Idioms
A Bird In The Hand Is Worth Two In The Bush: Having something that is certain is much better than taking a risk for more, because chances are you might lose everything. A Blessing In Disguise: Something good that isn't recognized at first. A Chip On Your Shoulder: Being upset for something that happened in the past. A Dime A Dozen: Anything that is common and easy to get. A Doubting Thomas: A skeptic who needs physical or personal evidence in order to believe something. A Drop in the Bucket: A very small part of something big or whole. A Fool And His Money Are Easily Parted: It's easy for a foolish person to lose his/her money. A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand: Everyone involved must unify and function together or it will not work out.

A Leopard Can't Change His Spots: You cannot change who you are. A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned: By not spending money, you are saving money (little by little). A Picture Paints a Thousand Words: A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words. A Piece of Cake: A task that can be accomplished very easily. A Slap on the Wrist: A very mild punishment. A Taste Of Your Own Medicine: When you are mistreated the same way you mistreat others. A Toss-Up: A result that is still unclear and can go either way. Actions Speak Louder Than Words: It's better to actually do something than just talk about it. Add Fuel To The Fire: Whenever something is done to make a bad situation even worse than it is. Against The Clock:

Rushed and short on time. All Bark And No Bite: When someone is threatening and/or aggressive but not willing to engage in a fight. All Greek to me: Meaningless and incomprehensible like someone who cannot read, speak, or understand any of the Greek language would be. All In The Same Boat: When everyone is facing the same challenges. An Arm And A Leg: Very expensive. A large amount of money. An Axe To Grind: To have a dispute with someone. Apple of My Eye: Someone who is cherished above all others. As High As A Kite: Anything that is high up in the sky. At The Drop Of A Hat: Willing to do something immediately.

B Back Seat Driver: People who criticize from the sidelines, much like someone giving unwanted advice from the back seat of a vehicle to the driver. Back To Square One: Having to start all over again. Back To The Drawing Board: When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over. Baker's Dozen: Thirteen. Barking Up The Wrong Tree: A mistake made in something you are trying to achieve. Beat A Dead Horse: To force an issue that has already ended. Beating Around The Bush: Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue. Bend Over Backwards: Do whatever it takes to help. Willing to do anything.

Between A Rock And A Hard Place: Stuck between two very bad options. Bite Off More Than You Can Chew: To take on a task that is way to big. Bite Your Tongue: To avoid talking. Blood Is Thicker Than Water: The family bond is closer than anything else. Blue Moon: A rare event or occurance. Break A Leg: A superstitious way to say 'good luck' without saying 'good luck', but rather the opposite. Buy A Lemon: To purchase a vehicle that constantly gives problems or stops running after you drive it away. C Can't Cut The Mustard :

Someone who isn't adequate enough to compete or participate. Cast Iron Stomach: Someone who has no problems, complications or ill effects with eating anything or drinking anything. Charley Horse: Stiffness in the leg / A leg cramp. Chew someone out: Verbally scold someone. Chip on his Shoulder: Angry today about something that occured in the past. Chow Down: To eat. Close but no Cigar: To be very near and almost accomplish a goal, but fall short. Cock and Bull Story: An unbelievable tale. Come Hell Or High Water: Any difficult situation or obstacle. Crack Someone Up:

To make someone laugh. Cross Your Fingers: To hope that something happens the way you want it to. Cry Over Spilt Milk: When you complain about a loss from the past. Cry Wolf: Intentionally raise a false alarm. Cup Of Joe: A cup of coffee. Curiosity Killed The Cat: Being Inquisitive can lead you into a dangerous situation. Cut to the Chase: Leave out all the unnecessary details and just get to the point. D Dark Horse: One who was previously unknown and is now prominent. Dead Ringer:

100% identical. A duplicate. Devil's Advocate: Someone who takes a position for the sake of argument without believing in that particular side of the arguement. It can also mean one who presents a counter argument for a position they do believe in, to another debater. Dog Days of Summer: The hottest days of the summer season. Don't count your chickens before they hatch: Don't rely on it until your sure of it. Don't Look A Gift Horse In The Mouth: When someone gives you a gift, don't be ungrateful. Don't Put All Your Eggs In One Basket: Do not put all your resources in one possibility. Doozy: Something outstanding. Down To The Wire: Something that ends at the last minute or last few seconds. Drastic Times Call For Drastic Measures: When you are extremely desperate you need to take extremely desperate actions.

Drink like a fish: To drink very heavily. Drive someone up the wall: To irritate and/or annoy very much. Dropping Like Flies: A large number of people either falling ill or dying. Dry Run: Rehearsal. E Eighty Six: A certain item is no longer available. Or this idiom can also mean, to throw away. Elvis has left the building: The show has come to an end. It's all over. Ethnic Cleansing: Killing of a certain ethnic or religious group on a massive scale. Every Cloud Has A Silver Lining:

Be optomistic, even difficult times will lead to better days. Everything But The Kitchen Sink: Almost everything and anything has been included. Excuse my French: Please forgive me for cussing. Cock and Bull Story: An unbelievable tale. Cock and Bull Story: An unbelievable tale. F Feeding Frenzy: An aggressive attack on someone by a group. Field Day: An enjoyable day or circumstance. Finding Your Feet: To become more comfortable in whatever you are doing. Finger lickin' good:

A very tasty food or meal. Fixed In Your Ways: Not willing or wanting to change from your normal way of doing something. Flash In The Pan: Something that shows potential or looks promising in the beginning but fails to deliver anything in the end. Flea Market: A swap meet. A place where people gather to buy and sell inexpensive goods. Flesh and Blood: This idiom can mean living material of which people are made of, or it can refer to someone's family. Flip The Bird: To raise your middle finger at someone. Foam at the Mouth: To be enraged and show it. Fools' Gold: Iron pyrites, a worthless rock that resembles real gold. French Kiss: An open mouth kiss where tongues touch.

