Writer's Toolkit: Compilation Of 650+ Idioms And Phrases

While your writing should be fluid and concise enough for readers to get the message, you should not forgo playing with words. Idioms and phrases are a medium for writing wizardry. In fact, anyone who uses English for day-to-day conversation or communication should ideally have some idea about them

People often utter idioms and phrases in a single breath, thinking both are the same. Wrong! If you're one of those individuals not sure on how the two differ, I'd recommend you to read this. To help build your English language arsenal, I've compiled a list of 650+ idioms and phrases. Credit for this list goes to the creator of the 'Idioms' App that I downloaded from the App Store. 

For each idiom/phrase, you'll find the meaning and an example.

In case you want to report any error or share an idiom or phrase not covered in this list, do comment!

A (real) go-getter: A very ambitious, hard-working person.

Sentence: She’s a real go-getter.

A baker’s dozen: A group of 13.

Sentence: Check out our baker’s dozen language learning tips.

A banana skin: An unforeseen and embarrassing mistake.

Sentence: He had no idea what a banana skin the latest software update would be until after his company’s entire network crashed.

A bang-up job: Successful completion of a task.

Sentence: Billy really did a bang-up job building the kennel for his new puppy.

A big gun: An important person.

Sentence: Many big guns were there in the party.

A bit dodgy: Somewhat unsafe or dangerous.

Sentence: This car looks a bit dodgy to drive in traffic.

A bird in hand is worth two in the bush: It’s better to hold onto something than risk losing it for something better.

Sentence: Are you sure about letting go of this property? With recession coming around, a bird in hand is worth two in the bush.

A bite of the cherry:  A good opportunity that isn’t available to everyone.

Sentence: Jason heard about a new investment opportunity that can turn out to be very profitable. He definitely wants a bite of the cherry.

A blind alley: Path that leads nowhere.

Sentence: After spending years trying to prove his hypothesis but failing to get the results he had hoped for, the physicist feared that he had wasted too much time heading down a blind alley.

A blue-eyed boy: A critical description of a person (male) who is always picked for special favors by someone in a position of higher authority.

Sentence: He is such a blue-eyed boy! I don’t like that the manager always treats him as if he is special.

A bolt from the blue: When some unexpected bad news is received.

Sentence: It was a complete bolt from the blue for us, we had no idea that they were having problems, let alone getting divorced.

A bone of contention: Something that people disagree about.

Sentence: The issue of working on Saturday evenings is a bone of contention between the store and the workers.

A bull in a china shop: A Tactless person who upsets others or spoils plans; clumsy.

Sentence: The boy is like a bull in a china shop so you should be careful if you invite him to your house.

A burning question: A current problem of general interest.

Sentence: There’s a burning question that needs to be answered: Why did you leave your wife of only one month.

A cat in gloves catches no mice: If you are too careful and polite, then you may not get what you want.

Sentence: A cat in glove catches no mice and I advised my friend that he should be more aggressive at work.

A catnap:  A sort sleep taken during the day.

Sentence: I had a catnap in the afternoon.

A cat on a hot tin roof:  Full of lively activity.

Sentence: The boy was jumping around like a cat on a hot tin roof and we could not get him quiet.

A chicken-hearted person: Coward.

Sentence: I haven’t seen a chicken-hearted man like you before.

A church mouse: Very poor.

Sentence: My cousin is as poor as a church mouse and never has any money to spend.

A closefisted man: Unwilling to spend money.

Sentence: The manager is very closefisted with expenditures.

A cock and bull story: An imaginary story; a story that is not true.

Sentence: She told me some cock-and-bull story about her car breaking down.

A day late and a dollar short: When something comes or happens a little too late and is no longer good enough to accept.

Sentence: They offered me a contract after I’d already accepted another job offer – a day late and a dollar short.

A dead duck: A plan, an event, etc. that has failed or is certain to fail and therefore not worth discussing.

Sentence: The project was a dead duck from the start due to a lack of funding.

A devil of a job: A difficult job or task.

Sentence: It was a devil of a job and I did not finish until very late.

A dog’s hind leg: Dishonest.

Sentence: The politician is as crooked as a dog’s hind leg and nobody trusts him.

A dumb bunny: Stupid or gullible person.

Sentence: He really is dumb bunny; he does such stupid things.

A fair crack at something: An opportunity to try one’s ability at a task.

Sentence: I wish they would let me have a fair crack at scoring a goal next game.

A foot in the door: To manage to enter an organization, a field of business, etc. that could bring you success.

Sentence: I always wanted to work for that company, but it took me two years to get a foot in the door.

A golden handshake: A large sum of money that is paid to a retiring manager or director, or to a redundant worker.

Sentence: The company Chairman received a huge golden handshake when he retired.

A grey area: Something that is not clearly defined, and there is still debate as to whether it is black or white.

Sentence: Some of the current rules surrounding bedroom tax in the UK seem to be in a grey area.

A grip on oneself: Control over one’s emotions.

Sentence: Calm down, man! Get a grip on yourself.

A highly colored report: Refers to a report that is exaggerated or has a biased view.

Sentence: The high colored burglary report had to be rewritten.

A horse of a different color:  Another matter altogether; something different than the subject that is being discussed.

Sentence: Changing locations is a horse of a different color and was never discussed in the meeting.

A klutz:  An awkward, uncoordinated person.

Sentence: Don’t ask Jeff to dance with you. He’s a real klutz.

A know-it-all: Someone who acts as if he/she knows everything.

Sentence: A know-it-all is detested by everyone.

A laugh a minute: Used to describe someone who is very funny.

Sentence:  I love hanging out with Jenny, she’s a laugh a minute!

A leopard can’t change its spots: You cannot change someone’s basic human nature or bad qualities.

Sentence: The manager wrote a letter of apology to the customers but a leopard can’t change its spots.

A lone wolf: Someone who prefers to spend time alone and has few friends.

Sentence: That girl’s a lone wolf.

A low blow: A big disappointment.

Sentence: He’s good. So, it was indeed low blow for him to be laid off unexpectedly.

A mile a minute: To do something very quickly.

Sentence: I couldn’t keep track of everything he was saying. He talks at a mile a minute.

A monkey on one’s back:  A serious problem that stops someone from becoming successful at something.

Sentence: Seven games without scoring a goal was a monkey on the back of the famous soccer player.

A month of Sundays: A very long time period.

Sentence: It’s been a month of Sundays since I last went to the theatre.

A nose for something: An intuitive ability to detect or excel at something.

Sentence: He’s got a real nose for determining which stocks are going to pummel.

A penny for your thoughts: Would like to know what you are thinking.

Sentence: They was an eerie silence. Finally, she looked at him and said, “A penny for your thoughts, Walter”.

A piece of the pie: A share of something such as money or profits.

Sentence: If you invest in my company, you will get a big piece of the pie.

A pillar of strength: A person who can be relied upon to give a great deal of support and comfort to others.

Sentence: Roger was a pillar of strength after my father died.

A pipe dream: An idea that’s impossible.

Sentence: A utopian society is nothing but a pipe dream.

 A pitched battle:  A verbal disagreement or argument.

Sentence: There was a pitched battle between the police and the rioters.

A plague on both your houses:  I hope that bad things happen to both of you.

Sentence: I can’t believe the two of you would deceive me like this! A plague on both your houses.

A port of call: A place where you stop for a short time, especially on a journey.

Sentence: Our first port of call was the delightful town of Bruges.

A queer fish: A strange person; weird.

Sentence: I knew his father and he was a queer fish too.

A quick study: Someone who learns new things quickly and easily.

Sentence: I’m not surprised. She’s a quick study.

A raw deal:  Unfair treatment.

Sentence: If you feel you’ve had a raw deal, you can always sue me.

A red eye:  A flight that leaves late at night and arrives early the next morning.

Sentence: We took the red eye from Seattle to New York.

A red flag to a bull: Something that incites great anger or annoyance.

Sentence: John’s gone to gloat about his success over his brother, which is a red flag to a bull.

A sight for sore eyes: Pleasing to the eye.

Sentence: Seeing a success after continuous failures is a sight for sore eyes.

A small fry:  An ordinary person.

Sentence: The catch was bad today. Nothing but a small fry.

A sticky wicket: A tricky situation.

Sentence: The minister found himself on a sticky wicket when asked about the rampant corruption.

A tightwad: Someone who is very frugal and unwilling to spend money unnecessarily.

Sentence: That guy’s a real tightwad.

A whale of a time: You say this when you have a great time and thoroughly enjoy yourself.

Sentence: The theme park was so much fun. We had a whale of a time.

A white elephant:  Something that is not useful and costs a lot of money to maintain.

Sentence: The airport is a white elephant, and the government wasn’t concerned about it.

A white lie: A little or harmless lie told in order to be polite and avoid hurting someone’s feelings.

Sentence: I just wanted to get out of work, so I told my boss a little white lie—a doctor’s appointment.

A yellow streak: Someone who has cowardice in their character.

Sentence: He has always had a big yellow streak running down his back; don’t expect him to change now.

Above and beyond: More than required.

Sentence: If you’re eyeing for that big promotion, then be prepared to go above beyond your job 

description.

Ace up one’s sleeve:  A surprise advantage which others are not aware of.

Sentence: That old man has an ace up his sleeve so don’t cut him out of the competition so soon.

Achilles’ heel: The weak point.

Sentence: Her desperation may become her husband’s Achilles’ heel.

Add insult to injury: To worsen an unfavorable situation.

Sentence: My car barely started this morning, and to add insult to injury, I got a flat tire in the driveway.

Ahead of the curve: Better than average.

Sentence: I’m not sure how I did on that exam, but I think I’ll end up ahead of the curve.

All ears: Awaiting an explanation; listening eagerly and carefully.

Sentence: She was all ears to find out there her husband had been the night before.

All hat and no cattle: Full of talk that is more impressive than what one can do.

Sentence: He talks as if he knows more than anyone else, but he’s all hat and no cattle.

An eager beaver:  A person who is always willing to volunteer or do extra work.

Sentence: Jane is certainly an eager beaver. Any time there’s work to be done, she’s the first to offer help.

An old head on young shoulders:  A child or young person who thinks or talks like an older person, displaying maturity way beyond his/her age.

Sentence: Emily doesn’t fit in with the children at her school, she’s definitely an old head on a young shoulder.

And all that jazz: Everything related to or similar.

Sentence: Celebrities definitely seem to be starting al the latest trends with fashion, hair, and all that jazz.

As clean as a whistle: Something that is extremely clean.

Sentence: I’ve checked his records and they’re as clean as a whistle.

As comfortable as an old shoe: Familiar and very much at ease.

Sentence: I felt as comfortable as old shoe when I entered my aunt’s house.

As cool as a cucumber: Someone who isn’t worried or stressed out easily.

Sentence: John is a great captain who’s as cool as a cucumber.

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

Sentence: That jigsaw puzzle is as easy as ABC.

As easy as pie: Very easy.

Sentence: You call this challenging? Linear algebra problems are easy as pie.

As gentle as a lamb: Kind; not displaying aggressiveness.

Sentence: Aunt May is as gentle as a lamb.

As sly as a fox:  Cunning.

Sentence: Do not believe him. He’s as sly as a fox.

As soft as a baby’s bottom: Very soft and smooth.

Sentence: My new silk pajamas are as soft as a baby’s bottom.

As tough as an old boot:  Very tough, not easily moved by feelings such as pity.

Sentence: John is as tough as an old boot—stolid like a rock.

As white as a sheet:  When someone is in a state of great fear or anxiety.

