idiom meaning a · idioms idiom meaning a a bad egg a worthless person a bag of bones a person who...

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IDIOMS

IDIOM MEANINGA a bad egg a worthless persona bag of bones a person who is so thin that his bones can almost

be seena bed of roses very comfortablea bolt from the blue a completely unexpected action, often an

unpleasant surprisea bone of contention something that will cause a quarrela bright spark an intelligent persona bull in a china shop a very clumsy person who is very destructivea cat on hot bricks very nervousa cat-and-dog life always quarrellinga change of heart change one’s opiniona chip off the old block resemble the parents or any of the older members

of the familya close shave a narrow escapea cock and bull story a silly and incredible storya cog in a machine an unimportant role in an organisationa cold fish a person who shows little emotiona daredevil a brave and reckless persona diehard someone who always refuses to accept new ideasa dog in the manger one who prevents others from using what he

cannot usea dog with two tails a person who is extremely pleaseda drop in the ocean a very small quantitya feather in one’s cap something one has reason to be proud of ( such as

promotion, honour award, recognition )a fish out of water one who is in an awkward or embarrassing situationa flash in the pan a sudden, single success


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IDIOM MEANINGa fly in the ointment something which prevents a plan from being

carried out smoothlya free hand the opportunity to do as one thinks besta good Samaritan a stranger who helps you when you are faced with

some problemsa good-for-nothing a useless persona Greek gift a gift given with a treacherous motivea greenhorn someone new and inexperienced in a joba Gretna Green marriage a runaway marriagea hard nut to crack a problem difficult to solvea ladies’ man a man who is fond of female companya man of his word a person who always does what he promised to doa man of straw a weak and worthless persona mare’s nest a confused situationa mercurial temperament fickle / light-hearteda month of Sundays an indefinitely long perioda near thing when you nearly failed to achieve something and

only just succeededa nine day’s wonder an event which creates a sensation for a time but is

soon forgottena red herring something meant to mislead people and throw

them off the traila red rag to a bull something that deliberately angers someonea Roland for an Oliver tit for tat / an eye for an eye / a tooth for a tooth /

an effective retorta scapegoat someone who is blamed for something he did not doa skeleton in the cupboard a dreadful secret that happened to you in the pasta slip of the tongue something said in errora snake in the grass an enemy who strikes under covera square peg in a round hole

a person doing unsuitable work


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IDIOM MEANINGa stone’s throw a very short distancea storm in a teacup unnecessarily excited reaction to an unimportant

mattera sweet tooth a liking for sweet things or fooda tall order a difficult task to carry outa tall story a story that is difficult to believea thorn in one’s flesh a constant source of irritation to one a triton among the minnows

a person who completely dominates those around him

a wet blanket a person who discourages other people / one who is a damper to enjoyment

a white elephant an expensive but useless possessiona white lie a lie told to avoid making someone upseta wild goose chase a vain attempta wild-cat scheme a rash scheme which will probably failabove board honest / straightforwardAchilles heel a weak spotafter one’s own heart exactly as one desiresair one’s opinion give vent to one’s feeling in publicAll is fish that comes to the net.

One should take advantage of everything that comes his way.

All that glitters is not gold. Things are not always as attractive as they appear.all thumbs clumsyan admirable Crichton a very talented personan Adonis a very handsome manan all-rounder a person with the ability to do a number of jobs

satisfactorilyan Amazon a masculine woman / a tall and strong womanan Ananias a liaran Apollo a man with a perfect physiquean El Dorado an imaginary place of great riches


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IDIOM MEANINGan empty purse / a light purse

poverty

an exodus the departure of a large group of peoplean eye for an eye return evil for evilan eye-servant one who works only under supervisionan iron-bound coast a coast surrounded by rocksAn old bird is not to be caught with chaff.

An experienced person is not easily fooled or deceived.

an old hand someone with a lot of experiencean old head on young shoulders

wisdom in a young person

apple of discord a cause of strife, contention or quarrelapple-pie order in perfect orderarcadian life a blissfully happy, rural and simple lifearm in arm in a friendly wayarmed to the teeth fully armedas plain as the nose on one’s face

easily seen

as the crow flies in a straight line / the shortest distance between two points

As you make your bed, so you must lie on it.

