Closed book to me: If a subject is a closed book to you, it is something that you don't understand or know anything about.
Cloth ears: If you don't listen to people, they may suggest you have cloth ears.
Cloud cuckoo land: If someone has ideas or plans that are completely unrealistic, they are living on cloud cuckoo land.
Cloud nine: If you are on cloud nine, you are extremely happy. ('cloud seven' is a less common alternative)
Cloud of suspicion: If a cloud of suspicion hangs over an individual, it means that they are not believed or are distrusted.
Cloud on the horizon: If you can see a problem ahead, you can call it a cloud on the horizon.
Clutch at straws: If someone is in serious trouble and tries anything to help them, even though their chances of success are probably nil, they are clutching at straws.
Clutch play: If an activity is referred to as a clutch play, it means that the activity was the key to the success or failure of the venture. For instance, a clutch play in a baseball game may be striking out a batter with the bases loaded.
Coals to Newcastle: (UK) Taking, bringing, or carrying coals to Newcastle is doing something that is completely unnecessary.
Coast is clear: When the coast is clear, the people supposed to be watching you are not there and you are able to move or leave.
Cock a snook: To make a rude gesture by putting one thumb to the nose with the fingers outstretched.
Cock and bull story: A cock and bull story is a lie someone tells that is completely unbelievable.
Cock in the henhouse: This is used to describe a male in an all-female environment.
Cock of the walk: A man who is excessively confident and thinks he's better than other people is the cock of the walk.
Cold day in hell: This is used as a prediction there is no chance some event or condition will ever happen.'There will be a cold day in hell before he manages it.'
Cold feet: If you get cold feet about something, you lose the courage to do it.
Cold fish: A cold fish is a person who doesn't show how they feel.
Cold light of day: If you see things in the cold light of day, you see them as they really are, not as you might want them to be.
Cold shoulder: If you give or show someone the cold shoulder, you are deliberately unfriendly and unco-operative towards them.
Cold sweat: If something brings you out in a cold sweat, it frightens you a lot.
Cold turkey: If someone suddenly stops taking drugs, instead of slowly cutting down, they do cold turkey.
Colder than a witches tit: If it is colder than a witches tit, it is extremely cold outside.
Collateral damage: Accidental or unintended damage or casualties are collateral damage.
Collect dust: If something is collecting dust, it isn't being used any more.
Color bar: Rules that restrict access on the basis of race or ethnicity are a color bar.
Come a cropper: (UK) Someone whose actions or lifestyle will inevitably result in trouble is going to come a cropper.
Come clean: If someone comes clean about something, they admit to deceit or wrongdoing.
Come hell or high water: If someone says they'll do something come hell or high water, they mean that nothing will stop them, no matter what happens.
Come of age: When something comes of age it develops completely and reaches maturity. When someone comes of age, they reach adulthood or fulfill their potential.
Come on hard: If you come on hard, you are aggressive in your dealing with someone.
Come on the heels of: If something comes on the heels of something, it follows very soon after it.
Come out in the wash: If something will come out in the wash, it won't have any permanent negative effect.
Come out of the woodwork: When things come out of the woodwork, they appear unexpectedly. ('Crawl out of the woodwork' is also used.)
Come out of your shell: If someone comes out of their shell, they stop being shy and withdrawn and become more friendly and sociable.
Come rain or shine: If I say I'll be at a place come rain or shine, I mean that I can be relied on to turn up; nothing, not even the vagaries of British weather, will deter me or stop me from being there.
Come to a head: If events reach a crisis point, they come to a head.
Come to bear: If something comes to bear on you, you start to feel the pressure or effect of it.
Come to call: If someone comes to call, they respond to an order or summons directly.
Come to grips: If you come to grips with a problem or issue, you face up to it and deal with it.
Come to heel: If someone comes to heel, they stop behaving in a way that is annoying to someone in authority and start being obedient.
Come up roses: If things come up roses, they produce a positive result, especially when things seemed to be going badly at first.
Come up smelling of roses: (UK) If someone comes up smelling of roses, they emerge from a situation with their reputation undamaged.
Come up trumps: When someone is said to have 'come up trumps', they have completed an activity successfully or produced a good result, especially when they were not expected to.
Come what may: If you're prepared to do something come what may, it means that nothing will stop or distract you, no matter how hard or difficult it becomes.
Come with the territory: If something comes with the territory, it is part of a job or responsibility and just has to be accepted, even if unpleasant.
Comes with the territory: If something comes with the territory, especially when undesirable, it is automatically included with something else, like a job, responsibility, etc.('Goes with the territory' is also used.)
Comfort zone: It is the temperature range in which the body doesn't shiver or sweat, but has an idiomatic sense of a place where people feel comfortable, where they can avoid the worries of the world. It can be physical or mental.
Connect the dots: When you connect the dots, you understand the connections and relationships.
Constitution of an ox: If someone has the constitution of an ox, they are less affected than most people by things like tiredness, illness, alcohol, etc.
Cook someone's goose: If you cook someone's goose, you ruin their plans.
Cook the books: If people cook the books, they keep false accounts to make money illegally or avoid paying tax.
Cooking with gas: (USA) If you're cooking with gas, you're working very efficiently.
Cool as a cat: To act fine when you a actually scared or nervous
Cool your heels: If you leave someone to cool their heels, you make them wait until they have calmed down.
Coon's age: (USA) A very long time, as in 'I haven't seen her in a coon's age!'
Corner a market: If a business is dominant in an area and unlikely to be challenged by other companies, it has cornered the market.