Sentence: Harold, are you alright? You’re as white as a sheet, what’s the matter?

At daggers drawn: Bitterly hostile.

Sentence: Locals are at daggers drawn with the council over collections

At each other’s throats: Fighting or arguing all the time.

Sentence: The two boys were at each other’s throats when their mom entered the room.

At wit’s end: Puzzled.

Sentence: I’m at my wit’s end with this problem.

At the drop of a hat: Immediately.

Sentence: Jonathan is available for urgent meetings at the drop of a hat.

At the eleventh hour: At the last minute.

Sentence: I finished the work at the eleventh hour and submitted the assignment before my deadline.

At variance with: In disagreement.

Sentence: My opinions seem to be completely at variance with my friend’s opinions.

Back to the drawing board:  When an attempt fails and it’s time to start all over.

Sentence: I flunked English this semester. Well, back to the drawing board.

Back-room boys: People who perform important work but have no contact with the public.

Sentence: No one can overlook the back-room boys when it comes to pop stars’ concerts.

Bad apple: Troublemaker, criminal.

Sentence: He’s a real bad apple.

Ball is in your court: It is up to you to make the next decision or step.

Sentence: This is the best proposal I could come up with. The ball is in your court now—accept this 

merger or forget it.

Ball of fire:  A person who is especially hard-working, high-achieving, ambitious or active.

Sentence: They say he is a real ball of fire and there are chatters about him replacing the CEO.

Barking up the wrong tree: Looking in the wrong place; accusing the wrong person.

Sentence: He had nothing to do with the robbery – the cops are really barking up the wrong tree this 

time.

Be (like) a bird in a gilded cage:  To live a life of wealth and luxury but in the absence of true freedom, happiness or contentment.

Sentence: She married her husband because of his fortune, and now she’s a bird in a gilded cage.

Be a catch:  Be someone worth marrying or having.

Sentence: John is taking me out tonight. He’s such a catch.

Be an item: Two people are an item when they are having a romantic or sexual relationship.

Sentence: Smitha and Sagal are an item; they are madly in love with each other.

Be chuffed to bits: To be pleased and happy.

Sentence: Hey, thanks for the present! I’m chuffed to bits

Be glad to see the back of: Be happy after a person leaves or goes; to be glad to get rid of someone.

Sentence: I’m glad to see the back of James after he was holed up at my place for two weeks like an unwelcome visitor.

Be in hot water: To be in trouble.

Sentence: Ken was in hot water after he forgot about his wedding anniversary.

Be the end of:  To cause one’s ruin, breakdown, downfall or demise.

Sentence: If you keep smoking cigarettes, it may well be the end of you.

Be-all and end-all: The final goal.

Sentence: Finishing the building of his boat became the be-all and end-all of Roger’s existence.

Bear one’s cross: To endure one’s difficulties.

Sentence: My job is terrible but I must bear my cross and continue to do it.

Bear the brunt of: Tolerate something.

Sentence: Ordinary citizens will have to bear the brunt of higher taxes.

Beard the lion in his den:  To confront someone on his or her own territory.

Sentence: If he doesn’t come to see me today, I’ll have to beard the lion in his den.

Beat a dead horse:  To continue a battle that has been won; to continue to argue to a point that has been settled.

Sentence: I was beating a dead horse when I was arguing with my boss.

Beat around the bush: Talk irrelevantly; not discussing what is important.

Sentence: Don’t beat around the bush. Just tell me where my brother is

Beat hollow: To defeat completely.

Sentence: We played my brother’s school at football and beat them hollow.

Beat one’s brains out: Try very hard to understand or do something.

Sentence: I’ve been beating my brains out with this problem.

Beat swords into plowshares: Turn away from military activity in order to pursue peace.

Sentence: People would like to beat swords into plowshares and have a more peaceful world

Beat the drum for:  Promote or support someone or something.

Sentence: I spent a lot of time beating the drum for our football team.

Bee in one’s bonnet: Obsessed over something and can’t stop thinking about it.

Sentence: She is not happy in Africa. She has a bee in her bonnet about moving to Dubai.

Bell the cat: To face a risk.

Sentence: Who’s going to bell the cat and tell mom we wrecked her car?

Belly up: Bankrupt.

Sentence: The small video store near my house is now belly-up.

Bent out of shape:  Needlessly worried about something.

Sentence: I know you’re worried about your job interview, but don’t get bent out of shape. You’ll do 

just fine.

Bet on the wrong horse:  To support a person or thing that ultimately fails.

Sentence: The man is betting on the wrong horse if he supports the Greece in their bid for the Olympic games.

Better late than never: This suggests that it is better to do something late rather than not doing it all.

Sentence: I’ve finally managed to build my dream house. I know I’m nearly at retirement age, but it’s better late than never.

Better to be a live dog than dead lion: It is better to be a live coward than a dead hero.

Sentence: It is better to be a live dog than a dead lion so I walked away from the brawl.

Beyond the pale: Unacceptable.

Sentence: The woman’s behavior at the wedding was beyond the pale.

Bid fair to:  Likely to.

Sentence: This girl bids fair to be a doctor one day.

Big cheese: Important; influential.

Sentence: Peter’s a big cheese at the company, he may help you get a good job there.

Bite off more than one can chew: Take responsibility far more than one can manage.

Sentence: This undertaking is making me sweat! I’m afraid I bit off more than I could chew.

Black and blue:  Used to describe something that is badly bruised.

Sentence: John’s face was black and blue after the boxing match.

Black as a skillet:  Something that is very dirty; blackish in appearance because of dirt.

Sentence: My clothes were as black as a skillet.

Black out: Lose consciousness.

Sentence: He blacked soon after finishing the marathon.

Blackball someone:  To exclude or ostracize someone socially; reject.

Sentence: Their company has been blackballed ever since the scandal hit the newspapers.

Blood is thicker than water: Family relations are more important than other relationships.

Sentence: My brother won’t leave us for Rachel since blood is thicker than water.

Blood on the carpet:  Much trouble.

Sentence: There was blood on the carpet after the client meeting went horribly wrong.

Blood runs cold: Terrified or horrified.

Sentence: My blood ran cold upon seeing a tarantula on my bed.

Blood, sweat and tears: Something that requires a lot of effort and hard work.

Sentence: Do you think maintaining a stellar CGPA is easy? It requires blood, sweat and tears.

Blow hot and cold: Inconsistent.

Sentence: He keeps blowing hot and cold on the question of moving to the country.

Blow one’s own trumpet/horn: Self- praise.

Sentence: She’d never blow her own trumpet.

Blow smoke: To speak in a way that is intended to make someone confused or prevent them from getting an accurate idea of a situation.

Sentence: They were just blowing smoke instead of progressing the discussion further.

Blow the hot dog stand: To leave a place, especially one that has become dull or uninteresting, in search of something better.

Sentence: I graduate in six months and then it’s time to blow this hot dog stand.

Blow to smithereens: To break or destroy something to tiny fragments.

Sentence: The bomb blew the ancient church to smithereens.

Blow up in the face:  Refers to a situation when a plan or project goes wrong.

Sentence: The enemy was planning to launch an airstrike but the plan blew up in their face when 

they chose the wrong coordinates.

Blue blood: Used to describe someone from a noble, aristocratic or wealthy family.

Sentence: Many of the blue bloods in our town were invited to the royal wedding.

Blue collar: Laborers, workers.

Sentence: Blue collar workers are often subjected to abhorrent working conditions.

Blue in the face:  Exhausted from anger, strain, or other great effort.

Sentence: I kept trying to convince him that it was a good idea until I was blue in the face.

Blue-pencil:  To censor something, or limit the information that is shared

Sentence: The reports about how soldiers were being treated abroad had been blue-pencilled by the authorities.

Blue ribbon:  To be of superior quality or distinction; the best of a group.

Sentence: A blue ribbon panel of experts were invited to investigate.

Bottom fell out of (something):  Collapse or extreme reduction in something’s value or worth.

Sentence: When the bottom fell out of the real estate market, a lot of people lost money.

Break a leg:  Wishing someone to do well; wishing good luck.

Sentence: You will do fine on your presentation. Go break a leg out there.

Break into a cold sweat:  To become nervous or frightened about something.

Sentence: I broke into a cold sweat when I went to tell my teacher about my mistake.

Break the news:  To convey bad news.

Sentence: The doctor had to break the news to Jane about her husband’s cancer.

Breathe down (someone’s) neck:  To watch someone closely, to pressure someone to do something.

Sentence: My boss has been breathing down my neck all day for getting the report done.

Bright eyes and bushy-tailed:  Cheerful and eager.

Sentence: The children were bright eyed and bushy-tailed when they woke up in the morning.

Bring down the house: To perform or entertain so successfully as to cause the audience to cheer for 

a long stretch of time.

Sentence: She is a rising star as a stand-up comedian, always able to bring down the house during each performance.

Bring home the bacon:  To make money for your family to live on; to be very successful

Sentence: Because John has been in the hospital for 2 months, his wife has been bringing home the bacon.

Bring to book: To punish.

Sentence: A crime has been committed and the responsible one must be brought to the book.

Broad in the beam: Wide hips or buttocks.

Sentence: The woman is broad in the beam but she does not worry about it all.

Browned off:  To be bored or annoyed with someone or something.

Sentence: I’m always browned off when he comes to visit. He doesn’t like doing anything, and he hardly ever talks to anyone!

Buckle down:  Work with determination and full attention.

Sentence: Getting through the exam is possible if you buckle down yourself.

Burn the candles at both ends:  Spend extravagantly.

Sentence: She has been burning the candle at both ends for a long time.

Bury the hatchet: To forget past quarrels.

Sentence: Let us bury the hatchet since Joe wanted to see both of us together after his death.

Bust up:  break up; to damage or break something; to prevent an illegal activity or bad situation from continuing.

Sentence: Terri and John bust up after two years of marriage. A couple of teachers stepped in to bust up the fight.

Buy a pig in a poke:  To buy something without seeing it or knowing anything about it.

Sentence: You can buy a used computer bit it will be like buying a pig in a poke if you do not look at it first.

By degrees:  A little at a time; gradually.

Sentence: Rivalries and prejudice were by degrees fading out.

By guess and by golly:  By any means; relying on guesswork and luck.

Sentence: We don’t have much to work with, but by guess and by golly, we’re going to figure out a 

way to save our business.

By the dozen:  In large quantities.

Sentence: I baked cookies and pies by the dozens for the charity sale.

By the seat of one’s pants: By luck and with very little skill.

Sentence: I was able to complete the course by the seat of my pants.

By the skin of one’s teeth: Barely succeed in doing something.

Sentence: I’ll have to start earlier the next time. This time I only finished by the skin of my teeth.

Cake not worth the candle:  Refers to something in which result v/s efforts are too less.

Sentence: He worked very hard to organize the party but very few guests walked in. The cake wasn’t worth the candle.

Call it a day/night: Wrap up for the day.Sentence: Let’s call it a day (or night) and continue with this assignment tomorrow.

Call the roll/ take the roll:  To call the names of a group of people (or students) and expect them to respond to show they are present.

Sentence: With half the students nowhere in sight, Mrs. Jones had to take the roll to punish the offenders.

Call the tune:  Take the initiative in deciding how something should be done; to dictate how a situation or agenda should proceed.

Sentence: Barbara calls the tune around here, so you’d have to speak to her.

Can’t make heads or tails of something: Can’t understand something at all; find something confusing and illogical.

Sentence: I can’t make heads or tails of your email.

Carry the day:  If something carries the day, it defines a win that felt like a long battle and could have gone either way.