You will have to bear the consequences of your own mistake or misdeed.

at arm’s length avoid being too friendly with someoneat daggers drawn be deadly enemiesat first blush when first thought ofat hand near ( of place and time )at one go at a single attemptat one’s fingertips know thoroughlyat one’s wits’ end be very annoyed as one has tried his best to solve a

problem but to no availat sixes and sevens in confusionat someone’s heels close behind someone


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IDIOM MEANINGat the eleventh hour at the last momentat the end of his tether unable to proceed any furtherat the top of one’s voice very loudlyattic salt refined, subtle witBback in harness resume work after a holidaybackbite someone speak ill of someonebackbone of something the most important part of somethingbackstairs influence influence exerted in an underhand mannerbad blood angry feeling between peoplebad faith dishonest intentionbad form bad mannersbag and baggage with all one’s belongingsbandy words arguebark up the wrong tree use a wrong methodBarmecide feast imaginary benefitsbe all ears be eager to listenbe at a loss for words not knowing what to saybe at odds disagreebe born with a silver spoon in one’s mouth

be born into a rich family

be caught napping be taken by surprisebe child’s play a very easy thing to dobe cocksure be very certainbe glad to see the back of someone

feel pleased to see someone go away

be head and shoulders above someone

superior to someone

be no spring chicken be no longer youngbear the palm be victoriousbeat about the bush talk about something without coming to the point

of the issue


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IDIOM MEANINGbed and board lodging and foodbeeline the shortest distance between two placesbefore long soon / in a short whilebehind one’s back without one’s knowledgebehind the scenes in privatebell the cat do something very dangerousbeside oneself mad with grief or ragebeside the mark irrelevantbeside the point irrelevantbetter half one’s husband or wifebeyond all dispute undoubtedlybite off more than one can chew

undertake a task that is beyond one’s ability

bite one’s lip prevent oneself from showing his emotionsbite someone’s head off scold someone angrilybite the hand that feeds you be ungrateful to someone who has helped youblack sheep of the family the member of the family who brings disgrace to

his relativesBlood is thicker than water. It is natural that one usually takes side of his family.blow hot and cold constantly change one’s mind about a proposalblow one’s own trumpet boast about oneselfblue blood the fact that someone was born into a family from

the highest social classblue book the report of the Act or proceedings of the British

Parliamentblue ribbon the highest prize in any sport competition or

tournamentbombshell a sudden surprising event or newsbone dry quite drybow the knee submitbreach of promise failure to keep a promise to marry one to whom

you are betrothed


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IDIOM MEANINGbreadwinner one who provides the means of livelihood for

himself and his familybreak one’s heart cause great sorrowbreak the back of something

finish the hardest part of a task

break the ice be the first to startbreak the neck of accomplish the hardest part of a taskbring someone to his knees defeat someonebuild castles in the air daydreamburn the candle at both ends

use up too much energy without resting

burn the midnight oil stay up late in order to workbury the hatchet forget past quarrels and become friends againbut me no buts not to bring forward any objectionsby fits and starts spasmodically / not continuous / intermittentlyby hook or by crook by fair or foul meansby leaps and bounds very quicklyby word of mouth orallyCcall a spade a spade be very frank and outspokencall someone names insult someonecan’t make head nor tail of something

not be able to understand something

capital punishment the death sentence / the death penaltycapital ship a warship of the most powerful kindcarry coals to Newcastle do something unnecessarycarry someone off his feet fill someone with strong enthusiasmcarry weight be importantcat’s paw one used as a tool to do something dangerouscaught red-handed caught while committing the crimechild’s play an easy task


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IDIOM MEANINGclutch at straws continue to look for solutionscome back down to earth be practical or realistic after having an exciting timecome to a head reach a critical stagecome to hand be disclosedcome to the point reach the most important factcook one’s goose spoil one’s planscool one’s heels be kept waiting for a long timecry over spilt milk be upset over something about which nothing else

could be donecurl one’s lip show scorncurry favour with try to get someone’s approval by flatteringcut the Gordian knot take a drastic step in deciding a difficult problemcut your coat according to your cloth

spend only what you can afford

Dday of reckoning the time when one has to face the consequences of

his past mistakedead beat quite exhausteddead broke without a centdevil’s bones dicedo the trick achieve one’s purposedog-cheap extremely cheapDon’t cross the bridge until you come to it.

