English Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions

As much use as a chocolate teapot

Something that is as much use as a chocolate teapot is not useful at all.

As much use as a handbrake on a canoe

This idiom is used to describe someone or something as worthless or pointless.

As neat as a new pin

This idiom means tidy and clean.

As one man

If people do something as one man, then they do it at exactly the same time or in complete agreement.

As rare as hen's teeth

(USA) Something that is rare as hen's teeth is very rare or non-existent.

As the actress said to the bishop

(UK) This idiom is used to highlight a sexual reference, deliberate or accidental.

As the crow flies

This idiom is used to describe the shortest possible distance between two places.

As you sow, so shall you reap

This means that if you do bad things to people, bad things will happen to you, or good things if you do good things.

Asleep at the switch

If someone is asleep at the switch, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities very carefully. 'Asleep at the wheel' is an alternative.

Asleep at the wheel

If someone is asleep at the wheel, they are not doing their job or taking their responsibilities very carefully. 'Asleep at the switch' is an alternative.

At a drop of a dime

(USA) If someone will do something at the drop of a dime, they will do it instantly, without hesitation.

At a loose end

(UK) If you are at a loose end, you have spare time but don't know what to do with it.

At a loss

If you are at a loss, you are unable to understand or comply.

At a snail's pace

If something moves at a snail's pace, it moves very slowly.

At arm's length

If something is at arm's length, it is a safe distance waway from you.

At cross purposes

When people are at cross purposes, they misunderstand each other or have different or opposing objectives.

At daggers drawn

If people are at daggers drawn, they are very angry and close to violence.

At death's door

If someone looks as if they are at death's door, they look seriously unwell and might actually be dying.

At death's door

If someone is at death's door, they are very ill and close to death.

At each other's throats

If people are at each other's throats, they are fighting, arguing or competing ruthlessly.

At full tilt

If something is at full tilt, it is going or happening as fast or as hard as possible.

At large

If a criminal is at large, they have not been found or caught.

At loggerheads

If people are at loggerheads, they are arguing and can't agree on anything.

At loose ends

(USA) If you are at a loose end, you have spare time but don't know what to do with it.

At odds

If you are at odds with someone, you cannot agree with them and argue.

At sea

If things are at sea, or all at sea, they are disorganized and chaotic.

At the bottom of the totem pole

(USA) If someone is at the bottom of the totem pole, they are unimportant. Opposite is at the top of the totem pole.

At the coalface

If you work at the coalface, you deal with the real problems and issues, rather than sitting in a office discussing things in a detached way.

At the crossroads

If you're at a crossroads, you are a point where an important decision or choice has to be made.

At the drop of a hat

If you would do something at the drop of a hat, you'd do it immediately.

At the end of the day

This is used to mean 'in conclusion' or 'when all is said and done'.

At the end of your rope

(USA) If you are at the end of your rope, you are at the limit of your patience or endurance.

At the end of your tether

(UK) If you are at the end of your tether, you are at the limit of your patience or endurance.

At the fore

In a leading position

At the top of my lungs

If you shout at the top of your lungs, you shout as loudly as you possibly can.

At the top of the list

If something is at the top of the list, it is of highest priority, most important, most urgent, or the next in one's line of attention.

At the top of your lungs

If you shout at the top of your lungs, you shout as loudly as you possibly can.

At the top of your voice

If you talk, shout or sing at the top of your voice, you do it as loudly as you can.

At your wits' end

If you are at your wits' end, you have no idea what to do next and are very frustrated.

Average Joe

An average Joe is an ordinary person without anything exceptional about them.

Avowed intent

If someone makes a solemn or serious promise publicly to attempt to reach a certain goal, this is their avowed intent.

Away with the fairies

If someone is away with the fairies, they don't face reality and have unrealistic expectations of life.

Awe inspiring

Something or someone that is awe inspiring amazes people in a slightly frightening but positive way.

AWOL

AWOL stands for "Absent Without Leave", or "Absent Without Official Leave". Orignially a military term, it is used when someone has gone missing without telling anyone or asking for permission.

Axe to grind

If you have an axe to grind with someone or about something, you have a grievance, a resentment and you want to get revenge or sort it out. In American English, it is 'ax'.

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