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Idiom Category: General



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A bit much
If something is excessive or annoying, it is a bit much.
A chain is no stronger than its weakest link

This means that processes, organisations, etc, are vulnerable because the weakest person or part can always damage or break them.

A hitch in your giddy-up

If you have a hitch in your giddy-up, you're not feeling well. ('A hitch in your gittie-up' is also used.)

A lick and a promise

If you give something a lick and a promise, you do it hurriedly, most often incompletely, intending to return to it later.

A little learning is a dangerous thing

A small amount of knowledge can cause people to think they are more expert than they really are.

eg. he said he'd done a course on home electrics, but when he tried to mend my table lamp, he fused all the lights! I think a little learning is a dangerous thing

A long row to hoe

Something that is a long row to hoe is a difficult task that takes a long time.

A OK
If things are A OK, they are absolutely fine.
A picture is worth a thousand words
A picture can often get a message across much better than the best verbal description.
A problem shared is a problem halved
If you talk about your problems, it will make you feel better.
Abide by a decision
If you abide by a decision, you accept it and comply with it, even though you might disagree with it.
Abject lesson
(India) An abject lesson serves as a warning to others. (In some varieties of English 'object lesson' is used.)
Above board
If things are done above board, they are carried out in a legal and proper manner.
Accident waiting to happen
If something is an accident waiting to happen, there's definitely going to be an accident or it's bound to go wrong. ('Disaster waiting to happen' is also used.)
Acid test
An acid test is something that proves whether something is good, effective, etc, or not.
Across the board
If something applies to everybody, it applies across the board.
Across the ditch
(NZ) This idiom means on the other side of the Tasman Sea, used to refer to Australia or New Zealand depending on the speaker's location.
Actions speak louder than words
This idiom means that what people actually do is more important than what they say- people can promise things but then fail to deliver.
Add fuel to the fire
If people add fuel to the fire, they make a bad situation worse.
Add insult to injury
When people add insult to injury, they make a bad situation even worse.
Against the grain
If doing something goes against the grain, you're unwilling to do it because it contradicts what you believe in, but you have no real choice.
Age before beauty
When this idiom is used, it is a way of allowing an older person to do something first, though often in a slightly sarcastic way.
Air your dirty laundry in public

If you air your dirty laundry in public, you reveal aspects of your private life that should really remain private, by telling a secret, arguing in public, etc.

Alive and kicking
If something is active and doing well, it is alive and kicking.  (It can be used for people too.)
All along
If you have known or suspected something all along, then you have felt this from the beginning.
All and sundry
This idiom is a way of emphasising 'all', like saying 'each and every one'.
All mod cons
If something has all mod cons, it has all the best and most desirable features. It is an abbreviation of 'modern convenience' that was used in house adverts.
All my eye and Peggy Martin
(UK) An idiom that appears to have gone out of use but was prevalent in the English north Midlands of Staffordshire, Cheshire and Derbyshire from at least the turn of the 20th century until the early 1950s or so. The idiom's meaning is literally something said or written that is unbelievable, rumor, over embellished, the result of malicious village gossip etc.
All of the above
This idiom can be used to mean everything that has been said or written, especially all the choices or possibilities.
All over bar the shouting

When something is all over bar the shouting, the outcome is absolutely certain.
('All over but the shouting' is also used.)

All over the map
(USA) If something like a discussion is all over the map, it doesn't stick to the main topic and goes off on tangents.
All over the place
If something is completely disorganised or confused, it is all over the place.
All over the shop
If something is completely disorganised or confused, it is all over the shop.
All over the show
If something is all over the show, it's in a complete mess.
An alternative to 'All over the shop'.
All set
If you're all set, you are ready for something.
All square
If something is all square, nobody has an advantage or is ahead of the others.
All the rage
If something's all the rage, it is very popular or fashionable at the moment.
All's well that ends well
If the end result is good, then everything is good.
Alter ego
An alter ego is a very close and intimate friend. It is a Latin phrase that literally means 'other self'.
Always a bridesmaid, never a bride
If someone is always a bridesmaid, never a bride, they never manage to fulfill their ambition- they get close, but never manage the recognition, etc, they crave.
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure
This expression means that is is better to try to avoid problems in the first place, rather than trying to fix them once they arise.
Answers on a postcard
This idiom can be used to suggest that the answer to something is very obvious or that the person would really like to hear what people think.
As a rule
If you do something as a rule, then you usually do it.
As good as new

If something has been used but is still in extremely good condition, it is as good as new.

As neat as a new pin
This idiom means tidy and clean.
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.
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 cross purposes
When people are at cross purposes, they misunderstand each other or have different or opposing objectives.
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 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 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 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 your wit's end
If you're at your wit's end, you really don't know what you should do about something, no matter how hard you think about it.
At your wits' end
If you are at your wits' end, you have no idea what to do next and are very frustrated.
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.
Back burner
If an issue is on the back burner, it is being given low priority.
Back number
Something that's a back number is dated or out of fashion.
Back to back
If things happen back to back, they are directly one after another.
Back to the drawing board
If you have to go back to the drawing board, you have to go back to the beginning and start something again.
Bad shape
If something's in bad shape, it's in bad condition. If a person's in bad shape, they are unfit or unhealthy.
Basket case
If something is a basket case, it is so bad that it cannot be helped.
Batten down the hatches
If you batten down the hatches, you prepare for the worst that could happen to you.
Be careful what you wish for
If you get things that you desire, there may be unforeseen and unpleasant consequences.
('Be careful what you wish for, lest it come true.' and 'Be careful what you wish for; you may receive it.' are also used.)
Be that as it may
Be that as it may is an expression which means that, while you are prepared to accept that there is some truth in what the other person has just said, it's not going to change your opinions in any significant manner.
Be up the spout
(UK) If a woman is up the spout, she is pregnant.
Bear the brunt
People who bear the brunt of something endure the worst of something bad.
Beat someone to the draw
(USA) If you beat someone to the draw, you do something before they do.
Beck and call
Someone who does everything for you, no matter when you ask, is at your beck and call.
Been there, done that

People say this when they have already experienced what is being discussed.

Beg the question
In philosophy "to beg the question" is to assume something to be true that has not yet been proved. I have seen the idiom also to mean that a question is crying out to be asked.
Bend over backwards
If someone bends over backwards, they do everything they can to help someone.
Beside the point
If something is beside the point, it's not relevant to the matter being discussed or considered.
Beside themselves

If people are beside themselves, they are very worried or emotional about something.

 

Beside yourself
If you are beside yourself, you are extremely angry.
Best of a bad bunch
The best that could be obtained from a list of options that were not exactly what was required.
Best of both worlds
If you have the best of both worlds, you benefit from different things that do not normally go together.
Better safe than sorry
This idiom is used to recommend being cautious rather than taking a risk.
Between the lines
If you read between the lines, you find the real message in what you're reading or hearing, a meaning that is not available from a literal interpretation of the words.
Beyond a shadow of a doubt
If something's beyond a shadow of a doubt, then absolutely no doubts remain about it.
Beyond belief
If people behave in such a way that you find it almost impossible to accept that they actually did it, then you can say that their behaviour was beyond belief.
Beyond our ken
If something's beyond your ken, it is beyond your understanding.
Beyond the pale
If something's beyond the pale, it is too extreme to be acceptable morally or socially.
Big picture
The big picture of something is the overall perspective or objective, not the fine detail.
Bit part
If someone has a small or unimportant role in something, they have a bit part.
Bit player
A bit player has a small or unimportant role in something.
Bite off more than you can chew
If you bite off more than you can chew, you take on more responsibilities than you can manage. 'Don't bite off more than you can chew' is often used to advise people against agreeing to more than they can handle.
Bits and bobs

Bits and bobs are small, remnant articles and things- the same as 'odds and ends'.

