Idioms and Phrases

• 1. Bite the bullet: To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage.

• Use: Despite the challenges, she decided to bite the bullet and face the consequences.

• 2. Break the ice: To initiate a conversation in a social setting.

• Use: His humorous comment helped break the ice at the party, making everyone feel more relaxed.

• 3. Hit the nail on the head: To describe exactly what is causing a situation or problem.

• Use: The professor hit the nail on the head when he identified the main issue affecting the project.

• 4. Cost an arm and a leg: Meaning: To be very expensive.

• Use: Buying a new car can cost an arm and a leg, so it's essential to budget carefully.

• 5. Jump on the bandwagon: Meaning: To adopt a popular activity or trend.

• Use: Many companies are quick to jump on the bandwagon of new technologies to stay competitive.

• 6. Burn the midnight oil: Meaning: To work late into the night or early morning hours.

• Use: In order to meet the deadline, the team had to burn the midnight oil to complete the project.

• 7. Throw in the towel: Meaning: To give up or surrender.

• Use: After facing numerous challenges, the entrepreneur decided to throw in the towel and close the business.

• 8. Cutting corners: Meaning: Doing something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality.

• Use: They completed the project quickly by cutting corners, but the final result lacked the desired excellence.

• 9. In the same boat: Meaning: In a similar situation or predicament.

• Use: We are all in the same boat when it comes to adapting to the changes brought about by technology.

• 10. A piece of cake: Meaning: Something very easy to do.

• Use: With her experience, the exam was a piece of cake for her.

• 11. A bird of ill omen: bird whose appearance or behavior is believed to foreshadow or signal impending misfortune or disaster.

• Uses: They feel like they've encountered a "bird of ill omen

• 12. Above board: expression that means honest, open, and straightforward

• Uses: "The company's financial dealings were completely above board, with all transactions transparently documented and reported."

• 13. At sea: state of confusion, uncertainty, or lack of direction.

• Uses: "After the sudden resignation of the company's CEO, the entire management team was left feeling at sea."

• 14. At random: something done or chosen without any particular method, pattern, or purpose.

• Uses: "The survey participants were selected at random from the population."

• 15. At large: Not confined or restricted to a specific place. For example, "The virus is still at large in the community."

• 16. A burning question: Urgent inquiry or issue that demands attention or resolution.

• Uses: "The debate over climate change is a burning question.

• 17. A Child’s play: extremely easy or simple to do.

• Uses: "Programming a basic website is a child's play for someone with extensive experience.

• 18. A wolf’s ship clothing: Someone masks their true nature or intentions with a innocence face.

• Uses:

• 19. A deal: an agreement or arrangement between parties.

• Uses: "After hours of negotiation, they finally reached a deal that satisfied both parties."

• 20. A bird’s eye view: viewpoint that is from a high vantage point.

• Uses: From the top of the mountain, we gained a bird’s eye view of the entire valley.

• 21. A cat and dog life: conflict-ridden existence

• 22. Uses: "After their divorce, John and Mary continued to live together, but it was like living a cat and dog life. "

• 23. A feather in one’s cap: An achievement that adds to a person's reputation.

• Uses: "Winning the prestigious award for best screenplay was definitely a feather in her cap.”

• 24. A fish out of water: Someone who feels uncomfortable in a particular situation or environment.

• Uses: "At the high-society gala, John felt like a fish out of water among the wealthy elite."

• 25. A shark

• 26. A sanil’s pace: extremely slow rate of movement or progress.

• Despite their enthusiasm, the project advanced at a snail's pace due to bureaucratic hurdles.

• 27. A snake in the grass: deceptive or treacherous person who pretends to be harmless or friendly while actually intending harm or betrayal.

• "Be cautious of him; he appears friendly, but he might be a snake in the grass waiting to strike."

• 28. A wild goose chase: A futile or pointless search, chasing something that is difficult or impossible to achieve.

• "After hours of searching, they realized their attempt to find was a wild goose chase."