From Rags To Riches: To go from being very poor to being very wealthy. Fuddy-duddy: An old-fashioned and foolish type of person. Full Monty: This idiom can mean either, "the whole thing" or "completely nude". Funny Farm: A mental institutional facility. G Get Down to Brass Tacks: To become serious about something. Get Over It: To move beyond something that is bothering you. Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed: Someone who is having a horrible day. Get Your Walking Papers: Get fired from a job.

Give Him The Slip: To get away from. To escape. Go Down Like A Lead Balloon: To be received badly by an audience. Go For Broke: To gamble everything you have. Go Out On A Limb: Put yourself in a tough position in order to support someone/something. Go The Extra Mile: Going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand. Good Samaritan: Someone who helps others when they are in need, with no discussion for compensation, and no thought of a reward. Graveyard Shift: Working hours from about 120 am to 80 am. The time of the day when most other people are sleeping. Great Minds Think Alike: Intelligent people think like each other. Green Room: The waiting room, especially for those who are about to go on a tv or radio

show. Gut Feeling: A personal intuition you get, especially when feel something may not be right. H Haste Makes Waste: Quickly doing things results in a poor ending. Hat Trick: When one player scores three goals in the same hockey game. This idiom can also mean three scores in any other sport, such as 3 homeruns, 3 touchdowns, 3 soccer goals, etc. Have an Axe to Grind: To have a dispute with someone. He Lost His Head: Angry and overcome by emotions. Head Over Heels: Very excited and/or joyful, especially when in love. Hell in a Handbasket: Deteriorating and headed for complete disaster.

High Five: Slapping palms above each others heads as celebration gesture. High on the Hog: Living in Luxury. Hit The Books: To study, especially for a test or exam. Hit The Hay: Go to bed or go to sleep. Hit The Nail on the Head: Do something exactly right or say something exactly right. Hit The Sack: Go to bed or go to sleep. Hocus Pocus: In general, a term used in magic or trickery. Hold Your Horses: Be patient. I

Icing On The Cake: When you already have it good and get something on top of what you already have. Idle Hands Are The Devil's Tools: You are more likely to get in trouble if you have nothing to do. If It's Not One Thing, It's Another: When one thing goes wrong, then another, and another... In Like Flynn: To be easily successful, especially when sexual or romantic. In The Bag: To have something secured. In The Buff: Nude. In The Heat Of The Moment: Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment. In Your Face: An aggressive and bold confrontation. It Takes Two To Tango: A two person conflict where both people are at fault.

It's A Small World: You frequently see the same people in different places. Its Anyone's Call: A competition where the outcome is difficult to judge or predict. Ivy League: Since 1954 the Ivy League has been the following universities: Columbia, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Harvard. J Jaywalk: Crossing the street (from the middle) without using the crosswalk. Joshing Me: Tricking me. K Keep An Eye On Him: You should carefully watch him.

Keep body and soul together: To earn a sufficient amount of money in order to keep yourself alive . Keep your chin up: To remain joyful in a tough situation. Kick The Bucket: Die. Kitty-corner: Diagonally across. Sometimes called Catty-Corner as well. Knee Jerk Reaction: A quick and automatic response. Knock On Wood: Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid some bad luck. Know the Ropes: To understand the details. L Last but not least: An introduction phrase to let the audience know that the last person mentioned is no less important than those introduced before him/her.

Lend Me Your Ear: To politely ask for someone's full attention. Let Bygones Be Bygones: To forget about a disagreement or arguement. Let Sleeping Dogs Lie: To avoid restarting a conflict. Let The Cat Out Of The Bag: To share a secret that wasn't suppose to be shared. Level playing field: A fair competition where no side has an advantage. Like a chicken with its head cut off: To act in a frenzied manner. liquor someone up: To get someone drunk. Long in the Tooth: Old people (or horses). Loose Cannon: Someone who is unpredictable and can cause damage if not kept in check.

M Make No Bones About: To state a fact so there are no doubts or objections. Method To My Madness: Strange or crazy actions that appear meaningless but in the end are done for a good reason. Mumbo Jumbo: Nonsense or meaningless speech. Mum's the word: To keep quiet. To say nothing. N Nest Egg: Savings set aside for future use. Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You: Don't hurt anyone that helps you. New kid on the block:

Someone new to the group or area. New York Minute: A minute that seems to go by quickly, especially in a fast paced environment. No Dice: To not agree. To not accept a proposition. No Room to Swing a Cat: An unsually small or confined space. Not Playing With a Full Deck: Someone who lacks intelligence. O Off On The Wrong Foot: Getting a bad start on a relationship or task. Off The Hook: No longer have to deal with a tough situation. Off the Record: Something said in confidence that the one speaking doesn't want attributed to him/her.

On Pins And Needles: Anxious or nervous, especially in anticipation of something. On The Fence: Undecided. On The Same Page: When multiple people all agree on the same thing. Out Of The Blue: Something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs. Out On A Limb: When someone puts themself in a risky situation. Out On The Town: To enjoy yourself by going out. Over My Dead Body: When you absolutely will not allow something to happen. Over the Top: Very excessive. P

Pass The Buck: Avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else. Pedal to the metal: To go full speed, especially while driving a vehicle. Peeping Tom: Someone who observes people in the nude or sexually active people, mainly for his own gratification. Pick up your ears: To listen very carefully. Pig In A Poke: A deal that is made without first examining it. Pig Out : To eat alot and eat it quickly. Pipe Down: To shut-up or be quiet. Practice Makes Perfect: By constantly practicing, you will become better. Pull the plug: To stop something. To bring something to an end.

