Idioms and Phrases

To fill in means to complete a form by adding required information. It can also mean to substitute temporarily.

To cross that bridge when one comes to it means to deal with a problem only when it actually occurs. It advises against worrying early.

To hit the nail on the head means to be exactly correct about something. It signals precise accuracy.

To go the extra mile means to make more effort than is expected. It signals dedication.

To have one’s head in the clouds means to be out of touch with reality or absorbed in daydreams. It suggests impracticality.

To break the ice means to relieve tension and get a conversation started. It is often used of first meetings.

To smell a rat means to sense that something is wrong or that one is being deceived. It signals suspicion.

To get cold feet means to become nervous about doing something planned. It implies losing courage.

To steal someone’s thunder means to take attention or credit that should have gone to them. It implies upstaging.

To give someone the cold shoulder means to treat them in an unfriendly or dismissive way. It signals deliberate coldness.

To pass away is a polite expression meaning to die. It softens the reference to death.

To keep up with means to stay at the same level or pace as others. For example, keep up with the class.

To have the upper hand means to have a position of advantage or control. It implies dominance in a situation.

To have bigger fish to fry means to have more important matters to attend to. It implies setting priorities.

To set up means to establish or arrange something. For example, they set up a company.

To cost an arm and a leg means to be very expensive. It exaggerates the price of something.

The last straw is the final difficulty that makes a situation intolerable. It comes from a longer proverb.

To have an axe to grind means to have a private or selfish reason for being involved in something. It suggests hidden interest.

To count on means to rely on or depend on someone. For example, you can count on me.

To face the music means to accept the unpleasant consequences of one’s actions. It implies taking responsibility.

Once in a blue moon means something that happens very rarely. It refers to an infrequent event.

To give off means to emit or produce, as of heat, light or a smell. For example, the fire gave off heat.

To be over the moon means to be extremely happy or delighted. It is similar to being on cloud nine.

To be worth one’s salt means to be good at one’s job and deserving of respect. The phrase has ancient origins.

To add fuel to the fire means to worsen an already difficult situation. It intensifies a conflict.

To bury the hatchet means to end a quarrel and become friendly again. It signals reconciliation.

A piece of cake means a task that is very easy to accomplish. It has nothing to do with actual cake.

To let the cat out of the bag means to disclose a secret, often unintentionally. It is a common expression.

To look for means to try to find something. For example, he is looking for his keys.

A blessing in disguise is something that appears bad but turns out to be beneficial. The good is hidden at first.

To drop out means to withdraw from a course, school or activity before finishing. It implies leaving early.

To turn a blind eye means to pretend not to notice something wrong. It implies deliberate ignoring.

To be at a loose end means to have nothing particular to do. It describes idleness.

To bring up means to raise a child, or to introduce a topic in conversation. It has both senses.

To kill two birds with one stone means to accomplish two objectives with one effort. It signals efficiency.

To look up to means to admire and respect someone. For example, he looks up to his teacher.

To read between the lines means to perceive a meaning that is implied rather than stated. It signals inference.

To burn the midnight oil means to work or study late into the night. It refers to sustained effort.

To be in hot water means to be in trouble or difficulty. It suggests facing consequences.

To be in the same boat means to be in the same difficult circumstances as others. It implies shared hardship.

To go on means to continue. For example, please go on with your story.

In a nutshell means stated very briefly and concisely. It introduces a summary.

To carry out means to perform or complete a task. For example, they carried out the plan.

To let sleeping dogs lie means to avoid interfering with a situation that could cause trouble. It advises leaving things alone.

To spill the beans means to disclose secret information. It is similar to letting the cat out of the bag.

To have a heart of gold means to be very kind and generous. It describes a good nature.

To be born with a silver spoon means to be born into a wealthy family. It refers to inherited privilege.

To turn up means to arrive or appear, often unexpectedly. It can also mean to increase volume.

To come across means to find or meet by chance. For example, I came across an old photo.

To be in someone’s good books means to be in their favour. The opposite is to be in their bad books.

A storm in a teacup means a lot of unnecessary anger or worry about a trivial matter. It describes overreaction.

To give in means to yield or surrender. For example, he finally gave in to their demands.

