IDIOMS

by adminMay 12, 202344

Some commonly used Idioms

A HARD NUT TO CRACK:- something which is very difficult or a problem that is difficult to solve
AS COOL AS CUCUMBER:- when a person is very calm and cool and does not get affected by stress or trouble easily
AS WEAK AS KITTEN:- weak, sickly
A YES MAN:- a man who agrees to everybody to get a favour from them
APPLE PIE ORDER:- neat and tidy in the arrangement, everything in the correct place
A FISH OUT OF THE WATER:- not feeling relaxed, being uncomfortable and restless
A TROUBLE SHARED IS TROUBLE HALVED:- a problem shared is problem halved
APPLES AND ORANGES:- an unfair comparison or an item which cannot be compared
A BLACK DAY:- a day on which something terrible has happened
ALL DAY LONG:- the whole day, throughout the day
AS FIT AS FIDDLE:- when a person is very healthy and physically fit
ADJOURN A MEETING:- to end a meeting
AS DIFFERENT AS CHALK AND CHEESE:- for two things which are completely different from each other
A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS:- if you want something to happen, it takes longer
AS EASY AS PIE:- something which is very easy
AS HAPPY AS LARK:- to be very happy and cheerful
ADD INSULT TO INJURY:- worsen the bad situation
BLIND AS A BAT:- unconscious to something
BEAT THE HEAT:- finding a way to stay cool when it is a scorching heat outside
BUCKET LIST:- a list of achievements or experiences someone wants to have during their:- for two things which are completely different from each other
A WATCHED POT NEVER BOILS:- if you want something to happen, it takes longer
AS EASY AS PIE:- something which is very easy
BLIND AS A BAT:- unconscious to something
BE IN DUTCH:- when a person is in trouble
BEAT THE HEAT:- finding a way to stay cool when it is a scorching heat outside
BUCKET LIST:- a list of achievements or experiences someone wants to have during their lifetime
BREAK ONE’S NECK:- trying very hard to achieve something
BITTER PILL TO SWALLOW:- an unpleasant fact that needs to be accepted
BAT AN EYELASH:- showing an emotion
BACK ON ONE’S FEET:- recovering from an illness( either mentally or physically)
BUY A LEMON:- buy a defective item
BALLPARK FIGURE:- An Approximate amount or an estimated amount of something.
BREAK THE NEWS:- revealing something very important and especially after a long time of keeping it as a secret.
BY HOOK OR BY CROOK:- doing something by any means, no matter what circumstances are
BALL IS IN YOUR COURT:- it is up to you
BEAT AROUND THE BUSH:- when someone does not come to the main point or issue and keeps talking about irrelevant things which are not related to the topic.
BLOOD RUNS COLD:- when someone is very scared.
BURY THE HATCHET:- settle down an unresolved matter or making peace
BEGIN TO SEE THE LIGHT:- begin to understand something
BRAIN BOX: it is used to describe a person who is very intelligent
CHILD’S PLAY:- something which is very easy.
CLEAR THE AIR:- remove misunderstanding or calm anger
CALL THE SHOTS:- giving orders
CAT GOT YOUR TONGUE:- it refers to the time when a person does not have anything to say
COLD-HEARTED:- it is used to describe the person who is not generous or a person who is very cruel
CHILL TO THE BONE:- to frighten somebody or to make someone feel very scared
COCK AND BULL STORY:- the story which is likely to be fake or untrue and used as an explanation or excuse
CUP OF JOE:- a cup of coffee
CHILL TO THE MORROW:- to get very scared
CRY OVER SPILT MILK:- regretting about those things that had already happened in the past.
COST AN ARM AND A LEG:- something which is costly.
CHOW DOWN:- eat very fast
DRIVE CRAZY:- to make someone infuriated or irritated and to disturb someone
DRAW A LINE:- fix a limit
DEAD LOSS:- the person or thing that is not useful or helpful
DROP LIKE FLIES:- when people are falling ill and dying around the same time
DOCTOR IT UP:- fix or repair something on a temporary basis
DEAD END JOB:- a job which has no future for you.
