Idiomatic Expressions and Their Meaning

Submitted by: Daisyrie A. Rey

BSBA Financial Management II

1. Acid test:
Meaning - acid test proves the effectiveness of something.
2. Cut the ground from under feet :
Meaning - when you cut the ground from under someone's feet, you do something which
weakens their position.
3. Chase your tail:
Meaning - spending a lot of time and energy doing a lot of things but actually achieving too
little.
4. Whole bag of tricks -
Meaning - means trying all the clever means to achieve something.
5. Deliver the goods -
Meaning - do what is expected or promised.
6. Fine-tooth comb -
Meaning - examining something carefully to not miss out any details.
7. Explore all avenues
Meaning - trying out every possibility to get a result.
8. Fast track something -
Meaning - rating something higher on your priority list to achieve the desired result.
9. Get ducks in a row -
Meaning - getting your things well organized.
10. Get the show on the road -
Meaning - putting up a plan or idea into action.
11. Keep your fingers on the pulse -
Meaning - being constantly aware of the most recent developments.
12. Mean business -
Meaning - being serious about what you announce.
13. Think on your feet -
Meaning - adjusting quickly to changes and making fast decisions.
14. Sail through something -
Meaning - being successful in doing something without difficulty.
15. Tricks of the trade :
Meaning - clever or expert way of doing something.
16. Not let grass grow under feet -
Meaning - don't delay in getting something done.
17. Work like a charm -
Meaning - works very well or has the desired effect.
18. Back-room boys -
Meaning - people who perform important work but have no contact with the public.
19. Dead wood -
Meaning - people or things which are no longer useful or necessary.
20. Get the axe -
Meaning - lose the job.
21. Plum job -
Meaning - desirable position which is well-paid and considered relatively easy .
22. Shape up or ship out -
Meaning - this expression is used to warn someone that if they do not improvetheir ways, they
will have to leave their job.
23. Golden handshake -
Meaning - big sum of money given to a person when they leave a company or retire.
24. Separate sheep from goats -
Meaning - examining a group of people and deciding their suitability
25. Waiting in the wings -
Meaning - waiting for an opportunity to take action, mostly to replace someone else in their
job.
26. Eat, sleep and breathe something -
Meaning - being so enthusiastic and passionate about somehting that you think about it all the
time.
27. With bells on -
Meaning - when you are delighted and eager to go somewhere, you are said to go with bells
on.
28. Fever pitch -
Meaning - when a feeling is very intense and exciting, it is said to be at a fever pitch.
29. Blood, sweat and tears -
Meaning - something that requires a lot of effort and hard work.
30. Have on the brain -
Meaning - thinking or talking about it all day long.
31. Fling yourself into -
Meaning - doing something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
32. Raring to go -
Meaning - being very eager and enthusiastic about the idea of doing something.
33. Xerox subsidy -
Meaning - using the office photocopier for personal use.
34. Get a grip on yourself -
Meaning - controlling your feelings to deal with a situation.
35. Hang on by fingernails -
Meaning - continuing to do something in a very difficult situation.
36. Pull out all the stops -
Meaning - doing everything you can to make something successful.
37. Buckle down -
Meaning - doing some hard work with determination and full attention.
38. First out of the gate -
Meaning - being the first one to make a start at something.
39. Going places -
Meaning - exhibiting talent and ability that will lead to a successful future.
40. Have one's heart set on -
Meaning - possessing a determination to obtain something.
41. Make headway -
Meaning - progress in what you are trying to achieve.
42. Punch above one's weight-
Meaning - performing beyond your ability.
43. Sink your teeth into -
Meaning - doing something with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
44. Stand one's ground -
Meaning - maintaining your position.
45. Close to home -
Meaning - a comment which is true and makes you uncomfortable is close to home.
46. Carry the torch for -
Meaning - having strong feelings for someone who cannot be yours.
47. Cork up something -
Meaning - failing to express your emotions.
48. Cut to the quick -
Meaning - hurting someone deeply or offending them.
49. Fish out of water -
Meaning - feeling uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.
50. Bee in one's bonnet -
Meaning - carrying an idea which constantly occupies your thoughts.
51. Deep down -
Meaning - describing what a person really feels deep inside or what is he like.
52. Have your heart in the right place -
Meaning - refers to a person with good intentions; even though the results are not that
impressive.
53. Groan inwardly -
Meaning - refers to a feeling where you want to express despair, disapproval or distress, but you
keep quite.
54. Beard the lion in his den -
Meaning - challenge someone in his own area.
55. Keep a stiff upper lip -
Meaning - refers to a person who doesn't show off his emotions.
56. Go bananas -
Meaning - refers to someone who behaves in a crazy way out of emotions.
57. Lump in your throat -
Meaning - refers to a tight feeling in your throat because of an emotion like sadness or gratitude.
58. Hard as nails -
Meaning - refers to a person without sentiments and sympathy for anyone.