Sentence: The Liverpool football club had carried the day well, they rejoiced as they held their prize, the League Cup, up high for all to see.

Carry the torch for:  Secretly admire or love someone.

Sentence: He has been carrying a torch for Mamta, who is now married to Nitin.

Cast pearls before swine:  To waste something on someone who will not be thankful or care about it.

Sentence: Giving the jewelry to the woman will be casting pearls before swine. She will not appreciate it at all.

Cat burglar:  A burglar who enters a building by climbing to an upper storey.

Sentence: A cat burglar entered our apartment and stole our television.

Cat gets one’s tongue:  One cannot speak because of shyness.

Sentence: The cat got the woman’s tongue and she could not say anything at all.

Cat’s paw: A person who is used by another to carry out an unpleasant or dangerous task.

Sentence: You always try to make a cat’s paw of me, but I refuse to do any more of your work.

Catch with their pants down: To discover someone doing something embarrassing or something that is kept a secret.

Sentence: The sales manager was caught with his pants down when he was seen passing lewd remarks to his secretary.

Caught between two stools:  When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.

Sentence: I was caught between two stools when it came down to choosing a dress for prom.

Champagne on a beer budget:  Preferences that are beyond one’s economic means.

Sentence: She has developed a taste for champagne on a beer budget.

Chance one’s arm:  Deciding to do something even though the chances of success are very little.

Sentence: She knew there was little chance of getting through the auditions but still decided to chance her arm.

Chase rainbows: To constantly pursue things that are unrealistic or unlikely to happen.

Sentence: You can’t chase rainbows your whole life—you’ll have to pick a stable career.

Chase one’s tail: Spending considerable time and energy doing something but in vain.

Sentence: He has been chasing his tail all week collecting data, but the report is still not ready.

Chicken out of something:  To manage to get out of something because of fear or cowardice.

Sentence: Freddy chickened out of the plan at the last minute.

Chip on your shoulder: When someone is upset about something that happened a while ago.

Sentence: He has a chip on his shoulder from years of being bullied as a kid.

Clear as a bell:  Very clear or easy to understand.

Sentence: His instructions were as clear as a bell, everyone knew exactly what they were supposed to do.

Close but no cigar: Fall just short of a successful outcome.

Sentence: You got a 79% on the test. Almost B…close but no cigar.

Close shave: Coming very close to an accident or narrowly avoiding it.

Sentence: The car almost hit him. It was indeed a close shave.

Close to home: (Of a remark or topic of discussion) relevant or accurate to the point that one feels uncomfortable or embarrassed.

Sentence: Tom’s comment about his friend’s unethical activities was quite close to home. He looked quite embarrassed.

Cold comfort:  Offering limited sympathy or encouragement.

Sentence: People who lost their jobs during the recession would likely take cold comfort from economic reports that an upturn was likely to occur in the future.

Cold shoulder:  Pay no attention to something; a deliberate act of disrespect; an attitude of rejection.

Sentence: The manager has given the cold shoulder to our proposal to buy a new company car.

Come hell or high water:  Whatever difficulties may occur.

Sentence: We are going to make it to your party tonight, come hell or high water.

Come out swinging:  To be confrontational and strongly defend yourself at the beginning of a debate or encounter.

Sentence: Our local MP came out swinging against the current leadership and demanded that the government resign.

Come up roses: Successful end results even though there may be some initial hiccups.

Sentence: After the initial scare, the project seems to be coming up roses.

Cook someone’s goose: Spoil a person’s chances of success.

Sentence: When the opponent team saw Indian batsmen taking wicket after wicket, they realized 

their goose was cooked.

Cool one’s heels: Be kept waiting.

Sentence: I spent an hour cooling my heels in the waiting room while the doctor saw other patients.

Cork it/ put a cork in it: Tell someone to be quiet.

Sentence: It’s too late and we’re fed up with your stories – cork it and go to sleep.

Cost (someone) an arm and a leg:  Cost a lot; be very expensive.

Sentence: Your new car is simply wow given that it cost you an arm and a leg.

Cover the waterfront: To deal with every detail concerning a specific topic.

Sentence: Her talk really covered the waterfront.

Crack a book:  Open a book and read it; study.

Sentence: She insisted I crack a book every morning.

Crack of dawn: Very early in the morning; daybreak.

Sentence: I wake up at the crack of dawn.

Crum something up: To mess something up; to louse something up.

Sentence: You crummed up this report so much that I can’t even fix it!

Crunch time: A period when pressure to succeed is great, often towards the end of an undertaking.

Sentence: It’s crunch time at work and that’s leaving me sleep deprived.

Curiosity killed the cat: Being inquisitive about other people's affairs may get you into trouble.

Sentence: You should not worry about what your friend is doing. Remember, curiosity killed the cat.

Curl someone’s hair:  To frighten or alarm someone; to shock someone with sight, sound, or taste.

Sentence: The horror film made my hair curl.

Cut a fine figure: To look good; to look elegant.

Sentence: The man cut a fine figure on the dance floor.

Cut a sorry figure: To appear in a way or make an impression that causes oneself to be regarded unfavorably by others.

Sentence: You'll cut a sorry figure at the job interview if you wear jeans.

Cut and dried: (Of a situation) completely settled.

Sentence: The championship is not as cut and dried as everyone thinks.

Cut from the same cloth: To share a lot of similarities.

Sentence: The two boys are cut from the same cloth, be it the way of talking or dressing.

Cut one dead: To totally ignore someone, usually out of anger or displeasure.

Sentence: I was hoping to reconcile with Mandy today, but when I approached her, she just cut me dead.

Cut one’s own throat: Doing something that will cause your own failure.

Sentence: Raghav is not sincere in class and he’s well on his way to cutting his own throat.

Cut the gordian knot:  Solve or remove a problem in a direct or forceful way, rejecting gentler or more indirect methods.

Sentence: Kirk may cut the Gordian knot by booting me out.

Cut the ground from under (someone): To suddenly case problems for someone.

Sentence: I plan to cut the ground from under the prosecutor with this line of questioning.

Cut to the chase:  Come to the point.

Sentence: Why don’t you just cut to the chase and tell me where you hid my phone?

Cut to the pith:  To focus directly on the essential or core matter of a given topic or issue.

Sentence: Her newest book cuts to the pith of what it means to be human.

Cut to the quick: Hurting someone deeply or offending them.

Sentence: John was cut to the quick when his boss accused him of theft.

Dark horse: A candidate or competitor about whom little is known but who unexpectedly wins or succeeds.

Sentence: Joe was the dark horse in the race.

Day in the sun: When you get attention and are appreciated.

Sentence: If felt like a day in the sun today. My boss noticed me and praised me.

Day of reckoning: A time when something must be dealt.

Sentence: Taking out another loan to cover your debts will only postpone the day of reckoning.

Days are numbered: When someone’s days are numbered, they are expected to die soon.

Sentence: The doctors say his days are numbered.

Dead in the water: Plan or project that has ceased to function and is not expected to be re-activated in future.

Sentence: Because of the revolt from the civil society, the plan to get the FDI in various sectors is now dead in the water.

Dead man walking: Any man who is in great trouble or difficulty and is certain to face punishment, especially the loss of job.

Sentence: John really screwed up the business deal; I’d say he’s a dead man walking at this point.

Dead wood: People or things are no longer useful or necessary.

Sentence: The company bought in a lot of new computers. They no longer want the dead woods.

Deliver the goods: Do what is expected or promised.

Sentence: I’ve given my car to a new mechanic for repair, hope he delivers the goods.

Devil may care attitude: A very casual, worry-free, or carefree attitude.

Sentence: The boy has a devil may care attitude about school and homework.

Diddle with something: To play with something; to toy with something.

Sentence: Don’t diddle with the watch.

Die with one’s boot on: To die while still active in one’s work or while doing a job.

Sentence: Old joe was a workaholic; he died with his boots on.

Dig in your heels/ stick to your guns: To refuse to compromise or change your mind.

Sentence: My parents wanted me to give up writing, but I dug in my heels and went on to become a famous writer.

Dime a dozen: Something that is very easy to procure and thus is of little value.

Sentence: Don’t bother with these, they’re available dime a dozen.

Dip toe into: To begin or get involved in a new experience.

Sentence: I’ve been dipping my toe into writing fiction lately.

Divvy something up: To divide something up

Sentence: They divvied up the fish.

Do a bang-up job: Do a very good job; do very well at something.

Sentence: Have you seen Frank’s homepage? He did a bang-up job with it.

Dog eat dog: Refers to a situation of fierce competition in which people are willing to harm each other in order to succeed.

Sentence: It is dog-eat-dog society in India.

Don’t count your chickens until (before) they hatch (they’ve hatched): Don’t assume something until it happens.

Sentence: She wanted to buy a dress in case someone asked her to the dance, but I told her not to count her chickens before they hatched.

Donkey’s years: A very long time.

Sentence: We’ve been close friends for donkey’s years.

Down at the heels: Shabbily dressed.

Sentence: The man looked down at the heels after he was fired from his job.

Down in the mouth:  Sad and depressed.

Sentence: Jake looks a bit down in the mouth.

Drag one’s feet: Delay; take longer than necessary to do something.

Sentence: Jose should have finished his project a week ago. Why is he dragging his feet?

Draw a blank: To get no response from someone when you ask him/her a question.

Sentence: The teacher drew a blank when she asked about the boy’s plans for the weekend.

Dredge up: To bring something back into discussion or importance, especially something pleasant.

Sentence: I wish you hadn’t dredged up that issue with our boss.

Drop someone a line: Write to someone.

Sentence: I haven’t written to my parents for a long time. I’d better drop them a line today or tomorrow.

Drum into one’s head: To force an idea on someone by means of persistent repetition.

Sentence: Our teacher drummed into our heads how important it is to understand our country’s history.

Drum up support/ business/ interest: Try to get extra support/ business/ interest by various means.

Sentence: I’ve been trying to drum up support for the local community.

Eat like a horse: To eat a lot.

Sentence: My sister eats like a horse.

Egghead: A very studious person; intellectually gifted in the fields of academics; an intelligent person.

Sentence: She has always been a kind of egghead.

Elbow grease: Hard work, effort.

Sentence: The car will look as good as new with a little elbow grease.

Elbow room: Enough space to move or work in; freedom to do what you like.

Sentence: The agents were given as much elbow room as they needed to increase the sales.

Elvis has left the building: The show is over; there’s nothing more to say. 

Sentence: All the performances for today are done; Elvis has left the building.

Even a broken/ stopped clock is right twice a day: This is used when people get lucky but don’t deserve it, or are undeservedly successful

Sentence: Let’s not whimper over his lucky win—even a stopped clock is right twice a day.

Explore all avenues: To investigate or pursue every possible means to find a solution to a given problem or to achieve a desired outcome.

Sentence: Let’s explore all avenues to solving this question before approaching her for the solution.

Face like thunder: Very angry or upset.

Sentence: I just saw a man with a face like thunder chasing away the boy from the shop.

Fair weather friends:  A person whose friendship cannot be relied on in times of difficulty.

Sentence: A fair-weather friend isn’t much help in an emergency.

Feast today, famine tomorrow:  If you indulge yourself with everything that you have today, and don’t save for a tougher time, then you may have to go without tomorrow.

Sentence: Jane, don’t be a spendthrift. A feast today, a famine tomorrow.

Feel blue:  When someone looks or feel depressed or discontented.

Sentence: What’s the matter with you today? You seem blue.

Feel puny: Feel unwell, ill.

Sentence: Ted was feeling puny yesterday, so he’s on leave today.