Do not anticipate difficulties.

donkey work work that is boringdonkey’s years a very long timedot the i’s and cross the t’s give precise detailsdown in the mouth feeling saddown-and-out ruined or pennilessdown-at-heel being in poor circumstancesDraconian Legislation very severe laws


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IDIOM MEANINGdrag over the coals scold severelydraw a blank get nothing ( as a result of looking for something )draw the line not to do something which you think is wrongdrop a brick make a mistakedrop someone a line write a letter to someoneDutch courage bravery induced by alcoholic drinksEeagle-eyed having sharp eyesighteat humble pie admit one’s mistakeeat one’s heart out feel extremely upseteat one’s words admit that what one said was wrongeat out of someone’s hand be willing and ready to do what one is toldElysian happiness a state of perfect blissend in smoke be destroyedescape by the skin of one’s teeth

have a very narrow escape

evil days a period of misfortuneeyewash nonsenseFFabian tactics a policy of wearing down the opponent by delaying

actionface a thing out persist boldlyface the music take punishment without complaintface-to-face in the presence of the person fall foul of someone quarrel with someonefall on one’s feet overcome difficultiesfan the flames increase the excitementfar from it not at allfeel in one’s bones feel certainfeel run-down feel unwellfight like cat and dog be in constant fighting / quarelling


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IDIOM MEANINGfight tooth and nail make a lot of effort to achieve somethingfind one’s tongue be able to speak again after being too shy to speakfish in troubled waters try to gain an advantage for oneself by interfering

in the troubles of other peoplefishy doubtfulfly off the handle lose one’s temperfollow one’s nose go straight aheadfoot the bill pay for somethingfoul play unfair dealing in a game / cheatingfree-for-all a disorderly fight or argument in which everyone

present joins infrom hand to hand from one person to anotherfrom hand to mouth in povertyfrom the horse’s mouth from the genuine or first-hand sourcefrom top to toe including every part of one’s bodyGgain the upper hand gain mastery ofget into hot water get into troubleget on the bandwagon recognise the popularity and success of a person

and support him for personal gainGet on your high horse. be arrogantget one’s monkey up get angryget worked up become excitedgive ear listen attentivelygive oneself airs pretend to be goodgive rein to allow a person to have his own waygive someone a piece of your mind

scold someone and tell him why you are angry

Give someone an inch and they’ll take a mile.

One will abuse his privilege and try to get a lot more.

give someone the cold shoulder

make someone feel unwelcome


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IDIOM MEANINGgive someone the edge of one’s tongue

scold someone

give someone the slip escape from someonegive someone the slipper slap someonegive the devil his due give a person credit for his good deed however

worthless he may begive the lie to prove to be a liegive up the ghost diego against the grain be contrary to one’s upbringinggo back on one’s word fail to keep a promisego begging sold very cheaply because no one cares to buygo cap in hand beseech in a humble mannergo off at a tangent change to a different course of thought or action

suddenlygo it alone do something without help from othersgo to any lengths be ready to do anything in order to achieve or avoid

something go to law take legal proceedingsgo to the devil be offgo to the dogs become worsego to the root of the matter find out the source of the mattergo with the stream do or think as the majority of people do go wrong make a mistakegrade up improve the stock by crossing with a better breedgreen with envy be jealousHhair’s breadth a very small distancehalcyon days a period in the past with peace and happinesshand in glove with someone

closely connected to someone

hands off do not touch


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IDIOM MEANINGhang on someone’s words listen eagerly to every wordhang up one’s hat settle down at a placehappy-go-lucky easy-goinghard and fast rules very strict ruleshard of hearing almost deafhard-line being extreme and severeharp on the same string refer repeatedly to the same subjecthave a bee in one’s bonnet

keep talking about the same thing again and again

have a bone to pick with someone

say something to someone that might cause a quarrel

have a finger in the pie be involved in somethinghave a good head on one’s shoulders

have good judgment

have a sword of Damocles hanging over one’s head

live in the constant fear of some impending danger

have an axe to grind have a strong opinion about somethinghave an itching palm be open to briberyhave cold feet lack courage to do somethinghave green fingers be good at making plants growhave no backbone have no will of one’s ownhave one foot in the grave be nearly deadhave one’s back to the wall be in a difficult positionhave one’s hands full be very busyhave one’s head in the clouds

live in dreamland

have one’s head screwed on be sensiblehave one’s heart in one’s mouth

feel afraid

have seen better days was once prosperoushave something at one’s fingertips

know something thoroughly


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IDIOM MEANINGhave something up one’s sleeve