DRIBS AND DRABS:- little by little, small quantities
DOWN IN THE DUMPS:- unhappy, when someone feels blue
DRESSED TO KILL:- wearing one of your best attires or outfit
DROWN ONE’S SORROWS:- to drink a lot of alcohol to cope up with or forget problems
EAGER BEAVER:- to describe a person who is ambitious and hardworking
EATS LIKE A HORSE:- a person who eats a lot
EVERY CLOUD HAS A SILVER LINING:- there is something good in everything that is bad
EVERY NOW AND THEN:- use to say how often something happens or is done
ESCAPE NOTICE:- don’t mind
ELVIS HAS LEFT THE BUILDING:- the show has come to an end, it’s over.
EVERY TRICK IN THE BOOK:- every possible way
FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL:- to fight very ferociously or when a person is so desperate to achieve something
FAIRWEATHER FRIEND:- a person who supports you in your good days only or a friend of good days.
FAKE IT TILL YOU MAKE IT:- pretend to be a person you always wanted to become
FORTY WINKS:- sleep for a while, taking a siesta
FULL OF BEANS:- to be very excited and enthusiastic
FEEL LIKE A MILLION BUCKS:- to feel ecstatic and wonderful
FLOOR SOMEONE:- confuse or surprise someone
FOR THE TIME BEING:- at the present time
FAIR AND SQUARE:- to describe an honest person
FLY OFF THE HANDLE:- to get angry
FOR THE BIRDS:- terrible, awful
GET A LIFE:- to stop wasting time in useless or trivial works
GET OFF ONE’S BACK:- leave someone alone, don’t bother
GET THE SNOW ON THE ROAD:- to start a project or work
GIVE A PIECE OF MIND:- to scold
GET UNDER SOMEONE’S SKIN:- to annoy, bother and upset someone
GIVE IT ONE’S BEST SHOT:- try very hard
GOOD SAMARITAN:- it is used to describe the person who tries to help everyone who is in need or trouble
GIVE SOMEONE A GREEN LIGHT:- permit to go ahead with a project
GO THROUGH FIRE AND WATER:- to take any risk
GREEN WITH ENVY:- to be upset or unhappy about something or getting jealous
GOING TO HELL IN A HAND BASKET:- in an extremely bad state and becoming worse
HOME IS WHERE THE HEART IS:- a place you feel connected emotionally
HANDLE WITH KID GLOVES:- b very careful or tactful
HAND OVER FIST:- rapidly, very fast, quickly
HARD FEELINGS:- anger, bitterness
HIGH ROLLER:- a wealthy person or a company that makes risky investments
HANDS ARE TIED:- to not be able to do anything about the situation
HARD CHEESE:- bad luck, tough luck
HASTE MAKES WASTE:- if you do things in a hurry, you can make mistakes
HAVING A CRUSH:- infatuated with someone
HIGH AND DRY:- alone, without help, stranded
IN A FOG:- in a great confusion
I COULD EAT A HORSE:- to be starved and extremely hungry
IN THE LOOP:- to be aware of the information
IN SEVENTH HEAVEN:- to be extremely happy
IN THE SAME BOAT:- in a similar situation
IN THE RED:- losing money
IN A HOT WATER:- when a person is in a critical situation or a trouble
IN A DOG HOUSE:- in a big trouble
IN A RUT:- when a person keeps doing the same thing again and again and gets bored of it.
IDLE HANDS ARE THE DEVIL’S TOOLS:- an idle person is likely to do something evil
JOT OR TITTLE:- a very small amount
JUMP THE GUN:- to begin something too early without even thinking
JACK UP:- raise prices
JACK OF ALL TRADES:- a person who is multitasking or can do multiple tasks.
