2016 ~ Idioms And Phrases

Staring Down The Barrel Of...., In Line (To Succeed), Up For Grabs, Band-Aid Solution

Staring Down The Barrel Of....
When you are staring down the barrel of something, you are faced with an imminent danger (one which happens soon).

This is used in a political context.

Example: "New York City is staring down the barrel of a $4 billion budget deficit next year. Mayor Michael Bloomberg has called on his city commissioners to look at their departments and slash a combined $800 million from the current budget and $1.2 billion from the next budget."

A Blip, A Wave, A Tsunami/ A Tidal Wave, A Method To One's Madness, Crowning Achievement

By Admin 21:23 Idiomatic Expression, Situation

A Blip
Unlike a wave, "a blip" is a reference to a signal given off by radar (originally an acronym, now treated as a noun) indicating the presence of a real object at a given moment in time.

In trends, a figurative "blip" means a temporary event that is not, or is not yet known to be, part of a larger trend.

Example: "Today's upswing in national employment figures is believed to be a blip caused by a one-time event, and is not expected to be sustained until consumer confidence improves."

This is to say, the positive change is temporary, and not a trend... according to this statement, at least.

A Wave
In idioms, "a wave" is any significant, sustained change. This can be positive, but is often used in a negative manner.

Example: "The slumping economy has produced another wave of bankruptcies among small American businesses."

This means, a significant, sustained change, though not a permanent one.

A Tsunami/ A Tidal Wave
In nature, a tsunami (Japanese term) is a giant wave. Properly speaking, "a tidal wave," used as the equivalent of tsunami, is incorrect; a wave created by a tide can be very, very tiny.

In politics, as well as other settings, "a tsunami" or "a tidal wave" (such as a tidal wave of support) means a powerful trend that, temporarily at least, changes the proverbial landscape.

Example: "(Party X), deeply unpopular in the polls, faces a potential tsunami at the next election, sweeping it out of power."

The phrasing may vary, but this is the general idea.

A Method To One's Madness
Proverbially, when there is said to be a method to someone's madness, this expresses that what at first appears to be madness, that is, random, illogical behavior, has a real purpose. It is in fact a method to achieve a tangible goal, with actual thought behind it.

Example: "Mr. Jones talks about the craziest things to people, but there's a method to his madness. People loosen up around him and tell him things they'd never tell most people because they don't take him seriously."

There are surely many, many other examples, but it is best to view the idiom in practice to learn how people employ it.

Crowning Achievement
A "crowning achievement" is a great success worthy of much praise and respect.

Example: In video games, a "jobs" system allows role-playing game characters to learn different skills suitable for different "jobs" (role-playing professions), such as knight, wizard, priest, thief, and so forth. While this type of role-playing game feature truly began with the Dragon Warrior series (Dragon Quest in Japan), this was adopted, and greatly expanded upon, by the "Final Fantasy" series of video games. Popular with gamers, the "jobs system" is often considered the crowning achievement of the series, giving players a deep personal connection to their fictional alter-egos.

This is to say, it is considered a great success worthy of giving great praise.

A crown is not only a physical treasure; "the crown" of something is its peak, its highest point, its pinnacle. (i.e. "the crown of the head," "the crown of a tooth") These words are easily used as metaphors for success.

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Easier Said Than Done, In Store, Jumping The Shark, Heading Downhill

By Admin 21:22 Idiomatic Expression

Easier Said Than Done
Something that is "easier said than done" - in other words, this idiom used as an adjective - means, something that is more difficult to actually do in reality, than to promise, pledge, or vow to do it.

This is a very common phrase in North America expressing that boasting of doing something before you have actually done it is easy, and worthless. Something easier said than done is something harder to do than it is to boast of doing it.

So, do it.

Example: Billy and Carol are at a karaoke. Billy: "I'm going to sing this song a lot better than Ray over there." Carol: "Easier said than done. He's pretty good at this. Are you?"

In Store
Idiomatically speaking, "in store" means something that is lying in wait for a person to encounter.

Example: "Read on to find out what dangers are in store for our brave hero as he attempts to rescue the beautiful princess!"
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Labels: Idioms, Situations
For Starters
When I use the phrase, "for starters," I mean, as a starting/ beginning point, the first of a series.

Example: "What kind of movies do you like to watch?" "For starters, I like action movies. I'll also watch the occasional suspense thriller."

Jumping The Shark
The phrase "jumping the shark" began as the expression of a single person's opinion as to where the once extremely popular American television show, "Happy Days," began a permanent decline away from its peak until the moment it ended.

In this show, a major character became involved in a water-skiing race. A shark in a netted area of the ocean was to be jumped over as the tiebreaker for the race. This was seen by many as completely ridiculous, and a vivid sign of the declining creativity of the writers of the show. When shows become fully mature, their story lines tend to have already exhausted the best material, leaving second-rate material until the show mercifully comes to an end.

Example: "I think that ____ jumped the shark when..."

Just replace ____ with a given television show, and the idiom is being used correctly.

Rarely, some television shows are considered to have never declined, and maintained a high level of quality right until their final conclusions.

Heading Downhill
When something is figuratively heading downhill (that is, going downhill), it is in decline; it is past its peak and deteriorating.

Example: "After our old boss quit, things headed downhill for about six months until the new manager had learned how everything works. Productivity rose steadily after that point."

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

In All Seriousness, Digging It, Giving A Damn, A.M. and P.M., Keep Up The Good Work

By Admin 21:20 Idiomatic Expression

In All Seriousness
When I write the phrase, "in all seriousness," I mean, as a completely serious, literal point, without sarcasm, irony, or humor.

Example: "In all seriousness, that house looks absolutely hideous. That shade of purple makes me want to cry."

This is saying, the house in question is not being described as hideous as some sort of joke; no, it really is hideous.

Digging It
An idiom popularized in the 70's, to "dig something" is to like that something very much.

This is often used in reference to music or film or other parts of pop culture.

Example 1: "I'm really digging that dress you wore to the party." "Oh, thank you."

Example 2: "I dig that new film. Has one of my favorite actors in it."

Giving A Damn
A "damn" (a damnation/ condemnation) directed at something is not a positive thing, but at least it means the person "giving a damn" cares about the subject in one way or another.

The person's level of emotional investment may be quite minimal, but if someone "gives a damn," they at least care something about the outcome of an issue. This is colloquially used in both positive and negative senses.

Example 1: "Tom gives a damn whether or not the Red Sox win the World Series this year, but it's not as if he's betting money on the results. He's just a Red Sox fan."

Example 2: "Troy doesn't give a damn whether his son has good grades or not. What an irresponsible parent he is."

A.M. and P.M.
Abbreviated from Latin. A.M. means Ante Meridiem and P.M. means Post Meridiem.

Meridiem = Meridian, the dividing line between the early day and the late day, otherwise known as noon.

It is better not to speak of 12 a.m. or 12 p.m., but rather 12 noon or 12 midnight, or simply, noon or midnight. For 24 hour systems, this would be 12:00 for noon and 00:00 for midnight.

Keep Up The Good Work
If someone tells you to keep up the good work, that person is telling you to continue what you are doing. In addition, this statement is complimenting your efforts as good work.

Often, the work has not been complimented prior to saying the phrase, so it is both an urging and a compliment, at the same time.

Example: Janet's boss is pleased with the work she is doing. Her boss walks over and smiles, saying, "Keep up the good work, Janet." Janet knows her boss is pleased - and hopes that Janet can continue producing good results.

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

To Keep Something Coming, Make My Day, Forcing Something, Turning The Page

By Admin 21:18 Expression, Idiomatic Expression

To Keep Something Coming
If someone says, keep X coming, this is an invitation to bring more of that thing.

Example: Brian's boss is very pleased with the work Brian has been doing for their insurance company. Brian's boss tells Brian, "Excellent work. Don't stop. Keep it coming." Brian knows his boss is strongly urging him to keep doing excellent work.

"Make My Day"
Doubling as a famous quote, "Make my day" is urging someone else to provide an excuse for a violent confrontation, which will provide pleasure to the speaker. This may or may not be used as a bluff.

More broadly, if something makes your day, it has made the day a good one.