have a surprise plan

have the last word make the final statementhave the trump card have some methods of becoming victorioushave too many irons in the fire

be engaged in too many things at the same time

head and ears completely head over heels ( in love ) completely in loveheap coals on someone’s head

return good for evil

heart and soul with great enthusiasm heartfelt sincere heartrending causing deep griefheartstrings deepest feelings of lovehector someone bully someoneheels over head hastilyhermetically sealed sealed closely so as to exclude airhigh and dry on one’s ownhigh-flown language bombastic languageHis bread is well buttered. He is in fortunate circumstances.His heart is in his boots. He is very disappointed.hit below the belt do something unfairly to someonehit the nail on the head mention the true facts of a caseHobson’s choice no choice at allhold one’s tongue keep a thing secrethold out the olive branch offer to end an argumenthold someone to his word ensure that someone keeps his promisehold the purse strings have control of the finance of a family or

organisationhold the reins be in full control of thingshope against hope hope in spite of the unfavourable signs


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IDIOM MEANINGhornets’ nest a situation with great troublehostage to fortune a risky actionIif the worst comes to the worst

if what is feared eventually happens

in a body as a wholein a fix in an awkward situationin a jiffy in an exceedingly short timein a nutshell express accurately in very few wordsin a quandary being unable to decidein a spot in a difficult situationin bad odour in bad reputein black and white written down on paperin cold blood without showing emotionin Davy Jones’ Locker at the bottom of the seain deep water in a difficult situationin for a penny, in for a pound

Since one has started doing something, he should complete it instead of doing it halfway.

in good faith with honest intentionsin good shape in good physical condition in hand under complete controlin one ear and out the other

hear something but forget it very quickly

in someone’s bad books out of favour with someonein someone’s good books in favour with someonein someone’s shoes in the situation someone is inin someone’s way obstructing someonein stitches laughing uncontrollablyin the arms of Morpheus asleepin the dark in ignorancein the face of in the presence of


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IDIOM MEANINGin the know informed ( of a secret matter ) in the long run eventuallyin the nick of time only just in timein the pink in very good healthin the pipeline already on the wayin the same boat in the same circumstancesin the teeth of in opposition toin the twinkling of an eye very quicklyin touch with someone in communication with someoneIt is as broad as it is long. It is the same whichever way one views it.It never rains but it pours. Problems always happen at the same time.Jjack-of-all-trades one who does many things but expert in noneJohn Bull an Englishmanjump out of the frying pan into the fire

come out of a trouble and get into a worse one

Kkeep a person at arm’s length

refuse to be on familiar terms with someone

keep a straight face hide one’s amusement by not smilingkeep an eye on watch carefullykeep body and soul together

keep alive

keep in mind rememberkeep one’s head remain calmkeep one’s head above water

avoid debt

keep quiet keep a secretkeep the ball rolling keep things goingkeep up appearances make things appear well whether they are or notkeep up with the Joneses try to compete with neighbours or friends in buying

luxury items


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IDIOM MEANINGkick the bucket diekick up one’s heels enjoy oneselfkill the goose that lays the golden egg

lose a valuable source of income

kill two birds with one stone

do two tasks with one action

kiss the dust fall to the earth because one is deadknit the brow frownknow the ropes be well informedknuckle under give in submissivelykowtow to someone act in a very servile manner towards someoneLlaugh on the wrong side of one’s mouth

feel upset when things do not happen as expected

laugh up your sleeve laugh secretly at someonelay a finger on someone touch someone in a threatening waylay down one’s arms stop fightinglay hands on someone catch someone roughlylay heads together consult lead someone by the nose completely control someonelead to the altar marrylearn by heart commit to memoryleave in the lurch desert someone in difficultiesleave no stone unturned use all meanslend a hand helplet bygones be bygones let past sorrows be forgottenlet one’s hair down behave informallyLet sleeping dogs lie. Do not recall matters which are likely to cause pain

or grief.let the cat out of the bag let out the secretlike a bear with a sore head very bad-tempered


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IDIOM MEANINGlive from hand to mouth spend all one’s earnings without making provision

for the futurelive in clover live in great luxurylock, stock and barrel the whole of everythinglong odds unlikely to happenlook a gift horse in the mouth

be ungrateful to someone who gives you something

Look before you leap. Think before acting.look for a needle in a haystack

begin a search for something with only a very slim chance of finding it

look someone in the face look at someone steadilylook to one’s laurels make an extra effort to guard against defeatlose face lose one’s dignitylose heart be discouragedlose one’s bearings be uncertain of what to dolose one’s head lose controlMmake a clean breast of it make a full confessionmake a day of it spend the whole daymake a mountain out of a molehill

exaggerate the importance of a small matter

make a point of doing something

attach special importance to doing something

make believe pretendmake bricks without straw attempt to do something without proper materials

or due preparationmake ends meet spend within one’s incomemake eyes look lovinglyMake hay while the sun shines.