• 29. As busy as bee: someone who is extremely hardworking, or constantly active.

• Despite her hectic schedule, she was as busy as a bee, effortlessly managing her job, and family commitments.

• 30. As faithful as dog: Someone that demonstrates loyalty, dedication, and reliability.

• "Despite facing numerous challenges, she remained as faithful as a dog to her friend, always standing by her side through thick and thin.

• 31. A pep of one’s eye

• 32. Behind one’s back: Actions or comments made without someone's knowledge, with the intention of being deceitful or secretive.

• She discovered that her colleagues were spreading rumors about her behind her back.

• 33. Breath one’s last: means to die, to exhale one's final breath marking the end of life.

• After battling with illness for months, the elderly man finally breathed his last surrounded by his loved ones.

• 34. Below the belt: unfair or inappropriate actions or comments that hit someone in a either emotionally or morally.

• Making fun of someone's physical appearance during an argument is hitting below the belt.

• 35. Beat about the bush: Avoiding the main topic or issue, often by speaking indirectly.

• Instead of directly addressing the problem, he kept beating about the bush, talking in without getting to the point.

• 36. Bird’s of a feather flock together: People with similar characteristics, interests, or backgrounds often associate or form groups together.

• In high school, the athletes always remain together during lunch breaks, proving the old adage that bird’s of a feather flock together.

• 37. Black sheep: Member of a group or family who behaves differently from the restothers.

• Despite being from a family of doctors, she was always the black sheep, choosing to a career in art instead of medicine.

• 38. Blue blood: someone of noble birth.

• Despite her humble beginnings, she married into a family of blue blood.

• 39. Bid fair to: To show promise or likelihood of success in the future.

• Despite facing initial challenges, the new startup bids fair to become a leading player in the tech industry.

• 40. Big gum:

• 41. Bring to book: To hold someone accountable for their actions or to bring someone to justice for wrongdoing.

• The notorious criminal was finally brought to book for his numerous offenses against the law.

• 42. By hook or by a crook: The goal will be achieved by whatever methods are available, regardless of their morality or legality.

• She was determined to finish the project by hook or by crook.

• 43. Chicken hearted: Used to describe someone who is timid, fearful, or lacking in courage.

• John's chicken-hearted nature prevented him from facing even minor challenges without fear.

• 44. Cut a sorry figure: To appear or behave in a manner that is pitiful, embarrassing, or unworthy of respect.

• 45. After forgetting his lines during the play, John cut a sorry figure on stage, much to the disappointment of the audience.

• 46. Call names: using derogatory or offensive language to address or refer to someone. It involves labeling or identifying someone with disrespectful or hurtful terms

• It's not acceptable to call names during an argument.

• 47. Carry weight: To possess influence, significance, or importance in a particular situation.

• In a team meeting, the CEO's opinion tends to carry weight and heavily influences the final decision.

• 48. Dark horse: A candidate who is unexpectedly successful or achieves sudden despite lacking prior recognition or attention.

• Despite being a dark horse in the race, Sarah surprised everyone by winning the championship.

• 49. Eat humble pie: To admit one's faults or errors and accept humiliation or defeat.

• He had to eat humble pie when he failed miserably during the competition.

• 50. Feel small: To experience a sense of insignificance or inadequacy, often in comparison to others or in the face of challenging circumstances

• When I stood among the towering skyscrapers of the city, I felt small and insignificant in the vastness of the city.

• 51. French leave: Leaving a gathering or event without saying goodbye or without permission.

• Mary took a French leave from the dinner party, leaving her friends wondering where she had gone.

• 52. Grease the palm: To bribe or give money to someone, in exchange for favors, special treatment, or to facilitate a transaction.

• The businessman tried to grease the palm of the customs officer for clearance of his goods through customs.

• 53. Go against the grain: To act or behave in a way that is against the custom, tradition, or expectation.

• He decided to go against the grain and pursue a career in art rather than medicine.

• 54. Get one’s nerve: The courage or confidence to do something, especially when it requires facing a difficult or challenging situation.