Example 1: "Sure, throw the first punch. Make my day. I'll enjoy hitting you back."

Example 2: "I just got a call from my Uncle Jack. I haven't heard from him in two years. It really made my day! I wish he'd call more often."

Forcing Something
Literally, to force something into a suitcase (for example) would be to push and push to squeeze clothing into the suitcase. This is despite the clothing not being properly packed to fit inside the suitcase's size.

Figuratively, to force something is to attempt to succeed by effort where an action is not appropriate, suitable, or comfortable.

Example: Violet is planning to visit her sister Maggie, and Maggie's husband, Joe. Violet loves her sister but despises Joe, holding great contempt for him. Violet's friend Sarah says to Violet, "You shouldn't force yourself to be nice to him. He's a jerk." Violet replies, "Yes, but he's married to my sister. I don't want to cause trouble for her."

As in this example, people can force themselves figuratively to do something, or attempt to do something, that is against their natures and their desires, either for their own sakes or the sakes of others.

Turning The Page
Figuratively speaking, to "turn the page" on something is to leave an event or series of events behind and continue on with life.

If one phase of a series of events can be likened to a page, to turn the page is to make that series of events into history. This seeks to express that there has been some kind of fundamental shift, an irreversible change that marks a new phase in life.

Example: On August 31, 2010, U.S. President Barack Obama declared an end to U.S. combat operations in Iraq in accordance with its Status of Forces Agreement with Iraq. In doing so, Obama's staff told the news media that he would absolutely not use the words Mission Accomplished in regards to Iraq. (A careful reader of my post on "Mission Accomplished" will note that technically, President Bush did not speak the words either. They were simply on a highly visible banner.)

Instead, President Obama said, "It is time to turn the page." This wording was intended to convey that a new phase had begun in Iraq, a phase intended to be different from the old one, and better than the old one. However, even though the words are different, the meaning of "time to turn the page" and "Mission Accomplished" is extremely close, to the point of being virtually identical. It is obviously the hope of the Obama administration that listeners will view Obama's statement as having the "proper" meaning without being "tainted" by a phrase using different words, with an identical meaning, used years earlier in a way that was thought, in hindsight, to be unwise and improper.

In other words, this time, we really mean it.

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Mission Accomplished, I Can't Thank You Enough, Words Fail Me, At A Loss For Words

By Admin 21:16 Expression, Idiomatic Expression

Mission Accomplished
Originating from the military, "mission accomplished" simply means that a mission's goals have been successfully fulfilled.

The trick is defining the mission properly. Technically, a mission is a single complex task within larger operations, battles, and wars. Idiomatically, politicians often use the word mission to refer to any major sustained effort. These two meanings can come into conflict.

Example: In a famous speech, former U.S. President George W. Bush declared major combat operations in Iraq to be over, speaking from an aircraft carrier with a huge "Mission Accomplished" banner visible to the news media. "Minor" combat operations would claim the lives of many Americans and a great many Iraqis in years to come. Here, the literal mission may have been accomplished, but the figurative mission was far from finished, and far from success.

I Can't Thank You Enough
When someone says, "I can't thank you enough," this is saying that words alone are insufficient to represent the deep gratitude the other person has for you.

Example: Doctor: "There, this antibiotics prescription should eliminate the infection completely. Make sure you take all of the pills." Patient: "I can't thank you enough, Doctor."

Words Fail Me
When words fail you, you are unable to find the proper words to fit a situation, often because the situation is so abnormal.

Example: Laura: "Can you believe it? Denise is back together with that no-good boyfriend of hers, even though he might go to prison for that robbery he did two months ago." Angela: "..Words fail me." Laura: "It's unbelievable."

At A Loss For Words
When a person is at a loss for words, that person is speechless.

Speechless does not mean unable to speak (i.e. a person who is mute); it means someone who is too overwhelmed to speak, or at the very least, unable to say anything profound enough to suit (fit) the occasion.

Example 1: Margaret: "I saw a car accident where five people died. It was horrible...!" Peter: "I'm at a loss for words. That's terrible, I'm so sorry to hear that."

Example 2: Patricia: "My friend in Boston won a million dollars in the lottery!" Donald: "I'm at a loss for words... that's incredible!"

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

"I Can't Hear You!", To Snatch Away, At The Top Of Your Lungs, Hanging Your Head (In Shame)

By Admin 21:14 Expression

"I Can't Hear You!"
An idiom used by military drill sergeants in an aggressive, provocative way. When a drill sergeant yells this at a new recruit at a distance of two inches, the message being conveyed is this: "Speak louder!"

Being an idiom, this is not formal, and it is far less polite - but it is not intended to be polite. It is intended to get the recruit accustomed to being yelled at and to respond in a soldier-like manner.

Even though this idiom has military roots, it is used throughout society to imply that the speaker should speak louder. Here's an example without relying on the idiom alone:

Example: Janet was trying to call Jonathan on his cell phone to tell her about Lisa's getting engaged to be married. Jonathan was having a difficult time hearing Janet's voice due to poor signal strength. He said to her, "I can't hear you! Speak louder!" Janet replied at the top of her lungs, "LISA'S GETTING MARRIED!" Jonathan replied, "Oh!! That's wonderful!"

To Snatch Away
To snatch away something is to a) grab onto something, b) take possession of it, c) take it out of reach of the original possessor.

This idiom is often split.

Example: "The Washington Redskins snatched victory away from the Arizona Cardinals with a last-minute field goal, winning the game 22 to 21

At The Top Of Your Lungs
To say something at the top of one's lungs is to say it very loudly, probably by SHOUTING.

The reason Internet writers are encouraged not to use "all caps" (all capital letters) is because it is understood by the native English speaker as equivalent to shouting, which is far too loud for a conversational tone.

Example: Lisa entered the home of her best friend and exclaimed at the top of her lungs, "I'm getting married!!!" Her best friend Janet replied, "That's wonderful!!" in a normal voice.

Hanging Your Head (In Shame)
To "hang your head" is not to commit suicide; it is to lower your head in shame or embarrassment.

You hang your head by tilting your head forward, eyes looking down. This is body language associated with shame, defeat, and humiliation.

Example: "In football, only those who hold back, who give less than their best effort to win, should hang their heads in shame."

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Leaving It All On The Field, Cool, Hot, To Trust Blindly, I'm Free

By Admin 20:59 Expression, Idiomatic Expression, Situation

Leaving It All On The Field
This idiom, from professional sports, refers to exhausting all possible efforts to win, either individually or as a team.

Figuratively, this refers to leaving one's sweat, blood, and tears on the playing field. This represents being sincere in one's effort to achieve victory, but does not refer to cheating or other morally questionable methods. It refers simply to hard work and exertion.

Example: "In football, there is no shame in being defeated as long as you leave it all on the field."

Cool
Figuratively speaking, if something is "cool," it is stylish.

This, too, can be applied to both people and things.

Example 1: "That football quarterback is so cool! He doesn't just win games; he's always well-dressed."

Example 2: "I saw a really cool movie the other day."

Hot
Figuratively speaking, something that is "hot" is intense.

When applied to people, particularly women, this means, for example, intensely sexy.

When applied to products, it means, intensely popular.

Example 1: "That actress is really hot. Is she single?"

Example 2: "The Prius is really hot right now. You can't just buy it from the dealer and drive it off the lot; you're put on a waiting list and might have to wait months!"

To Trust Blindly
To trust a person, or a news source, "blindly" is to trust it without question; without the slightest doubt that the source may be mistaken.

Example: Yesterday, I read a story called "Wired youth forget how to write in China and Japan." According to the story, young people in China and Japan - countries with very high literacy rates - are forgetting how to write with a pen, and gradually, how to even read "kanji," the Chinese characters that are the foundation of both writing systems. This amnesia is supposedly due to young people doing so much "texting" (sending text mesages) with cell phones using pinyin or kana, which function more like alphabets.

Today, I spoke to a resident of China, a Chinese native speaker, who is learning English. After answering a question of his, I mentioned the above news story. He replied, "But the truth is not like that." I answered back, "I'm used to the media exaggerating so I didn't trust the article blindly." I retained skepticism that the article was truly accurate and represented the full story.

