Idioms Beginning With: 'O'

Showing 51 - 100 of 187 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 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.
On the shelf: If something like a project is on the shelf, nothing is being done about it at the moment.

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