Take advantage of all opportunities.

make light of something treat as unimportantmake no bones say or proclaim publicly


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IDIOM MEANINGmake one’s blood run cold be filled with terrormake one’s mark achieve success brilliantlymake someone’s hair stand on end

cause someone to be filled with fear or terror

make someone’s mouth water

raise a strong feeling of desire for something

make the grade reach the required standardmake up one’s mind decidemarch in single file march one behind the other in a single linemare’s nest a very complicated situationmind one’s own business not to interfere mind one’s p’s and q’s be careful how one behavesmiss the boat lose an opportunityMore haste, less speed. Work done hurriedly is apt to be badly done.more than flesh and blood can stand

too much for human nature

move heaven and earth exert all effortmuch of a muchness almost alikeNnail a lie expose a lie publiclyneck and crop completelyneck or nothing at all risksnext of kin nearest of blood relationnip in the bud stop something before it can developno backbone no courage and determinationno laughing matter something very seriousno room to swing a cat not enough space for anyone to be comfortablenot lift a hand make no effort to helpnot to know a B from a bull’s foot

be ignorant of even the simplest thing

not turn a hair remain calmnot up to the mark not measuring up to a required standard


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IDIOM MEANINGnothing but skin and bones

without flesh on one’s bones ( very thin )

Oodd man out a person who does not fit into the societyodds and ends remnantsof the same kidney of the same natureoff hand immediately off one’s head overexcitedoff the bat immediatelyoff-colour not very wellon a shoestring on a very small amount of moneyon account of for the sake ofon all fours crawlon one’s feet standing on one’s last legs very tiredon someone’s back criticise someone several timeson the carpet be scolded by someoneon the face of it judging by appearanceon the house free on the knees of the gods beyond human controlon the quiet secretlyon the rocks in a desperate situationon the spur of the moment without much thoughton the tip of one’s tongue on the point of being utteredon thin ice in a dangerous and difficult positionon top of the world in a very good spiritonce in a blue moon a very rare occasionone’s bread and butter one’s livelihoodone’s heart in the right place

be faithful

one’s own flesh and blood one’s relatives


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IDIOM MEANINGone’s true colours as one really isout of hand out of controlout of luck unluckyout of one’s hands no longer under one’s controlout of one’s mind madout of sorts feeling unwellout of temper angryout of the frying pan into the fire

from a bad situation into a worse one

out of the question impossibleout of the woods out of dangerout of touch with someone no longer in contact with someoneout-Herod Herod exceed in violencePpaddle one’s own canoe do things by oneselfpaint the town red enjoy oneself in a public place in a wild and noisy

mannerpalm off a thing get rid of a thing under false pretencesParthian shot a parting wordpass the buck pass on the unwanted responsibility to someone

elsepass the hat around ask for money from a group of peoplepass with flying colours do very well in a testpave the way facilitatepay lip service pretend to be loyalpay off an old score have one’s revenge for an offence made beforepay the piper receive punishmentpay through the nose pay too high a pricepetticoat government government under the rule of a femalepick and choose choose very carefullypick holes in something find fault with