To cost the earth means to be very expensive. It is similar to costing an arm and a leg.

To put off means to postpone or delay something. For example, they put off the meeting.

To be caught red-handed means to be caught in the very act of wrongdoing. It implies clear guilt.

To bite the bullet means to endure a painful or difficult situation with courage. It implies bracing oneself.

To cut corners means to do something in the cheapest or easiest way, often sacrificing quality. It has a negative sense.

To hit the sack means to go to bed or go to sleep. It is an informal expression.

To keep something at bay means to prevent it from approaching or affecting you. It implies holding off.

To keep one’s chin up means to remain cheerful in a difficult situation. It is an encouragement to stay positive.

To look up means to search for information in a reference source. For example, look up the word in a dictionary.

To find out means to discover or learn information. For example, she found out the truth.

To look forward to means to await something eagerly. For example, I look forward to the holidays.

To call off means to cancel something planned. For example, the match was called off.

To break out means to begin suddenly, as of a war or disease. It can also mean to escape.

To have second thoughts means to reconsider and begin to doubt a decision. It signals hesitation.

To take something with a pinch of salt means to be sceptical about it. It advises not fully believing something.

To have butterflies in one’s stomach means to feel nervous or anxious. It describes a fluttering sensation.

To jump on the bandwagon means to join an activity that has become popular or successful. It implies following a trend.

To be on cloud nine means to be extremely happy or elated. It describes great joy.

To put on means to dress oneself in something. For example, he put on his coat.

A fish out of water is a person who feels out of place in an unfamiliar situation. It describes discomfort.

To put the cart before the horse means to do things in the wrong order. It reverses the natural sequence.

Under the weather means feeling slightly ill. It is a mild way of saying one is unwell.

To look after means to take care of someone or something. For example, she looks after her brother.

To run out of means to exhaust the supply of something. For example, they ran out of petrol.

A couch potato is a person who is lazy and spends much time sitting. It describes an inactive lifestyle.

To make up means to invent a story, or to reconcile after a quarrel. It has both senses.

To beat around the bush means to avoid coming to the point. It describes indirect speech.

To give up means to stop trying or to quit. It can also mean to surrender.

To be up in arms means to be angry and ready to protest about something. It describes strong indignation.

The ball is in your court means it is your turn to make a decision or take action. It comes from tennis.

A wolf in sheep’s clothing is a person who hides hostile intentions behind a friendly appearance. It warns of hidden danger.

To be all ears means to be listening attentively and eagerly. It signals full attention.

To break new ground means to do something not done before. It signals innovation or pioneering work.

To turn down means to reject or refuse an offer. It can also mean to reduce volume.

To pull someone’s leg means to tease or joke with them. It is a light-hearted expression.

To throw in the towel means to admit defeat and give up. It comes from boxing.

To make ends meet means to earn just enough money to cover one’s needs. It refers to managing on a limited income.

To run into means to meet someone unexpectedly. It can also mean to collide with something.

To back up means to support someone, or to make a copy of data. It has both senses.

A bolt from the blue is a sudden and unexpected event. It refers to something entirely unforeseen.

The apple of one’s eye is a person who is greatly loved and treasured. It expresses deep affection.

To sit on the fence means to avoid committing to either side of a dispute. It describes indecision.

To make a mountain out of a molehill means to treat a minor issue as if it were major. It describes exaggeration.

To give away means to give something free, or to reveal a secret. It has both senses.

To see eye to eye means to be in full agreement with someone. It describes shared views.

To be on thin ice means to be in a risky or precarious situation. It warns of possible trouble.

To hold on means to wait, especially briefly. For example, hold on a moment.

To put up with means to tolerate or endure something unpleasant. For example, she put up with the noise.

To take after means to resemble an older family member in looks or character. For example, she takes after her mother.

To keep one’s fingers crossed means to hope for a good outcome. It is a gesture associated with wishing for luck.

To have a chip on one’s shoulder means to harbour a grievance or feel resentful. It suggests a readiness to take offence.

To get along with means to have a friendly relationship with someone. For example, they get along well.

To break down means to stop working, as of a machine. It can also mean to lose emotional control.