Bitter end
If you do something to the bitter end, you do it to the very end, no matter how unsuccessful you are.
Bitter pill to swallow
A bitter pill to swallow is something that is hard to accept.
Blessing in disguise
If some bad luck or misfortune ultimately results in something positive, it's a blessing in disguise.
Blow a gasket
If you blow a gasket, you get very angry.
Blow hot and cold
If you blow hot and cold on an idea, your attitude and opinion keeps changing; one minute you are for it, the next you are against.
Blow me down

People say '(well,) blow me down' when you have just told them something surprising, shocking or unexpected.

 

('Blow me down with a feather' is also used.) 

Blow off steam
(USA) If you blow off steam, you express your anger or frustration.
Blow out of the water
If something, like an idea, is blown out of the water, it is destroyed or defeated comprehensively.
Blow smoke
(USA) If people blow smoke, the exaggerate or say things that are not true, usually to make themselves look better.
Blow the cobwebs away
If you blow the cobwebs away, you make sweeping changes to something to bring fresh views and ideas in.
Blow the whistle
If somebody blows the whistle on a plan, they report it to the authorities.
Blow your stack
If you blow your stack, you lose your temper.
Blow your top
If someone blows their top, they lose their temper.
Both ends meet
If you make both ends meet, you live off the money you earn and don't go into debt.
Bottom line
In accountancy, the bottom line is net income, and is used idiomatically to mean the conclusion.
Bounce ideas

If you bounce ideas off someone, you share your ideas with them to know whether they think they would work.

Box and dice
Box and dice means everything.
Boxing and coxing
If people are boxing and coxing, they are sharing responsibilities so that one of them is working while the other isn't. It can also be used when couples are sharing a house, but their relationship has broken down and when one is at home, the other stays out.
Brass tacks
If you get down to brass tacks, you get down to the real business.
Break even
If you break even, you don't make any money, but you don't lose any either.
Break ground
If you break ground, or break new ground, you make progress, taking things into a new area or going further than anyone has gone before. 'Ground-breaking' is used an adjective.
Breathe life into

If you breathe life into something, you give people involved more energy and enthusiasm again.  ('Breathe new life' is also used.)

Bright and breezy

When someone is cheerful and full of energy, they are bright and breezy.

Bring on board

To make people embrace the ideas intended by the leader or agree to join a team or project is to bring them on board.

Broad strokes
If something is described or defined with broad stokes, then only an outline is given, without fine details.
Brownie points
If you try to earn Brownie points with someone, you do things you know will please them.
Bur under my saddle

A bur under your saddle is something that annoys you or spurs you into action.
('Burr' is an alternative spelling.)

Burn rubber
If you burn rubber, you drive very fast to get somewhere.
Burn the candle at both ends
Someone who burns the candle at both ends lives life at a hectic pace, doing things which are likely to affect their health badly.
Burn the midnight oil
If you stay up very late working or studying, you burn the midnight oil.
Burning question
A burning question is something we all want to know about.
Burst at the seams
To be filled to or beyond normal capacity: This room will be bursting at the seams when all the guests arrive.
Busted flush
Someone or something that had great potential but ended up a useless failure is a busted flush.
Butt of a joke

If something or someone becomes the butt of a joke it or they are not taken seriously anymore.

By a long chalk
(UK) If you beat somebody by a long chalk, you win easily and comfortably.
By and large

By and large means usually or generally.

By cracky
A term used by rural folks in years past to emphasize a matter of importance or urgency. An example: 'By cracky, you need to get out there in the field with that mule and plow and finish the sod-busting before dark.'
By dint of
This means 'as a result of' or 'because of': It would be good to think he'd risen to position of Chief Executive by dint of hard work.
By hook or by crook
If you are prepared to do something by hook or by crook, you are willing to do anything, good or bad, to reach your goal.
By leaps and bounds
Something that happens by leaps and bounds happens very quickly in big steps.
By the book
If you do something by the book, you do it exactly as you are supposed to.
By the by

This is used as a way of introducing an incidental topic in a conversation or to say that something is irrelevant. ('By the bye' is also used.)

By the same token
If someone applies the same rule to different situations, they judge them by the same token: If things go well, he's full of praise, but, by the same token, when things go wrong he gets furious.
Call a spade a spade
A person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience.
Call the shots
If you call the shots, you are in charge and tell people what to do.
Can't dance and it's too wet to plow
(USA) When you can't dance and it's too wet to plow, you may as well do something because you can't or don't have the opportunity to do anything else.
Can't hold a candle
If something can't hold a candle to something else, it is much worse.
Carry the can
If you carry the can, you take the blame for something, even though you didn't do it or are only partly at fault.
Case in point
Meaning an instance of something has just occurred that was previously discussed. For instance, a person may have told another that something always happens. Later that day, they see it happening, and the informer might say, 'case in point'.
Cast a long shadow
Something or someone that casts a long shadow has considerable influence on other people or events.
Cast aspersion
If you cast aspersion, you try to blacken someone's name and make people think badly of them.
Cast doubt on
If you make other people not sure about a matter, then you have cast doubt on it.
Cast your mind back
If somebody tells you to cast your mind back on something, they want you to think about something that happened in the past, but which you might not remember very well, and to try to remember as much as possible.
Cast your net widely
If you cast your net widely, you use a wide range of sources when trying to find something.
Catch as catch can
This means that people should try to get something any way they can.
Catch some z's

If you catch some z's, you get some sleep.

Champ at the bit
If someone is champing at the bit, they are very eager to accomplish something.  ('Chomping at the bit' is also used.)
Change tack
If you change tack, you use a different method for dealing with something.
Cheap shot
A cheap shot is an unprincipled criticism.
Chip off the old block
If someone is a chip off the old block, they closely resemble one or both of the parents in character.
Chop and change
If things chop and change, they keep changing, often unexpectedly.
Clean as a whistle
If something is as clean as a whistle, it is extremely clean, spotless. It can also be used to mean 'completely', though this meaning is less common nowadays. If somebody is clean as a whistle, they are not involved in anything illegal.
Clean bill of health
If something or someone has a clean bill of health, then there's nothing wrong; everything's fine.
Clean break
If you make a clean break, you break away completely from something.
Clean slate
If you start something with a clean slate, then nothing bad from your past is taken into account.
Clean sweep
If someone makes a clean sweep, they win absolutely everything in a competition or contest.
Climb the greasy pole

Advance within an organisation - especially in politics.

Cling to hope
If people cling to hope, they continue to hope though the chances of success are very small.
Close call

If the result of something is a close call, it is almost impossible to distinguish between the parties involved and to say who has won or whatever.  It can also mean that you very nearly have a serious accident or get into trouble.

Closed book to me
If a subject is a closed book to you, it is something that you don't understand or know anything about.
Clutch play

If an activity is referred to as a clutch play, it means that the activity was the key to the success or failure of the venture. For instance, a clutch play in a baseball game may be striking out a batter with the bases loaded.

Coast is clear

When the coast is clear, the people supposed to be watching you are not there and you are able to move or leave.