• After weeks of hesitation, she finally got her nerve and asked her boss for a leave.

• 55. Hard and fast: Strict or rigid guidelines or principles that are strict and no negotiation.

• "The company has a hard and fast policy against delay, no exceptions allowed regardless of the circumstances.

• 56. Hue and cry: A loud outcry to express protest against something or wrong.

• There was a hue and cry throughout the city demanding justice.

• 57. Head and ears: Completely or deeply involved in something.

• She was head and ears into her new project, spending countless hours researching ideas.

• 58. In full swing: Describe a situation or activity that is at its happening with great intensity or activity.

• The preparations for the festival were in full swing with music filling the air.

• 59. Hand in glove: to be in close association with someone, implying a close or secretive relationship.

• "The two politicians were suspected of working hand in glove to manipulate the election results.

• 60. In black and white: Something is clearly stated or defined, leaving no room for confusion. It refers to information that is presented in writing or print,

• The terms of the contract were laid out in black and white, leaving no room for misunderstanding.

• 61. In the twinkling: very quickly, almost instantaneously or in the blink of an eye.

• "The magician performed his trick to disappear cards in the twinkling of an eye."

• In full swing: An expression used to describe something that is proceeding at its highest level of activity, energy, or intensity.

• The tourist season in the coastal town is in full swing during winter.

• Is blind as bat: Describe someone who cannot see well or at all. It implies that the person's vision is extremely poor.

• Despite wearing glasses, Sarah is as blind as a bat struggles to see anything clearly.

• 62. Jack of all trades: A person who can do many different types of work but may not excel in any one particular field.

• "While he may not be an expert in any particular field, John is truly a jack of all trades and master of none."

• No rose without thorn: in life, even in pleasant situations, there are often difficulties or drawbacks.

• "Sarah knew that achieving success in her career would require hard work she understood that there's no rose without thorn."

• Once in a blue moon: something that happens very rarely or almost never.

• "I hardly see my old college friends; we meet up once in a blue moon."

• 63. Out of the frying pan in to the fire: The idea of moving from a bad situation to an even worse one.

• The company found itself out of the frying pan into the fire when a major lawsuit was filed against it.

• 64. Know no bounds: it has no limits or boundaries; it is boundless or limitless.

• Her passion for music knows no bounds; she spends every moment practicing.

• 65. Kiss the dust: to fall down or to be defeated.

• "The champion boxer had to kiss the dust when he was knocked out in the first round of the match.

• 66. Keep an eye on: To watch or monitor something closely.

• "While I'm away, please keep an eye on the children. "

• 67. Lion’s share: the largest portion or the majority of something.

• In the business deal, Susan ended up with the lion's share of the profits.

• 68. Learn by rote: To memorize something through repetition without necessarily understanding.

• He had simply learned the answers by rote, as he cannot apply the concepts in real situations.

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• 69. Null and void: It is a legal term used to describe something that is not legal. It implies that an action is invalid.

• The contract was declared null and void because it was signed under legally meaningless.

• 70. On the card: Something is likely to happen in the future; it suggests that a particular event or outcome is expected.

• Considering his qualifications and experience, a promotion is on the cards for Jack.

• 71. Pull a long face: look sad, disappointed, or unhappy.

• "After hearing the news of the canceled trip, Sarah pulled a long face. "

• 72. Run amuck: to behave uncontrollably and wildly, often causing chaos or destruction.

• After the announcement of the unexpected price hike, the customers in the store ran amuck.

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• 73. Right and left: everywhere or in all directions. It suggests that something is happening without any control in all possibilities or directions.

• "After winning the lottery, he started buying expensive cars and houses right and left."

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• 74. Rain or shine: It is used to indicate that something will happen regardless of the weather conditions.

• The outdoor concert will go on, rain or shine, as the organizers have made all the necessary arrangements.

• 75. Small talk: Light, casual conversation on unimportant matters.

• During the reception, guests engaged in small talk about the weather and upcoming holidays.