Pulling Your Leg: Tricking someone as a joke. Put a sock in it: To tell noisy person or a group to be quiet. Q Queer the pitch: Destroy or ruin a plan. R Raincheck: An offer or deal that is declined right now but willing to accept later. Raining Cats and Dogs: A very loud and noisy rain storm. Ring Fencing: Seperated usual judgement to guarantee protection, especially project funds. Rise and Shine: Time to get out of bed and get ready for work/school.

Rome Was Not Built In One Day: If you want something to be completely properly, then its going to take time. Rule Of Thumb: A rough estimate. Run out of steam: To be completely out of energy. S Saved By The Bell: Saved at the last possible moment. Scapegoat: Someone else who takes the blame. Scot-free: To escape and not have to pay. Sick As A Dog: To be very sick (with the flu or a cold). Sitting Shotgun: Riding in the front passenger seat of a car.

Sixth Sense: A paranormal sense that allows you to communicate with the dead. Skid Row: The rundown area of a city where the homeless and drug users live. Smell A Rat: To detect somone in the group is betraying the others. Smell Something Fishy: Detecting that something isn't right and there might be a reason for it. Son of a Gun: A scamp. Southpaw: Someone who is left-handed. Spitting Image: The exact likeness or kind. Start From Scratch: To do it all over again from the beginning. T

The Ball Is In Your Court: It is your decision this time. The Best Of Both Worlds: There are two choices and you have them both. The Bigger They Are The Harder They Fall: While the bigger and stronger opponent might be alot more difficult to beat, when you do they suffer a much bigger loss. The Last Straw: When one small burden after another creates an unbearable situation, the last straw is the last small burden that one can take. The Whole Nine Yards: Everything. All of it. Third times a charm: After no success the first two times, the third try is a lucky one. Tie the knot: To get married. Til the cows come home: A long time. To Make A Long Story Short:

Something someone would say during a long and boring story in order to keep his/her audience from losing attention. Usually the story isn't shortened. To Steal Someone's Thunder: To take the credit for something someone else did. Tongue And Cheek: humor, not to be taken serious. Turn A Blind Eye: Refuse to acknowledge something you know is real or legit. Twenty three skidoo: To be turned away. U Under the weather: Feeling ill or sick. Up a blind alley: Going down a course of action that leads to a bad outcome. Use Your Loaf: Use your head. Think smart.
V Van Gogh's ear for music: Tone deaf. Variety Is The Spice Of Life: The more experiences you try the more exciting life can be. W Wag the Dog: A diversion away from something of greater importance. Water Under The Bridge: Anything from the past that isn't significant or important anymore. Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve: To openly and freely express your emotions. When It Rains, It Pours: Since it rarely rains, when it does it will be a huge storm. When Pigs Fly : Something that will never ever happen.

Wild and Woolly: Uncultured and without laws. Wine and Dine: When somebody is treated to an expensive meal. Without A Doubt: For certain. X X marks the spot: A phrase that is said when someone finds something he/she has been looking for. Y You Are What You Eat: In order to stay healthy you must eat healthy foods. You Can't Judge A Book By Its Cover: Decisions shouldn't be made primarily on appearance. You Can't Take it With You:

Enjoy what you have and not what you don't have, since when you die you cannot take things (such as money) with you. Your Guess Is As Good As Mine: I have no idea. Z Zero Tolerance: No crime or law breaking big or small will be overlooked.
100 Important Idioms
IDIOMS MEANINGS
1. To add insult to injury; To intensify a person 2. To be born with a silver To be born in a rich family Spoon in one’s mouth; 3. A bolt from the blue; An expected disaster 4. To blow one’s own trumpet; To boast 5. A bone of contention ; Cause of quarrel 6. To burn one’s fingers ; To suffer 7. To beat black & blue ; To beat mercilessly 8. To cast an aspersion ; To bring discredit 9. To cry over spilt milk ; To feel sorry for what has happened

10. To cut a sorry figure ; To make a poor impression 11. To die in harness ; To die while doing one’s duty 12. To end in smoke ; To fail 13. To go to the dogs ; To be ruined 14. To hang in the balance ; To remain undecided 15. To hit the nail on the head; To do the right thing at the right time 16. To hold water ; To sound logical 17. To live no stone unturned ; To try one’s level best 18. To live from hand to mouth ; To live with great difficulty 19. To make up one’s mind ; To decide 20. To see eye to eye with ; Agree 21. To play ducks and drakes ; Waste 22. To put the cart before the hors ; To do a thing in a wrong way 23. To have too many irons in the fire ; To have too many things in hand 24. To read b/w the lines ; To try to understand the hidden meaning 25. To turn over a new leaf ; To change for the better 26. To take the bull by horns; To face difficulties boldly 27. To win laurels ; To distinguish oneself 28. At daggers drawn ; At enmity or fighting 29. Blake and white ; Written 30. By leaps and bounds ; Very fast 31. In cold blood ; deliberately 32. Laid up with ; Confined to bed 33. Ins and outs ; Full details 34. A black sheep ; Scoundrel; a bad person 35. A cock and bull story ; An absurd tale 36. A gala day ; A day of festivity; a holiday with rejoicing 37. A hard nut to crack ; A difficult person or problem to deal with