Fever pitch: When a feeling is very intense and exciting, it is said to be at fever pitch.

Sentence: His love for music had reached a fever pitch and that made him serious about starting off as a musician.

Few and far between: Rare.

Sentence: Service stations on this highway are few and far between.

Fiddle while Rome burns: Procrastinate or waste time on unimportant matters while there are more serious problems to be dealt with.

Sentence: The management committee seems to be fiddling while Rome burns; they haven’t shown any signs of taking immediate action.

Fine-tooth comb: Examine something carefully to not miss out on any details.

Sentence: The boss examined my report with a fine-tooth comb before submitting it to the senior management.

Fire and sword: Destruction.

Sentence: I was about to carry fire and sword throughout the District.

First out of the gate: Being the first one to make a start at something.

Sentence: John was the first out of the gate when his group decided to voice their opinions against the new economic policy.

Fish out of water: Feeling uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.

Sentence: Being a French, I felt like a fish out of water among the Japanese.

Fit as a fiddle: Used to describe someone who is in perfect health.

Sentence: He must be at least 80 but he’s as fit as a fiddle.

Fix somebody up (with someone): Arrange a date or meeting for someone.

Sentence: Promise you won’t try fixing me up with another friend of yours.

Fling yourself into: Doing something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

Sentence: Flinging himself into a rigorous weightlifting routine is the reason for his physique.

Flog a dead horse: Waste energy on a lost cause or unalterable situation.

Sentence: This project’s a dud! There’s no need of flogging a dead horse.

Fool’s paradise: A state of imaginary or unreal happiness.

Sentence: Fred is confident that he’ll get a big raise this year, but I think he’s living in a fool’s paradise.

For a song: Buy or sell something for very cheap.

Sentence: I can’t believe I managed to buy all of this for a song, maybe the shopkeeper didn’t know what they’re really worth.

Fret about: To worry about someone or something.

Sentence: Please don’t fret about being a few minutes late.

From hand to mouth: A miserable condition.

Sentence: My father earned very little and with four kids, living hand to mouth wasn’t a choice.

Full of the joys of spring: Used to describe someone who is very happy and full of energy.

Sentence: I wonder why she is so full of the joys of spring; Darren must’ve proposed to her!

Full whack: At the highest, fullest, or maximum capacity or effect.

Sentence: Our servers have been running full whack ever since we released our online multiplayer game.

Gack something: To steal something.

Sentence: He gacked some skates off that little kid.

Gall and wormwood: Bitter; hateful.

Sentence: Prohibition is a gall and wormwood to distillers.

Get all dolled up: Dressed up smartly.

Sentence: The woman got all dolled up for the party

Get along on a shoestring: To manage with very little money.

Sentence: I had to get along a shoestring during university.

Get ducks in a row: To be well prepared or well organized for something that is going to happen.

Sentence: To ensure a successful product launch, we must get our ducks in a row.

Get gray hair from:  Be very worried or upset by something.

Sentence: I know I’m going to get gray hair from his driving.

Get it (something) out of your system:  Get rid of a preoccupation or anxiety.

Sentence: Yelling is an ace way of getting stress out of your system.

Get on one’s nerves: Irritate someone; make someone upset.

Sentence: Irrelevant talks really get on my nerves.

Get one’s wires crossed: Be confused or mistaken about something.

Sentence: The meeting’s tomorrow. I guess Bill got his wires crossed.

Get the axe: Lose one’s job.

Sentence: Recruitment executives were the first to get the axe.

Get the boot:  To be fired from a job; to be told to leave the place.

Sentence: I got the boot from my first job in high school.

Get the knack: To do something competently or well after a certain period of practice or development.

Sentence: Wow, you’re really getting the knack of playing piano.

Get the sack: To be dismissed.

Sentence: He got the sack when they found out that he lied about his qualifications.

Get through thick skull: To manage to get someone, including oneself, to understand something.

Sentence: He can’t seem to get it through his thick skull that he has to study to pass the exam.

Get your head around it: To understand something.

Sentence: I just can’t get my head around the fact that Joe is leaving us.

Give chapter and verse: To produce the proof.

Sentence: I can’t quote the chapter and verse, but I’m pretty sure that it’s a line from Macbeth.

Give rein to: To allow unchecked or unconstrained freedom to something or someone; to completely or freely indulge something or someone.

Sentence: George would make a great businessman if he didn't give rein to his emotions like that.

Give the green light: Permission to proceed further.

Sentence: The council has given the green light to the new shopping center.

Give the devil his due: If someone or something generally considered bad or undeserving has any redeeming features these should be acknowledged.

Sentence: I don't like the man but—give the devil his due—he works incredibly hard.

Give the shirt off one’s back:  Generous.

Sentence: My uncle believes in philanthropy and won’t hesitate in giving the shirt off his back.

Glutton for punishment: A person who is always eager to undertake hard or unpleasant task.

Sentence: I enjoy managing difficult projects, but I am a glutton for punishment.

Go ape over someone/something: To become very excited over someone or something.

Sentence: I just go ape over chocolate.

Go apeshit over someone/something: To get very excited about someone or something.

Sentence: She really went apeshit over the ice cream.

Go bananas: Behave crazily out of emotion.

Sentence: Susan goes bananas over the slightest of mishaps.

Go belly up: To fail completely; go bankrupt.

Sentence: Last year the business went belly up after sales continued to slump.

Go down in flames: To end or fail suddenly and spectacularly.

Sentence: She wanted to become a manager, but her career went down in flames when they found out she’d had been leaking information to our competitors.

Go down the plughole: Failed or wasted.

Sentence: I’ll be so annoyed if all my hard work goes down the plughole just because he’s too busy to finish his bit in time.

Go great guns: Proceed forcefully, vigorously, or successfully.

Sentence: Ram’s preparation for the final exam is going great guns.

Go into a song and dance: To start repeating excuses or stories about something.

Sentence: Please don’t go into your song and dance about how you always tried to do what was right.

Going places:  Exhibiting talent and ability that will lead to a successful future.

Sentence: Rakesh was an exceptional athlete at school. It’s obvious that he was going places.

Golden boy: The term given to a young man idolized for a great skill, usually in sport.

Sentence: Messi will remain the golden boy of football for decades to come.

Goof around: Waste time.

Sentence: Stop goofing around and start studying!

Goof up (something):  To mess something up.

Sentence: I hope I don’t goof up the report.

Gouge (something) out of: To cheat someone out of something.

Sentence: They gouged the money out of the old man.

Grease someone’s palm: To give somebody money to persuade them to do something dishonest.

Sentence: There are rumors that the company had to grease someone’s palms to get that contract.

Green with envy: Someone who is extremely jealous; full of envy.

Sentence: When we were children, my older brother always used to get green with envy if my dad bought something for me and not for him.

Grin like a Cheshire cat: To grin or show a broad smile.

Sentence: The little boy was grinning like a Cheshire cat when he entered the room.

Groan inwardly:  A feeling where you want to express despair, disapproval or distress but you keep quiet.

Sentence: She was disappointed at the sarcastic remark by her friend but looking at the situation she groaned inwardly.

Hand in glove with: On very intimate terms; very close with someone.

Sentence: John is really hand in glove with Sally.

Hang in there: Wait and be patient.

Sentence: Just hang in there and he’ll call you.

Hang on by fingernails: To just manage to avoid failure or danger.

Sentence: Watchmakers have suffered a big loss after the arrival of smart watches. They are just hanging on by their fingernails.

Hang on coattails: To have one’s fortune or success depend on another person.

Sentence: The man is hanging on the coattails of his successful boss.

Hang one’s hat: To live or take up residence somewhere.

Sentence: I want to move and hang my hat in the countryside.

Happy as a clam: Very happy and comfortable.

Sentence: When her parents left for holiday, she was happy as a clam staying alone in the house.

Hard as nails:  Refers to a person without sentiments and sympathy for anyone.

Sentence: He has become as hard as a nail after his brother was brutally murdered.

Hard-headed: Stubborn; unwilling to change; inflexible.

Sentence: She’s one hard-headed woman.

Have (someone) in one’s pocket: To have control over someone.

Sentence: The worker’s union has the city mayor in their pocket.

Have a whale of a time: To have an exciting and interesting time.

Sentence: We had a whale of a time at the party last night.

Have ants in one’s pants: To be restless; to be nervous.

Sentence: The little boy was moving around like he had ants in his pants.

Have bats in one’s belfry: To be a little bit crazy.

Sentence: I think our neighbor has bats in her belfry. Who bakes cakes in the middle of the night?

Have on the brain: Be preoccupied with some thought.

Sentence: He just got engaged. Now, he has his finance on his brain all the time.

Have one’s heart set on: Determined to obtain or do something.

Sentence: He has his heart set on becoming a doctor after his father left him.

Have something down pat: Know or understand something completely and thoroughly.

Sentence: I know I did well on the test. I had all the material down pat.

Have the hots for somebody: Finding somebody extremely attractive.

Sentence: Nadine has the hots for the new apprentice.

Have the world by its tail: To be very successful, contented, and happy in life.

Sentence: Being the pioneers in the pharmaceutical industry, they are now having the world by its tail.

Have your heart in the right place: Be sincere or well-intentioned.

Sentence: The dinner she had cooked wasn’t the best but she had her heart in the right place.

Head and shoulders above: To be superior to someone or something.

Sentence: Our soccer coach is head and shoulders above the other coaches in the city.

Head honcho: Person in charge; top boss.

Sentence: Dave’s the head honcho of the ESL Café on the Web.

Head in the clouds:  Having unrealistic or impractical ideas; daydreaming.

Sentence: Is your sister in love? I see her walking all day around with her head int the clouds.

Hear on the grapevine: To hear rumors about something or someone.

Sentence: I heard on the grapevine that she was pregnant.

Hell to pay: Great trouble.

Sentence: If we’re wrong, there will be hell to pay.

Hit below the belt: To say something that is often too personal, usually irrelevant, and always unfair.

Sentence: To remind reformed alcoholics of their drinking problem is to hit below the belt.

Hit the books: To start studying; to study very hard.

Sentence: I’ve an exam tomorrow so let me hit the books.

Hit the hay/ sack: Go to bed; go to sleep.

Sentence: It’s late, so I guess I’ll hit the hay.

Hit the nail on the head: Do or say something that is precisely right.

Sentence: I really hit the nail on the head when I guessed they were getting married.

Hit the right note/ strike the right note:  Say or do something in a way that that is very suitable (or unsuitable) for a particular audience or occasion.

Sentence: The republicans appeared to strike exactly the right note with the electorate.

Hit the road running: Start performing immediately.

Sentence: She was our old employee. She hit the road running when she joined us back.

Hold the fort:  Take responsibility for a situation while another person is temporarily absent.

Sentence: While the boss is out of the office, I’ll have to hold the fort.

Hole in the corner: Secret.

Sentence: I don’t want any more hole in the corner deals, from now all our business will be done in the open.

Horns of dilemma: A critical position.

Sentence: I make up my mind easily. I’m not on the horns of dilemma very often.

Hot under the collar: To be very angry.

Sentence: Our boss is hot under the collar today because three of the staff came late.

Idea box: Another name for the mind (brain).

Sentence: You got a good solution up there in your idea box by any chance?

If I had my druthers: If I could do what I wanted or preferred.

Sentence: If I had my druthers, I’d stay away from work today.

In a bind: In a difficult situation.

Sentence: Susan is really in a bind. She has two essays due tomorrow and she hasn’t started either of 

them.

In a nutshell: In a few words.