59. Lick one's wounds -
Meaning - trying to regain their confidence or boost up the spirits after a defeat.
60. Proud as a peacock -
Meaning - refers to an extremely proud person.
61. Tongue-tied -
Meaning - difficulty in expressing yourself because of nervousness or embarrassment.
62. Look on the bright side -
Meaning - view an unpleasant situation in a positive light.
63. Swallow one's pride -
Meaning - accepting something humiliating or embarrassing.
64. Makes your flesh crawl -
Meaning - something that makes you feel disgusting or nervous.
65. Speak volumes -
Meaning - expresses a reaction without words.
66. Not turn a hair -
Meaning - refers to not exhibiting any emotion where it is expected.
67. Reduce to tears -
Meaning - getting into tears because of some one's behavior.
68. In the bag -
Meaning - refers to a situation when you are sure that success is sure.
69. Blow up in face -
Meaning - refers to a situation when a plan or project suddenly fails.
70. Bottom fell out -
Meaning - refers to a situation when a plan or project fails.
71.cake not worth the candle -
Meaning - refers to something in which result vs efforts are too less.
72. Chance one's arm -
Meaning - deciding to do something even though the chances of success are very little.
73. Come up roses -
Meaning - successful end results even though there may be some initial hiccups.
74. Cook someone's goose -
Meaning - spoil other person's chances of success.
75. Cut one's own throat -
Meaning - doing something that will cause your own failure.
76. Foot in the door -
Meaning - small but good start with a possibility for a bright future.
77. Go great guns -
Meaning - being successful.
78. Dead in the water -
Meaning - plan or project that has ceased to function and is not expected to be re-activated in
future.
79. Flying start -
Meaning - something that is immediately successful.
80. Make a go of -
Meaning - succeeding in your enterprise.
81. Go to the dogs -
Meaning - getting comparably less successful than before.
81. Go up in smoke -
Meaning - something that ends before getting a result.
82. Live on the breadline -
Meaning - having very little income.
83. Make or break -
Meaning - circumstances causing total success or total ruin.
84. Landslide victory -
Meaning - overwhelming victory received by a candidate of political party at an election.
85. Let slip through fingers -
Meaning - failing to obtain or keep up a good opportunity.
86. Rags to riches -
Meaning - becoming very rich while starting very poor.
87. On the pig's back -
Meaning - refers to a person in successful and well situation.
88. Miss the boat -
Meaning - failing to take advantage of an opportunity because of slow actions.
89. Smash hit -
Meaning - refers to music, films which are very successful.
90. Murphy's law -
Meaning - means that if anything can go wrong, it will.
91. Place in the sun -
Meaning - finding a place in the sun refers to a position which provides you all the success and
happiness you want in your life.
92. Sink or swim -
Meaning - fail or succeed.
93. Champagne on a beer budget -
Meaning - wanting expensive things that you cannot afford.
94. Top dog -
Meaning - very successful group, company, person, country etc.
95. Keep up appearances -
Meaning - maintaining an outward show of prosperity or well-being while hiding your
difficulties
96. Wooden spoon -
Meaning - imaginary prize for the last person in a race.
97. Have the world by its tail -
Meaning - very successful person who can choose from a lot of opportunities.
98. Live beyond means -
Meaning - spending more money than you can afford.
99. Live in an ivory tower -
Meaning - living a lifestyle that saves you from the real world problems.
100. Hit the road running -
Meaning - start performing immediately.
101. Actions speak louder than words
Meaning- refers to the idea that its better to do something than just talk about it.
102. Add fuel to the fire
Meaning- something that worsens an already bad situation.
103. All bark and no bite
Meaning- being verbally threatening, but unwilling to do anything significant.
104. At the drop of a hat
Meaning- a willingness to do something right away.
105. Beating around the bush
Meaning- avoiding the main issue.
106. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
Meaning- its better to have a small, secured advantage than the possibility of a bigger one. Its
better to stick with what you have than risk it for something greater.
107. Blessing in disguise
Meaning- Something good and beneficial that did not initially seem that way.
108. Break a leg
Meaning- something you say to someone you want to wish luck on.
109. Chip on your shoulder
Meaning- when someone is upset about something that happened a while ago.
110. Come hell or high water
Meaning- possible obstacles in your path.
111. Cry over spilt milk
Meaning- complaining about a loss or failure from the past.
112. Cut to the chase
Meaning- skip the irrelevant parts, and go straight to the main point.
113. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning- do or say exactly the correct thing.
114. Piece of cake
Meaning- something that is easy to understand or accomplish.
115. Slap on the wrist
Meaning- a mild punishment, such as a scolding.
116. Spill the beans
Meaning- tell a secret.
117. Taste of your own medicine
Meaning- When someone receives the same treatment, usually negative, that they gave someone
else.
118. A penny for your thoughts

A way of asking what someone is thinking

119. Add insult to injury

Meaning- To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavorable situation.