38. A turn coat ; One who changes one’s opinion or party 39. A fool’s paradise ; In a state of happiness founded on vain hopes 40. Beat a retreat ; To retire before the enemy 41. To be on the horns of a dilemma; To have a choice b/w two equal evils 42. To beat about the bush ; Approach a subject in a round about method 43. Bury the hatchet ; To make peace 44. By fits and starts ; Irregularly 45. Capital punishment ; Death sentence 46. By hook or by crook ; By fair or foul means 47. Eat humble pie ; To face humiliation 48. Hit below the belt ; To act unfairly 49. In apple pie order ; In perfect order 50. Leave one in lurch ; To desert in difficulty 51. To make a clean breast of ; To confess fully one’s faults 52. To nip the evil in the bud ; To destroy an evil in early stage 53. Pick holes in another’s coat ; To find fault with another 54. Scot free ; To go unpunished 55. Smell a rat ; To have a reason to suspect 56. Through thick and thin ; Through every difficulty 57. True to one’s salt ; Faithful to one’s master 58. To turn the corner ; To begin to improve 59. With a grain of salt ; To accept a statement with doubt as to its complete true 60. Worship the rising sun ; To respect one rising in power 61. A Herculean task ; An extremely difficult or dangerous task 62. A fish out of water ; In a wrong place 63. A leap in the dark ; An act of which we can’t force consequences 64. A thorn in one’s side ; A constant source of annoyance 65. To be at one’s beck and call ; Under one’s absolute control

66. Bread and Butter ; Means of subsistence 67. Burn one’s fingers ; To get into trouble 68. Burn the candle at both ends; Use up too much energy 69. To cut the Gordian knot ; To solve the difficulty 70. Cut and dried ; Ready-made 71. Feather one’s own nest ; To make money by unfair means 72. To fish in troubled water ; To do something under very unpromising circumstance 73. To give oneself airs ; Affected manners 74. To give the devil his due ; To allow even a bad man the credit due 75. To hang by thread ; To be in a critical condition 76. A henpecked husband ; A man habitually snubbed by his wife 77. Hush money ; Money given as a bribe to hush or make one keep silent 78. Kick up a row ; Make a great noise 79. To let the cat out of the bag; To reveal a secret 80. Null and void ; Not valid; of no effect 81. On the spur of the moment; At once 82. Pay one back in one’s own coin ; To treat in the same way as one has been treated 83. Put in cold storage; To forget or neglect something 84. Pull wires ; To manage the show by secret Influence 85. Read b/w the lines ; To hit at the real meaning 86. Sit on the fence ; To avoid taking sides; to remain neutral 87. A square deal ; Justice 88. Sword of Damocles ; Treating danger 89. To take up the gauntlet ; To accept the challenge 90. To eat one’s heart out ; To suffer silently, bitterly 91. B/t the devil and the deep sea ; B/w two dangers equally harmful

92. A sweet tooth ; A liking for sweetmeat 93. A dark horse ; An unknown person 94. A bottleneck ; Anything that cause delays 95. To put one’s foot down ; To show determination 96. A wet blanket ; A grumbling, depressing person 97. To throw up the sponge ; To acknowledge defeat 98. A feather in one’s cap ; Something to be proud of 99. A red letter day ; An auspicious day 100. Bag and baggage ; With all one’s belongings
IDIOMS

ants in one's pants
unable to sit still or remain calm out of nervousness or excitement
Lisa had ants in her pants the day before her interview.
(the) birds and the bees
sex education
I learned about the birds and the bees when my baby brother was born.
cat nap
a short sleep
I'm going to have a cat nap while you're cooking dinner.
cat's got one's
said about someone who doesn't speak
It looks like the cat's got your tongue, Lucy. Are you always this

tongue
(usually due to shyness)
quiet?
chicken out
to decide not to do something out of fear (usually just before)
I was going to take a ride on Geoff's motorcyle, but I chickened out when he gave me a helmet to wear.
clam up
become quiet suddenly
Arthur clammed up when I asked him about his family.
copy cat
a person who does the same thing as someone else
My sister is such a copy cat. First she bought the same car as me, and now she's applying to my school.
dog days
very hot days
I sleep in the basement during the dog days of August.
dropping like flies
dying/giving up quickly
My roses are dropping like flies in this early frost.
eager beaver
a person who is excited about doing certain work
Ever since he got his new drill set my husband has been an eager beaver around the house.
fishy
odd, suspicious
I knew something fishy was going on when I saw all of my friends' cars in my mom's driveway.
have a cow
get extremely upset
My teacher had a cow when she

(often over something minor)
realized nobody had done the homework.
hold your horses
wait and be patient
Hold your horses! I'll be done in the washroom in a minute.
holy cow!
Wow, I'm surprised!
Holy cow! I can't believe you ate everything on your plate.
horse around
play roughly
If you're going to horse around, please go outside.
get the lion's share
get the greatest percentage
My aunt got the lion's share of the inheritance.
in the dog house
in trouble with another person
I don't think Marsha is coming out tonight. She's still in the dog house for forgetting Aaron's birthday.
kill two birds with one stone
get two things done at once
If you pick the groceries up when you drop George off for his shift, you will kill two birds with one stone.
kitty corner
diagonal direction
The gas station is kitty corner to the library.
let the cat out of the bag
reveal a secret
Who let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party?

