English Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions

In donkey's years

'I haven't seen her in donkey's years.' - This means for a very long time.

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 embryo

If something is in embryo, it exists but has not developed.

In for a penny, in for a pound

If something is worth doing then it is a case of in for a penny, in for a pound, which means that when gambling or taking a chance, you might as well go the whole way and take all the risks, not just some.

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 gear

(USA) If something is in high gear, it is in a quick-paced mode. If someone is in high gear, they are feverishly on the fast track.

In high spirits

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

In his cups

If someone is in their cups, they are drunk.

In hot water

If you are in hot water, you are in serious trouble.

In league with

If you're in league with someone, you have an agreement with them to do something, often something illegal or against the rules.

In light of

'In light of' is similar to 'due to'.

In like Flynn

Refers to Errol Flynn's popularity with women in the 40's. His ability to attract women was well known throughout the world.  ('In like flint' is also used.)

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 no uncertain terms

Clearly; precisely; emphatically without doubt.

In one ear and out the other

If something goes in one ear and out the other, you forget it as soon as you've heard it because it was too complicated, boring etc.

In one stroke

If something happens in one stroke, it happens immediately.(In a stroke, at a stroke and at one stroke are also used.)

In over your head

If someone is in over their head, they are out of the depth in something they are involved in, and may end up in a mess.

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 rude health

(UK) If someone's in rude health, they are very healthy and look it.

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 someone's pocket

If a person is in someone's pocket, they are dependent, especially financially, on them.

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 that vein

If you do something in that (or this) vein, you do it in the same distinctive manner or style.

In the afterglow

When people feel joy and happiness following a positive event, they are in the afterglow of  it.

In the bag

If something is in the bag, it is certain that you will get it or achieve it

In the ballpark

This means that something is close to the adequate or required value. 

In the black

If your bank account is in credit, it is in the black.

In the cards

If something is in the cards, it is bound to occur, it is going to happen, or it is inevitable.

In the catbird seat

(USA) If someone is in the catbird seat, they are in an advantageous or superior position.

In the clear

If someone is in the clear, they are no longer suspected of or charged with wrongdoing.

In the clink

(UK) If someone is in the clink, they are in prison.

In the club

(UK) If a woman's in the club, she's pregnant. 'In the pudding club' is an alternative form.

In the dark

If you're in the dark, you don't know what is happening around you.

In the dock

If someone is in the dock, they are on trial in court.

In the doghouse

If someone is in the doghouse, they are in disgrace and very unpopular at the moment.

In the driver's seat

If you are in the driver's seat, you are in charge of something or in control of a situation.

In the face of

If people act in the face of something, they do it despite it or when threatened by it.

In the family way

If a woman is in the family way, she is pregnant.

In the flesh

If you meet or see someone in the flesh you actually meet or see them, rather than seeing them on TV or in other media.

In the gravy

If you're in the gravy, you're rich and make money easily.

In the hole

If someone is in the hole, they have a lot of problems, especially financial ones.

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 land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king

If surrounded by people less capable or able, someone who would not normally be considered special can shine.

In the lap of luxury

People in the lap of luxury are very wealthy and have have everything that money can buy.

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