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IDIOM MEANINGpick someone’s brains ask for information from someone who knows a lot

about itpick to pieces criticise harshlypig in a poke buy something blindlypin money an allowance for incidental expensespin one’s faith on rely onplay second fiddle take subordinate positionplay the game act fairly and honourablyplay to the gallery endeavour to gain cheap popularityplough a lonely furrow do something without help from othersplough the sands labour uselesslypoke one’s nose into interfere ( without any cause )pooh-pooh an idea express contempt for an ideapour oil on troubled waters

try to end a quarrel by speaking calmly

prick up one’s ears listen attentivelypull down someone humiliate someonepull one’s socks up improve in what one is doingpull someone’s leg play a joke on someonepull strings get the help of high officials in order to get

somethingpull through succeed in something after a great deal of difficultypull to pieces separate something into piecespull together cooperateput all one’s eggs in one basket

risk everything on a single enterprise

put in a nutshell express in a very concise termput on a long face look serious or dismalput one’s back into something

work at something with all one’s energy


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IDIOM MEANINGput one’s best foot forward

do one’s best

put one’s foot down state one’s opinion firmlyput one’s foot in it get into troubleput one’s hand to begin a task earnestlyput one’s nose in be unduly meddlesomeput one’s nose out of joint upset someone by spoiling his plansput one’s shoulder to the wheel

work hard in order to succeed

put someone’s back up make someone angryput something into one’s head

suggest to someone

put something out of one’s head

make one forget

put the cart before the horse

do things the wrong way round

put words in someone’s mouth

interpret what someone has said in a wrong way

Pyrrhic victory a victory that is as costly as defeatRrain cats and dogs rain very heavilyraise Cain make a lot of troubleread between the lines look for the hidden meaningread someone the riot act give someone a very severe warningreceive with open arms welcome cordiallyred flag the symbol of revolutionred tape official rules or procedures that seem unnecessary

and cause much delayred-letter day a memorable / important dayrest on one’s laurels retire from active life and rely on past achievementsride roughshod over someone

act in total disregard of someone’s feelings


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IDIOM MEANINGring the changes be continually making alterationsrise to the occasion show that one is able to deal with a difficult

situation successfullyrob Peter to pay Paul take what belongs to a person and pay it to anotherrough and ready hastily preparedrough and tumble fighting between childrenrough it put up with much difficulties and live simplyrude awakening sudden realisation ( of something unpleasant )rule of thumb a principle based on experiencerun dead heat a race in which the contestants are equally matchedrun in the blood have an inherited qualityrun the gauntlet bear with a series of problemsrun with the hare and hunt with the hounds

act treacherously

Ssail near the wind take the risk that brings disastersail under false colours attempt to deceivesave for a rainy day save for the time when one needs moneysave one’s face save oneself from shamesave one’s own skin avoid being hurtsee daylight begin to understandsee eye to eye agree withsee red lose control of one’s tempersee the light understandSee which way the cat jumps.

See how things turn out before deciding on the course of action.

see with half an eye see easilysend someone to Coventry boycott someoneset by the ears incite quarrelsset foot on step onset forth start on a journey


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IDIOM MEANINGset off on the wrong foot make a mistake since the beginningset one’s face against oppose stronglyset someone by the ears cause people to quarrelset the Thames on fire do something sensationalshake hands with someone

greet by shaking the hand of someone

shake one’s head show oppositionshed crocodile tears shed false tearsshow a clean pair of heels run faster than others in a raceshow one’s face let oneself be seenshow one’s teeth take up a threatening attitudeshow one’s true colours reveal one’s true intention by no longer pretendingshow the cloven hoof reveal one’s evil intentionshow the white feather show sign of cowardicesink or swim no matter whatsit on the fence remain neutralsmack one’s lips show pleasuresmell a rat suspect that something is wrongsmite hip and thigh beat nonstopSomeone’s bark is worse than his bite.

Someone’s actions are not as bad as his threats.

sow the seeds of something

do something that will result in something else happening in the future

spick and span very cleanspin a yarn tell a storysplit hairs dispute over triflesspoil the ship for a hap’orth of tar

ruin something extremely valuable by failure to spend a trifling sum or make a little effort

spread like wildfire circulate ( of news ) with astonishing speedsquare the circle attempt something impossiblestand on one’s own feet be independent


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IDIOM MEANINGstart from scratch start from the very beginningstay aloof keep to oneself without mixing with otherssteal a march on go beforehandstep into dead men’s shoes

come into inheritance

step into someone’s shoes fill someone’s positionstick one’s neck out take a riskstrain at gnats and swallow camels

be over particular in small things and lax in more important matters

strike a false note do or say something that causes one to lose sympathy or approval

strike the right note speak or do something in such a way that one wins the approval of the listener