The opposite of trusting blindly is to take something with a grain of salt, which is featured in my eBook, "Food for Thought."

"I'm Free"
Generally, this is not a reference to freedom, as in, the opposite of slavery or imprisonment, but saying, "I have free time right now; I am available."

Example: "Can you talk right now?" "Yeah, I'm free." This means, the speaker is free (at liberty) to talk.

This can be applied as a question: "Are you free?" This asks, "Are you free to talk?" (at liberty to speak)

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Cultural Epicenter, I'll Let You Kick This One Off, Did You Get Him, Something You Can Live With, Meeting In The Middle

By Admin 20:55 Expression, Idiomatic Expression

Cultural Epicenter
Literally, an epicenter is the point of origin of an earthquake, the part that has the strongest vibrations. Figuratively, especially when applied to culture, an "epicenter" is the center, the focal point, the place with the richest, highest concentration of something, such as culture.

Example: In a recent review of Sapporo University for potential exchange students to Japan, I wrote, "Of course, being removed from the cultural epicenters of Japan means making some compromises. Certain things will probably be more expensive in Hokkaido than they would be in Honshu. Hotels don’t seem to have free Internet, for instance."

To conclude the article, I wrote, "It’s an interesting mixture of nature and people, occupying a different place on the slider than options in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto." Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto are the cultural epicenters of Japan.

"I'll Let You Kick This One Off"
In idiomatic speech, to "kick off" something is to begin something; that is, to be the first to do something.

Example: In a recent "The Early Show" segment on CBS, two political commentators were being consulted by a CBS hostess about recent political events: (Republican) Ann Coulter, and (Democratic) Tanya Acker. The first question concerned credit for the U.S. withdrawal of combat troops from Iraq for President Obama. The second question concerned what the Associated Press now calls the "NY Mosque" controversy.

Ann Coulter had answered the segment's first question before Tanya. When the hostess posed the second question, she said, "Tanya, I'll let you kick this one off." This meant, Tanya would be permitted to answer first for the second part of the segment. It is in this sense that she was "kicking off" the second part.

(English Idioms takes no political positions, but this is a real-life example of the idiom.)

"Did You Get Him?"
In American action movies, to "get" someone is to successfully kill or make unable to fight an enemy in a gunfight.

This use was a feature of idiomatic speech in the U.S. Army long before ever seeing the movie screen.

Example: In "Cop Out," the goofy African-American sidekick "Paul" (played by Tracy Morgan) to Bruce Willis' character "Jimmy," successfully shoots "a bad guy" in a gunfight within the corridor directly behind the front door of a house owned by a notorious drug dealer.

"Jimmy" (Bruce Willis) asks, "Did you get him?"

"Paul" (Tracy Morgan) replies, "His head ain't on his body no more, does that count?" [Rough paraphrasing. I only saw the movie because a family member rented it.]

This means, the bad guy's head had been "taken off" by the gunshot so yes, that was probably a fatal shot. (Probably?)

Something You Can Live With
Broadly speaking, "something you can live with" is something that is undesirable, but is tolerable and can be withstood. In business, "something you can live with" is a deal that will not result in catastrophic consequences such as bankruptcy.

This idiom is used to describe a painful result that is not "fatal" to a company; if it is not "deadly" or "lethal" to the company's profits, the financial pain can be tolerated.

Example: "Company X made many concessions in its recent deal with the labor union. The deal was something the company could live with. Regardless, a prolonged strike would have been more damaging than the deal that was reached."

Meeting In The Middle
To "meet in the middle" (also: meet mid-way, meet halfway) is, put simply, to compromise during negotiations of some sort.

The context can be political or social, but is often applied to business deals. Each side concedes something in order to reach an agreement that benefits both sides in some way, even if neither side is fully satisfied with the result.

Example: "Company X avoided a long labor dispute with the union representing its workers. The union's demands were very high, but both sides met in the middle and a deal was reached."

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

The Day of Reckoning, Aiming For Something, Hopping Mad, You've Gotta Be Kidding Me

By Admin 22:17 Expression, Idiomatic Expression, Situation

The Day of Reckoning
Literally, the Day of Reckoning (capitalized) is, in Christian religion, the day of God's final judgment upon all nations. Figuratively speaking, the day of reckoning (not capitalized) for a person accused of a crime is the day upon which a verdict is rendered, finding the accused guilty or innocent.

Example: In medieval English law (let's say, 1066 to 1350 A.D.), an "appeal of felony" was a private prosecution against a person for some kind of crime. With rare exception, the appeal had to be made by the person harmed by the action. In the case of a murder, the wife of a murdered man could make the "appeal of felony."

In these times, such lawsuits were usually for some kind of financial compensation. These lawsuits were usually settled before the day of reckoning. If both sides came to terms, money or some other form of compensation was paid to the spouse of the victim.

That is to say, usually, a settlement would be reached before a judge decides whether the defendant is guilty or innocent. If found guilty of murder, the defendant would be executed through hanging! Clearly, there would be little point in settling the case after the day of reckoning, with the defendant either found innocent (and owing nothing) or guilty (and paying with his life!).

Aiming For Something
To "aim for" something is to work towards a particular goal.

The goal must be specific for the word "aim" (or "aiming") to have any meaning. Taking aim is as in archery or marksmanship; it is to identify a specific, particular target and aim a weapon at it, preparing to fire. Thus, figuratively, this means to move closer to one goal, rather than many.

Example: U.K. Universities Minister David Willetts urged high school graduates who did not successfully obtain a place at a university (when trying to do so) to do volunteer work to improve their resumes and to consider aiming for heavily attended (high student population), less exclusive, less prestigious universities. This would give students refused entry to better universities an opportunity to get some kind of university education, rather than nothing.

Hopping Mad
This idiom creates the image of someone hopping (jumping) up and down, enraged and furious.

This expression comes from the early 1800's and has been a regular feature of English since. It is not meant to be taken literally, but to be a vivid expression of intense emotion.

Example: "The boss was hopping mad when he found out that someone had been stealing from his department. He's very determined to fire the person responsible."

Getting Under Someone's Skin
To figuratively "get under someone's skin" is to annoy that person, as if you are a bad itch.

Example: "That used car salesman really gets under my skin. He's so annoying when he talks like he's your best friend, especially when he's trying to trick you into something. I wish he'd just go away."

You've Gotta Be Kidding Me
This is a modern, informal version of "You must be joking." It is an expression of disbelief regarding something another person has said.

Example: "I heard that Mary-Ann is going to marry Frank in two months." "You've gotta be kidding me! There's no way she'd get together with a boring man like that!" This is an expression of complete disbelief.

Although idioms in general are not "formal English," expressions like "gotta be" ("have got to be") are informal; they are slang, and should never be used in formal situations. This particular idiom/ expression is nonetheless extremely common in American English.

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Idioms Review

By Admin 22:12 Idiomatic Expression

John was always an eager beaver whenever he bought a new tool. First, he would be a busy bee around the house, repairing or renovating everything in sight. Then, he would put his tools away in his overcrowded garage. John was a packrat who never threw a single tool away, leaving his garage very crowded.

Reginald was a fat cat who had made hundreds of millions during the real estate boom. However, his best known project, an expensive hotel, was criticized as a white elephant that consumed a great deal of money while delivering very little in return.

Carol believed at one time that her husband was being faithful, but she smelled a rat when he was arriving "late from work" one too many times. Carol's friend Sandra let the cat out of the bag by telling Carol that her husband had indeed been unfaithful; he had been sleeping with Sandra! This revelation opened a can of worms by causing a great deal of friction between the one-time friends.

Veronica enjoys pigging out at the local fast food restaurant. Often, she can be seen wolfing down a hamburger during her lunch break. Peter, an acquaintance, asked Veronica's friend Kathy if Veronica would ever eat in a more dignified and ladylike manner. Kathy replied, "Yeah, when pigs fly!"

Donald was speaking with his grandmother over the phone. She was having difficulty speaking clearly. Donald asked, "Are you all right? You sound like you have a frog in your throat. You should be careful. People have been dropping like flies with the flu this year. If you don't feel well, you need to see a doctor."