Sentence: We were told in a nutshell that our project would not be considered.

In a pig’s eye: Never; unlikely.

Sentence: Never in a pig’s eye will my friend be able to save enough money to go to Mexico.

In black and white: In writing or print; in terms of clearly defined opposing principles or issues.

Sentence: I have it in black and white that I’m entitled to 3 weeks of pay.

In due course: Everything will happen as it is supposed to at the appropriate time.

Sentence: We’ll find out the results of your test in due course.

In full swing: At the height of activity.

Sentence: By nine-thirty the dance was in full swing.

In over one’s head: When one is too deeply involved with something or someone or has more difficulties or problems than one can manage.

Sentence: I’m afraid I’m in over my head. I just can’t handle things alone.

In seventh heaven: Very happy; ecstatic.

Sentence: He was in seventh heaven, so excited.

In someone’s black book: To be in disgrace or be regarded unfavorably by someone.

Sentence: You’re going to end up in my black book if you don’t be frank with me.

In the bag: A situation where success is guaranteed.

Sentence: Victory seemed to be in the bag after the 25^th over.

In the black: Successful or profitable.

Sentence: Their company has been in the black ever since the new CEO took over.

In the doghouse: In disgrace or disfavor; in trouble.

Sentence: The man is in the doghouse with his wife because he came home late last night.

In the heat of the moment: While temporarily angry, excited, or engrossed, and without stopping for thought.

Sentence: Frank doesn’t hate you. He just said that in the heat of the moment

In the nick of time: Just in time.

Sentence: The rescue came in the nick of time.

In the interim: Until a particular thing happens or until a particular thing happened; in the period of time between two events.

Sentence: I won’t be able to move into my new apartment until next month, so could I stay at your house in the interim?

In the pink: Very good health.

Sentence: My grandmother looked ever so well when I saw her, she was in the pink of condition.

In this day and age: Modern times.

Sentence: She was appalled to see that so much injustice could exist in this day and age.

In two shakes of a lamb’s tail: Very quickly.

Sentence: I promised that I would meet my friend in two shakes of a lamb’s tail.

It takes two to tango: This is used to suggest that when things go wrong, both sides are involved and neither side is completely innocent.

Sentence: We really need to come to a compromise here; after all it takes two to tango.

Itchy feet: A strong impulse to travel; desire to leave.

Sentence: Seeing a boat gives me itchy feet.

Jaundiced eye: An eye full of prejudice and hatred.

Sentence: One who looks at others with a jaundiced eye can never be happy.

Jazz something up: When someone is trying to improve something or add more style to it.

Sentence: This dress looks so dull on its own, maybe I should jazz it up a bit with scarf.

Jump on the bandwagon: Join a popular trend or activity.

Sentence: Publishers jumped on the CD-ROM bandwagon even though they didn’t know if they 

could sell CD-ROMs.

Jump the gun: Act before the proper or appropriate time.

Sentence: Chuck jumped the gun. Without thinking, he said, “I’m bringing the cake at your party”.

Kangaroo court: An illegal court formed by a group of people to settle a dispute among themselves.

Sentence: The military court in the small country was a kangaroo court that permitted the military to do whatever they wanted.

Keep a stiff upper lip: Refers to a person who doesn’t show off his emotions.

Sentence: He heard the news about Roger’s demise but kept a stiff upper lip.

Keep an eye on: Keep under careful observation.

Sentence: Dealers are keeping an eye on the currency markets.

Keep an eye out for: Watch for.

Sentence: Keep an eye out for any strange or alarming movements.

Keep head above water: To deal with a difficult situation, especially one in which you have financial problems and just manage to survive.

Sentence: Business is bad. I’m not sure how much longer we’ll be able to keep our heads above water.

Keep one’s chin up: Remain brave and confident in a difficult situation; don’t despair or worry too much.

Sentence: I know that things have been difficult but keep your chin up.

Keep one’s nose to the grindstone: Work hard and continuously.

Sentence: If I keep my nose to the grindstone, I should be finished by the end of the day.

Keep one’s powder dry: Stay alert; be careful.

Sentence: We’re not ready to start buying yet. We’ll keep our powder dry until we think prices are as low as they’ll go.

Keep the wolf from the door: Have enough money to avert hunger or starvation (used hyperbolically).

Sentence: My friend’s part time job is enough for him to keep the wolf from the door.

Keep up appearances:  Maintaining an outward show of prosperity or well-being while hiding your difficulties.

Sentence: Keeping up the appearance was important for him to secure new big projects.

Keep your eye on the ball: To continue thinking about or giving attention to something important.

Sentence: She really needs to keep her eye on the ball if she wants to win the election.

Keep your fingers on the pulse:  Being constantly aware of the most recent developments.

Sentence: An entrepreneur must keep his fingers on the pulse of the market to be successful.

Kill the fatted calf: Produce one’s best food to celebrate.

Sentence: We’ll kill the fatted calf and have a big feast for my parents.

Kill with kindness: To be enormously kind to someone.

Sentence: You’re just killing me with kindness.

King Kong pills: Barbiturates.

Sentence: She’s a bit numb from “King Kong Specials”.

King of the castle: The most successful or most powerful person in a group of people.

Sentence: Jamie Spence was king of the castle yesterday when he beat the defending champion in the third round.

King’s ransom: A great deal of money.

Sentence: I would like to buy a nice watch, but I don’t want to pay a king’s ransom for it.

Kiss and cry corner: An area in an ice-skating rink where figure skaters rest while awaiting their results after a competitive performance.

Sentence: After a terrific performance, Katy is heading to the kiss and cry corner to wait with her coach while the judges tally their marks.

Kiss and make up: Make peace after argument.

Sentence: Our relationship is like a roller-coaster ride. We fight nearly every day, but then we always kiss and make up.

Kiss of death: An action or relationship that is ultimately ruinous.

Sentence: Some regard a royal divorce as a kiss of death to the monarchy.

Kith and kin: Relatives.

Sentence: I sent cards to my kith and kin, telling them of my arrival.

Knock (something) into a cocked hat: Debunk, render useless or unbelievable.

Sentence: I knocked his plans into a cocked hat.

Knocked on heels: Shocked; surprised; stunned.

Sentence: I was knocked on my heels when I realized I got the job.

Know something inside out: Know/understand something thoroughly.

Sentence: Life coaches make us believe that they know the secrets to success inside out.

Knuckle down to something: Get serious about a task; to work diligently on a task or problem.

Sentence: Please knuckle down to your studies.

Knuckle under to someone/something: To give in to or accept someone or something.

Sentence: She always refused to knuckle under to anyone.

Lash down on: (Of rain) fall very heavily; come down on someone or something.

Sentence: The wind and rain lashed down on us.

Laugh in one’s sleeves: Try to hide that one is laughing at someone else.

Sentence: Jane looked very serious, but I knew she was laughing in her sleeve.

Lay it on the line: Speak frankly and firmly; make something clear.

Sentence: The professor laid it on the line—either hand in a term paper or fail the course.

Lay on the line: Make ready for payment

Sentence: They laid hundreds of thousands of dollars on the line to develop new software.

Lead a dog’s life: To lead a miserable life.

Sentence: The man is leading a dog’s life since he got married to that wicked woman.

Learn the ropes: To learn how to do a job properly or how things work.

Sentence: It took me a while to learn the ropes in this law firm, some of their procedures are so complicated.

Leave no stone unturned: To do everything possible to achieve one’s objective or goal.

Sentence: I’ll leave no stone unturned until I find out who this.

Leave somebody at the altar: Decide not to marry somebody just before the wedding.

Sentence: You’re about to get married to John. Are you going to leave him at the altar?

Leave well enough alone: Do nothing (because doing something would make things worse).

Sentence: Don’t tell Jim how to discipline his children, leave well enough alone.

Lend someone a hand: Help someone.

Sentence: I can’t do this alone. Can you lend me a hand?

Let off steam: To release anger and frustration.

Sentence: Ted plays squash when he needs to let off steam.

Let sleeping dogs lie: Don’t cause problems by doing something when it isn’t necessary.

Sentence: I know that what Julie said made you angry but let sleeping dogs lie.

Let slip through fingers: Failing to obtain or keep up a good opportunity.

Sentence: This opportunity can be your breakthrough in the industry. Don’t let it slip through your fingers.

Let the cat out of the bag: To share information that was previously concealed.

Sentence: When Bill glanced at the door, he let the cat out of the bag.

Let the chips fall where they may: To let something happen and take its natural course.

Sentence: I must tell John how I feel about him, let the chips fall where they may.

Let the grass grow under one’s feet: To be idle.

Sentence: We can’t let the grass grow under our feet—we’ve really got to get going with this project.

Let your freak flag fly:  To let others see your uniqueness or quirkiness.

Sentence: My colleagues were surprised at the Christmas party—I let my freak flag fly and showed them a break dance routine.

Let your hair down: Behave uninhibitedly.

Sentence: After a stressful week at work, Rita likes to let her hair down over the weekend.

Lick one’s wounds: Trying to regain their confidence or boost up the spirits after a defeat.

Sentence: Rita is licking her wounds after being dropped from the football team.

Lick the dust: To be slain; to fall in battle.

Sentence: His enemies shall lick the dust.

Like a broken record: Used to describe someone who keeps talking about the same story repeatedly.

Sentence: Would you please stop going on about her boyfriend, you sound like a broken record.

Like a deer caught in the headlights: To be so frightened or surprised that you cannot move or think.

Sentence: The boy looked like a deer caught in the headlights when we discovered him in the locked room.

Like clockwork: Used to describe something that happens regularly, at the same intervals without fail.

Sentence: My cat used to wake me up every morning like clockwork.

Like lambs to the slaughter: Quietly and without complaining about the dangers that may lie ahead.

Sentence: Our football team went like lambs to the slaughter to play against the best football team in the country.

Line one’s own pocket: To make money for oneself in a dishonest way.

Sentence: The local politician was lining his own pockets and hence never won any another election.

Live and let live: You should tolerate the opinions and behavior of others so that they will similarly tolerate your own.

Sentence: I’m not going to criticize Alice’s family just because their habits a little strange. My motto is live and let live.

Live beyond means: Spending more money than you can afford.

Sentence: He has a habit of living beyond his means. Most of the times, you’ll find him borrowing money from his friends.

Live in an ivory tower: Unaware of the realities of everyday life.

Sentence: The university professor lived in an ivory tower and had no idea what was going on around him.

Live on the breadline: To be extremely poor.

Sentence: The partition of the country has left many people on the breadline.

Loaded for bear: Prepared to deal with attacks or criticism.

Sentence: The man was loaded for bear when he went into see the supervisor.

Local color: Used to describe the features endemic to a place.

Sentence: The weekend vegetable market added much local color to the small town.

Lock, stock and barrel: Including everything; completely.

Sentence: The place is owned lock, stock, and barrel by an oil company.

Long arm of the law: The far-reaching power of the authorities (police, law).

Sentence: Stop this dirty business, the long arm of the law will reach you some day.

Look a gift horse in the mouth: To complain if a gift is not perfect.

Sentence: The girl should not look a gift horse in the mouth. She should be happy that she at least received a present from her friends.

Lose one’s shirt: To lose all or most of one’s money.

Sentence: The man lost his shirt gambling and is now in serious financial difficulty.

Lousy: Terrible; very bad.

Sentence: Why did you speak so rudely to your grandmother? That was a lousy thing to do.

Love rat:  Somebody who cheats on his/her partner.

Sentence: How could you look your wife in the eye? Don’t be a love rat.

Make a go of: Be successful (in something).

