Idiom Category: General, Page 2

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 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.

Bag and baggage

Bag and baggage means all your possessions, especially if you are moving them or leaving a place.

Balloon goes up

When the balloon goes up, a situation turns unpleasant or serious.

Balls to the walls

(USA) If you do something balls to the wall, you apply full acceleration or exertion.

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 out in force

If people are out in force, they are present somewhere in large numbers.

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 around the block a few times

Someone who says they've been around the block a few times is indicating that they have life experience relating to the topic at hand. It is not necessary to discuss the introductory aspects of the topic or give beginner level advice.

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.

Behind the curve

If you are behind the curve, you  are behind or out of touch with current trends or developments. ('Ahead of the curve' iis the opposite)  

Believe you me

This is an emphatic way of saying 'believe me'.

Below the fold

If a news story is not important, it will be below the fold- in the lower half of the page of a newspaper.('Beneath the fold' is also used.)

Bend over backwards

If someone bends over backwards, they do everything they can to help someone.

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