Cock a snook
To make a rude gesture by putting one thumb to the nose with the fingers outstretched.
Collateral damage
Accidental or unintended damage or casualties are collateral damage.
Collect dust
If something is collecting dust, it isn't being used any more.
Come a cropper
(UK) Someone whose actions or lifestyle will inevitably result in trouble is going to come a cropper.
Come clean
If someone comes clean about something, they admit to deceit or wrongdoing.
Come on hard

If you come on hard, you are aggressive in your dealing with someone.

Come out in the wash
If something will come out in the wash, it won't have any permanent negative effect.
Come to bear
If something comes to bear on you, you start to feel the pressure or effect of it.

 

Come to call
If someone comes to call, they respond to an order or summons directly.
Come up trumps
When someone is said to have 'come up trumps', they have completed an activity successfully or produced a good result, especially when they were not expected to.
Come what may
If you're prepared to do something come what may, it means that nothing will stop or distract you, no matter how hard or difficult it becomes.
Come with the territory
If something comes with the territory, it is part of a job or responsibility and just has to be accepted, even if unpleasant.
Comes with the territory

If something comes with the territory, especially when undesirable, it is automatically included with something else, like a job, responsibility, etc.

('Goes with the territory' is also used.) 

Comfort zone
It is the temperature range in which the body doesn't shiver or sweat, but has an idiomatic sense of a place where people feel comfortable, where they can avoid the worries of the world. It can be physical or mental.
Corner a market
If a business is dominant in an area and unlikely to be challenged by other companies, it has cornered the market.
Couldn't give two hoots
If you couldn't give two hoots about something, you don't care at all about it.
Count your blessings

When people count their blessings, they concentrate on all the good things in their lives instead of the negative ones.

Crash a party
If you crash a party, or are a gatecrasher, you go somewhere you haven't been invited to.
Cut a long story short

This idiom is used as a way of shortening a story by getting to to the end or the point.

Cut above
If a person is described as a cut above other people, they are better in some way.
Cut and dried
If something is cut and dried, then everything has already been decided and, in the case of an opinion, might be a little stale and predictable.
Cut and run
If people cut and run, they take what they can get and leave before they lose everything.
Cut corners
If people try to do something as cheaply or as quickly as possible, often sacrificing quality, they are cutting corners.
Cut it fine
If you cut it fine, you only just manage to do something- at the very last moment. 'Cut things fine' is the same. 'Cut it a bit fine' is a common variation.
Cut someone some slack
To relax a rule or make an allowance, as in allowing someone more time to finish something.
Cut to the chase
If you cut to the chase, you get to the point, or the most interesting or important part of something without delay.
Cut to the quick
If someone's cut to the quick by something, they are very hurt and upset indeed.
Damp squib
(UK) If something is expected to have a great effect or impact but doesn't, it is a damp squib.
Deaf as a post
Someone who is as deaf as a post is unable to hear at all.
Dear John letter
A letter written by a partner explaining why they are ending the relationship is a Dear John letter.
Deliver the goods
Do what is required, come up to expectations. For example, Kate delivered the goods and got us the five votes we needed. This phrase alludes to delivering an order of groceries or other items. [Colloquial; second half of 1800s]
Derring-do
If a person shows derring-do, they show great courage.
Diamond in the rough
A diamond in the rough is someone or something that has great potential, but isn't not refined and polished.
Die is cast
If the die is cast, a decision has been made that cannot be altered and fate will decide the consequences.
Different ropes for different folks
(USA) This idiom means that different people do things in different ways that suit them.
Different strokes for different folks
(USA) This idiom means that different people do things in different ways that suit them.
Dig way down deep
When someone digs way down deep, they look into their inner feelings to see how they feel about it.
Discretion is the better part of valour
This idiom means that it is often better to think carefully and not act than to do something that may cause problems.
Dish the dirt
If you dish the dirt on something or someone, you make unpleasant or shocking information public.
Do as you would be done by
Treat and respect others as you would hope to be respected and treated by them.
Do the needful
(India) If you do the needful, you do what is necessary.
Do the running
(UK) The person who has to do the running has to make sure that things get done. ('Make the running' is also used.)
Do their dirty work
Someone who does someone's dirty work, carries out the unpleasant jobs that the first person doesn't want to do. Someone who seems to enjoy doing this is sometimes known as a 'henchman'.
Do's and don't's
The do's and don't's are what is acceptable or allowed or not within an area or issue, etc.
Don't hold your breath
If you are told not to hold your breath, it means that you shouldn't have high expectations about something.
Don't judge a book by the cover
This idiom means that you should not judge something or someone by appearances, but should look deeper at what is inside and more important.
Don't trouble trouble until trouble troubles you

Don't go looking for trouble or problems- let them come to you.

Don't upset the applecart
If you are advised not to upset the applecart, you are being told not to disturb the way things are done because it might ruin things.
Don't wash your dirty laundry in public
(UK) People, especially couples, who argue in front of others or involve others in their personal problems and crises, are said to be washing their dirty laundry in public; making public things that are best left private. (In American English, 'don't air your dirty laundry in public' is used.)
Dot all the i's and cross all the t's
If you dot all the i's and cross all the t's, you do something very carefully and thoroughly.
Down and out
If someone is down and out, they are desperately poor and need help.
Down in the dumps
If someone's down in the dumps, they are depressed.
Down the hatch
This idiom can be said before drinking alcohol in company.
Down the pan
If something has gone down the pan, it has failed or been ruined.
Down the tubes
If something has gone down the tubes, it has failed or been ruined.
Down to the wire
(USA) If something goes down to the wire, like a competition, then it goes to the very last moment before it is clear who has won.
Draw a blank
If you try to find something out and draw a blank, you don't get any useful information.
Draw a line in the sand
If you draw a line in the sand, you establish a limit beyond which things will be unacceptable.
Draw a long bow
If someone draws a long bow, they lie or exaggerate.
Draw the line
When you draw the line, you set out limits of what you find acceptable, beyond which you will not go.
Dress someone down
If you dress someone down, you scold them.
Drive a wedge
If you drive a wedge between people, you exploit an issue so that people start to disagree.
Drive you spare
If someone or something drives you spare, it is extremely annoying.
Drop in the bucket
(USA) A drop in the bucket is something so small that it won't make any noticeable difference.
Drop someone a line
If you drop someone a line, you send a letter to them.
Dry run
A dry run is a full rehearsal or trial exercise of something to see how it will work before it is launched.
Dull as ditchwater
(UK) If something is as dull as ditchwater, it is incredibly boring. A ditch is a long narrow hole or trench dug to contain water, which is normally a dark, dirty colour and stagnant (when water turns a funny colour and starts to smell bad). (In American English,'things are 'dull as dishwater'.)
Each to their own
Different people have different preferences. In American English, 'Each to his own' is more common.
Easier said than done
If something is easier said than done, it is much more difficult than it sounds. It is often used when someone advises you to do something difficult and tries to make it sound easy.
Easy as ABC
Something that is as easy as ABC is very easy or simple.
Easy come, easy go
This idiom means that money or other material gains that come without much effort tend to get spent or consumed as easily.
Eat your words
If you eat your words, you accept publicly that you were wrong about something you said.
End in smoke
If something ends in smoke, it produces no concrete or positive result. This expression refers to the boasting by a person, of having put in a lot of efforts by him, for a particular cause or to attain a result which is very difficult to be done by any person. (This mainly refers to an investigation of a crime or solving a serious offence or a mystery). But at the end, when the desired result is not obtained, his claims are found to be false and not worth mentioning. So, he looses his credibility.
Even keel
If something is on an even keel, it is balanced.
Every nook and cranny

If you search every nook and cranny, you look everywhere for something.

