English Idioms & Idiomatic Expressions

Tables are turned

When the tables are turned, the situation has changed giving the advantage to the party who had previously been at a disadvantage.

Tackle an issue

If you tackle an issue or problem, you resolve or deal with it.

Take a back seat

If you take a back seat to something or someone, you are surbordinate.

Take a hike

This is a way of telling someone to get out.

Take a leaf out of someone's book

If you take a leaf out of someone's book, you copy something they do because it will help you.

Take a nosedive

When things take a nosedive, they decline very quickly and head towards disaster.

Take a punch

If somebody takes a blow, something bad happens to them.

Take a raincheck

If you take a rain check, you decline an offer now, suggesting you will accept it later. ('Raincheck' is also used.)

Take a shine to

If you take a shine to something or someone, you like it or them instantly.

Take a straw poll

If you take a straw poll, you sound a number of people out to see their opinions on an issue or topic.

Take aback

If you are taken aback, it means that you're surprised or shocked by something.

Take by storm

To take by storm means to captivate- eg. A new play that took New York City by storm.

Take by the scruff of the neck

If you take something by the scruff on the neck, you take complete control of it.

Take for a test drive

If you take something for a test driver, you try something to see if you like it.

Take for granted

If you take something for granted, you don't worry or think about it because you assume you will always have it.  If you take someone for granted, you don't show your appreciation to them.

Take forty winks

If you take 40 winks, you have a short sleep.

Take guts

If something takes guts, it requires courage in the face of danger or great risk. It takes guts for firemen to enter a burning building to save someone.

Take it in your stride

If you take something in your stride, you deal with it even though it is difficult or unpleasant without letting it bother or upset you.

Take it on the chin

If you take something on the chin, something bad happens to you and you take it directly without fuss.

Take it up a notch

If you take it up a notch, you increase the effort or intensity exerted in a situation

Take no prisoners

If people take no prisoners, they do things in a very aggressive way, without considering any harm they might do to achieve their objectives.

Take one for the team

To sacrifice oneself in some way for the good of the group.

Take root

If something like an idea or system takes root, it becomes established, accepted or believed.

Take sand to the beach

Doing something that is completely pointless or unnecessary is like taking sand to the beach.

Take someone down a peg

If someone is taken down a peg (or taken down a peg or two), they lose status in the eyes of others because of something they have done wrong or badly.

Take someone for a ride

If you are taken for a ride, you are deceived by someone.

Take someone to task

If you take someone to task, you scold them for something they have done wrong.

Take someone to the cleaners

If someone is taken to the cleaners, they are cheated, defrauded or lose a lot of money.

Take someone to the woodshed

If someone is taken to the woodshed, they are punished for something they have done.

Take someone under your wing

If you take someone under your wing, you look after them while they are learning something.  

Take stock

To assess a situation, to conduct a personal inventory of ones beliefs and values, etc.

Take the biscuit

(UK) If something takes the biscuit, it is the absolute limit.

Take the bull by its horns

Taking a bull by its horns would be the most direct but also the most dangerous way to try to compete with such an animal. When we use the phrase in everyday talk, we mean that the person we are talking about tackles their problems directly and is not worried about any risks involved.

Take the cake

If something takes the cake, it is the best and takes the honours.

Take the chair

If you take the chair, your become the chairman or chairwoman of a committee, etc.

Take the edge off

To reduce the effect of something, usually something unpleasant.

Take the fall

If you tall the fall, you accept the blame and possibly the punishment for another's wrongdoing, with the implication that the true culprit, for political or other reasons, cannot be exposed as guilty (accompanied by a public suspicion that a reward of some sort may follow).

Take the fifth

(USA) If you do not want to answer a question you can take the fifth, meaning you are choosing not to answer.  ('Plead the fifth' is also used.)

Take the flak

If you take the flak, you are strongly criticised for something.('Take flak' is also used.)

Take the floor

Start talking or giving a speech to a group

Take the heat

If you take the heat, you take the criticism or blame for something you didn't do, normally to protect the guilty person.

Take the Mickey

(UK) If you take the Mickey, you tease someone. ('Take the Mick' is also used.)

Take the plunge

If you take the plunge, you decide to do something or commit yourself even though you know there is an element of risk involved.

Take the rough with the smooth

People say that you have to take the rough with the smooth, meaning that you have to be prepared to accept the disadvantages as well of the advantages of something.

Take to your heels

If you take to your heels, you run away.

Take up the reins

(UK) If you take up the reins, you assume control of something- an organisation, company, country, etc.('Take over the reins' is also used.)

Take up the torch

If you take up the torch, you take on a challenge or responsibility, usually when someone else retires, or leaves an organisation, etc.

Take your breath away

If something takes your breath away, it astonishes or surprises you.

Take your eye off the ball

If someone takes their eye off the ball, they don't concentrate on something important that they should be looking at.

Take your hat off

If you say that you take your hat off to someone, you are showing your respect or admiration.

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