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Throwing The Baby Out With The Bathwater, Off The Reservation, At First Blush

By Admin 02:00 Idiomatic Expression

Throwing The Baby Out With The Bathwater
To figuratively "throw the baby out with the bathwater" is to discard the good alongside the bad.

In old England, dirty, used bathwater from a baby's bath was discarded behind a house. No one sane would ever throw out the baby with the bathwater. Therefore, this expression describes an act of extreme foolishness and a complete lack of understanding of value and worth.

Example: "It is simply wrong to replace the entire marketing staff just because of one failed sales campaign. There are some people that need replacing, yes, but don't throw the baby out with the bathwater! We need to hold onto the good people that we already have."

Off The Reservation
Someone who is, figuratively speaking, "off the reservation" is beyond the control of his or her supposed leader.

The word "reservation" is used in two senses: animal preserves, where hunting of animals is forbidden, and reservations for Native American Indians, upon which these people are permitted by national governments (be they American or Canadian) to live largely according to traditional tribal laws rather than under the authority of state or provincial governments.

In either case, to be "off the reservation" is to be beyond a well-defined boundary.

Example: "Richard was speaking to a reporter about his division's new product. Either his boss knows about it and this was planned, or Richard is completely off the reservation and will get in very serious trouble. Unless he had approval, he could lose his job over this."

In this case, Richard is either part of a plan to quietly announce the product to the news media, or he has leaked in violation of his company contract. The latter would definitely be beyond a well-defined boundary!

At First Blush
The idiom "at first blush" is based on the initial appearance of something.
Just as the rose-colored sky before the dawn is not representative of the color of the sky during the day, the first blush has a tendency to mislead the viewer about the truth of the situation.
Example: "At first blush, the offer seemed reasonable. However, I realized that the seller was asking for far too much given the questionable condition of the merchandise."

Love At First Sight
A particularly common English idiom, "love at first sight" is a strong and immediate attraction to someone upon meeting, and seeing, that person for the first time.
The implication is that this attraction is due to external factors: physical attractiveness, sex appeal, and so forth. It is not based on knowledge of the other person's thoughts or personality.
Example: "When Billy met Cassie, it was love at first sight. He was stunned by her casual charm and elegant figure."

A Busy Bee
A "busy bee" is someone or some creature who or that is very busy, like an industrious worker bee.
Example: "Lucy was a busy bee around the house, washing dishes, dusting shelves, and doing the laundry."

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Smelling A Rat, A Packrat, A Frog In Your Throat

By Admin 21:31 Animals, Idiomatic Expression

Smelling A Rat
Just as something being "fishy" describes something suspicious, to "smell a rat" is to suspect trickery or treachery.

Trickery is as in fraud. Treachery is as in betrayal. Also, in criminal culture, "a rat" is a police informant. This term has spread into popular culture; "ratting" or "ratting out" is to inform on someone and betray that person to an authority of some kind, whether lawful (police) or unlawful (organized crime).

When Pigs Fly, Horsing Around, An Eager Beaver, Dropping Like Flies

By Admin 01:00 Idiomatic Expression

When Pigs Fly
One of English's more colorful idioms, "when pigs fly" describes an extremely unlikely event, one that will never realistically come to pass.

Pigs would only fly (legitimately) if they sprouted angel-like wings and began flying on their own power. This is a ridiculous idea, and is used to ridicule another idea.

Example: "Think you might wind up marrying Ray someday?" "Me? Marry that fat, lazy slob Ray? When pigs fly!!" In this case, the speaker is strongly denying that there is even a remote possibility of marrying "Ray."

Horsing Around
To "horse around" is to play roughly, without regard for normal limitations such as rules or safety.

Real horses play very energetically and roughly. This is why "horsing around" creates an image of rough, physical activity. However, children "horsing around" can cause damage to private property, or injury to themselves or each other. Parents and school teachers usually limit or ban horsing around for this reason.

Example: "Ted and Tommy were horsing around outside. Because of that, Ted tripped and scraped his left knee. Their mother should tell them to tone it down."

The word horseplay (a noun) represents the act of horsing around.

An Eager Beaver
Someone said to be "an eager beaver" is someone very excited and enthusiastic about doing a particular task.

Example: "Ron's been such an eager beaver since joining the company. He volunteers for everything and never complains."

While this is usually a positive trait, excessive enthusiasm can be annoying, or threatening, to some, especially in a very competitive environment.

A person can be an eager beaver for a particular task, that the person particularly likes.

Dropping Like Flies
When many living creatures, including plants, are dying in large numbers, English natives often say, they are "dropping like flies."

Few high school graduates in Western countries are unaware of fruit fly experiments. Fruit flies have a short life span; that is why science studies them extensively. A group of fruit flies that has reached the end of that life span will result in many small, dead flies lying on their backs. This is the image created by the expression, dropping like flies.

Example: "Many elderly people have been dropping like flies during the heat wave in Russia. Please, check up on your loved ones and make sure they are safe and sound." (Safe and sound is another idiom that means "safe and in sound (good) health.")

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Wolfing Food Down, Pigging Out, Opening A Can Of Worms

By Admin 21:24

Wolfing Food Down
To "wolf down" food is to eat food quickly, without fully chewing it.

Often, something that is wolfed down is not really chewed at all; it is simply swallowed.

Example: "Peter wolfed down his sandwich before leaving for work. I think he was in a hurry." In this case, Peter would have had to chew his sandwich somewhat (or choke to death!), but he did not take the time to eat the sandwich slowly. Rather, he ate as quickly as physically possible, swallowing his food in as large chunks as possible, to save time before hurrying to go to work.

A White Elephant, The Tip of the Iceberg

By Admin 21:30 Idiomatic Expression

A White Elephant
White elephants have been regarded as holy in Thailand, India and other Asian countries since ancient times. The owner of a white elephant was required by law to pay for the upkeep of the elephant with special (and thus, expensive) food and to provide access for common people to worship the white elephant.

It is said that if a Thai king was dissatisfied with a subject, he would give the subject a white elephant. Since the elephant was holy, it could not be refused. As a consequence, the cost of maintaining the elephant would bankrupt the subject, reducing him to poverty and suffering. Thus, the "gift" was a gift meant to hurt the recipient.

Idiomatically, a white elephant is something that is very expensive to maintain, and which provides absolutely no benefit whatsoever to the owner.

Example: The Millennium Dome, a structure built in England to house an exhibition from January 1, 2000 until the end of that year (which brought in the new millennium, hence the name). The Dome is considered to be a poorly planned and poorly managed project that did not attract the expected number of visitors. Also, after the original exhibition was closed, the Dome cost one million pounds per month to maintain. Because of this, many considered the Dome to be a white elephant, a building that was nothing but a financial burden to the government, and to taxpayers.

The English word boondoggle is often used with a similar meaning, implying financial waste without meaningful gain.

The Tip of the Iceberg
High school science classes teach us all about icebergs, or ice in general, and how the ice visible on the surface is only a small portion of the ice itself. This visual deception was one factor in the sinking of the Titanic in the early 20th century.

Figuratively, "the tip of the iceberg" is a small, visible portion of a larger, real problem.

Example: Company X is having trouble selling a particular product. A manager is examining customer complaints about the product. These complaints include frustration with customer support staff. The manager reports to the company president, "I'm sorry but, the complaints about thin-skinned customer support staff are just the tip of the iceberg. This product is the subject of five times the complaints of products we've sold in similar numbers. I'm convinced this is an indication of larger problems."

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Letting The Cat Out Of The Bag, A Fat Cat

By Admin 21:22 Idiomatic Expression

Letting The Cat Out Of The Bag
Letting the cat out of the bag, is a metaphor for revealing a secret. It is far easier to keep a cat in a bag, than to put the cat back into the bag after it is out. Cats, like secrets, are very independent creatures that do not do as they are told; they follow their own desires. Once revealed, a secret cannot be made secret again; it spreads and becomes known to one and all.

Example: "Billy was having an affair with Jessica, but his wife didn't know. Jessica started bragging about it and one of her friends told Billy's wife. Now the cat's out of the bag and Billy's wife is probably going to divorce him." The consequences of a secret being revealed cannot normally be undone. Once the cat is out of the bag, it stays out.