Every trick in the book
If you try every trick in the book, you try every possible way, including dishonesty and deceit, to get what you want.
Explore all avenues
If all avenues are being explored, then every conceivable approach is being tried that could possibly get the desired result.
Fair and square
If someone wins something fair and square, they follow the rules and win conclusively.
Fair crack of the whip
(UK) If everybody has a fair crack of the whip, they all have equal opportunities to do something.
Fair shake of the whip
(USA) If everybody has a fair shake of the whip, they all have equal opportunities to do something.
Fair thee well

Meaning completely and fully: I am tied up today to a fair-thee-well.

Fall by the wayside
To fall by the wayside is to give up or fail before completion.
Familiarity breeds contempt
This means that the more you know something or someone, the more you start to find faults and dislike things about it or them.
Famous last words
This expression is used as a way of showing disbelief, rejection  or self-deprecation.
'They said we had no chance of winning- famous last words!'
Fast and furious
Things that happen fast and furious happen very quickly without stopping or pausing.
Fat chance!
This idiom is a way of telling someone they have no chance.
Fat hits the fire
When the fat hits the fire, trouble breaks out.
Fat of the land
Living off the fat of the land means having the best of everything in life.
Feel free
If you ask for permission to do something and are told to feel free, the other person means that there is absolutely no problem
Finders keepers, losers weepers

Whoever finds something can keep it.  This is often shortened to 'finders keepers'.

Fine and dandy
(UK) If thing's are fine and dandy, then everything is going well.
Fire away
If you want to ask someone a question and they tell you to fire away, they mean that you are free to ask what you want.
First port of call
The first place you stop to do something is your first port of call.
Fit for a king
If something is fit for a king, it is of the very highest quality or standard.
Fit the bill
If something fits the bill, it is what is required for the task.
Fit to be tied
If someone is fit to be tied, they are extremely angry.
Flat out
If you work flat out, you work as hard and fast as you possibly can.
Fly off the handle
If someone flies off the handle, they get very angry.
Fly the coop

When someone flies the coop, they leave home and their family to start a new life.

Fly the flag
If someone flies the flag, they represent or support their country. ('Wave the flag' and 'show the flag' are alternative forms of this idiom)
Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me
This means that you should learn from your mistakes and not allow people to take advantage of you repeatedly.
Fools rush in where angels fear to tread
This idiom is used where people who are inexperienced or lack knowledge do something that more informed people would avoid.
For kicks
If you do something for kicks, or just for kicks, you do it purely for fun or thrills.
Foregone conclusion
If the result of, say, a football match is a foregone conclusion, then the result is obvious before the game has even begun.
Fortune knocks once at every man's door
Everyone gets one good chance in a lifetime.
Free rein
If someone has a free rein, they have the authority to make the decisions they want without any restrictions. ('Free reign' is a common mistake.)
Free-for-all
A free-for-all is a fight or contest in which everyone gets involved and rules are not respected.
From a different angle
If you look at something from a different angle, you look at it from a different point of view.
From pillar to post
If something is going from pillar to post, it is moving around in a meaningless way, from one disaster to another.
From scratch
This idiom means 'from the beginning'.
From the get-go
(USA) If something happens from the get-go, it happens from the very beginning.
From the sublime to the ridiculous
If something declines considerably in quality or importance, it is said to have gone from the sublime to the ridiculous.
From the word go
From the word go means from the very beginning of something.
Full bore
If something is full bore, it involves the maximum effort or is complete and thorough.
Full circle
When something has come full circle, it has ended up where it started.
Full Monty
(UK) If something is the Full Monty, it is the real thing, not reduced in any way.
Full of oneself
Someone who acts in a arrogant or egotistical manner is full of himself/herself.
Full swing
If a something is in full swing, it is going or doing well.
Fuzzy thinking
Thinking or ideas that do not agree with the facts or information available
Game on

When someone says 'Game on!', it means that they are accepting a challenge or ready to get something done.

Gather pace
If events gather pace, they move faster.
Gather steam
If something gathers speed, it moves or progresses at an increasing speed.
Get along famously
If people get along famously, they have an exceedingly good relationship.
Get away scot-free
If someone gets away scot-free, they are not punished when they have done something wrong. ('Get off scot-free' is an alternative.)
Get in on the act
If people want to get in on the act, they want to participate in something that is currently profitable or popular.
Get my drift
If you get someone's drift, you understand what they are trying to say. ('Catch their drift' is an alternative form.)
Get off the ground

If a project or plan gets off the ground, it starts to be put into operation.

Get the green light
If you get the green light to do something, you are given the necessary permission, authorisation.
Get the show on the road

If you get the show on the road, you put a plan into operation or begin something.

Get up and go
If someone has lots of get up and go, they have lots of enthusiasm and energy.
Gift of the gab
If someone has the gift of the gab, they speak in a persuasive and interesting way.
Gilded cage
If someone is in a gilded cage, they are trapped and have restricted or no freedom, but have very comfortable surroundings- many famous people live in luxury but cannot walk out of their house alone.
Give and take
Where there is give and take, people make concessions in order to get things they want in negotiations.
Give as good as you get
If you give as good as you get, you are prepared to treat people as badly as they treat you and to fight for what you believe.
Give it some stick
(UK) If you give something some stick, you put a lot of effort into it.
Give someone a piece of your mind
If you give someone a piece of your mind, you criticise them strongly and angrily.
Give someone stick
(UK) If someone gives you stick, they criticise you or punish you.
Gnaw your vitals
If something gnaws your vitals, it troubles you greatly and affects you at a very deep level. ('Gnaw at your vitals' is also used.)
Go against the grain
A person who does things in an unconventional manner, especially if their methods are not generally approved of, is said to go against the grain. Such an individual can be called a maverick.
Go awry
If things go awry, they go wrong.
Go by the board

When something has gone by the board, it no longer exists or an opportunity has been lost.

Go by the boards
If something goes by the boards, it fails to get approved or accepted.
Go down like a lead balloon
(UK)

If something goes down like a lead balloon, it fails or is extremely badly received.

Go down swinging
If you want to go down swinging, you know you will probably fail, but you refuse to give up.
Go fly a kite
(USA) This is used to tell someone to go away and leave you alone.
Go off on a tangent
If someone goes off on a tangent, they change the subject completely in the middle of a conversation or talk.
Go over like a lead balloon
(USA)

If something goes over like a lead balloon, it will not work well, or go over well.

Go round in circles
If people are going round in circles, they keep discussing the same thing without reaching any agreement or coming to a conclusion.
Go south
If things go south, they get worse or go wrong.
Go spare
(UK) If you go spare, you lose your temper completely.
Go the extra mile
If someone is prepared to go the extra mile, they will do everything they can to help or to make something succeed, going beyond their duty what could be expected of them .
Go through the motions
When you go through the motions, you do something like an everyday routine and without any feelings whatsoever.
Go to the wire

If someone goes to the wire, they risk their life, job, reputation, etc, to help someone.

Go under the hammer
If something goes under the hammer, it is sold in an auction.
Go west
If something goes west, it goes wrong. If someone goes west, they die.
Go with the flow
If you go with the flow, you accept things as they happen and do what everyone else wants to do.
Go-to guy
A go-to guy is a person whose knowledge of something is considerable so everyone wants to go to him or her for information or results.
Going concern

A successful and active business is a going concern.