120. An arm and a leg

Meaning- Very expensive or costly. A large amount of money.

121. At the drop of a hat

Meaning- without any hesitation; instantly.

122. Back to the drawing board
Meaning- When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.
123. Ball is in your court

Meaning- It is up to you to make the next decision or step

124. Barking up the wrong tree

Meaning- Looking in the wrong place. Accusing the wrong person

125. Be glad to see the back of
Meaning- Be happy when a person leaves.
126. Beat around the bush
Meaning- Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.
127. Best of both worlds
Meaning- All the advantages.
128. Best thing since sliced bread
Meaning- A good invention or innovation. A good idea or plan.
129. Bite off more than you can chew
Meaning- To take on a task that is way to big.
130. Blessing in disguise
Meaning- Something good that isn't recognized at first.
131. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning- To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting.
132. Can't judge a book by its cover
Meaning- Cannot judge something primarily on appearance.
133. Caught between two stools
Meaning- When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.
134. Costs an arm and a leg
Meaning- This idiom is used when something is very expensive.
135. Cross that bridge when you come to it
Meaning- Deal with a problem if and when it becomes necessary, not before.
136. Cry over spilt milk
Meaning- When you complain about a loss from the past.
137. Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning- Being Inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation.
138. Cut corners
Meaning- When something is done badly to save money.
139. Cut the mustard [possibly derived from "cut the muster"]
Meaning- To succeed; to come up to expectations; adequate enough to compete or participate
140. Devil's Advocate
Meaning- To present a counter argument
141. Don't count your chickens before the eggs have hatched
Meaning- This idiom is used to express "Don't make plans for something that might not
happen".
142. Don't give up the day job
Meaning- You are not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally.
143. Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Meaning- Do not put all your resources in one possibility.
144. Drastic times call for drastic measures
Meaning- When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.
145. Elvis has left the building
Meaning- The show has come to an end. It's all over.
146. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning- Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.
147. Far cry from
Meaning- Very different from.
148. Feel a bit under the weather
Meaning- Feeling slightly ill.
149. Give the benefit of the doubt
Meaning- Believe someone's statement, without proof.
150. Hear it on the grapevine
Meaning- This idiom means 'to hear rumors' about something or someone.
151. Hit the nail on the head
Meaning- Do or say something exactly right
152. Hit the sack / sheets / hay
Meaning- To go to bed.
153. In the heat of the moment
Meaning- Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.
154. It takes two to tango
Meaning- Actions or communications need more than one person
155. Jump on the bandwagon
Meaning- Join a popular trend or activity.
156. Keep something at bay
Meaning- Keep something away.
157. Kill two birds with one stone
Meaning- This idiom means, to accomplish two different things at the same time.
158. Last straw
Meaning- The final problem in a series of problems.
159. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning- do not disturb a situation as it is - since it would result in trouble or complications.
160. Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning- To share information that was previously concealed
161. Make a long story short
Meaning- Come to the point - leave out details
162. Method to my madness
Meaning- An assertion that, despite one's approach seeming random, there actually is structure
to it.
163. Miss the boat
Meaning- This idiom is used to say that someone missed his or her chance
164. Not a spark of decency
Meaning- No manners
165. Not playing with a full deck
Meaning- Someone who lacks intelligence.
166. Off one's rocker
Meaning- Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind, senile.
167. On the ball
Meaning- When someone understands the situation well.
168. Once in a blue moon
Meaning- Happens very rarely.
169. Picture paints a thousand words
Meaning- A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.
170. Piece of cake
Meaning- A job, task or other activity that is easy or simple.
171. Put wool over other people's eyes
Meaning- This means to deceive someone into thinking well of them.
172. See eye to eye
Meaning- This idiom is used to say that two (or more people) agree on something.
173. Sit on the fence
Meaning- This is used when someone does not want to choose or make a decision.
174. Speak of the devil!
Meaning- This expression is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives.
175. Steal someone's thunder
Meaning- To take the credit for something someone else did.
176. Take with a grain of salt