A Fat Cat
Idiomatically, "a fat cat" is someone who is very wealthy and, as a result, is able to eat more food than necessary and otherwise enjoy a life of luxury. Thus, they resemble fat, lazy cats that eat, sleep and do nothing useful.

Once, wealthy people who were plump (not obese necessarily, but merely larger than average) had their size seen as proof of their wealth, showing that they could survive famine and that they stood above ordinary people.

Today, obesity is more of a problem with poorer people who cannot afford health food, gym memberships, and all the various trappings of a "healthy lifestyle." Fatter foods have become cheaper and available to the masses, while healthier foods have been made more expensive.

In practice, any wealthy person can be described as "a fat cat," but in modern times, this has a clear, negative connotation.

Example: "The fat cat who runs the local bank is a greedy jerk who enjoys taking advantage of people. Even though he has so much money, he tries to cheat other people in business, even over the most trivial things! He won't even tip waiters at restaurants properly." This describes a person viewed (by the speaker) as being unjustly rich, and unjustly aggressive in seeking to save trivial amounts of money (to a rich person).

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Making Waves, Go With The Flow, Down to Earth

By Admin 21:44 Idiomatic Expression

Making Waves
To "make waves" is the opposite of "going with the flow." To make waves is to stand out, to demonstrate your individuality and uniqueness, and to make a name for yourself by becoming better known. Hopefully, when we make waves, it is in a good way, so that we are known for our successes, and not for our failures.
Example: "Martha made waves when she campaigned for extra sick leave for all employees. Not everyone agreed with her, but everyone respected that she genuniely believes in her idea."

Go With The Flow
Figuratively speaking, "the flow" is the course of events; it is the direction society is taking, and the momentum behind the movement in that direction. To go with the flow is to do as others do and to take the path of least resistance, like water coursing through a river.
Example: "You're new on the job. You should go with the flow for a little while until you get the feel of things. You can make a name for yourself later." The new worker is being advised to take his time and not focus on standing out as an individual until he understands the "flow" of the workplace.

Down to Earth
Someone who is "down to earth" is someone in touch with the lives and realities of ordinary people. No matter how high a person's social status, if we say that person is "down to earth," that person does not behave in a way that is separate from the average person.
Example: "Louse makes a lot of money, but she's very down to earth. She treats everyone like they're important and doesn't act arrogant or spoiled whatsoever." This phrasing is meant as a compliment.

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary

A Stick-In-The-Mud, A Sight For Sore Eyes, Raining On Someone's Parade

By Admin 21:12 Idiomatic Expression, Situation

A Stick-In-The-Mud
Figuratively, a stick-in-the-mud (usually written with hyphens and pronounced as if it is one long word) is a person whose behavior resembles, well, a stick (of wood) impaled in mud: someone who is resistant to being pulled into a productive activity. Such a person is a loner who does not like group activities or may be actively hostile to them. In vocabulary, a "grouch" is similar.

Example: "Carol was inviting co-workers to a party. However, she did not even bother trying to invite Paul to the party. Carol knew Paul was a stick-in-the-mud who hated parties; even if Paul could be convinced to go, he would ruin the party with his negative attitude. As a result, Carol did not invite him at all."

A Sight For Sore Eyes
"A sight for sore eyes" is something, or someone, that is a relief to see after a long absence.

A person who makes a journey to another country for an extended period of time will say this to express joy at returning home.

Example:
Howard is an American who has been working overseas, in Europe, for a period of ten months. Only now is he returning to the United States by airplane. As his plane flies to an international airport in New Jersey, he sees land through his window. He sees America.

In his mind, he thinks to himself, "That sure is a sight for sore eyes." Howard is happy to be back in America after so long.

Raining On Someone's Parade
To "rain on someone's parade" is to criticize someone when they are doing something that makes them happy, as if ruining a fun parade with a rainstorm. Example: "Bill rained on Janet's parade by badmouthing the graphics she did for the new ad campaign. She's quite upset about it; I mean, she woked so hard on those graphics."

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Under the Weather, Having Your Head In The Clouds

By Admin 21:07 Situation

Under the Weather
Someone said to be "under the weather" is someone who appears to be at less than full health, like a sky that is cloudy instead of clear. The person can either be ill, or intoxicated; the important thing is that the person is not feeling well. Ex.: "Arnold looks under the weather. Maybe he's having a bad reaction to the mussels he ate last night?" Mussels are a type of sea food; people not used to eating them will sometimes get seriously ill due to sensitivity to particular bacteria. A milder reaction may merely make someone feel under the weather.

Having Your Head In The Clouds
To have your head in the clouds means that your thoughts are not on the task at hand. Your thoughts are elsewhere, as if they are floating in the clouds, not firmly planted into the soil.
Ex.: "Keep your head out of the clouds and concentrate on finishing this essay! You can't keep your grades high if you don't finish your homework on time!" This is admonishing a student to focus on the task before him (an essay) rather than think about other subjects, perhaps more enjoyable ones.

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Literal vs. Figurative

By Admin 21:01 Idiomatic Expression

For the idiom just posted below, some English natives might write, "Melissa is literally a ray of sunshine for everyone at the office."

This would be completely incorrect. Literally, Melissa is a human being, not a ray of light. Figuratively, she might be a ray of sunshine, but certainly not literally.

Using "She's a real ray of sunshine" is using a much lighter touch.

In both cases, the culprit is the common use of exaggeration in English. Those who say "a real ray of sunshine" try to use the word "real" as a strengthener; that is, a word to add emphasis to the sentence, like the bold I am using for this text (if you are seeing the text here on the blog, anyway). Rather than, for example, shouting the idiom out, people use certain words for emphasis.

Long ago, someone could say "a virtual ray of sunshine" and that would be strong enough. In popular American culture, people have become so accustomed to exaggeration that they will literally say, "She's literally a ray of sunshine." Nonetheless, this is wrong.

It is never correct to use a word as strong as literally for something that is not correct and true in reality, rather than in a figurative expression. More importantly, you cannot possibly sound well educated and articulate if you abuse the word "literally" for things that are not literal.

If only all native speakers followed this advice.

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Weathering the Storm

By Admin 01:00 Idiomatic Expression, Situation

To weather a storm is to endure a difficult, but temporary situation. Because the difficult situation is temporary, it resembles a passing storm. Eventually, the storm ends. Ex.: "The Senator was under a cloud of suspicion, but no hard evidence was found. As a result, he was cleared of all wrongdoing. He had successfully weathered the storm." In the West, the presumption of innocence means that an inability to prove someone guilty results in complete innocence before the law. Whether or not the public is convinced is another matter.

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Stealing Someone's Thunder, Hitting the Sack, Hitting the Hay, Digging Deep, Cheesy

By Admin 04:06 Idiomatic Expression

Stealing Someone's Thunder
To "steal someone's thunder" is an expression for taking the credit and praise for something someone else did. That is, someone else does the work, but you take the credit.
Ex.: "Brian worked for a whole week on that project, but Dave acted like it was all his doing. You shouldn't go stealing someone else's thunder like that." Dave took credit for Brian's hard work.

In the movie "Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief," a character steals the thunderbolt of the ancient Greek god, Zeus. While fiction, this would be stealing someone's thunder figuratively and literally.

A Bad Apple, A Bad Egg, One's Bread and Butter, A Piece of Cake

By Admin 04:01 Food

A Bad Apple
A "bad apple" is someone who might not be in trouble with the law (as is the case for "a bad egg"), but is a person who has a bad attitude (often about work), who is a negative influence in a team, and who is generally not pleasant to work with or be around.
Ex.: "That guy we just hired? I think he's a bad apple. He snaps at co-workers; he's becoming a real distraction." The new employee is creating negativity around him.

A Bad Egg
Figuratively, a bad egg is someone who is often involved in trouble, such as petty crime, vandalism, and so forth.
Ex.: "I don't want you hanging around with that boy! He's a bad egg. He'll get you arrested someday!" Here, "that boy" is well known as a delinquent and is involved with shady things (though not necessarily on a serious level... yet).

