Idiom Category: Nature, Page 2

Shifting sands

If the sands are shifting, circumstances are changing.

Skate on thin ice

If someone is skating on thin ice, they are taking a big risk.

Sky is the limit

When people say that the sky is the limit, they think that there are no limits to the possibilities something could have.

Slippery slope

A slippery slope is where a measure would lead to further worse measures.

Still waters run deep

People use this idiom to imply that people who are quiet and don't try to attract attention are often more interesting than people who do try to get attention.

Swim against the tide

If you swim against the tide, you try to do something that is very difficult because there is a lot of opposition to you. ('Go against the tide' is an alternative form.)

Swim with the tide

If you swim with the tide, you do the same as people around you and accept the general consensus. ('Go with the tide' is an alternative form.)

The sun might rise in the west

When people say this, they mean that they don't expect something to happen.

Tip of the iceberg

The tip of the iceberg is the part of a problem that can be seen, with far more serious problems lying underneath.

Uncharted waters

If you're in uncharted waters, you are in a situation that is unfamiliar to you, that you have no experience of and don't know what might happen. ('Unchartered waters' is an incorrect form that is a common mistake.)

Up a river without a paddle

If you up a river without a paddle, you are in an unfortunate situation, unprepared and with none of the resources to remedy the matter.

Up the wooden hill

When you go up the wooden hill, you go up the stairs to bed.

Walking on air

If you are walking on  air, you are so happy that you feel as if you could float.

Where there's smoke, there's fire

When there is an indication or sign of something bad, usually the indication is correct.

Whistle down the wind

If you whistle down the wind, you abandon, send away or leave something or someone.

Worse things happen at sea

This idiomatic expression is used as a way of telling someone not to worry so much about their problems.

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