Going overboard
If you go overboard with something, then you take something too far, or do too much.
Gone for a burton
(UK) If something's gone for a burton, it has been spoiled or ruined. If a person has gone for a burton, they are either in serious trouble or have died.
Gone to pot
If something has gone to pot, it has gone wrong and doesn't work any more.
Good antennae
Someone with good antennae is good at detecting things.
Good shape
If something's in good shape, it's in good condition. If a person's in good shape, they are fit and healthy.
Good spell
A spell can mean a fairly or relatively short period of time; you'll hear weather forecasts predict a dry spell. Sports commentators will say that a sportsperson is going through a good spell when they're performing consistently better than they normally do.
Good to go
Someone or something that meets one's approval. 'He is good to go.' 'The idea you had is good to go.'
Grease the skids
If you grease the skids, you facilitate something.
Great unwashed
This is a term used for the working class masses.
Grin and bear it
If you have to grin and bear it, you have to accept something that you don't like.
Gung ho
If someone is gung ho about something, they support it blindly and don't think about the consequences.
Half-baked
A half-baked idea or scheme hasn't not been thought through or planned very well.
Hammer and tongs
If people are going at it hammer and tongs, they are arguing fiercely. The idiom can also be used hen people are doing something energetically.
Hang in the balance
If an outcome is hanging in the balance, there are at least two possibilities and it is impossible to predict which will win out.
Hang out to dry
If you hang someone out to dry, you abandon them when they are in trouble.
Happy medium
If you reach a happy medium, you are making a compromise; reaching a conclusion or decision.
Hard by

"Hard by" means mean "close to" or "near".

Hard of hearing
Someone who's hard of hearing is a bit deaf.
Hard sell
If someone puts a lot of pressure on you to do or buy something, they are hard selling it.
Hard to come by
If something is hard to come by, it is difficult to find.
Hard up
If you are hard up, you have very little money.
Haste makes waste
This idiom means that if you try to do something quickly, without planning it, you're likely to end up spending more time, money, etc, doing it.
Hatchet job
A piece of criticism that destroys someone's reputation is a hatchet job.
Have a ball
If you have a ball, you have a great time, a lot of fun.
Have a bash
If you have a bash at something, you try to do it, especially when there isn't much chance of success.
Have a go
If you have a go, you try to do something, often when you don't think you have much chance of succeeding.
Have a ripper
If you have a ripper of a time, you enjoy yourself.
Have no truck with

If you have no truck with something or someone, you refuse to get involved with it or them.

Have your fill
If you have had your fill, you are fed up of somebody or something.
Having a gas
If you're having a gas, you are having a laugh and enjoying yourself in company.
He that travels far knows much
People who travel widely have a wide knowledge.
He who hesitates is lost

If one waits too long, the opportunity vanishes.

Head south
If something head south, it begins to fail or start going bad.
'The project proceeded well for the first two months, but then it headed south.'
Headstrong
A headstrong person is obstinate and does not take other people's advice readily.
Heap coals on someone's head

To do something nice or kind to someone who has been nasty to you. If someone felt bad because they forgot to get you a Christmas gift, for you to buy them a specially nice gift is heaping coals on their head. ('Heap coals of fire' is also used.)

Hear a pin drop
If there is complete silence in a room, you can hear a pin drop.
Hear on the grapevine
To receive information indirectly through a series of third parties, similar to a rumour.
Heavy-handed
If someone is heavy-handed, they are insensitive and use excessive force or authority when dealing with a problem.
Hiding to nothing
If people are on a hiding to nothing, their schemes and plans have no chance of succeeding. 'Hiding to nowhere' is an alternative.
High and dry
If you are left high and dry, you are left alone and given no help at all when you need it.
High and mighty
The high and mighty are the people with authority and power. If a person is high and mighty, they behave in a superior and condescending way.
High-wire act
A high-wire act is a dangerous or risky strategy, plan, task, etc.
Hit and miss
Something that is hit and miss is unpredictable and may produce results or may fail.
Hit me with your best shot
If someone tells you to hit them with your best shot, they are telling you that no matter what you do it won't hurt them or make a difference to them.
Hit rock bottom

When someone hits rock bottom, they reach a point in life where things could not get any worse.

Hit the books
If you hit the books, you study or read hard.
Hit the fan
When it hits the fan, or, more rudely, the shit hits the fan, serious trouble starts.
Hit the ground running
If someone hits the ground running, they start a new job or position in a very dynamic manner.
Hit the nail on the head
If someone hits the nail on the head, they are exactly right about something.
Hit the sack
When you hit the sack, you go to bed.
Hoist with your own petard
If you are hoist with your own petard, you get into trouble or caught in a trap that you had set for someone else.
Hold all the aces
If you hold all the aces, you have all the advantages and your opponents or rivals are in a weak position.
Hold the bag
(USA) If someone is responsible for something, they are holding the bag.
Hold the torch
If you hold the torch for someone, you have an unrequited or unspoken love.
Hold your own
If you can hold your own, you can compete or perform equally with other people.
Hollow victory
A hollow victory is where someone wins something in name, but are seen not to have gained anything by winning.
Honest truth
If someone claims that something is the honest truth, they wish to sound extra-sincere about something.
Honours are even
If honours are even, then a competition has ended with neither side emerging as a winner.
Hop, skip, and a jump
If a place is a hop, skip, and a jump from somewhere, it's only a short distance away.
Hope against hope
If you hope against hope, you hope for something even though there is little or no chance of your wish being fulfilled.
Horns of a dilemma
If you are on the horns of a dilemma, you are faced with two equally unpleasant options and have to choose one.
Hostile takeover
If a company is bought out when it does not want to be, it is known as a hostile takeover.
Hot air
Language that is full of words but means little or nothing is hot air.
Hot button
(USA) A hot button is a topic or issue that people feel very strongly about.
Hot ticket
(USA) A hot ticket is something that is very much in demand at the moment.
Hot to trot
If someone is hot to trot, they are sexually aroused or eager to do something.
Hot water
If you get into hot water, you get into trouble.
How come
If you want to show disbelief or surprise about an action, you can ask a question using 'how come'. How come he got the job? (You can't believe that they gave the job to somebody like him)
How long is a piece of string
If someone has no idea of the answer to a question, they can ask 'How long is a piece of string?' as a way of indicating their ignorance.
How's tricks?
This is used as a way of asking people how they are and how things have been going in their life.
Hue and cry
Hue and cry is an expression that used to mean all the people who joined in chasing a criminal or villain. Nowadays, if you do something without hue and cry, you do it discreetly and without drawing attention.
Hunky Dory

If something is hunky dory, it is perfectly satisfactory, fine.

I hereby give notice of my intention
Hereby is used sometimes in formal, official declarations and statements to give greater force to the speaker' or the writer's affirmation. People will say it sometimes to emphasise their sincerity and correctness.
If at first you don't succeed try try again

When you fail, try until you get it right!

If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Any attempt to improve on a system that already works is pointless and may even hurt it.
If you will
'If you will' is used as a way of making a concession in a sentence: He wasn't a very honest person, a liar if you will. Here, it is used a way of accepting that the reader or listener might think of the person as a liar, but without commit the writer or speaker to that position fully.
Ill at ease
If someone is ill at ease, they are worried or uncomfortable.
In a cleft stick
If you are in a cleft stick, you are in a difficult situation, caught between choices.
In a fix
If you are in a fix, you are in trouble.
In a flash
If something happens in a flash, it happens very quickly indeed.
In a jam
If you are in a jam, you are in some trouble.  If you get out of a jam, you avoid trouble.
In a jiffy
If something happens in a jiffy, it happens very quickly.
In a rut
In a settled or established pattern, habit or course of action, especially a boring one.
In a tick
(UK) If someone will do something in a tick, they'll do it very soon or very quickly.
In a tight spot
If you're in a tight spot, you're in a difficult situation.
In all honesty
If you say something in all honesty, you are telling the complete truth. It can be used as a way of introducing a negative opinion whilst trying to be polite; in all honesty, I have to say that I wasn't very impressed.
In cahoots
If people are in cahoots, they are conspiring together.
In dire straits
If you're in dire straits, you're in serious trouble or difficulties.
In dribs and drabs
If people arrive in dribs and drabs, they come in small groups at irregular intervals, instead of all arriving at the same time.
In droves
When things happen in droves, a lot happen at the same time or very quickly.
In full swing
If things are in full swing, they have been going for a sufficient period of time to be going well and very actively.
In high spirits

If someone is in high spirits, they are in a very good mood or feeling confident about something.