In A Nutshell, Egg on your Face, A Hot Potato, Hitting the Sauce, Gravy Train etc.

By Admin 03:58 Food, Temperature

In A Nutshell
A nutshell is a small package provided by Mother Nature, containing a seed. The expression "in a nutshell" is for something that can be explained, represented, or summarized, in a small package.
Ex.: "Vegetarianism In A Nutshell" is a website devoted to explaining vegetarianism in a short, concise, and efficient manner.

Egg on your Face
To unknowingly have a piece of egg on your face is a dinnertime embarrassment. To figuratively have "egg on your face" is to be embarrassed by something unrelated to food.
Ex.: "Apple has egg on its face after its claims the iPhone 4's call signal problems are 'software based' now that Consumer Reports has established, through testing by its engineers, that the problem is indeed a hardware based design flaw."

Riding Someone's Coattails, Caught On Tape, Armed to the Teeth, Seeing Eye To Eye

By Admin 03:55 Idiomatic Expression

Riding Someone's Coattails
"Riding coattails" means using the fame or popularity of another person to increase one's own fame or popularity. Someone else does all the work, while you receive credit just by being seen with the hard working person. Can also be used in a business context. Ex.: "AMD (shares) riding Intel's coattails, but will it last?" This indicates, AMD shares are rising simply by being in the same sector (computer chips) as Intel when Intel's profits are up (but not AMD's, specifically).

Make Do With Less
In these difficult economic times, many individuals and families are "making do with less." To make do with less is to stay afloat rather than figuratively sink under the surface of the water (and drown). Ex.: "Ever since Martha was laid off, her family had to make do with less and cut back on spending on luxury items." This means spending less money on things that are not absolutely necessary.

Caught On Tape
When someone is "caught on tape," the person has been recorded (either by a cassette, which has literal "tape," or more likely, some kind of digital data recorder) doing something bad, embarrassing, or scandalous (or all three). The word "caught" implies "caught in the act" of something improper. Ex.: "Mel Gibson's latest rant was caught on tape..."

Armed to the Teeth
This means, to be heavily armed; to be carrying multiple weapons. The phrase originates from pirates in the 1600's. In those days, pistols were single-shot, so a pirate had to carry many to be considered "armed to the teeth." Ex.: "The gunman was armed to the teeth! He had a rifle, three pistols and two knives." (This is just an example.)

Milking The Cow
Usually a reference to treating a person or entity as a cash cow. This implies taking advantage of a situation and has a strongly negative tone (except to those happily taking the money). Ex.: "Defense contractors get hugely inflated contracts from the government. They're really milking the cow - and making the rest of us pay for it." (An example of the issue)

A Cash Cow
A "cash cow" is a source of steady income. Ex.: "Before the housing bubble collapsed, mortgages were a cash cow for banks and investors alike." That is, until the recent economic troubles, mortgages were a steady source of profit (even though that was a "bubble" effect).

Get Over It
To "get over" something is to move beyond it; to leave it in the past. Conversely, to not "get over" something is to dwell on it and keep it alive as an issue. Ex.: "Your party lost in the last election. Get over it!" This is insensitive, but means, accept defeat with grace; do not be a sore loser.

Seeing Eye To Eye
To see "eye to eye" with another person is to be in complete, total agreement about a particular subject. Ex.: "Lisa's father and mother both saw eye to eye about her new boyfriend: they both thought he was no good for her at all." (Here, the idiom is in the past tense. Seeing -> Saw)

Cool as a Cucumber
A cucumber is a gourd that is usually stored cold in a fridge (in the West, anyway). Thus, to be "cool as a cucumber" is to be very cool; that is, level-headed, even-tempered, in strong command of oneself. Ex.: "You've already done one TV interview. You'll be cool as a cucumber in the next one!"

➤ Read more idioms and phrases, English grammar and vocabulary at Basic English Grammar And Vocabulary .

Flipped On Its Head, In The Heart Of, I Feel Like A Million Bucks, On The Line

By Admin 03:51 Situation

Flipped On Its Head
Something "flipped on its head" has been figuratively turned upside down. It has been altered so profoundly that up is down, left is right, and a person's expectations have been completely overwhelmed.
Ex.: "Social media has turned the communications business on its head." Social media has revolutionized the communications business.

