Idiom Category: General

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.) 

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

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

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

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

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

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

By and large means usually or generally.

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.)

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

Advance within an organisation - especially in politics.

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.

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.

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

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

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.) 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

A successful and active business is a going concern.

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

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

If one waits too long, the opportunity vanishes.

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.)

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

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

When you fail, try until you get it right!

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

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

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

This refers to the immediate future.

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

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

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

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

Achievements require some sort of sacrifice.

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

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

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

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

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

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.