Sentence: With his hard work and dedication, he has made a go of his new venture.

Make a mountain out of a molehill: Make something seem much more important than it really   is.

Sentence: Calm down. There’s really nothing to worry about. You’re making a mountain out of a molehill.

Make a song and dance about something: When someone makes a big deal out of, or a fuss over, something that isn’t that important.

Sentence: I wish she’d stop making such a song and dance about me moving out, it’s not a big deal.

Make both ends meet: To live within bare necessity.

Sentence: I have to work at two jobs to make ends meet.

Make hamburger out of someone/ something: To beat someone or something to pulp; to destroy someone or something.

Sentence: If you keep on doing ridiculous things, I’ll make hamburger out of you.

Make hay while the sun shines: To act while an opportunity exists.

Sentence: I’ve got a few hours to finish the housework before the kids come home so I might as well 

make hay while the sun shines.

Make headway: Progress in what you are trying to achieve.

Sentence: The police have made a headway with their investigation in the terror attack on the city last Friday.

Make or break: Be the factor which decides whether (something) will succeed or fail.

Sentence: The soundtrack can make or break a production.

Make someone’s position clear: To clarify where someone stands on an issue.

Sentence: I don’t think you understand what I said. Let me make my position clear.

Make the grade: To be satisfactory and of an expected level.

Sentence: I didn’t make the grade for the final assignment, so I’ve to do it all over again.

Make your flesh crawl: Something that makes causes disgust or fear.

Sentence: The sight of the decomposing carcass made my flesh crawl.

Man in the street: An ordinary person.

Sentence: Politicians rarely care what the man in the street thinks.

Man of parts: A man of uncommon ability.

Sentence: George is a man of many parts—ruthless businessman, loving father, and accomplished sportsman, to name a few.

March to the beat of your own drum: To do something, act, or behave in a manner that does not conform to the standard, prevalent, or popular societal norm.

Sentence: My brother's eschewed the idea of a full-time career and has had every oddball job you could think of, but then he's always been happy marching to the beat of his own drum.

March to the same tune/ sing from the same song sheet: When everyone follows the same plan or says the same thing (can be used in the negative form too).

Sentence: He is always singing from the same song sheet as others. I’ve never heard him come up with his own original idea.

Mark someone down: To write something in order to have a record of it; to reduce the price of something; reduce the score of something.

Sentence: He’ll mark you down for misspelled words.

Men/boys in blue: Used to describe the police because of the color of their uniforms.

Sentence: The boys in blue deserve all the credit for keeping this city safe.

Miss the boat: Failing to take advantage of an opportunity because of slow actions.

Sentence: I managed to get a discount of 10% but could not get an early bird offer. Reaching late made me miss the boat.

Monkey business: Illegal activity; mischief.

Sentence: The boy should stop the monkey business and do the job correctly.

Monkey around with: Waste time with someone or something.

Sentence: Stop monkeying around with the remote.

Monkey business: Silly, mischievous or deceitful behavior; stupid or time-wasting activity.

Sentence: Our accountant has been fired for his monkey business in office.

Monopoly money: Money that seems to have little or no value.

Sentence: Win or lose this contract, it’s all monopoly money to him.

More fun than a barrel of monkeys: Very funny.

Sentence: The children love their teacher because he is more fun than a barrel of monkeys.

Murphy’s law: Means that if anything can go wrong, it will.

Sentence: Let’s be prepared for the worst but don’t forget the Murphy’s law.

Music to my ears: When you hear exactly what you wanted.

Sentence: When they read out the results and everyone heard that I got top marks, it was like music to my ears.

No time to lose: No time to waste.

Sentence: You need to get to the hospital—there's no time to lose.

No brainer: An easy decision.

Sentence: His decision to reprise his role in the Terminator franchise is a no brainer given how popular the films are.

Not a spark of decency: No manners.

Sentence: This boy has no spark of decency.

Not give a rat’s arse: To not care in the slightest (about something or someone); to attach no importance to someone or something.

Sentence: I don’t’ give a rat’s arse about making money, I just want to do something with my life that makes life better for others.

Not have the stomach for: To have no desire to do something because you think it is unpleasant or wrong.

Sentence: I do not have the stomach to talk with my friend about his work and financial responsibilities.

Not turn a hair: Refers to not exhibiting any emotion where it is expected.

Sentence: He didn’t turn a hair even after his office was raided by the CBI.

Off color: Feeling uneasy, ill or not at one’s best.

Sentence: He has been really off color for the past few days, I think I might have to take him to the doctor.

Off the cuff: Without prior preparation.

Sentence: Our boss made a great off-the-cuff speech at the party last night.

Old hand: A person with a lot of experience in something.

Sentence: The new chef was an old hand at making Italian dishes.

On a silver platter: Without work or effort.

Sentence: The internet provides huge quantities of information on a silver platter, but you don’t know if it’s accurate or not.

On cloud nine: Very happy, cheerful.

Sentence: I was on cloud nine when I came to know that I passed the exam.

On tenterhooks:  Anxiously waiting for news about someone or something.

Sentence: She was on tenterhooks until her son called and said he was not hurt.

Cutting edge:  The latest or most advanced stage in the development of something.

Sentence: Artificial Intelligence is based on cutting edge technology.

On pig’s back: Refers to a person in successful and well situation.

Sentence: The tourism in the state was on the pig’s back before the terror attacks.

On the rocks: If there are problems in a relationship, we may say it’s on the rocks.

Sentence: I wonder if they will call off the wedding. Their relationship seems to be on the rocks.

On the tip of your tongue: When you’re almost able to remember something but can’t recall it exactly.

Sentence: His name was on the tip of my tongue.

One’s bark is worse than one’s bite: Although someone says things that sound frightening, the person's actions will not be as severe as the things that were said.

Sentence: You should not worry about the secretary. Her bark is worse than her bite, but she is really a very nice person.

Out of the blue: Unexpected.

Sentence: We were walking to the store when Mike appeared out of the blue.

Over one’s head: Too difficult or complicated for someone to understand.

Sentence: This explanation of CGI scripting is over my head.

Overstep the bounds (of something): To do more than you are allowed or permitted.

Sentence: I really feel like you overstepped the bounds when you started criticizing John’s ability as a parent.

Pack a punch: Have a powerful effect.

Sentence: His talk packed a punch and enthralled the audience.

Paint a black picture: To describe or portray someone, something, or some event as being extremely bad, hopeless or unpleasant.

Sentence: You always paint a black picture of him but he’s a decent guy if you get to know him.

Paint the town red: Go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly.

Sentence: I’ve managed to get a babysitter for this weekend. Let’s go and paint the town red.

Pay the piper: Face the consequence for something you’ve done.

Sentence: I’m paying the piper for staying up late last night.

Penny saved is penny earned: It is as useful to save money that you already have as it is to earn more.

Sentence: I’m going to give you $20, but I want you to put it in the bank.

Pipe down: An informal way to tell someone to stop talking and/or make less noise.

Sentence: The teacher shouted at the kids to pipe down but all in vain, none of them stopped talking.

Place in the sun: A position which provides you all the success and happiness you want in your life.

Sentence: Getting married into the renowned business family in the town, she found a place in the sun.

Play be ear:  This means to deal with something in an impromptu manner, without guidelines or rules.

Sentence: I don’t know what I’m going to say when she gets here, I’ll just play it by ear

Play possum: To pretend to be inactive, asleep or dead.

Sentence: I think that man is playing possum and is not really something.

Second fiddle: Subordinate to someone.

Sentence: I’m tired of playing second fiddle to John.

Plum job: Desirable position which is well-paid and considered relatively easy.

Sentence: This looks like a plum job but has its own bunch of complications.

Pound the pavement: To walk the streets looking for a job.

Sentence: I’d been pounding the pavement for months before I found a job in a fast food chain.

Pressed for time: When you hardly have enough time to do something, and it is to be done quick.

Sentence: I’d love to stay and talk for a bit longer, but I’m really pressed for time.

Proud as a peacock: Self-centered.

Sentence: His son has finally become a doctor. He is as proud as a peacock.

Pull a rabbit out of hat: Do something unexpected but ingeniously effective in response to a problem.

Sentence: Everyone is waiting to see if the king can pull a rabbit out of the hat and announce a ceasefire.

Pull oneself up by one’s bootstraps: Achieve success by your own efforts, starting from very difficult circumstances and without help from anyone.

Sentence: The boy pulled himself up by his bootstraps and went back and finished university.

Pull out all the stops: Doing everything you can to make something successful.

Sentence: The deadline for the project is fast arriving; we have pulled out all the stops for timely completion.

Pull the plug: Prevent something from happening or continuing.

Sentence: The company pulled the plug on the deal.

Pull the wool over somebody’s eyes: To deceive

Sentence: You can’t pull the wool over my eyes. I know what’s going on.

Pull up one’s socks: To make an effort to improve your work or behavior because it is not good

enough.

Sentence: He's going to have to pull his socks up if he wants to stay in the team.

Pull yourself together: Recover control of one's emotions.

Sentence: I understand you’ve had a bad day but pull yourself together and get on with your job, will you?

Punch above one’s weight: Performing beyond your ability.

Subject: He was punching above his weight in the swimming finals.

Puppy love: Short term adolescent love.

Sentence: It’s only puppy love so don’t expect this to last long.

Put a sock in it: Impolitely telling someone to become quiet.

Sentence: Couldn’t you put a sock in it? I’d love to do some work, but I can’t in this noise.

Put on the dog: To dress or entertain in an extravagant manner.

Sentence: The couple put on the dog for the visit of their old college friend.

Put something down in black and white: To write or have something written down on paper for confirmation or evidence.

Sentence: Look, it’s written in black and white!

Put the cart before the horse: To do things in the wrong order.

Sentence: Buying tickets before we make our holiday plans is putting the cart before the horse.

Pull wool over other people’s eyes: To deceive someone into thinking well of them.

Sentence: Don’t try to pull the wool over her eyes. She’s too smart.

Quake in one’s boots: To be afraid; to shake from fear.

Sentence: I was quaking in my boots when my boss called me over.

Quick off the mark: Someone who is alert and quick to start or do something.

Sentence: The policemen were quick off the mark and arrived at the scene of crime barely five 

minutes after the phone call.

Raining cats and dogs: Rain very hard.

Sentence: You can’t leave just now. It’s raining cats and dogs and you don’t have an umbrella!

Rain or shine: Do something without being affected by the weather or any other circumstance.

Sentence: We’re leaving tomorrow, rain or shine.

Raise a white flag: Surrender.

Sentence: The enemy raised the white flag as soon as it started raining bullets on them.

Rally the troops: To gather friends together.

Sentence: We’re going to rally the troops then head to the basketball game.

Raring to go: Very eager and enthusiastic about the idea of doing something.

Sentence: My kids wish to see the animals. They are raring to go to the zoo.

Rat race: A way of life in which people are caught up in a fiercely competitive struggle for wealth or power.

Sentence: They quit the rat race in order to live a simple life.

Read between the lines: To find the hidden meaning in something that is written or said.

Sentence: You can figure out the author’s opinion by reading between the lines.

Red herring: An unimportant matter that misleads everyone and draws attention away from the main subject.

Sentence: The witness was just a red herring. She had no justification to her story, and it was a waste of valuable time.

Red hot: Something new and exciting, creating much demand.

Sentence: The new video game is red-hot.

Red in the face: To become embarrassed.

Sentence: I went red in the face when the teacher told me off in front of everyone for arriving late.

Red tape: Used for bureaucratic delay, or excessive formalities, and attention to rules and regulations, often resulting in injustice to the ordinary citizen.