Idioms Beginning With T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z

By Admin 18:37 Try Yourself: T-U-V-W-X-Y-Z

T

table scrap
table talk
tag along
tag team
tail between one's legs
tail wagging the dog
take a back seat
take a bath
take a bead on
take a bite
take a bow
take a breath
take a breather
take a bullet
take a chance
take a crack at
take a crap
take a dim view of
take a dive
take a flyer
take a gamble
take a gander
take a grab
take a hike
take a joke
take a leaf out of someone's book
take a leak
take a licking and keep on ticking
take a long walk on a short pier
take a look
take a nap
take a number
take a pew
take a picture
take a powder
take a ride to Tyburn
take a risk
take a run at
take a seat
take a shit
take a shot in the dark
take a stab at
take a stand
take a tumble
take a turn for the better
take a turn for the worse
take a wife
take a wrong turn at Albuquerque
take aback
take aim
take an axe to
take by storm
take cover
take delight in
take down a peg
take effect
take exception
take five
take flight
take for a ride
take for a spin
take for granted
take guard
take heart
take heed
take ill
take into account
take into consideration
take issue with
take it away
take it easy
take it from me
take it like a man
take it or leave it
take it out on
take it outside
take it up the ass
take it upon oneself
take its toll
take kindly
take leave
take leave of one's senses
take liberties
take lightly
take lying down
take matters into one's own hands
take no for an answer
take no notice of
take no prisoners
take on
take on faith
take on the chin
take on water
take one for the team
take one's ball and go home
take one's chance
take one's eye off the ball
take one's hat off to
take one's lumps
take one's pick
take one's time
take one's tongue out of someone's ass
take out
take out an onion
take out of context
take out the trash
take over
take part
take pride
take sick
take sides
take silk
take sitting down
take someone's head off
take someone's word for it
take something as read
take something in one's stride
take something in stride
take something to the grave
take the bait
take the biscuit
take the Browns to the Super Bowl
take the bull by the horns
take the cake
take the count
take the cure
take the fall
take the field
take the fifth
take the game to
take the gilt off the gingerbread
take the heat
take the hint
take the law into one's own hands
take the lead
take the liberty
take the Michael
take the mick
take the mickey
take the offensive
take the pee
take the piss
take the plunge
take the point
take the red pill
take the reins
take the shadow for the substance
take the stand
take the wheel
take the wind out of someone's sails
take things as they come
take to
take to heart
take to one's heels
take to task
take to the bank
take to the cleaners
take to the hills
take to wife
take up a collection
take up the cudgel for
take up the gauntlet
take up with
talent management
talk a blue streak
talk a mile a minute
talk about
talk back
talk dirty
talk down
talk in circles
talk is cheap
talk jockey
talk like an apothecary
talk of the devil
talk of the town
talk out of turn
talk out one's ass
talk over someone's head
talk someone into something
talk someone under the table
talk someone's ear off
talk the talk
talk through one's hat
talk to the hand
talk turkey
talk up
talking head
tall in the saddle
tall order
tall tale
tamp down
tan someone's hide
TANSTAAFL
taper off
tar with the same brush
taste of one's own medicine
taste of one's own poison
teach someone a lesson
teacher's pet
team up
team up with
tear apart
tear away
tear it up
tear one's hair out
tear up
tear up the pea patch
tee off
teed off
teensy weensy
teeny weeny
teething problems
teething troubles
telephone tag
tell against
tell all
tell apart
tell fortunes
tell it like it is
tell it to Sweeney
tell it to the judge
tell it to the marines
tell off
tell someone where to shove it
tell tales
tell tales out of school
tell the truth
tell you the truth
tell you what
temper temper
tempest in a teapot
temple of immensity
tempt fate
ten a penny
ten foot pole
ten-dollar word
tentpole movie
TEOTWAWKI
term out
terminal leaves
territorial pissing
test bed
test of time
test the waters
than a bygod
thank one's lucky stars
thanks a bunch
thanks for nothing
that does it
that figures
that way
Thatcher's children
that'll be the day
that's a girl
that's all she wrote
that's just me
that's saying something
that's that
that's the ticket
that's what she said
that's what's up
the ball is in someone's court
the bee's knees
the biter bit
the box they're going to bury it in
the buck stops here
the cat's out of the bag
the devil
the die is cast
The End
the end of one's rope
the feathers fly
the finger
the fix is in
the genie's out of the bottle
the handbags come out
the hell out of
the icing on the cake
the jig is up
the joke is on someone
the long and short
the man
the nose knows
the old woman is plucking her goose
the other day
the pants off
the place to be
the plot thickens
the quality
the rabbit died
the rest is history
the rubber meets the road
the shoe is on the other foot
the show must go on
the straw that broke the camel's back
the terrorists will have won
the thing is
the thing of it
the upper hand
the wheels came off
the wheels came off the bus
the wheels came off the wagon
the wheels fell off
the wheels fell off the bus
the wheels fell off the wagon
the whole nine yards
the whole world and his dog
the world over
them's the breaks
them's the facts
then again
then and there
there and back
there for everyone to see
there is no there there
there must be something in the water
there we go
there you are
there you go
there you have it
there, there
there's only one
these islands
thick and thin
thick as thieves
thick of things
thick skin
thief in the night
thigh-slapper
thin air
thin edge of the wedge
thin end of the wedge
thin section
thin-skinned
things that go bump in the night
think aloud
think back
think of
think of England
think on one's feet
think one's shit doesn't stink
think over
think tank
think the world of
think twice
think up
think with one's little head
third country
third degree
third hand
third person
third space
third string
third way
third wheel
this instance
this minute
this, that, and the other
thorn in someone's side
thorn in the flesh
though but
thrash out
thread the needle
three Rs
three score and ten
three sheets to the wind
three skips of a louse
three-dimensionality
three-martini lunch
three-on-the-tree
three-ring circus
thrill kill
thrill killer
through and through
through the roof
throw a bone to
throw a fit
throw a party
throw a spanner in the works
throw a tantrum
throw a wobbly
throw an eye
throw aside
throw caution to the wind
throw chunks
throw cold water on
throw down
throw down the gauntlet
throw good money after bad
throw in
throw in at the deep end
throw in the towel
throw in with
throw money away
throw off
throw off balance
throw off the trail
throw one's weight around
throw one's cap over the windmill
throw one's hat in the ring
throw one's hat over the fence
throw one's hat over the wall
throw one's toys out of the pram
throw oneself at
throw out
throw shapes
throw some shapes
throw someone a curve
throw stones in a glass house
throw the baby out with the bathwater
throw the book at
throw to the dogs
throw to the wind
throw to the wolves
throw under the bus
throw up
thumb a ride
thumb on the scale
thumb one's nose
thus and so
thus and such
tick all the boxes
tick over
tickle pink
tickle someone's fancy
tickle someone's funny bone
tickle the dragon's tail
tickle the ivories
tide over
tie one on
tie someone's hands
tie the knot
tie up
tie up loose ends
tiger team
tight lips
tight ship
tight spot
tight-lipped
tighten the purse strings
till death do us part
tilt at windmills
time after time
time and material
time bandit
time burglar
time of the month
time off
time out
time out of mind
time thief
time will tell
tin ear
tin god
Tinker to Evers to Chance
TINSTAAFL
tip of the hat
tip of the iceberg
tip off
tip one's hand
tip one's hat
tip the scale
tip the scales
tip-off
tipping it down
tiptoe around
tire fire
tired and emotional
tit for tat
tits up
tits-up
titsup
to a fare-thee-well
to a fault
to a nicety
to a T
to a turn
to all intents and purposes
to be honest
to be named later
to be sure
to beat the band
to boot
to date
to death
to die for
to do with
to go
to hell in a handbasket
to little avail
to no avail
to one's heart's content
to one's mind
to pieces
to say nothing of
to say the least
to speak of
to tell the truth
to that end
to the bone
to the brim
to the gills
to the hilt
to the letter
to the max
to the moon
to the nth degree
to the point
to the T
to the tee
to the tonsils
to the tune of
toad-strangler
toast of the town
today we are all
toddle off
toe the line
toe-to-toe
toes up
toke up
Tom, Dick and Harry
tomato juice
tomayto, tomahto
tone down
tongue-in-cheek
tongue-tied
tonsil hockey
tonsil tennis
too bad
too big for one's boots
too big for one's britches
too clever by half
too good for this world
too hot to hold
too many balls in the air
too rich for one's blood
too slow
tool around
toot one's own horn
tooth and nail
top banana
top brass
top cat
top dog
top dollar
top drawer
top edge
top hand
top hat
top it off
top notch
top of mind
top of the line
top of the morning
top oneself
top shelf
top up
top-heavy with drink
top-shelf
topple over
topsy turvy
torque off
torqued off
toss around
toss up
toss-up
total clearance
totus porcus
touch a nerve
touch and go
touch base
touch cloth
touch of the tar brush
touch off
touch on
touch oneself
touch the hem of someone's garment
touch up
touch wood
touch-and-go
touched in the head
touchy-feely
tough as nails
tough call
tough cookie
tough cookies
tough love
tough luck
tough nut to crack
tough titties
tough titty
tough toodles
tough tuchus
toughen up
town and gown
toy boy
toys in the attic
track down
track record
traditional marriage
trailer park trash
trailer trash
train wreck
transcendental meditation
transform and roll out
trash out
tread lightly
trench mouth
trial balloon
trial by fire
trial by media
trials and tribulations
trick of the trade
trick up one's sleeve
trickle down
tried and tested
tried and true
trigger-happy
trip balls
trip out
trip to the woodshed
Trojan-horse
trot out
trouble at mill
trouble in paradise
true believer
true blue
true stripes
true to form
true to one's colors
trump up
truth be told
try one's hand
try one's luck
TS girl
tub of guts
tube steak
tuckered out
tug of war
tune in
tune out
tuppence
tuppence worth
turd in the punchbowl
turf war
turkey shoot
Turkish bread
turn a blind eye
turn a corner
turn a deaf ear
turn a hair
turn a phrase
turn a profit
turn a trick
turn against
turn around
turn back
turn down
turn heads
turn in
turn in one's grave
turn into
turn into a pumpkin
turn loose
turn of events
turn of foot
turn of phrase
turn off
turn on
turn on its head
turn on one's heel
turn one on
turn one's back
turn one's coat
turn one's nose up
turn out
turn over
turn over a new leaf
turn someone's crank
turn someone's head
turn tail
turn the air blue
turn the corner
turn the other cheek
turn the page
turn the scale
turn the screw
turn the tables
turn the tide
turn to
turn to dust
turn tricks
turn two
turn up
turn up for the book
turn up one's nose
turn up trumps
turn upside down
turn with every wind
turn-off
turn-on
twatfaced
Tweedledum and Tweedledee
twelve-ounce curls
twenty to
twenty to the dozen
twenty winks
twenty-twenty hindsight
twiddle one's thumbs
twilight years
twinkle in one's father's eye
twinkly-eyed
twist in the wind
twist of fate
twist someone's arm
twist someone's balls
twist the knife
two a penny
two birds with one stone
two bob
two cents
two for two
two ha'pennies for a penny
two left feet
two pennies to rub together
two pennies' worth
two penn'orth
two thumbs up
two-bit
two-edged sword
two-fisted drinker
two-second rule
two-way street
tyre kicker