In hot water
If you are in hot water, you are in serious trouble.
In light of
'In light of' is similar to 'due to'.
In my bad books
If you are in someone's bad books, they are angry with you. Likewise, if you are in their good books, they are pleased with you.
In my book
This idiom means 'in my opinion'.
In my good books
If someone is in your good books, you are pleased with or think highly of them at the moment.
In perfect form
When something is as it ought to be. Or, when used cynically, it may refer to someone whose excesses are on display; a caricature.
In so many words
This phrase may be used to mean 'approximately' or 'more or less'. I think it may have a sarcastic connotation in that the individual listening needed 'so many words' to get the point. It also may suggest the effort on the part of the speaker to explain an unpleasant truth or difficult concept.
In spades
(UK) If you have something in spades, you have a lot of it.
In stitches
If someone is in stitches, they are laughing uncontrollably.
In tandem
If people do things in tandem, they do them at the same time.
In the bag
If something is in the bag, it is certain that you will get it or achieve it
In the clear
If someone is in the clear, they are no longer suspected of or charged with wrongdoing.
In the hot seat
If someone's in the hot seat, they are the target for a lot of unwelcome criticism and examination.
In the know
If you are in the know, you have access to all the information about something, which other people don't have.
In the long run
This means 'over a long period of time', 'in the end' or 'in the final result'.
In the loop
If you're in the loop, you are fully informed about what is happening in a certain area or activity.
In the lurch

If you are left in the lurch, you are suddenly left in an embarrassing or tricky situation.

In the making
When something is in the making, it means it is in the process of being made.
In the offing
If something is in the offing, it is very likely to happen soon.
In the pipeline
If something's in the pipeline, it hasn't arrived yet but its arrival is expected.
In the saddle

If you're in the saddle, you are in control of a situation.

In the same boat
If people are in the same boat, they are in the same predicament or trouble.
In the short run

This refers to the immediate future.

In the swim
If you are in the swim, you are up-to-date with and fully informed about something.
In the swing
If things are in the swing, they are progressing well.
In the zone
If you are in the zone, you are very focused on what you have to do.
In turn
This means one after the other. Example: She spoke to each of the guests in turn.
In two minds
If you are in two minds about something, you can't decide what to do.
In your element
If you are in your element, you feel happy and relaxed because you are doing something that you like doing and are good at. "You should have seen her when they asked her to sing; she was in her element."
Ins and outs
If you know the ins and outs of something, you know all the details.
Into thin air
If something vanishes or disappears without trace, it vanishes into thin air; no-one knows where it has gone.
Irons in the fire
A person who has a few irons in the fire has a number of things working to their advantage at the same time.
It ain't over till the fat lady sings
This idiom means that until something has officially finished, the result is uncertain.
Itch to
If you are itching to do something, you are very eager to do it.
Jet set

Very wealthy people who travel around the world to attend parties or functions are the jet set.

Jog my memory
If you jog someone's memory, you say words that will help someone trying to remember a thought, event, word, phrase, experience, etc.
Jump through hoops
If you are prepared to jump through hoops for someone, you are prepared to make great efforts and sacrifices for them.
Just around the corner
If something is just around the corner, then it is expected to happen very soon.
Just coming up to
If the time is just coming up to nine o'clock, it means that it will be nine o'clock in a very few seconds. You'll hear them say it on the radio in the morning.
Just deserts
If a bad or evil person gets their just deserts, they get the punishment or suffer the misfortune that it is felt they deserve.
Just for the heck of it
When someone does something just for the heck of it, they do it without a good reason.
Just for the record
If something is said to be just for the record, the person is saying it so that people know but does not necessarily agree with or support it.
Keep abreast
If you keep abreast of things, you stay informed about developments.
Keep at bay
If you keep someone or something at bay, you maintain a safe distance from them.
Keep in touch
If you keep in touch with someone, you keep communicating with them even though you may live far apart.
Keep it on the Q T

If you keep something on the Q T, you keep it quiet or secret.
('Q-T' is also used.)

Keep mum
If you keep mum about something, you keep quiet and don't tell anyone.
Keep posted
If you keep posted about something, you keep up-to-date with information and developments.
Keep your cool
If you keep your cool, you don't get excessively excited or disturbed in a bad situation.
Keep your options open
If someone's keeping their options open, they aren't going to restrict themselves or rule out any possible course of action.
Keep your pecker up
If someone tells you to keep your pecker up, they are telling you not to let your problems get on top of you and to try to be optimistic.
Kick a habit
If you kick a habit, you stop doing it.
Kick away the ladder
If someone kicks away the ladder, they remove something that was supporting or helping someone.
Kick the ballistics
It means you realise the intensity of a situation. For example, there is too much unemployment now, so the prime minister must kick the ballistics and change his policy.
Kick the bucket
When someone kicks the bucket, they die.
Kindred spirit
A kindred spirit is someone who feels and thinks the way you do.
King of the castle
The king of the castle is the person who is in charge of something or in a very comfortable position compared to their companions.
King's ransom
If something costs or is worth a king's ransom, it costs or is worth a lot of money.
Kiss and tell
If people kiss and tell, they disclose private or confidential information.
Kiss something goodbye
If someone tells you that you can kiss something goodbye, you have no chance of getting or having it.
Kith and kin
Your kith and kin are your family; your next of kin are close relations you nominate to deal with your affairs in the event of your death on a document, like a passport.
Knock the pins from under someone
If someone knocks the pins from under you, they let you down.
Know full well
When you know full well, you are absolutely sure that you know.
Know the ropes
Someone who is experienced and knows how the system works know the ropes.
Know your place
A person who knows their place doesn't try to impose themselves on others.
Labor of love
A labor of love is a project or task undertaking for the interest or pleasure in doing it rather than the reward, financial or otherwise.
Labour of love
A labour of love is a project or task undertaking for the interest or pleasure in doing it rather than the reward, financial or otherwise.
Land of nod
If someone has gone to the land of nod, they have fallen asleep or gone to bed.
Landslide victory
A landslide victory is a victory in an election by a very large margin.
Larger than life
If something is excessive or exaggerated, it is larger than life.
Last hurrah
If an elderly person does something special before they die, it is a last hurrah.
Last laugh
The person who has the last laugh ends up with the the advantage in a situation after some setbacks.
Last-ditch
A last-ditch attempt is a desperate attempt that will probably fail anyway.
Laughter is the best medicine
Laughing is often helpful for healing, especially emotional healing.
Lean and mean

An organisation that is lean and mean has no excess or unnecessary elements and is very competitive.