(a) little bird told me
I heard something (usually secretive or unknown) from someone (not named)
A little bird told me that you are thinking of quitting your job.
make a beeline
go straight for something
My grandma made a beeline for the smoking room as soon as she got off the airplane.
monkey see, monkey do
silly/unintelligent people tend to copy each other's actions
Our one-year-old is saying bad words now. I told my husband, "Monkey see, monkey do!"
nest egg
money saved for the future
We have a nest egg that we might have to use if Jim goes on sick leave.
pig out
eat a lot of something
I pigged out on pancakes so I don't have room for lunch.
raining cats and dogs
raining heavily
I forgot my umbrella, and it was raining cats and dogs.
rat race
fierce, competitive struggle for power, position etc
I'm ready to leave this rat race and retire in Mexico.
smell a rat
begin to suspect trickery etc
I asked my brothers not to tell my parents that I went out, but I could smell a rat as soon as I

opened the door.
straight from the horse's mouth
directly from the original source
I know Jenny is pregnant, because I heard itstraight from the horse's mouth.
take the bull by the horns
face a challenge or danger boldly
If you really think you deserve a promotion, you'll have to take the bull by the horns.
until the cows come home
for a very long time
I could eat pizza and ice-cream until the cows come home.
Body Idioms
Idiom
Meaning
Example Sentence
all ears
fully listening
Give me a minute to finish my work and then I'll be all ears to hear about your project.
break a leg
good-luck
Today's the big game, eh? Break a leg!

cold feet
nervous just before a big event
My sister didn't get cold feet until she put her wedding gown on.
cost an arm and a leg
be very expensive
These cakes are delicious, but they cost an arm and a leg.
cry your heart out
cry very hard
I cried my heart out when my best friend moved away.
face the music
meet, stand up to unpleasant conseqences, for example criticism or punishment
I stayed out all night. When I eventually got home I had to face the music from my wife.
(my) flesh and blood
relative
I have to hire Mia. She's my own flesh and blood.
get something off one's chest
tell someone your problems
Thanks for listening to me complain about my boss. I just needed to get this off my chest.
give a hand, lend a hand
help (someone) do something
I can give you a hand when you move if you like.
have one's head in the clouds
be unaware or unrealistic about something
Amy has her head in the clouds if she thinks she's going to pass her exams without studying.

head over heels
deeply in love
My brother is head over heels for his new girlfriend.
head start
an earlier start
The kids gave Anthony a head start in the bicycle race because he was the youngest.
in over one's head
taking on a task that you can't handle
I was in over my head when I agreed to babysit the triplets and the dogs.
keep an eye on
take care of, watch in order to protect
I'll keep an eye on the dinner while you're on the phone.
keep one's chin up
try to be cheerful
Keep your chin up. I'm sure you'll make some friends soon.
learn by heart, know by heart
memorize
I learned my multiplication tables by heart in the fourth grade.
let one's hair down
relax, have fun
Go to the cottage and let your hair downthis weekend.
(my) lips are sealed
promise to keep a secret
Don't worry, I won't tell your mother how much you spent. My lips are sealed.

makes my blood boil
makes me very angry
It makes my blood boil when people don't tie up their dogs.
neck of the woods
nearby location or region
I heard that they might be opening a post office in our neck of the woods soon.
(an) old hand
an experienced person
My uncle's an old hand at car repair. He'll know what the problem is.
over my dead body
not unless I'm dead and can't stop you
My daughter wants a tatoo. I told her she'd get one over my dead body.
pat on the back
recognition or a thank-you
The party organizers deserve a pat on the back for a job well done.
play something by ear
do something without a plan
We don't know if the weather will be good enough for camping. We'll have to play it by ear.
pull one's leg
joke or tease someone
I was just pulling your leg. I'm not really a police officer.
rule of thumb
basic rule (not always followed)
The rule of thumb is that the students wear black pants and white shirts.

see eye to eye
agree
The couple don't see eye to eye on how to train their pets.
(by the) skin of one's teeth
just barely
I passed my exam by the skin of my teeth.
stick your neck out
help someone a lot, with possible bad consequences for oneself
I stuck my neck out for Bessie when she was thrown out of her house.
sweet tooth
a love of sugar or sweet things
I need three spoonfuls of sugar in my tea. I have a sweet tooth.
thick in the head
not very intelligent
I'm a bit thick in the head when it comes to reading a map.
wash one's hands of something
stop dealing with an issue or problem
I'm washing my hands of Mary's addiction. She is going to have to get some professional help.
Color Idioms

Idiom

dark red (usually to describe face)
My sister's face turned beet red when I caught her singing in front of a mirror.
black and blue
bruised and beaten
We found the poor guy black and blue near the train tracks.
black and white
straight forward, very clear
The rules we gave the kids were black and white. No answering the phone or the door.
black out
faint
I always black out at the sight of blood.
black sheep
the odd or bad member of the group
My oldest brother was the black sheep in our family. He dropped out of school at fifteen.
born with a silver spoon in one's mouth
born into a rich family
Keiko hasn't worked a day in her life. She was born with a silver spoon in her mouth.
catch red handed
catch someone in the act of doing something wrong or illegal
The kids were caught red handed stealing chocolate bars.
golden opportunity
the perfect chance
The models' conference was a golden opportunityfor me to

sell my beauty products.
grass is always greener on the other side
you always want what you don't have
I always wanted to go to university, but now I wish I had time to get a job. Grass is always greener on the other side.
grey area, gray area
something without a clear rule or answer
Writing personal email in the office is a grey areathat needs to be discussed at the next meeting.
the green light
permission
The builders were given the green light to begin the tower.
green with envy
very jealous
I am green with envy over Julio's new wardrobe.
(have a) green thumb
be skillful in the garden
You can tell by her flower garden that Sheila has agreen thumb.
have the blues
be sad or depressed
I always have the the blues during the winter time.
in the dark
unaware
Antoine left his wife in the dark about their honeymoon destination until they got to the airport.
in the red
in debt
When we were in the red we almost had to sell the house.
once in a blue
very rarely
We only go out for dinner once in