U

ugly as sin
un-rock and roll
unavailable energy
under a cloud
under a spell
under erasure
Citations:under erasure
under fire
under glass
under lock and key
under no circumstances
under one's breath
under one's hat
under one's nose
under one's own steam
under one's thumb
under one's wing
under sail
under the carpet
under the cosh
under the covers
under the gun
under the impression
under the influence
under the microscope
under the pump
under the radar
under the rose
under the rug
under the sun
under the table
under the weather
under the wire
under water
under way
under wraps
university of life
unknown quantity
uno ab alto
unring a bell
until hell freezes over
until one is blue in the face
until the cows come home
Citations:until the cows come home
until the last dog is hung
unto the ages of ages
unwashed masses
up a storm
up a tree
up above
up against
up against it
up and at 'em
up and down
up and running
up for
up for grabs
up front
up hill and down dale
up in arms
up in the air
up on
up on one's ear
up one's own ass
up one's sleeve
up poo creek
up shit creek without a paddle
up shit's creek
up shit's creek without a paddle
up someone's street
up the ante
up the creek
up the river
up the wall
up the walls
up the wazoo
up the ying yang
up there
up to eleven
up to here
up to no good
up to par
up to scratch
up to snuff
up to something
up to speed
up with the chickens
up with the lark
up with the larks
up yours
up-and-comer
up-and-coming
up-to-date
uphill battle
upper crust
upper-crust
upright man
ups and downs
upset the applecart
upset the natives
urban fabric
use a sledgehammer to crack a nut
use one's head
use one's noggin
used to

V

vale of tears
valley of death
valley of the shadow of death
variable tandem repeat locus
vaulting school
velvet handcuffs
verbal assault
verge on
very good
very well
vest buster
victory at sea
vim and vigor
virgin territory
viviparous lizard
voice in the wilderness
vote down
vote with one's feet
vouch for
vowel quantity

W

wading bird
wait for it
wait for the ball to drop
wait for the other shoe to drop
wait on
wait on hand and foot
wait on hand, foot and finger
wait on someone hand, foot and finger
wait on someone hand, foot, and finger
wait out
wait upon hand and foot
waiting game
wake up and smell the coffee
wake up on the wrong side of bed
walk a mile in someone's shoes
walk a tightrope
walk all over
walk and chew gum at the same time
walk away
walk away from
walk back
walk down the aisle
walk free
walk in on
walk in the park
walk in the snow
walk of life
walk off with
walk on eggshells
walk on the wild side
walk on water
walk over
walk the dog
walk the floor
walk the line
walk the plank
walk the talk
walk the walk
walk through
walking dictionary
wall of silence
Wall Street
wallow in the mire
wanker's cramp
want out
war bride
war of nerves
warm body
warm fuzzy
warm regards
warm the cockles of someone's heart
warm-blooded
warning shot
warrior ant
warts and all
wash one's hands
wash one's hands of
wash out
washed out
washed up
waste away
waste breath
waste not, want not
watch it
watch one's mouth
watch one's step
watch out
watch over
watch this space
water can
water closet
water down
water over the dam
water power
water to one's mill
water under the bridge
watered-down
watering hole
wave away
wave of the hand
wave the white flag
way back when
way out of a paper bag
we haven't got all day
weak sister
weak tea
weak-kneed
weaker vessel
wear down
wear one's heart on one's sleeve
wear out one's welcome
wear rose-colored glasses
wear thin
wear too many hats
weasel out
weather the storm
wedding-cake
wee small hours
weed out
weekend warrior
weigh against
weigh down
weigh in
weight of the world
welcome to my world
weld together
welfare Cadillac
well and good
well and truly
well done
well hung
well met
well, I never
well-oiled
well-padded
well-stacked
were you born in a tent
wet behind the ears
wet blanket
wet boy
wet dream
wet one's beak
wet one's pants
wet one's whistle
wet the bed
whack-a-mole
whale tail
what are the odds
what can I say
what did your last slave die of
what do I know
what do you say
what else is new
what for
what in tarnation
what is more
what it takes
what not
what of it
what someone said
what the Devil
what was someone smoking
what was that
what with
what you see is what you get
what's it to you
what, me worry
whatever creams your twinkie
whatever floats your boat
whatever it takes
what's cooking
what's eating
what's eating you
what's going on
what's in it for me
what's new
what's the difference
what's the good of
what's the matter
what's up
what's what
whatsamatta
wheel away
wheel out
wheel within a wheel
when all is said and done
when it's at home
when one's ship comes in
when pigs fly
when push comes to shove
when the chips are down
when two Sundays come together
when two Sundays meet
when, as, and if
where it's at
where the sun don't shine
where's the beef
which foot the shoe is on
whichever way one slices it
while we're young
whip hand
whip through
whips and jingles
whisk away
whisk off
whiskey dick
whisper campaign
whistle Dixie
whistle for
whistle in the dark
whistle past the graveyard
whistle walk
whistle-blower
whistle-stop
white cloth
white coat hypertension
white elephant
white girl
white hat
white hole
White House
white lie
white magic
white man
white marriage
white on rice
white paper
white rider
white sheep
white trash
white trashery
white wedding
white wine
white-knuckle
whitewash
Whitman's sampler
who shot John
whole ball of wax
whole cloth
whole shebang
whole shooting match
whole smash
whomp on
whomp up
whoop ass
whoop it up
whoop-ass
who's 'she', the cat's mother?
who's who
why in God's name
why on Earth
whys and wherefores
wicked tongue
wide awake
wide berth
wide of the mark
widow-maker
wild cherry
wild horses
wild turkey
wild-goose chase
will do
will o' the wisp
willful ignorance
willing horse
willow in the wind
win back
win by a nose
win one for the Gipper
win over
win the day
wind at one's back
wind back the clock
wind down
wind off
wind up one's bottoms
window dressing
window-shopping
wine tosser
wing it
winged word
winning ways
winter rat
winter sun
wipe out
wipe someone's eye
wipe the slate clean
wireless network
wise apple
wise guy
wishful thinking
with a grain of salt
with a quickness
with a vengeance
with a view to
with a will
with all due respect
with an eye to
with an eye towards
with any luck
with bated breath
with both hands
with flying colors
with knobs on
with no further ado
with one voice
with one's bare hands
with one's dick in one's hand
with one's head held high
with one's jaw in one's lap
with open arms
with pleasure
with the manner
within ames ace
within an ace of
within living memory
within reach
without a hitch
without fail
without further ado
woe betide
wolf down
wolf in sheep's clothing
woman among women
woman of the hour
woman of the people
woman on the street
wooden mare
wooden spoon
wooden spoonist
wooden-top
word of mouth
word on the street
word on the wire
word play
word to the wise
word-for-word
words of one syllable
work like a dream
work nights
work one's butt off
work one's fingers to the bone
work one's magic
work out
work someone's arse off
work someone's ass off
work spouse
work the crowd
work the room
work through
work to rule
work wonders
worked up
working girl
world-beater
worlds apart
worm food
worm turns
worm's-eye view
worry wart
worse for wear
worship the ground someone walks on
worship the porcelain god
worship the porcelain goddess
worst comes to worst
worst of both worlds
worth a Jew's eye
worth every penny
worth its weight in gold
worth one's salt
worth one's while
woulda, coulda, shoulda
wouldn't hurt a fly
wouldn't shout if a shark bit him
wouldn't you know
wouldn't you know it
wrack and ruin
wrap around one's little finger
wrap in the flag
wrap one's head around
wrap up
wreak havoc
wrestle with a pig
wriggle out of
writ large
write down
write home about
write one's own ticket
writer's cramp
writing on the wall
written all over someone's face
wrong crowd
wrong number
wrong place at the wrong time
wrong side of the tracks

X

X factor
X marks the spot
X's and O's

Y

yank someone's chain
Yankee dime
Yankee go home
yardarm to yardarm
ye gods
yeah, right
year dot
year in, year out
yell at
yell silently
yellow brick road
yellow cake
yellow dog
yellow grease
yellow journalism
yellow light
yellow press
yellow state
yeoman's service
yes and no
yes man
yes to death
yield the ghost
you all
you bet
you can say that again
you can't be half pregnant
you can't judge a book by its cover
you can't say fairer than that
you don't say
you gals
you guys
you know
you know it
you know what
you knows it
you lot
you name it
you shouldn't have
you snooze you lose
you think
you what
you wish
you'll never guess
young at heart
young fogey
young lady
young man
young Turk
younger brother
younger sister
your ass
your blood's worth bottling
your guess is as good as mine
your man
your mileage may vary
you're telling me
yours sincerely
yours trulies
yours truly

Z

zero in on
zero-day
zig when one should zag
zip one's lip
zip up
(source: wiktionary)

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Idioms And Phrases