Idioms Beginning With: 'O'

Showing 51 - 100 of 188 results for letter 'O'
On my watch
If someoething happens on your watch, you are responsible for it as you were in charge.
On pins and needles
If you are on pins and needles, you are very worried about something.
On speaking terms
If you are on speaking terms with someone, your relationship may be strained, but you are still talking and negotiating.
On tenterhooks
This means that she is waiting impatiently and excitedly for something.
On The Anvil
If something is on the anvil, it is being discussed or prepared but is not yet ready.
On the ball
If someone's on the ball, they are well-informed and know what's going on in their area of responsibility or interest.
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 cards
(UK) If something is in the cards, it is almost certain to happen.
On the carpet
When you are called to the bosses office (since supposedly, they are the only ones who have carpet) and its definitely not for a good reason, i.e., you are in trouble, something has not gone according to plan and either maybe you are responsible and/or have some explaining to do.
On the case
If someone is on the case, they are dealing with a problem.
On the cheap
If you do something on the cheap, you spend as little as possible to do it.
On the chopping block
A person who's on the chopping block is in danger of losing their job or getting into serious trouble.  A project that's on the chopping block is likely to be terminated.
On the dole
(UK) Someone receiving financial assistance when unemployed is on the dole.
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 double
If someone tells you to do something on the double, they want you to do it immediately and quickly.
On the face of it
This idiom is used when describing the way a situation appears, while allowing for the possibility that things may be different: On the face of it, the company looks very profitable.  (The company appears to be very profitable, but this may not be the case.)
On the factory floor
On the factory floor means the place where things are actually produced.
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 game
(UK) A person who is on the game works as a prostitute.
On the ground
Events on the ground are where things are actually happening, not at a distance.
On the hoof
If you decide something on the hoof, you do it without planning, responding to events as they happen.
On the hook
If someone is on the hook, they are responsible for something.
On the house
If you get something for free that would normally have to be bought, especially in a bar or restaurant, it is on the house.
On the knock
(UK) If you buy something on the knock, you pay for it in instalments.
On the knocker
(UK) If someone is on the knocker, they are going from house to house trying to buy or sell things or get support.
On the knocker
(AU) If you do something on the knocker, you do  it immediately or promptly.
On the lam
If someone is on the lam, they are hiding from the police or authorities, especially to avoid arrest or prison.
On the level
If someone is honest and trustworthy, they are on the level.
On the line
If somebody's job is on the line, they stand a very good chance of losing it.
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 money
If you are on the money, you are right about something.
On the mound
(USA) If you're on the mound, you're on the mound back at your game, back in control.
On the never-never
(UK) If you buy something on the never-never, you buy it on long-term credit.
On the nod
(UK) If something is accepted by parliament or a committee majority, it is on the nod.
On the nod
(UK) Someone who's on the nod is either asleep or falling asleep, especially when the shouldn't or are are in a position unusual for sleep, like sitting or standing.
On the nod
(UK) When a horse runs, its head moves backwards and forwards alternately - in horse racing, if 2 horses cross the line together the one whose head happens to be going forward often wins and is said to win 'on the nod'.
On the nose
This means right on time.
On the off-chance
If you do something on the off-chance, you do it in case it works, even though the chance of success may be small.
On the rack
If someone is on the rack, they are suffering greatly.
On the rebound
If someone is on the rebound, their relationship has recently ended and they are emotionally unstable.
On the right foot
If you start something or set off on the right foot, you get off to a good start.
On the rocks
If something, like a relationship, is on the rocks, it is in trouble and may come to an end.
On the ropes
When something or someone is on the ropes, it or they are doing badly and likely to fail.
On the run
If someone is on the run, they are avoiding arrest and hiding from the police.
On the same page
If people are on the same page, they have the same information and are thinking the same way.
On the same wavelength
If people are on the same wavelength, they have the same ideas and opinions about something.

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