Learn the ropes
If you are learning the ropes, you are learning how to do something.
Leave no stone unturned
If you look everywhere to find something, or try everything to achieve something, you leave no stone unturned.
Leave well alone
If you leave something well alone, you keep a safe distance from it, either physically or metaphorically.
Left in the dark
If you are left in the dark about something, you aren't given the information that you should have.
Left to your own devices
If someone is left to their own devices, they are not controlled and can do what they want.
Let alone
This is used to emphasise how extreme something could be: 'We hadn't got the money to phone home, let alone stay in a hotel.' This emphasises the utter impossibility of staying in a hotel.
Let bygones be bygones
If people decide to let bygones be bygones, they decide to forget old problems or grievances they have with each other.
Let the best be the enemy of the good
If the desire for an unattainable perfection stops someone from choosing good possibilities, they let the best be the enemy of the good.
Let the cat out of the bag
If you accidentally reveal a secret, you let the cat out of the bag.
Let the genie out of the bottle
If people let the genie out of the bottle, they let something bad happen that cannot be put right or controlled.
Lie low
If someone lies low, they try not to be found or caught.
Lie through your teeth
Someone who is always lying, regardless of what people know, lies through their teeth.
Lightning rod
Someone or something that attracts a lot of negative comment, often diverting attention from other problems, is a lightning rod.
Like no one's business
If I say my children are growing like no one's business, it means they're growing very quickly. See also 'Like the clappers' and 'Like there's no tomorrow'.
Like the clappers
If something is going like the clappers, it is going very fast.
Like wildfire
If something happens or spreads like wildfire, it happens very quickly and intensely.
Lines of communication
Lines of communication are the routes used to communicate by people or groups who are in conflict; a government might open lines of communication with terrorists if it wished to negotiate with them.
Live wire
A person who is very active, both mentally and physically, is a live wire.
Lo and behold
This phrase is used to express surprise.
Lock, stock and barrel
This is an expressions that means 'everything'; if someone buys a company lock, stock and barrel, they buy absolutely everything to do with the company.
Look after number 1
You are number one, so this idiom means that you should think about yourself first, rather than worrying about other people.
Look before you leap
This idiom means that you should think carefully about the possible results or consequences before doing something.
Look on the bright side
If you look on the bright side, you try to see things in an optimistic way, especially when something has gone wrong.
Lose the plot
If someone loses the plot, they have stopped being rational about something.
Lose your bottle
(UK)

If someone loses their bottle, they lose the courage to do something.

Lose your marbles
If someone has lost their marbles, they've gone mad.
Love is blind
If you love someone, it doesn't matter what they look like. You will also overlook faults.
Lower the bar
If people change the standards required to make things easier, they lower the bar.
Mad as a bag of hammers
Someone who is as mad as a bag of hammers is crazy or stupid. ('Daft as a bag of hammers' is also used.)
Make a pitch
If you make a pitch for something, you make a bid, offer or other attempt to get it.
Make a request
If you request something, or make a request, you are asking for something you want or need.
Make a song and dance
(UK) If someone makes a song and dance, they make an unecessary fuss about something unimportant.
Make an enquiry
If you make an enquiry, you ask for general information about something.
Make headway
If you make headway, you make progress.
Make yourself scarce
If someone makes themselves scarce, they go away from a place, especially to avoid trouble or so that they can't be found.
Many happy returns
This expression is used to wish someone a happy birthday.
Mark my words
Mark my words is an expression used to lend an air of seriousness to what the speaker is about to say when talking about the future. You often hear drunks say it before they deliver some particularly spurious nonsense.
Mark someone's card
If you mark someone's card, you correct them in a forceful and prompt manner when they say something wrong.
Meet someone halfway
If you meet someone halfway, you accept some of their ideas and make concessions.
Meet your expectations
If something doesn't meet your expectations, it means that it wasn't as good as you had thought it was going to be; a disappointment.
Meet your match
If you meet your match, you meet a person who is at least as good if not better than you are at something.
Melting pot
A melting pot is a place where people from many ethnicities and nationalities live together.
Method in his madness
If there's method in someone's madness, they do things in a strange and unorthodox way, but manage to get results.
Middle of nowhere
If someone says that he/she is in the middle of nowhere, he/she means that he/she is not sure where he/she is.
Might and main
This means with all your effort and strength.  As he failed in the previous exam,the student tried might and main to pass the next one.
Mince words
If people mince words, or mince their words, they don't say what they really mean clearly.
Mind the gap
Mind the gap is an instruction used on the Underground in the UK to warn passengers to be careful when leaving the tube or train as there is quite a distance between the train and the platform.
Mind your own beeswax
(USA) This idiom means that people should mind their own business and not interfere in other people's affairs.
Mind Your P's and Q's
If you are careful about the way you behave and are polite, you mind Your P's and Q's.
Mind your P's and Q's
This is used as a way of telling someone to be polite and behave well.
Miss is as good as a mile
A miss is as good as a mile means that if you fail, even by the smallest margin, it is still a failure.
Miss the boat
If you miss the boat, you are too late to take advantage of an opportunity.
More haste, less speed
The faster you try to do something, the more likely you are to make mistakes that make you take longer than it would had you planned it.
More heat than light
If a discussion generates more heat than light, it doesn't provide answers, but does make people angry.
Mover and shaker
A person who is a mover and shaker is a highly respected, key figure in their particular area with a lot of influence and importance.
Much ado about nothing
If there's a lot of fuss about something trivial, there's much ado about nothing.
Mud-slinging
If someone is mud-slinging, they are insulting someone and trying to damage that person's reputation.
Muddy the waters
If somebody muddies the waters, he or she makes the situation more complex or less clear.
Mum's the word
When people use this idiom, they mean that you should keep quiet about something and not tell other people.
Murky waters
Where people are behaving in morally and ethically questionable ways, they are in murky waters.
Need no introduction
Someone who is very famous and known to everyone needs no introduction.
Neither here nor there
If something is neither here nor there, it is of very little importance.
Neither use nor ornament
Something that serves no purpose and is not aesthetically pleasing is neither use nor ornament.
New lease of life
If someone finds new enthusiasm and energy for something, they have a new lease of life.
Newfangled
People who don't like new methods, technologies, etc, describe them as newfangled, which means new but not as good or nice as the old ones.
Nip and tuck
A close contest where neither opponent seems to be gaining the advantage.
Nip at the bit
If someone is nipping at the bit, they are anxious to get something done and don't want to wait.
Nitty gritty
If people get down to the nitty gritty, they concentrate on the most important and serious issues.
No can do
No can do means that the speaker can't do whatever it is that has been asked of him or her.
No go
Something that will not work. 'A square peg in a round hole is a no go.'
No good deed goes unpunished
This means that life is unfair and people can do or try to do good things and still end up in a lot of trouble.
No great shakes
If someone is no great shakes at something, they are not very good at it.
No ifs or buts
Ifs and Buts is a term used to describe the reasons people give for not wanting to do something. To show that you don't wish to accept any excuses, you can tell somebody that you wish to hear no ifs or buts Here IF & BUT have become nouns
No laughing matter
Something that is no laughing matter is very serious.
No love lost
If there is no love lost between two people they have a strong enmity towards or hate for the other and make no effort to conceal it.
No pain, no gain

Achievements require some sort of sacrifice.