Sentence: I just want to start my own business, but the amount of red tape involved is so frustrating that it almost makes me want to give up.

Red-carpet treatment: To receive special or royal treatment; be received with a big, warm welcome.

Sentence: My aunt always gives us the red-carpet treatment when we go to visit her.

Red-letter day:  A day that is memorable because of some important event.

Sentence: The day I graduated was a red-letter day for my mum, she still talks about it today.

Ring a bell: If something rings a bell, it sounds familiar, but you can’t remember the exact details.

Sentence: That name rings a bell, but I’m not sure if you’re referring to Joe.

Road hog: A dangerous or inconsiderate driver; someone who drives carelessly and selfishly.

Sentence: A road hog nearly ran me over at the crossing as he failed to stop at the sign.

Road rage: Extreme anger when driving.

Sentence: You can respond to injustice with a tantrum and to road rage with a two-finger salute.

Roll out the red carpet: To greet a person with great respect and give them a warm welcome.

Sentence: When Barack Obama came to visit our school, we rolled out the red carpet for him.

Roll your eyes: Express disbelief.

Sentence: He rolled his eyes at the presentation since most of the details were incorrect.

Rub someone the wrong way: Irritate someone; bother or annoy someone.

Sentence: All my little brother says is, “Why? Usually I’m patient with him, but sometimes all his question rubs me the wrong way”.

Run-down: Not well; weak; fatigued.

Sentence: Are you eating regularly and getting enough sleep? You look run-down.

Running on fumes: To continue to stay awake when feeling exhausted.

Sentence: I’m sorry, but I’ve got to go home now. I haven’t slept for twenty hours and I’m running on fumes.

Sail right through something: To get through something easily; being successful in doing something without difficulty.

Sentence: I sailed right through my homework.

Sail under false colors: To pretend to be something that one is not.

Sentence: Our team leader seems to be sailing under false colors, I don’t think he really understands what he’s supposed to be doing.

School of hard knocks: The ordinary experience of learning from work and daily life.

Sentence: The girl left school early and began to learn about life in the school of hard knocks.

School of thought: A philosophy, or a way of thinking about something.

Sentence: One school of thought holds that cats cause allergic reactions.

School someone in something: To train, discipline or coach someone in something.

Sentence: She schooled her brother in patience.

See pink elephants: Imagining things that don’t exist.

Sentence: Anyone who hears his story thinks he sees pink elephants. It’s just such a far-fetched story, and very hard to believe.

See someone’s true colors: To understand someone’s actual character, often for the first time.

Sentence: I saw Joe’s true colors after the allegations against him proved to be true.

See the color of someone’s money: You are not prepared to sell them something or do something for them until they have proved that they have the money to pay for it.

Sentence: The antiques dealer wouldn’t let me touch the items I’d agreed to purchase, until he saw the color of my money.

See you on the big drum: A goodnight phrase used for children.

Sentence: Okay, get some sleep now. See you on the big drum.

Sell ice to Eskimos: To persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous

Sentence: The salesman is such a smooth talker that he could sell ice to Eskimos.

Separate sheep from goats: Distinguish between good and bad individuals, or superior and inferior ones.

Sentence: The audition test was conducted by the director to separate the sheep from goats.

Set the Thames on fire: To do something remarkable.

Sentence: When she was a child, Janet dreamed of setting the Thames on fire as a famous actress.

Shape up or ship out: Used as an ultimatum to someone to improve their performance or behavior or face being made to leave.

Sentence: This is the last time I’m telling you to arrive on time. Shape up or ship out.

Shoe is on the other foot: The roles of people in a situation have been reversed, such that the advantage has shifted to a party which was previously disadvantaged.

Sentence: For a long time, my friend laughed at my problems at work. Now, the shoe is on the other foot as he’s also facing serious problems.

Shoot from the hip: To speak directly.

Sentence: If you want to get on well with your boss, try not to shoot from the hip next time. You don’t want to offend him, do you?

Shoot the breeze: Have a casual conversation.

Sentence: We spent the entire afternoon just shooting the breeze.

Show the white feather: Show cowardice.

Sentence: The minute Bob put up his fists, Bill showed the white feather and backed down.

Shut your pie hole: Shut your mouth.

Sentence: Anyway, you take more breaks than I do to go outside and smoke, so shut your pie hole!

Simmer down: Calm down after anger or excitement; an informal way to tell someone to cool down.

Sentence: Please don’t shout, simmer down, there’s no point in rejoicing yet.

Sink or swim: Fail or succeed.

Sentence: The test will decide if he sinks or swims.

Sink your teeth into: Work energetically and productively on (a task).

Sentence: The course gives students something to get their teeth into.

Sit at the feet of: To be in a position of devotion or worship to someone.

Sentence: The graduate student sat the feet of the famous professor for years.

Skeleton crew: The minimum number of people needed to keep a service/office running.

Sentence: Can you come back after the holidays? We’re operating with a skeleton crew currently.

Slap on the wrist: A mild punishment, such as scolding.

Sentence: The cop pulled me over for the speeding, but it was my first time so she just gave me a slap on the wrist.

Sleep on it: Delay making a decision until the following day.

Sentence: The job you’re offering me sounds enticing, but I’d like to sleep on it before giving my final decision.

Sleeping partner: A person who put money into a business company but isn’t involved in running it (day to day operations).

Sentence: Tom found a sleeping partner to invest money in his business.

Snap course:  An easy course (in school).

Sentence: I took a snap course in algebra and flunked it.

Snowed under: Having too much to do.

Sentence: I’d love to help you but I’m completely snowed under at the moment.

Sold (someone) out: To snitch on someone; let their secret out.

Sentence: I asked you to keep it to yourself! I can’t believe you sold me out, I trusted you!

Anybody’s guess: No one knows the answer.

Sentence: How the lawsuit will turn out is anybody’s guess.

Sour grapes: Pretending to dislike something that you can’t have.

Sentence: The losers don’t mind that they can’t win the cup, but I’m sure this is only sour grapes.

Sow one’s wild oats: To indulge in youthful follies.

Sentence: Mrs. Smith told Mr. Smith that he was too old to be sowing his wild oats.

Speak volumes for: (Of a gesture, circumstance, etc.) convey a great deal without using words.

Sentence: The unsightly yard and unpainted house speaks volumes about the kind of people live there.

Split hair: To criticize minutely; make small and overfine distinctions.

Sentence: one of those medieval disputes which split hairs endlessly.

Sprain one’s ankle: To be or become pregnant.

Sentence: From the looks of her, she must have sprained her ankle some months ago.

Spur of the moment: On impulse; without planning in advance.

Sentence: I decided to drive to Colorado on the spur of the moment.

Stand one’s ground: Maintaining one’s position.

Sentence: He stood his ground in support of his friend in spite of several family interferences.

Steal a march: Gain an advantage over unexpectedly or secretly.

Sentence: Our competitor stole a march on us and got the big contract.

Step up your game: To improve one's performance, or the quality of one's work.

Sentence: You need to step up your game if you want to win the championship.

Steal someone’s thunder: Win praise for oneself by pre-empting someone else's attempt to impress.

Sentence: Sam stole my thunder when he said he'd done all the work.

Still in the game: Once again (or still) active or able to succeed in something.

Sentence: one of the biggest R & B groups from the last decade is back in the game.

Storm in a teacup: Great outrage or excitement about a trivial matter.

Sentence: I think it’s all a storm in a teacup.

Straw vote: An unofficial vote or poll indicating how people feel about a candidate or issue.

Sentence: Let’s take a straw poll on the bill and see how it fares.

Stuck in a time warp: Have failed to keep up with the passage of time.

Sentence: His government was stuck in a time warp.

Stuffed shirt: A person who is too rigid or too formal.

Sentence: I do not want to invite my neighbor to come with us because he is a stuffed shirt and not very interesting to spend time with.

Swallow one’s pride: Accepting something humiliating or embarrassing.

Sentence: When his son was caught cheating in the exam, he had to swallow his pride and meet the principal.

Swan song: The final act before dying or ending something.

Sentence: I’m going to resign tomorrow. This project was my swan song and now that it has been completed, I’ll leave.

Take each day as it comes: Deal with them as they happen without worrying about them.

Sentence: Don't worry about being prepared for every possible scenario—just take each day as it comes.

Talk a blue streak: When someone talks incessantly.

Sentence: The woman in the hospital bed next to me talked a blue streak all day.

Talk through one’s hat: To say something without knowing or understanding the facts.

Sentence: He is talking through his hat when he says he'll make the team.

Tar someone with the same brush: To believe someone has the same bad qualities as others in a group.

Sentence: I don’t think much of that band but the singer shouldn’t be tarred with the same brush. She’s got a fantastic voice.

Teach grandmother to suck eggs: To try to tell or show someone more knowledgeable or experienced than oneself how to do something.

Sentence: Don’t suggest showing Mary how to knit. It will be like teaching your grandmother to suck eggs.

Tear a (place) apart: To search some place to the point of destruction.

Sentence: The cops came with a search warrant and tore your room apart.

Tear off a strip: To speak angrily to someone because they have done something wrong.

Sentence: He tore her off a strip for being late.

Tell tales out of school/tell tales: To gossip or spread rumors.

Sentence: I wish Gina wouldn’t tell tales out of school so much, people find it hard to believe anything that she says now.

The best-laid plans of mice and men: The best thought out plans that anyone can make.

Sentence: The best-laid plans of mice and men could not prevent our travel problems.

The fag end: The last part of something, especially when regarded as less important or interesting.

Sentence: We went away at the fag end of the summer when all the shops and restaurants were starting to close.

The hair of the dog that bit one: An alcoholic drink consumed to remedy a hangover.

Sentence: The man had the hair of the dog that bit him before he ate breakfast.

The last (or final) straw: A further difficulty or annoyance, typically minor in itself but coming on top of a series of difficulties, that makes a situation unbearable.

Sentence: My recently sprained ankle was the last straw; I need to get surgery now.

The moment of truth: A time when a person or thing is tested, a decision has to be made, or a crisis has to be faced.

Sentence: The moment of truth for most German children comes at the end of Grade 4.

The old school tie/ old boy network: The way in which men who have been to the same expensive private school help each other to find good jobs

Sentence: The old school tie still has enormous power in most of the organizations.

The ship has sailed: The opportunity has been missed out on.

Sentence: He waited too long to apply for that job, and now the ship has sailed.

The tail wagging the dog: A small or unimportant part of something is becoming too important and is controlling the whole thing.

Sentence: With the receptionist controlling everything in the office, the tail is wagging the dog.

The usual suspects: The people you would expect to be present somewhere or doing a particular thing.

Sentence: Who did you spend the evening with? Oh- Dan, Yuko, Jayne—the local suspects.

The woods are full of something: There are lots and lots of something.

Sentence: The woods are full of cheap, compatible computer clones.

Think on your feet: Adjusting quickly to changes and making fast decisions.

Sentence: A good sales man must be able to think on his feet to close the deal.

Throw one’s hat into the ring: To announce that one is running for an elected office.

Sentence: The mayor threw his hat into the ring and decided to run for national office.

Thumbnail sketch: A quick and concise description.

Sentence: Let me give you a thumbnail sketch of what happened.

Tickle the ivory: A humorous way of talking about playing the piano.

Sentence: My mother used to love playing the piano. She’d tickle the ivory whenever she had a chance.

Tickled pink: To be very pleased, thrilled or delighted about something.

Sentence: Anna was tickled pink that her fiancé had made such an effort for her birthday.