moon
a blue moon.
out of the blue
unexpectedly
I got a phone call from a long lost cousin out of the blue last week.
red tape
official or bureaucratic tasks
There is still some red tape to deal with in terms of the inheritance.
red eye
an airplane flight that takes off after midnight
I caught the red eye so that I would see the sunrise over the mountains.
roll out the red carpet
treat someone like royalty
When relatives come to town my grandmother rolls out the red carpet.
rose coloured glasses
unrealistic view
Paula imagines Hollywood with rose coloured glasses.
see red
be very angry
I saw red when that guy grabbed my sister's purse.
tickled pink
very pleased and appreciative
My mom was tickled pink when my father brought roses home for her.
true colours
real self
Suzanne doesn't show her true colours when we have guests over.
white lie
an innocent lie to
We told Grandma that her cake

protect another person's feelings
was delicious, which was actually a white lie.
with flying colours
with distinction
I passed my road test with flying colours.
Clothing Idioms
Idiom
Meaning
Example Sentence
at the drop of a hat
without needing any advance notice
My Grandma will babysit for anyone at the drop of a hat.
(have a) bee in one's bonnet
something that is annoying someone
Milan has had a bee in his bonnet all day, but he won't tell me what's wrong.
below the belt
beyond what is fair or socially acceptable
His comment about Manfred's handicap wasbelow the belt.
bursting at the seams
not fitting anymore
I ate too much. I'm bursting at the seams in these jeans.
caught with one's pants down
unprepared
My students caught me with my pants downon Monday. I forgot about the field trip.
(have a) card up one's sleeve
have a secret or reserve plan
I think Josh has a card up his sleeve cause he wants me to wear a dress to the fast-food restaurant.

buckle down
work extra hard
It's almost exam time, so I need to buckle down this weekend.
burn a hole in one's pocket
money that one is tempted to spend
Let's go to the mall after school. There's a hundred dollar bill burning a hole in my pocket.
dress to kill, dress to the nines
dress in nice or sexy clothes
My cousin was dressed to kill on her birthday.
fit like a glove
fit perfectly (tight to one's body)
Anita's prom dress fits me like a glove.
fine-tooth comb
in great detail, extremely carefully
The police looked for fingerprints with a fine-tooth comb.
fly by the seat of one's pants
do by instinct, not by plan
I had never taught art to kids before. I had to fly by the seat of my pants.
handle with kid gloves
treat delicately
Please handle my grandmother's tea set withkid gloves.
hand-me-down
used clothing
We buy hand-me-down skates because the kids' feet grow so quickly.
hat trick
three goals scored by one person
The fans cheered when the hockey player got ahat trick.
in one's
in the nude
The swimmers in the lake were in

birthday suit
their birthday suits.
keep one's shirt on
try to stay calm
I know you're in a hurry, but please keep your shirt on.
keep something zipped
keep something a secret
We know we're having a boy, but we're keeping it zipped from the grandparents.
off the cuff
said without planning
I didn't have a speech prepared. Everything I said was off the cuff.
pull up one's socks
try harder
Marco will have to pull up his socks if he wants to make the football team.
put a sock in it
stop talking
Put a sock in it! I'm trying to tell a story.
put one's thinking cap on
think hard in order to solve a problem
I can't remember where the Christmas decorations are. I'll have to put my thinking cap on.
put oneself in someone else's shoes
imagine what it would be like to be in someone else's situation
Put yourself in Amber's shoes. She doesn't even have a car to drive.
ride one's coattails
let someone else do all of the work
It was a group project, but everyone rode Andrew's coattails.

roll up one's sleeves
get down to hard work
The celebrities rolled up their sleeves and washed cars for charity.
take one's hat off to someone
recognize or honour someone for something
I take my hat off to Jim. The doctors said he'd never walk, and he just ran a marathon.
wear one's heart on one's sleeve
display emotions openly
My Dad's not afraid to cry. He always wears his heart on his sleeve.
wear the trousers
be in charge, make the rules
By the looks of things, the kids wear the trousers in this household.
Food Idioms
Idiom
Meaning
Example Sentence
apple of one's eye
a person that is adored by someone
Baby Jessica is the apple of her father's eye.
(have a) bun in the oven
be pregnant
I don't think Jan will come to the bar because she has a bun in the oven.
bad egg
a person who is often in trouble
I don't want my little brother hanging around with the bad eggs on the street.

big cheese
very important person (VIP)
I thought I was just going to interview the secretary, but they let me talk to the big cheese himself.
bread and butter
necessities, the main thing
Just explain the bread and butter of your report. You don't have to go into details.
bring home the bacon
earn the income
My husband has had to bring home the baconever since I broke my leg.
butter someone up
be extra nice to someone (usually for selfish reasons)
We'll have to butter Angie up before we tell her the news about the broken vase.
(have one's) cake and eat it too
want more than your fair share or need
Rick wants to have his cake and eat it too. He wants to be single but he doesn't want me to date anyone else.
carrot top
person with red or orange hair
Simon is the first carrot top I've ever gone out with.
cheesy
silly
I love reading cheesy romance novels because I don't have to think.
cool as a cucumber
very relaxed
I thought I was afraid of flying, but I was cool as a cucumber all the way to England.