Couch potato: A couch potato is an extremely idle or lazy person who chooses to spend most of their leisure time horizontal in front of the TV and eats a diet that is mainly junk food.
Could eat a horse: If you are very hungry, you could eat a horse.
Couldn't give two hoots: If you couldn't give two hoots about something, you don't care at all about it.
Count sheep: If people cannot sleep, they are advised to count sheep mentally.
Count your blessings: When people count their blessings, they concentrate on all the good things in their lives instead of the negative ones.
Country mile: (USA) A country mile is used to describe a long distance.
Cover all the bases: If you cover all the bases, you deal with all aspects of a situation or issue, or anticipate all possibilities. ('Cover all bases' is also used.)
Crack a nut with a sledgehammer: If you use a sledgehammer to crack a nut, you apply too much force to achieve a result. ('Jackhammer' is also used.)
Crack of dawn: The crack of dawn is very early in the morning.
Crash a party: If you crash a party, or are a gatecrasher, you go somewhere you haven't been invited to.
Cream of the crop: The cream of the crop is the best there is.
Cream rises to the top: A good person or idea cannot go unnoticed for long, just as cream poured in coffee or tea eventually rises to the top.
Creature comforts: If a person said "I hate camping. I don't like giving up my creature comforts." the person would be referring, in particular, to the comfortable things he/she would have at home but not when camping. At home, for example, he/she would have complete shelter from the weather, a television, a nice comfortable warm bed, the ability to take a warm bath or shower, comfortable lounge chairs to relax in and so on. The person doesn't like giving up the material and psychological benefits of his/her normal life.
Crème de la crème: The crème de la crème is the very best of something.
Crepe hanger: (USA) One who always looks at the bad side of things and is morbid or gloomy. In olden days crepe was hung on the door of a deceased person's home.
Crocodile tears: If someone cries crocodile tears, they pretend to be upset or affected by something.
Crooked as a dog's hind leg: Someone who is very dishonest is as crooked as a dog's hind leg.
Cross swords: When people cross swords, they argue or dispute. This expression is used when some groups accuse each other for non-adherence to norms. Actually no sword is used but the tempo of the argument is high enough to cause worsening of the already bad situation. It is a tussle (vehement struggle without use of arms) between the parties to establish supremacy.
Cross that bridge when you come to it: If you will cross that bridge when you come to it, you will deal with a problem when it arises, but not until that point
Cross to bear: If someone has a cross to bear, they have a heavy burden of responsibility or a problem that they alone must cope with.
Crossing the Rubicon: When you are crossing the Rubicon, you are passing a point of no return. After you do this thing, there is no way of turning around. The only way left is forward.
Crunch time: When people, companies, etc, have to make an important decision that will have a considerable effect on their future, it is crunch time.
Cry wolf: If someone cries wolf, they raise a false alarm about something.
Cry your eyes out: If you cry your eyes out, you cry uncontrollably.
Cry-baby: A cry-baby is a person who gets emotional and cries too easily.
Cuckoo in the nest: Is an issue or a problem, etc, is a cuckoo in the nest, it grows quickly and crowds out everything else.
Cupboard love: (UK) To show love to gain something from someone
Curate's egg: (UK) If something is a bit of a curate's egg, it is only good in parts.
Curiosity killed the cat: As cats are naturally curious animals, we use this expression to suggest to people that excessive curiosity is not necessarily a good thing, especially where it is not their business.
Curry favour: If people try to curry favour, they try to get people to support them. ('Curry favor' is the American spelling.)
Curve ball: (USA) If something is a curve ball, it is deceptive.
Cut a long story short: This idiom is used as a way of shortening a story by getting to to the end or the point.
Cut a rug: To cut a rug is to dance.
Cut above: If a person is described as a cut above other people, they are better in some way.
Cut and dried: If something is cut and dried, then everything has already been decided and, in the case of an opinion, might be a little stale and predictable.
Cut and run: If people cut and run, they take what they can get and leave before they lose everything.
Cut corners: If people try to do something as cheaply or as quickly as possible, often sacrificing quality, they are cutting corners.
Cut down the tall poppies: (AU) If people cut down the tall poppies, they criticise people who stand out from the crowd.
Cut it fine: If you cut it fine, you only just manage to do something- at the very last moment. 'Cut things fine' is the same. 'Cut it a bit fine' is a common variation.
Cut off your nose to spite your face: If you cut off your nose to spite your face, you do something rash or silly that ends up making things worse for you, often because you are angry or upset.
Cut someone some slack: To relax a rule or make an allowance, as in allowing someone more time to finish something.
Cut the Gordian knot: If someone cuts the Gordian knot, they solve a very complex problem in a simple way.
Cut the mustard: If somebody or something doesn't cut the mustard, they fail or it fails to reach the required standard.
Cut to the chase: If you cut to the chase, you get to the point, or the most interesting or important part of something without delay.
Cut to the quick: If someone's cut to the quick by something, they are very hurt and upset indeed.
Cut your coat according to your cloth: If you cut your coat according to your cloth, you only buy things that you have sufficient money to pay for.
Cut your losses: If you cut your losses, you avoid losing any more money than you already have by getting out of a situation before matters worsen.
Cut your teeth on: The place where you gain your early experience is where you cut your teeth.
Cute as a bug: (USA) If something is as cute as a bug, it is sweet and endearing.
Cuts no ice: If something cuts no ice, it doesn't have any effect or influence.
Cutting edge: Something that is cutting edge is at the forefront of progress in its area.

Wesley Review Stage

Thursday, May 27, 2010

Idiom list (I)

~ I ~

Idiom list (F)

~ F ~

Idiom list (D)

~ D ~

Idiom list (C)

~ C ~

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