Idiom Category: Religion, Page 1

Act of God

An act of God is something like an earthquake or floods that human beings cannot prevent or control.

Adam's ale

(dated, humorous) water

All hell broke loose

When all hell breaks loose, there is chaos, confusion and trouble.

Amen

Some use 'Amen' or 'Amen to that' as a way of agreeing with something that has just been said.

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.

Baptism of fire

A baptism of fire was a soldier's first experience of shooting. Any unpleasant experience undergone, usually where it is also a learning experience, is a baptism of fire.

Believe in the hereafter

A belief in the hereafter is a belief in the afterlife, or life after death. It is, therefore, associated with religions and the soul's journey to heaven or to hell, whichever way being just deserts for the person based on how they led their life.

Better the devil you know

This is the shortened form of the full idiom, 'better the devil you know than the devil you don't', and means that it is often better to deal with someone or something you are familiar with and know, even if they are not ideal, than take a risk with an unknown person or thing.

Between the devil and the deep blue sea

If you are caught between the devil and the deep blue sea, you are in a dilemma; a difficult choice.

Broad church

If an organisation is described as broad church, it is tolerant and accepting of different opinions and ideas.

Catch hell

If you catch hell, you get into trouble or get scolded. ('Catch heck' is also used.)

Chapter and verse

When you know something very well, and can quote it, you know it chapter and verse.

Cold day in hell

This is used as a prediction there is no chance some event or condition will ever happen.'There will be a cold day in hell before he manages it.'

Come hell or high water

If someone says they'll do something come hell or high water, they mean that nothing will stop them, no matter what happens.

Cross to bear

If someone has a cross to bear, they have a heavy burden of responsibility or a problem that they alone must cope with.

Devil finds work for idle hands

When people say that the devil finds work for idle hands, they mean that if people don't have anything to do with their time, they are more likely to get involved in trouble and criminality.

Devil is in the detail

When people say that the devil in the detail, they mean that small things in plans and schemes that are often overlooked can cause serious problems later on.

Devil may care

If you live a devil-may-care life it means you are willing to take more risks than most people.

Devil's advocate

If someone plays Devil's advocate in an argument, they adopt a position they don't believe in just for the sake of the argument

Doubting Thomas

A Doubting Thomas is someone who only believes what they see themselves, not what they are told.

Dry as a wooden god

(AU) Very dry area or very thirsty: That desert is as dry as a wooden god.

Face your demons

If you face your demons, you confront your fears or something that you have been trying hard to avoid.

Fall from grace

If a person falls from grace, they lose favor with someone.

Fool's paradise

A fool's paradise is a false sense of happiness or success.

From your lips to God's ears

When you say this to someone, it means that you hope what they are saying will come true.

Heaven knows

If you ask someone a question and they say this, they have no idea.

Heaven knows

Used when someone does not feel recognized or appreciated. For example; heaven knows how hard I work to feed my family.

Heaven only knows

The answer to a question is not or cannot be known. For example, heaven only knows when the war will end.

Heavenly bodies

The heavenly bodies are the stars.

Hell for leather

If you do something hell for leather, especially running, you do it as fast as you can.

Hell in a handcart

If something is going to hell in a handcart, it is getting worse and worse, with no hope of stopping the decline.

Holier-than-thou

Someone who is holier-than-thou believes that they are morally superior to other people.

Holy smoke!

This is a way of expressing surprise: "Holy smoke! Look at all of those geese!"

Hope in hell

If something hasn't got a hope in hell, it stands absolutely no chance of succeeding.

Hot as Hades

If something's as hot as Hades, it's extremely hot.

Idle hands are the devil's handiwork

When someone is not busy, or being productive, trouble is bound to follow.

If Mohammed won't come to the mountain, the mountain must come to Mohammed

If something cannot or will not happen the easy way, then sometimes it must be done the hard way.

If you lie down with the Devil, you will wake up in hell

This means that if you become involved with bad company, there will be negative consequences.

Lap of the gods

If something is in the lap of the gods, it is beyond our control and fate will decide the outcome.

Let the devil take the hindmost

This idiom means that you should think of yourself and not be concerned about other people; look after yourself and let the devil take the hindmost.

Lord willing and the creek don't rise

Pertains to the ability to accomplish a task or meet an obligation, barring unforseen complications. Example: "I will be at work tomorrow, Lord willing and the creek don't rise."

Man Of God

A man of God is a clergyman.

Man of the cloth

A man of the cloth is a priest.

Man proposes, God disposes

Your fate lies in the hands of God.

Move heaven and earth

This expression indicates a person's determined intention of getting a work done in spite of all odds he may face. He will use all and every means to accomplish the target. Example: He moved heaven and earth to get his literary work recognised by the committee of experts.

Ninth circle of hell

In Dante's Inferno, the ninth circle of hell is the centre where the worst punishments are found, so it is used idiomatically for something that couldn't get worse.

Not a snowball's chance in hell

There is absolutely no possibility of something hapening if there's not a snowball's chance in hell.

Pastoral care

This is used in education to describe the aspect of care offered to pupils that cover things besides learning.

Poisoned chalice

If someone is given a poisoned chalice, they are given a job or task which appears attractive but is actually doomed to failure or beset with problems that will damage their reputation or harm them.

Poor as a church mouse

If someone is as poor as a church mouse, they are very poor indeed.

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