• 76. Take to one’s hill: to withdraw to a place of comfort in response to a challenging or uncomfortable situation.

• "After the argument with his colleagues, John decided to take to his hill and spend the evening alone in his favorite café.."

• 77. Tooth and nail: To fight or struggle with all available resources, using every means possible to achieve a goal.

• 78. Despite facing numerous obstacles, she fought tooth and nail to establish her business in the competitive market.

• 79. To take by storm: To conquer something or someone quickly with great success.

• The new product launch took the market by storm, quickly becoming the best-selling item.

• 80. To back out: To withdraw from an agreement, especially at the last moment, leaving others in a difficult situation.

• Sarah decided to back out at the eleventh hour, leaving the team helpless to find a replacement.

• 81. To bell the cat: An expression used to describe the act of undertaking a dangerous or difficult task.

• Despite the dangers, someone needs to bell the cat and address the issues with the management directly.

• 82. To blow one’s trumpet: to boast about one's achievements or abilities in a self-promotional manner.

• Despite his remarkable achievements, John preferred not to blow his own trumpet and let his work speak for itself

• 83. To call a spade a spade: To speak plainly and directly, without sugar coating, even if the truth may be harsh or unpleasant.

• 84. Sarah decided to call a spade a spade and address the company's financial issues directly during the meeting.

• 85. To cut one’s coat according to one’s cloth: To live within one’s means or one's lifestyle to suit the resources or circumstances available to them.

• 86. Despite her desire for a vacation, Sarah knew she had to cut her coat according to her cloth and opted for a more budget-friendly trip

• 87. To eat humble pie: being forced to admit one's errors or faults and to accept humiliation as a result.

• Tom had to eat humble pie when he lost the competition to someone he had underestimated.

• 88. To give ear to: To listen attentively or to pay attention to what someone is saying.

• She always gives ear to her grandmother's advice.

• 89. To have things in once finger tips: to have easy access to something or to have a thorough understanding or mastery of it.

• After years of experience in the industry, Sarah had all the necessary contacts and resources at her fingertips to launch her own successful business

• 90. To have one’s foot in the grave: Describe someone who is very close to death or is in extremely poor health, suggesting that they are on the verge of dying.

• "After battling with cancer for years, unfortunately, my grandmother now has one foot in the grave."

• 91. To hold one’s tongue: To remain silent, especially when one has to say something.

• Sarah decided to hold her tongue during the meeting to maintain professionalism.

• 92. To kill two birds with one stone: To accomplish two tasks with a single action.

• By scheduling meeting at the café near the office, we can kill two birds with one stone: discuss the project updates and enjoy lunch together.

• 93. To make an ass of oneself: To behave in a foolish manner, resulting in one's own humiliation.

• " Mark proceeded to make an ass of himself by attempting to dance on the table."

• 94. To put two and two together: To understand something correctly by analyzing the available information.

• "After seeing the suspicious behavior of his new neighbor, Jack finally put two and two together and realized that something fishy was going on.

• 95. To the back bone: To the essence of something, often implying strength, It suggests reaching the most essential or crucial aspect of a matter.

• 96. "They develop a solution that tackled the issue of pollution to the backbone, providing long-lasting results."

• 97. Turn coat: someone who switches loyalty, especially to the opposing side. It implies betrayal or disloyalty.

• " He became a turncoat when he accepted a job with the oil company and started opposing environmental regulations."

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• 98. Ups and down: To the fluctuating nature of life, where one experiences both good and bad times, successes and failures, highs and lows.

• "Life is full of ups and downs, "

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• 99. Wet blanket: A person who dampens the excitement or mood of others; someone who discourages.

• 100. "After Sarah's constant complaints about the weather, she became known as the wet blanket of the group.

• 101. Yearn for: To have a strong desire for something, often accompanied by a feeling of sadness or dissatisfaction due to its absence.

• She yearns for the days when she could roam freely in the countryside, away from the hustle and bustle of the city.