Ttake a back seat assume an unimportant roletake a leaf out of someone’s book

imitate someone

take French leave be absent from work without permissiontake heart be filled with hopetake in hand take charge oftake into account considertake it into one’s head to do something

decide to do something suddenly

take it out on someone relieve one’s anger or frustration by blaming or attacking someone else

take pot luck share in a meal not specially prepared for gueststake someone in hand discipline someonetake someone’s breath away

startle or surprise someone

take someone’s measure form an estimate of someone’s charactertake something at face value

accept something based on its appearance without studying it closely


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IDIOM MEANINGtake something into one’s head

come to believe something

take stock of surveytake the bit between one’s teeth

get out of control

take the bull by the horns meet dangers boldlytake the cake be the best or the worst of the lottake the chair preside at a meetingtake the law into one’s hands

attempt a revenge without recourse to the law courts

take the wind out of one’s sails

frustrate someone by saying something that he is not expecting

take the words out of someone’s mouth

anticipate someone’s words

take to heart feel troubled about somethingtake to one’s bed have to be confined to bed as a result of sicknesstake to one’s heels run off at great speedtake up arms fight against someonetake up the cudgels for someone

fight for someone

take up the gauntlet accept the challengetake up the reins assume commandtake with a grain of salt accept with doubt or misgivingtalk behind one’s back talk about someone without his knowingtalk nineteen to the dozen talk rapidly and continuouslytalk someone’s head off scold someone severelytalk through one’s hat talk foolishlyTell it to the Marines! said when you hear an incredible storythe apple of one’s eye a favoured personthe best of both worlds advantage from both sidesThe coast is clear. The danger is past.


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IDIOM MEANINGThe darkest hour is just before the dawn.

Relief is often just around the corner when things appear at its worst.

the fairer sex womenThe game is not worth the candle.

The undertaking is not worth the trouble.

The game is up. used to tell someone that you know what his secret plan is and he cannot do it anymore

the ins and outs the full detailsthe laws of the Medes and Persians

unalterable laws

the lion’s share the largest part of somethingthe long and short of it the main thing to be saidthe salt of the earth the best peoplethe thin end of the wedge

the beginning of a harmful development

thespian art the art of tragedythick-skinned being not sensitiveThose who live in glass houses should not throw stones.

People who do not live blameless lives should not find fault with others.

through thick and thin in all kinds of conditionthrow cold water on something

discourage

throw down the gauntlet challenge someonethrow dust in someone’s eyes

try to mislead someone

throw in the sponge / towel admit defeatthrow light on something explain somethingthumbnail sketch a short description mentioning only the main factstied to apron strings completely under a woman’s controlto one’s face openly


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IDIOM MEANINGto the bone completelyto the letter exactlyto the point appropriatetoe the mark meet one’s responsibilities tooth and nail using all energytouch a raw nerve wound someone’s feelingstrue to one’s salt faithful to one’s employertry one’s hand at try out something for the first timeturn a deaf ear to something

deliberately ignore

turn on one’s heel leaveturn one’s back on abandonturn one’s nose up show contemptturn over a new leaf change one’s life or conduct for the betterturn tail run awayturn the tables reverse the conditionturn turtle overturntwist someone around one’s little finger

dominate someone

Uunable to see the wood for the trees

unable to get a clear view of the whole because of too many details

under one’s nose right thereunder someone’s thumb under the control of someoneunder the same roof in the same buildingUneasy lies the head that wears a crown.

Rulers and other people in authority have no easy time as responsibilities weigh heavily upon them.

up and coming likely to succeedup in arms very angryup to the ears overwhelmed


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IDIOM MEANINGup to the eyes deeply involved in up to the mark up to a certain standardups and downs good times and bad timesup-to-date modernWwalk of life profession wash one’s dirty linen in public

discuss disagreeable private matters in the presence of others

wash one’s hands of take no further share inwaste one’s breath talk in vainweak in the head not very intelligentweigh anchor be about to sailWhat is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander.

The conditions are the same for all parties concerned.

Where ignorance is bliss, ’tis folly to be wise.

We should not try to educate people who are happy to remain in their state of ignorance.

where the shoe pinches where the trouble lieswill not make old bones will not live longwin hands down win easilywin the day be victoriouswire-pulling the act of using dishonest method to reach a goalwith a high hand in a dictatorial mannerwith one voice unanimously within earshot within hearing distancewithout end everlastingYyellow press newspapers which publish sensational and

unscrupulous storiesyield the palm to someone admit defeat

idiom meaning a · idioms idiom meaning a a bad egg a worthless person a bag of bones a person who...

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