THE JITTERS:- anxiety, nervousness
JAILBIRD:- a hardened animal
JAUNDICED EYE:- to have prejudice or jealousy
KICK THE BUCKET:- die
KEEP ONE’S SHIRT ON:- be patient, wait
KNOCK IT OFF:- stop
KILL TWO BIRD WITH ONE STONE:- when a person accomplishes two things at the same time
KNOCK SOMEONE’S SOCKS OFF:- when a person impresses somebody
KEEP YOUR NOSE CLEAN:- to avoid trouble by not doing anything wrong
KEEP AN EYE ON:- to be watching carefully
KEEP BODY AND SOUL TOGETHER:- manage to stay alive with very little money
KID AROUND:- fool, play, joke
KEEP SOMETHING UNDER YOUR HAT:- keep something a secret
KEEP TABS ON:- watch, check
KEEP SOMETHING AT BAY:- keep something away
KNOCKED ME FOR A LOOP:- surprise
LEARN THE ROPES:- acquire special knowledge of a job
LEAVE A BAD TASTE IN ONE’S MOUTH:- make a bad impression or make or feel disgusted
LET THE BYGONES BE BYGONES:- forgetting all the disputes and fights that took place between us or remove all the grudges.
LIKE TAKING CANDY FROM A BABY:- something which is very easy to do
LET THE CAT OUT OF THE BAG:- reveal a secret
LOWER THE BOOM:- punishing someone strictly
LEARN TO WALK BEFORE YOU RUN:- to take small steps initially
LEND ME YOUR EAR:- ask for someone’s full attention
LOVE TO DEATH:- love someone very much
LET YOUR HEART RULE YOUR HEAD:- taking decisions logically rather than emotionally.
LEAVE NO STONE UNTURNED:- try your level best to accomplish something
MIND YOUR OWN BEESWAX:- not interfering into someone else matter
MILES TO GO BEFORE I SLEEP:- you have a lot of things to do before you can take rest
MEMORY LIKE A SIEVE:- when you can’t memorize anything and when your memory power is too weak
MISS THE BOAT:- lose an opportunity
MAKE A HIT:- be successful
MAKE A DENT IN:- make progress
MAKE A BUNDLE:- earning and making a lot of money
MISS A TRICK:- take advantage of every situation
MONKEY BUSINESS:- silly acts
MAKE ENDS MEET:- balance one’s budget, meet one’s payments
NO DICE:- no, certainly not
NITWIT:- a person who messes up everything, idiot
NEXT OF KIN:- close relatives
NO SPARK OF DECENCY:- no manners
NOT THE SHARPEST TOOL IN THE SHED:- someone who is not very clear according to others
NEW KID ON THE BLOCK:- a new arrival in a place, group or organization
NOOK AND CORNER:- every part of the place
NO BED OR ROSES:- to be in a very uncomfortable situation
NOBODY’S FOOL:- smart and competent person
NO SPRING CHICKEN:- when a person is no longer a young
NOT SO HOT:- not very good
NUTS ABOUT:- in love with, enthusiastic about
OVER THE MOON:- to be ecstatic and extremely happy
ON A CLOUD NINE:- to be very happy and thrilled
ON THE BALL:- when a person understands the situation very well
ONCE IN A BLUE MOON:- when something is done not very often(rarely)
ON THE TIP OF MY TONGUE:- when you know something like a name or word but cannot say because you don’t remember it at a particular moment
OPEN THE CAN OF WORMS:- creating a situation of trouble for self and others as well.
OUT OF THE BLUE:- unexpectedly, by surprise, from nowhere
OFF THE RECORD:- something that should be kept private and not known publicly
OUT OF THE WOODS:- when everything is clear and not in danger anymore.
ON EASY STREET:- when a person is living a simple, pleasant and secure life.
OFF COLOR:- dirty, unpleasant, rude
OUT OF ACTION:- when something is not functioning and cannot be used
PAT ON THE BACK:- when someone is commended for doing a job very well or giving an appreciation to someone
PASS THE BUCK:- passing the responsibilities to others
PAY THROUGH THE NOSE:- when a person has to pay too much to buy something.
PIECE OF CAKE:- when something is very easy to do
PICK UP THE TAB:- paying the bills and check
PAIN IN THE NECK:- it is used to describe the person who is annoying
PAINT THE TOWN RED:- to have a lot of fun or to celebrate
PIG IN A POKE:- when a person buys something without examining it properly.