Tie the knot: Get married.

Sentence: I never knew that you tied the knot on the fourteenth of February!

Tight-fisted: Very frugal; unwilling to spend money unnecessarily.

Sentence: Do you think Charlie will donate to Red Cross? No, he’s very tight-fisted.

Time after time/ time and time again: On very many occasions; repeatedly.

Sentence: I've told you time and time again to lock both doors before you leave.

Time for a change: Announcing a decision to make a change.

Sentence: We can’t continue with this worn down bike. It’s time for a change!

Time is of the essence: When something must be done immediately.

Sentence: We must get to work right away since time is of the essence.

To be colorless: Used to describe someone who lacks personality and is really boring.

Sentence: It’s really hard to make conversation with her. She’s just really dull and colorless

To be green: Someone who is immature, or inexperienced.

Sentence: He can be rather green sometimes. I don’t think he’s ready to be promoted to a higher position.

To be in the red: To be in debt; owe someone money.

Sentence: I’ve got 3 credit card bills to pay off at the moment and I hate being in the red.

To be kept in the dark: Keeping a secret from someone; unaware of some truth.

Sentence: He kept everyone in the dark about his illness.

To be out of the red: To be out of debt.

Sentence: Our company is finally out of the red now.

To be shown the red card: To be dismissed from your job.

Sentence: The company Accountant was shown the red card, after they found out he was using company money for personal gain.

To break the duck: If a player was on zero for a long time and finally scores.

Sentence: The team’s star striker broke her duck after the team nearly lost the match.

To die a dog’s death: Die in a painful and shameful way.

Sentence: When he dies, there will be on one to look after him and he’d die like a dog.

To gird up one’s loins: To prepare oneself mentally for something difficult (a task, action).

Sentence: Both sides are presently girding their loins for the legal battles that lie ahead.

To give/lend color to: To help make a story or an explanation more credible and easier to believe;

accompany something.

Sentence: The music in the play helped lend color to the theater group’s act.

To hear something straight from the horse’s mouth: Learn something directly from an

authoritative source.

Sentence: This comes straight from the horse’s mouth, so it has to be believed.

To look through rose-colored/tinted spectacles/glasses: To see only the pleasant things about a

situation and not notice the things that are unpleasant.

Sentence: She has always seen everything through rose-tinted glasses because her parents spoilt her so much when she was young.

To paint in bright/dark colors: Showcase something in a flattering (bright) or unflattering (dark)

way.

Sentence: She only painted the venue in dark colors because she wanted to use it for her wedding.

To put spoke in one’s wheel: To disrupt, foil, or cause problems to one’s plan, activity or project.

Sentence: People are going to hate you for putting spoke in their wheel, especially when it’s a critical activity.

To see red: To react with uncontrollable rage against someone or something.

Sentence: John saw red when he heard someone shouting at his mother.

To see the red light: To recognize approaching danger.

Sentence: Women have the intuitive capability to see the red light.

To sell like hotcakes: An object or commodity that is very successful and selling extremely well.

Sentence: The new football game is selling like hotcakes.

To show one’s true colors: When someone reveals what they are actually like.

Sentence: He showed his true colors when I was expecting him to help.

To spill the beans: To reveal a secret to someone who is not supposed to know.

Sentence: The project was top secret but he spilled the beans.

To take time by the forelock: Not to let an opportunity slip.

Sentence: The nanny took time by the forelock by grabbing the toddler and covering him with a wet towel.

To take up cudgels: To defend.

Sentence: Relatives have taken up the cudgels for 2 British women accused of murder.

Tongue-tied: Difficulty in expressing yourself because of nervousness or embarrassment.

Sentence: As her prospective in laws came to see her, she was completely tongue tied.

Too many chiefs, not enough Indians: Used to describe a situation where there are too many people telling other people what to do, and not enough people to do the work.

Sentence: There are too many chiefs and not enough Indians in that company.

Too much free time on one’s hands: Availability of time but not enough work to do.

Sentence: You have to much free time on your hands; don’t waste opportunities like these!

Top banana: Leader; boss; the main person in a group; the head of a project.

Sentence: I don’t know when we’ll finish, ask Jack, he’s the top banana here.

Top dog: Very successful group, company, person, country, etc.

Sentence: The economic survey proved that they are the top dogs of the IT industry.

Toss something: Throw something away; put something in the trash.

Sentence: These shoes are worn out. I guess I’ll have to toss them.

Tough cookie: A very determined person; durable and robust person; a person who is difficult to deal with.

Sentence: There is a tough cookie on the phone, he insists to talk to the manager.

Tricks of the trade: Special ingenious (creative) techniques used in a profession or craft, especially those that are little known by outsiders.

Sentence: Being into the construction business for last 10 years, I know all tricks of the trade.

Trumpet something: To deliberately broadcast some news for everyone to hear, with the intent to boast about something.

Sentence: He hasn’t stopped trumpeting his promotion ever since he got it last month. It’s very annoying.

Turn (someone’s) crank: To excite or arouse someone’s interest and attention.Sentence: To be honest, science never turned my crank in school.

Turn back the hands of time: This means to go back to the past, usually used in moments of reminiscence or regret.

Sentence: If I could turn back the hands of time, I would promise to be a better person and treat you right.

Turn full circle: To return to the original or a similar position.

Sentence: I used to work in various kitchens during college to support myself, but now I’ve turned full circle and am the head chef of my own restaurant.

Turn into a pumpkin: Go to bed due to the late hour of the night.

Sentence: I’ve had a wonderful time, but I’m turning into a pumpkin. I think I’ll call a cab and head home.

Twinkle with something: Sparkle because of something.

Sentence: Her eyes twinkled with laughter.

Twist someone’s arm: Coerce or persuade someone.

Sentence: If you twist my arm, I’ll stay for another drink.

Two-faced: Deceitful; disloyal; someone who pretends to be a friend but isn’t.

Sentence: I thought he was my friend, but he’s two-faced.

Two-time: To betray one’s spouse or lover by being involved with someone else at the same time.

Sentence: When she found out that he had been two-timing her, she left him instantly.

Under the weather: Sick, feeling unwell, sad or lacking energy.

Sentence: Do you mind if I stay out of work today? I’m feeling under the weather and might have the flu.

Until hell freezes over: When someone says this to you, they mean you can down whatever you like for as long as you want to, but you will never obtain what you are trying.

Sentence: You can keep asking me until hell freezes over, but I will not allow you to visit that boy.

Until you’re blue in the face: Keep saying the same thing again and again but no one listens to you.

Sentence: You can talk until you’re blue in the face, but I won’t change my head.

Up a creek without a paddle: In a bad situation.

Sentence: Yesterday my car ran out of gas and then my phone ran out of battery, I was up a creek without a paddle.

Up to snuff: As good as is required; meeting the minimum requirements.

Sentence: Sorry, Tom. Your performance isn’t up to snuff. You’ll have to improve or find another job.

Up with the crows: Awake, out of bed, and active at a particularly early hour of the morning.

Sentence: I don’t know how he does it, but my husband has gotten up with the crows every morning of his life.

Utopian scheme: A visionary plan or scheme.

Sentence: A utopian scheme for giving pension to all old school by the country has been proposed by the Government.

Vexed question: A puzzling question.

Sentence: It really is a vexed question that needs proper attention.

Wait for the other shoe to drop: To wait for something bad to happen.

Sentence: Our company announced that many people were going to be laid off. We’re waiting for the other shoe to drop in order to learn more details of this announcement.

Waiting in the wings: Waiting for an opportunity to take action, mostly to replace someone else in their job.

Sentence: The senior manager is going to retire in next 2 months. Two of his juniors who are waiting in the wings will have a fierce competition.

Walk out on somebody: Leave your partner and end the relationship.

Sentence: You’re the second man to walk out on me. I won’t let it happen ever again.

Walking papers: The letter or notice dismissing somebody from a job.

Sentence: Helen was given her walking papers yesterday.

Wash one’s dirty linen in public: To discuss private or embarrassing matters or issues in public.

Sentence: She will talk to anyone about her problems. Why does she wash her dirty linen in public?

Weal and woe: Good and bad days.

Sentence: Weal and woe come in everybody’s life. One should learn to live with them.

Wear one’s heart on one’s sleeve: To show one’s feeling openly.

Sentence: John Abraham has stopped wearing his heart on his sleeve.

Wear out one’s welcome: to be no longer welcome to stay in a place because one has stayed too long, been impolite, etc.

Sentence: I don’t want to wear out my welcome at Joshua’s place.

Wear several hats: To have more than one set of responsibilities.

Sentence: Our teacher wears several hats—she is the head of the school board as well as the coach of the swim team.

Wear the pants in one’s family: To be the boss of a family or household.

Sentence: The woman wears the pants in her family and she is always telling her husband what to do.

Weasel out of something: To evade a task or assigned responsibility; to wiggle out of a responsibility.

Sentence: I know how to weasel out of something like that. You’d get a headache

Wet behind the ears: Inexperienced and naive.

Sentence: He’s just started working here and is still too wet behind the ears.

Wet your whistle: To drink something alcoholic.

Sentence: Why don’t you join us tonight and wet your whistle?

Whistle for it: If someone says this to you, it means they are determined to ensure that you don’t get what you are after.

Sentence: You can whistle for it as much as you like, this is an heirloom of our family and will stay with us.

Whistle stop-tour: When someone visits several places quickly, only stopping at each for a short period of time.

Sentence: We’re going to visit our family up North but it’s only going be a whistle-stop tour.

Whistling dixie: If someone is a whistling dixie, they talk about things in a more positive way than the reality.

Sentence: He heard what the doctor had to say, but he still seems to be whistling dixie.

Whistling in the dark: Pretend to be unafraid.

Sentence: He seems pretty determined that he’s going to win the race but judging from who he is up 

against, I think he’s only whistling in the dark.

White as a ghost: Someone who is very pale because of pain, fear, shock or illness.

Sentence: His face went as white as a ghost when he saw the burglar in his house.

Whitewash: To cover up or gloss over faults or wrongdoings.

Sentence: The government was accused of trying to whitewash the scandal over charity payments.

Whole bag of tricks:  Trying all the clever means to achieve something.

Sentence: It was difficult to obtain information even after applying the whole bag of tricks.  

Wild and woolly: Exciting.

Sentence: The ride home was wild and woolly.

Wishy-washy: Uncommitted; without an opinion of one’s own.

Sentence: Don’t be so wishy-washy. Tell us how you really feel.

With bells on: This means to arrive somewhere happy and delighted to attend.

Sentence: Yes, I’m going to the party too; I’ll be there with bells on.

Wooden spoon: An imaginary prize for the last person in a race or some other competition.

Sentence: We won a wooden spoon at the fashion show.

Works like a charm: Be completely successful or effective.

Sentence: The can opener works like a charm!

Year in, year out: continuously or repeatedly over a period of years.

Sentence: Our family holidays are so boring now. Year in, year out we go to the same holiday resort and stay in the same old hotel.

Yellow bellied: Someone who is seen as a coward or extremely timid.

Sentence: He is a yellow-bellied coward and won’t stand up for what is right.

You can’t teach an old dog new tricks: It is very difficult to teach someone new skills or to change someone's habits.

Sentence: I've been away from school for fifteen years; I can't go back to college now. You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

You can’t unring a bell: Once something has been done, it cannot be changed and you have to live with the consequences.

Sentence: I’m afraid you can’t unring the bell now, everyone heard what you said.

Zip (up) your lips/zip it up: An informal way to tell someone to be quiet.

Sentence: Zip your lips, boys, and listen to me.