No quarter
This means without mercy. We can say no quarter given or asked.
No question
This idiom means that something is certain or definite.
No questions asked
If something is to be done and no questions asked, then it doesn't matter what methods are used or what rules are broken to ensure that it gets done.
No strings attached
If something has no strings attached, there are no obligations or requirements involved.
No time for
If you have no time for an activity, you have absolutely no desire to spend or waste any time doing it. You can have no time for people, too.
None so blind as those who will not see
This idiom is used when people refuse to accept facts presented to them. ('None so deaf as those who will not hear' is an alternative.)
Not all there
If someone isn't all there, they are a little bit stupid or crazy.
Not know you are born
This indicates that the person described is unaware of his or her good fortune or is unaware of how difficult day to day life was before he/she was born. Typical usage: 'Kids today don't know they are born'.
Not much cop
Describing a film or something as not much cop is a way of saying that you didn't think much of it.
Not our bag
If something is not your bag, it is not really suitable for your needs or you don't like it much.
Not wash
If a story or explanation will not wash, it is not credible.
Nothing to crow about
If something's nothing to crow about, it's not particularly good or special.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
You can't win if you don't join in the game; if you don't participate in something, you will not achieve anything.
Null and void
If something's null and void, it is invalid or is no longer applicable.
Nuts and bolts
The nuts and bolts are the most essential components of something.
Object lesson
An object lesson serves as a warning to others. (In some varieties of English 'abject lesson' is used.)
Odds and ends

Odds and ends are small, remnant articles and things- the same as 'bits and bobs'.

Off the beaten track
Somewhere that's off the beaten track is in a remote location.
Off the chart
If something goes off the chart, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or bad, for something.
Off the grid
Someone who is off the grid lives outside society and chooses not to follow its rules and conventions.
Off the hook
If someone is off the hook, they have avoided punishment or criticism for something they have done.
Off the rails
If someone has gone off the rails, they have lost track of reality.
Off the record

Something off the record is said in confidence because the speaker doesn't want it attributed to them, especially when talking to the media.

Off the scale
If something goes off the scale, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or bad, for something.
Off your rocker
(UK) Someone who is off their rocker is crazy.
Oh, my goodness!
An expression of surprise.
Oldest trick in the book
The oldest trick in the book is a well-known way of deceiving someone, though still effective.
On a fishing expedition
If someone is on a fishing expedition, they are trying to get information, often using incorrect or improper ways to find things out.
On a roll
If you're on a roll, you're moving from success to success.
On a silver platter
If you hand or give something on a silver platter to someone, you let them have it too easily.
On good terms
If people are on good terms, they have a good relationship.
On hold
If something is on hold, no action is being taken.
On tenterhooks
This means that she is waiting impatiently and excitedly for something.
On the blink
(UK) Is a machine is on the blink, it isn't working properly or is out of order.
On the blower
(UK) If someone is on the blower, they are on the phone.
On the cheap
If you do something on the cheap, you spend as little as possible to do it.
On the dot
If someone says that they're leaving at seven on the dot, don't be late; they mean at exactly seven o'clock.
On the fiddle
(UK) Someone who is stealing money from work is on the fiddle, especially if they are doing it by fraud.
On the flip side
On the reverse or the other side
On the fly
If you do things on the fly, you do things without preparation, responding to events as they happen.
On the ground
Events on the ground are where things are actually happening, not at a distance.
On the level
If someone is honest and trustworthy, they are on the level.
On the make
If someone is on the make, they are trying to make a lot of money, usually illegally.
On the map
If a place becomes widely known, it is put on the map. A place that remains unknown is off the map.
On the never-never
(UK) If you buy something on the never-never, you buy it on long-term credit.
On the same page
If people are on the same page, they have the same information and are thinking the same way.
On the shelf
If something like a project is on the shelf, nothing is being done about it at the moment.
On the skids
When things or people are on the skids, they are in serious decline and trouble.
On the sly
If someone does something on the sly, they do it furtively or secretly.
On the take
(UK) Someone who is stealing from work is on the take.
On the trot
(UK) This idiom means 'consecutively'; I'd saw them three days on the trot, which means that I saw them on three consecutive days.
On the up and up
If you are on the up and up, you are making very good progress in life and doing well.
On the up and up
When someone is on the up and up, he or she is truthful, honest, and straightforward. It can also mean that they are very successful in life at the moment.
On top of the world
If you are on top of the world, everything is going well for you.
On your soapbox
If someone is up on their soapbox about something, they are very overtly and verbally passionate about the topic.
On your tod
If you are on your tod, you are alone.
One good turn deserves another
This means that when people do something good, something good will happen to them.
Open book
If a person is an open book, it is easy to know what they think or how they feel about things.
Open old sores
When a sore is almost healed, and if a person rips or tears it open, it is way of preventing the healing process and further aggravating the pain. This phrase, metaphorically suggests, to revive or reopen a quarrel or enmity which was almost forgotten.
Out and about
If someone is out and about, they have left their home and are getting things done that they need to do.
Out in the sticks
(UK) If someone lives out in the sticks, they live out in the country, a long way from any metropolitan area.
Out like a light
If you are out like a light, you fall fast asleep.
Out of my league
If someone or something is out of your league, you aren't good enough or rich enough, etc, for it or them.
Out of sight, out of mind
Out of sight, out of mind is used to suggest that someone will not think or worry about something if it isn't directly visible or available to them.
Out of sorts
If you are feeling a bit upset and depressed, you are out of sorts.
Out of the box
Thinking out of the box is thinking in a creative way. However, it can also be used for a ready-made product that requires no specialist knowledge to set it up.
Out of this world
If something is out of this world, it is fantastic.
Out-and-out

This means complete or total; an out-and-out lie is completey false.

Over a barrel
If someone has you over a barrel, they have you in a position where you have no choice but to accept what they want.
Over and over
If something happens over and over, it happens repeatedly.
Over the hill
If someone is over the hill they have reached an age at which they can longer perform as well as they used to.
Over the moon
If you are over the moon about something, you are overjoyed.
Paddle your own canoe
(USA) If you paddle your own canoe, you do things for yourself without outside help.
Paint yourself into a corner
(USA) If someone paints themselves into a corner, they get themselves into a mess.
Part and parcel
If something is part and parcel of your job, say, it is an essential and unavoidable part that has to be accepted.
Pass muster
If something passes muster, it meets the required standard.
Pass the buck
If you pass the buck, you avoid taking responsibility by saying that someone else is responsible.
Pep talk
When someone gives you a pep talk it is to build you up to help you accomplish something. In sports a coach might give a player a pep talk before the game to bolster his confidence. At work the boss might give you a pep talk to get you to do a better job.
Perish the thought
Perish the thought is an expression meaning that you really hope something will not happen.
Picture perfect

When something is exactly as it should be it is said to be picture perfect.

Pin down with a label

If you pin someone down with a label, you characterise them, often meant negatively as the label is restrictive.

Piping hot
If food is piping hot, it is very hot indeed.
Plain as a pikestaff
(UK) If something is as plain as a pikestaff, it is very clear.
Plain sailing
If something is relatively easy and there are no problems doing it, it is plain sailing.
Plan B
Plan  is an alternate or fall-back position or method when the initial attempt or plan goes wrong.
Play fast and loose
If people play fast and loose, they behave in an irresponsible way and don't respect rules, etc.
Play for keeps
If you are playing for keeps, you take things very seriously and the outcome is very important to you; it is not a mere game.
Play hard to get

If someone plays hard to get, they pretend not to be interewsted or attracted by someone, usually to make the other person increase their efforts.

Play havoc
Playing havoc with something is creating disorder and confusion; computer viruses can play havoc with your programs.
Play hooky
If people play hooky, they don't attend school when they should and don't have a valid reason for their absence.
Play the fool
If someone plays the fool, they behave in a silly way to make people laugh. ('Act the fool' is and alternative form.)
Play with fire
If people