PLAY BY EAR:- make your decisions in different situations accordingly
PUT IN ONE’S TWO CENTS:- give one’s opinion
RUN AROUND IN CIRCLES:- seem to be confused or doing a lot but accomplish little
RUN RAGGED:- when a person is wrecked or exhausted
RAKE IT IN:- making a lot of money
RAGS TO RICHES:- when a poor person becomes very wealthy
RAINING CATS AND DOGS:- when it rains heavily
ROUND THE CLOCK:- when a person does something continuously for a long time without taking a break
RUNDOWN:- when something is in a very bad condition
SELL LIKE HOTCAKES:- when something is sold quickly or fast
SLIP OF THE TONGUE:- a mistake in speech or writing
SCATTER AROUND:- put things in different places carelessly
SPIC AND SPAN:- very neat and clean
STEAL SOMEONE’S THUNDER:- when a person takes credit for something that others did
SIT ON THE FENCE:- when a person does not want to make decisions or choice
STRIKE THE IRON WHEN IT IS HOT:- to grab an opportunity at the right time or to take advantage of that opportunity
SWEAT BULLETS:- to be very nervous
SKATING ON THIN ICE:- to do something very dangerous
SILENCE IS GOLDEN:- it is better to not say anything at all
SOFTEN THE BLOW:- to make a bad situation less serious
SPILL THE BEANS:- to reveal the secret
SPITTING IMAGE:- looks exactly as someone else
SADDER
THROW UNDER THE BUS:- to deceive or betray someone for self benefits
TAKE A CRACK AT:- try or attempt something
THROW IN THE TOWEL:- to surrender, to give up
TIGHT SQUEEZE:- when someone does not have money or going through a financial crisis
THE LION’S DEN:- a place where a person feels uncomfortable
TO BELL THE CAT:- to take risks
TEARJERKER:- story that makes you cry
TAKE A BULL BY THE HORNS:- to take a strong action or an action which needs to be taken immediately
TAKE SOMETHING TO HEART:- not to take something seriously
TICKLED PINK:- to be extremely happy or ecstatic
TO HIT THE NAIL ON THE HEAD:- to say the exact right thing.
TO BREAK THE ICE:- to begin the conversation
TO COIN MONEY:- make money rapidly
TASTE OF YOUR OWN MEDICINE:- taking revenge from someone who mistreated you.
UNDER THE WEATHER:- feeling sick or not well
UNDER THE GUN:- under the pressure
UNDER THE TABLE:- illegal money transaction, such as paying a bribe
UNDER THE THUMB OF:- under the control of
UPSET THE APPLECART:- to ruin or spoil a plan or idea
USE ONE’S NOODLE:- think
UP TO SOMEONE:- someone’s choice
UP FOR GRABS:- when a person is available for everyone
VIM AND VIGOR:- full of energy and enthusiasm
VIPER IN BOSOM:- when a person betrays you after getting help from you.
VANISH INTO THE AIR:- to disappear suddenly
X- RATED:- something which is not suitable for children
WEAR THE PANTS:- be the head of the family who makes all the decisions.
WET BLANKET:- a party pooper or a person who spoils the atmosphere by discouraging everyone from having fun
WHITE AS A GHOST:- to get shocked or surprised due to fear, illness
WHEN THE CHIPS ARE DOWN:- at the worst times or difficult times
WET BEHIND THE EARS:- the person who does not have an experience
WITH FLYING COLOURS:- with great or total success
WITH A FINE TOOTHED COMB:- very carefully
WHERE THERE IS A WILL THERE IS A WAY:- will power can beat any kind of difficulties
WEAR HEART ON SLEEVE:- displaying emotions openly
WHOLE NINE YARDS:- everything that is possible, all of something
YOUR CALL:- to leave a decision on somebody else
YOUR GUESS IS AS GOOD AS MINE:- when a person does not know the answer
YOU ARE IN A DEEP WATER:- when a person is in a very difficult situation or in trouble
ZIP IT:- to ask someone to shut up
ZIP YOUR LIP:- to stop talking
ZONK OUT:- to fall asleep promptly