cream of the crop
the best
We hired the cream of the crop to entertain us at the Christmas party.
(don't) cry over spilled milk
get upset over something that has happened and cannot be changed
The mirror is broken and we can't fix it. There's no need to cry over spilled milk.
cup of joe
cup of coffee
Let's stop for a cup of joe before we head to work.
(not my) cup of tea
something you enjoy (usually used negatively)
Opera isn't exactly my cup of tea.
egg someone on
urge someone to do something
The gang tried to egg us on but we didn't want to fight.
freeze one's buns off
be very cold
I froze my buns off at the ice rink.
full of beans
have a lot of (silly) energy
The kids were full of beans after the circus.
gravy train
extremely good pay for minimal work
The unionized grocers have been enjoying thegravy train for twenty years.
(have something) handed to
receive without working for something
The professor's daughter had her college diplomahanded to her on a silver platter.

someone on a silver platter
hard nut to crack
difficult to understand (often a person)
Angelo is a hard nut to crack when something is bothering him like this.
hot potato
a controversial or difficult subject
Choosing a location for our new store is a hot potato right now.
in a nutshell
simply
In a nutshell, I'm having a bad day.
nuts about something, someone
like a lot
I'm nuts about classical music these days.
out to lunch
crazy or mad
Harry has been out to lunch ever since he lost his job.
one smart cookie
a very intelligent person
Your daughter is one smart cookie. She reads much higher than her grade level.
peach fuzz
small amount of hair growth
Except for a bit of peach fuzz, the baby came out bald.
piece of cake
very easy
The exam was a piece of cake.
put all of ones eggs in one basket
rely on one single thing
Even though I'm majoring in Art, I'm taking a maths course because my Dad says I shouldn'tput all of my eggs in one basket.

souped up
made more powerful or stylish
The car was souped up with shiny rims and a loud stereo.
sell like hot cakes
bought by many people
The new Harry Potter books sold like hot cakes.
spice things up
make something more exciting
I wanted to spice things up in the office, so I bought some red and gold paint.
spill the beans
reveal the truth
On Monday, I'm going to spill the beans about my travel plans.
take something with a pinch (grain) of salt
don't consider something 100% accurate
Take Mandy's advice with a pinch of salt. She doesn't always do her research.
use your noodle
use your brain
You're going to have to really use your noodleon this crossword puzzle. It's an extra difficult one.
Geography and Weather Idioms
Idiom
Meaning
Example Sentence
(on) cloud nine
extremely happy
Andrea was on cloud nine when she bought her new car.
dig deep
look hard for information
I had to dig deep to find my old report cards.

dirt cheap
very inexpensive
The clothes at the thrift shop are dirt cheap.
down to earth
natural or real (personality)
Lucile is really down to earth for a woman with so much money.
fair-weather friend
a person who is only a friend in good times
I can't talk to Nancy about my boyfriend problems. She's only a fair-weather friend.
a field day
a very enjoyable time
The kids had a field day at the water slide park.
go downhill
get progressively worse
My grades started going downhill when I got a part-time job.
go with the flow
continue in the same way as others
Nobody trained me at work. I just went with the flow.
hit the hay
go to sleep
I'm exhausted. I think I'll hit the hay early tonight.
hit the road
leave
It's getting late. We had better hit the road.
keep one's head above water
have just enough money to live
It's hard to keep my head above water with all of these medical bills.
know which
know how things will
Who knows which way the

way the wind blows
turn out
wind will blow? I just hope Jesse gets one of the jobs he's applied for.
make a mountain out of a molehill
make a small problem seem big
The car only got a tiny dent. You're making a mountain out of a molehill.
out of the woods
clear of danger
The doctor said my heart is doing better, but I'm not out of the woods yet.
over the hill
past middle age
I knew I was over the hill when I started needing glasses to read.
rain on someone else's parade
ruin somebody else's happiness
Whenever I had a dance recital, my older brother always rained on my parade.
stick-in-the-mud
a loner or person who won't join in
They didn't bother inviting Charles to the party because he's alway a stick-in-the-mud.
(as) quick as lightning
very fast
Wow! Your shower was as quick as lightning.
the tip of the iceberg
a small part of a large problem
The lost tickets were just the tip of the iceberg.
take a
accept at a later date
I'd love to go out for dinner, but

raincheck
can I take araincheck?
under the weather
ill
I was feeling under the weather so I went back to bed.
up the creek
in trouble
If my Dad finds out I had a party I'll be up the creek.
win by a landslide
win by a lot of points
The skiier in the green coat won by a landslide.
(get) wind of something
overhear something about someone or something (often gossip)
My Dad has a new girlfriend. I got wind of itover dinner tonight.
Sports Idioms
Idiom sport of origin
Meaning
Example Sentence
across the board cards
equal for everyone
Ten percent raises were given across the board.
at this stage in the game any sport
at this time
Nobody knows who is going to win the election at this stage in the game.
the ball is in your court
it's your decision or responsibility to do
"Do you think I should accept the job offer?"

tennis
something now
"Don't ask me. The ball is in your court now".
bark up the wrong tree hunting
you've got the wrong person or idea
I think you're barking up the wrong tree by blaming Matt for the missing money.
blind-sided any sport
to not see something coming
George blind-sided Eric with his fist at the bar.
blow the competition away any sport
win easily
If you wear that dress to the beauty pageant you are going to blow the competition away.
call the shots billiards
make the decisions
While our boss is on vacation, Bob will call the shots.
chip in gambling
help by donating money or time
The staff members chipped in 5 dollars each to buy Jody a birthday gift.
down to the wire horse racing
right at the end
It's coming down to the wire to get these done on time.
front runner track
one of the people who is expected to win
Angela is a front runner for the new supervisor position.
get a head start
start before all others
They gave the walkers a head

horse racing
start in the run for cancer.
get into the full swing tennis
be comfortable doing something after some time
It will probably take a month of working at my new job before I get into the full swing of things.
get off the hook fishing
escape, have responsibility removed
The child got off the hook for stealing because the security camera was broken.
give something or someone a fair shake gambling
try for a while before giving up
You should give Nadine a fair shake before you decide she isn't good enough for the job.
get a second wind sailing
have a burst of energy after tiring
I was exhausted after 3 kilometres of running, but I got a second wind after I passed the beach.
give it your best shot hunting
try your hardest
Give it your best shot and you may just make it to the finals.
give one a run for one's money horseracing
try one's hardest to defeat another person
I know the other team is expected to win, but let's give them a run for their money tonight.
go overboard sailing
do or say more than you need to
You can't believe everything Janice says about Rick. She tends

to go overboard when she's complaining about him.
go to bat for someone baseball
defend someone
Andy is asking for a salary increase, and I'm going to go to bat for him if the boss says no.
have the upper hand cards
have a better chance of winning or succeeding
The Blues have the upper hand in the tournament, because none of their players is injured.
hit below the belt martial arts
do or say something that is very unfair or cruel
Amanda was hitting below the belt when she called Adrian an unfit father.
hit a snag boating
come up against a problem
The renovations were going along great until wehit a snag with the carpet installation.
hold all the aces cards
expected to win or succeed
The children hold all the aces when it comes to the father-son baseball tournament.
the home stretch baseball
almost the end
I think Alice's pregnancy is in the home stretch.
hot shot (big shot) hunting
a person who thinks they are the best
Even though Luke only placed 20th in the ski race, he thinks he's a hot shot.

jump the gun track
start too early
I guess I jumped the gun by buying Pam and Steve a wedding gift. They called off the engagement.
keep one's head above water swimming
try not to fall behind in work or other duties
We are so busy during the tourist season I can barely keep my head above water.
learn the ropes sailing
understand new things
The first week on the job you will just be learning the ropes.
let her rip boating
go ahead now
Okay, here are the keys to your new car. Let her rip!
level playing field any field sport
everyone has an equal chance
The spelling bee is a level playing field because all of the kids are in grade nine.
long shot hunting
a very difficult thing to accomplish
Jim thinks we can afford the house, but I think it'sa long shot.
make the cut any sport
be chosen to be part of a team or group
I didn't get a second interview, so I'm pretty sure I won't make the cut.
neck and neck horse racing
to be in a close tie with someone
George and Stan are neck and neck in the hockey pool. Either of them could win the money.
no sweat
no problem
I told Lily it was no sweat for us

any sport
to babysit next weekend.
not playing with a full deck of cards cards
not having full brain capacity
I think Jerry was still drunk at work on Sunday because he wasn't playing with a full deck of cards.
not up to par golf
not good enough for a job or position
I'm afraid your resume isn't up to par for the engineering position.
to be off base baseball
not making a fair or true remark
You were way off base when you said Bill needed to lose weight.
on target darts
doing the right thing to succeed
We are on target to meet our budget this month.
on the ball baseball
ready and able
The new receptionist is really on the ball when it comes to answering the phone.
out in left field baseball
nowhere near being true, nowhere near doing something correctly
All of the students laughed when Joe gave an answer that was out in left field.
out of someone's league team sport
not as good as someone
I'd like to date Maria, but I'm afraid I'm out of her league.

par for the course golf
an expected circumstance
Waiting in line is par for the course at Christmas time.
plenty of other fish in the sea fishing
there are many other men and women to date
I know you still love Jack, but remember there areplenty of other fish in the sea.
race against time track
there is almost no time left to accomplish something
It's a race against time to find a kidney donor for my cousin.
settle a score with someone any sport
get even with a person after a previous battle
My brother wants to settle the score with that guy who stole my wallet.
shot in the dark hunting
a guess
I was lucky to win the quiz. All my answers wereshots in the dark.
skate on thin ice skating
do something risky, take a chance
You're skating on thin ice by not sending in your college application before now.
start the ball rolling ball sports
begin something
Please can everyone be seated so we can start the ball rolling.
step up to the plate baseball
do the honourable thing, take responsibility
It's time you stepped up to the plate and apologized for your mistake.

take a rain check baseball
accept at a later time
Sorry, I can't go to the movies today, but I'd love to take a rain check.
take sides any sport
choose a person or group to support
I hate to take sides, but I think Jerry is right about the paint colour.
take the bull by the horns bull fighting
accept the challenge and try your hardest
Even though this new job will mean relocating, I think you should take the bull by the horns for once.
take the wind out of one's sails sailing
make someone feel deflated
I think I took the wind out of Angela's sailswhen I told her she was a terrible singer.
throw in the towel boxing
give up
If they don't accept our offer this time we are going to throw in the towel and look at houses elsewhere.
time out any sport
break
Let's take some time out and grab a coffee.
three strikes and you're out baseball
you only get three chances
The school's no smoking policy is three strikes and you're out.
two strikes
you only have one
Nancy is going to be fired in no

against baseball
chance remaining
time. She already has two strikes against her for coming in late.
under the table gambling
illegally
I don't have a work visa, so they have to pay meunder the table.
win hands down gambling
easy victory
The other team was missing half of its players. Wewon hands down.


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