Meaning- This means not to take what someone says too seriously.
177. Taste of your own medicine
Meaning- Means that something happens to you, or is done to you, that you have done to
someone else
178. To hear something straight from the horse's mouth
Meaning- To hear something from the authoritative source.
179. Whole nine yards
Meaning- Everything. All of it.
180. Wouldn't be caught dead
Meaning- Would never like to do something
181. Your guess is as good as mine
Meaning- To have no idea, do not know the answer to a question
182. A hot potato
Meaning- Speak of an issue (mostly current) which many people are talking about and which is
usually disputed
186. Back To Square One
Meaning- To start again
187. Ball and chain
Meaning- To be burdened with a task that that cannot be left or abandoned
188. Beat a dead horse
Meaning- To engage in pointless and repetitive discussion.
189. Between the Devil and the deep blue sea.
Meaning- In a very difficult situation when any resolution will be unpleasant.
190. Bushed
Meaning- Tired, completely exhausted
191. Caught With Your Pants Down
Meaning- Found out!
192. Can't see your nose in front of your face
Meaning- Being oblivious to something obvious, in clear view.
193. Crash
Meaning- To go to sleep
194. Don't look a Gift Horse in the Mouth
Meaning- To reject something that has been freely given
195. Elbow Grease
Meaning- A great deal of effort
196. Flea Market
Meaning- An open-air market
197. Get out of hand
Meaning- A situation which has resulted in chaos
198. Hit the hay
Meaning- To go to bed
199. In your face
Meaning- An aggressive manner
200. Junk Mail
Meaning- Unsolicited communications
201. Kick the bucket
Meaning- To die
202. Let sleeping dogs lie
Meaning- Not to interfere
203. Mum's the word
Meaning- To keep a secret
204. New kid on the block
Meaning- A newcomer
205. Over the hill
Meaning- To be past your prime
206. Prick up your ears
Meaning- To listen intently
207. Rub someone up the wrong way
Meaning- To annoy someone
208. Spinning a yarn
Meaning- To lie or exaggerate
209. Tie the knot
Meaning- To get married
210. Under the weather
Meaning- Feeling ill
211. Tickled pink
Meaning- Made very happy
212. Hands down
Meaning- There was no competition
213. Down in the dumps
Meaning- Sad or depressed
214. Sick as a dog!
Meaning- Very sick
215. Under the weather
Meaning- Not well
216. Rise and shine!
Meaning- Wake up and be happy!
217. Close, but no cigar.
Meaning- You were very close, but you did not make it.
218. Till the cows come home.
Meaning- For a very long time
219. Raining cats and dogs
Meaning- Very hard rain
220. Driving me up the wall!
Meaning- Making me very annoyed
221. Slap on the wrist.
Meaning- A mild punishment
222. Pulling your leg.
Meaning- Just joking
223. Greek to me!
Meaning- I don't understand.
224. Keep your chin up
Meaning- Be happy.
225. Hold your horses
Meaning- Be patient.
226. We're all in the same boat
Meaning- All of us are in the same position.
227. Loose cannon
Meaning- Unpredictable
228. When pigs fly.
Meaning- Never
229. A bit of fluff (Also a bit of skirt.)
Meaning- A sexually attractive woman.
230. A breath of fresh air
Meaning- said about a new, fresh, and imaginative approach, a change that feels good.
231. A clean bill of health
Meaning- said when you examine someone or something and state that they are healthy, in good
condition, or legal.
232. A dime's worth
Meaning- an insignificant amount
233. A fact of life
Meaning- This idiom is used to refer to something which is unpleasant and which people accept
because they cannot change it.
234. A fool and his money are soon parted
Meaning- this means that stupid people spend money without thinking about it enough.
235. A life-saver
Meaning- This phrase is used to refer to something or someone that saves a person in a difficult
situation or critical moment.
236. A little bird told me
Meaning- said when you don't want reveal the source of your information.
237. A lost ball in the weeds
Meaning- The phrase a lost ball in the weeds refers to a person who is completely lost or
confused and does not know what they are doing, how to do it or possibly even where they are.
238. A man of action
Meaning- a man who is inclined to act first rather than think about things and discuss them.
239. A man of few words (also a woman of few words)
Meaning- a man who doesn't speak much. A man of action
240. A man's man
Meaning- The phrase a man's man refers to a man known for traditionally masculine interests
and activities.
241. A new lease of life
Meaning- This idiom is used to refer to an occasion when something gives you the chance to
become happy or healthy and makes you more energetic than before.
242. A number cruncher
Meaning- a number cruncher refers to someone whose job is to work with numbers and
mathematics. It may also refer to a computer that is able to solve complicated problems of
mathematics.
243. A roof over your head
Meaning- a place to live.
244. A steal
Meaning- A steal refers to a good deal; it's almost like you stole it.
245. A watched pot never boils
Meaning- This expression is used to mean that things appear to go more slowly if one waits
anxiously for it.
246. A whole new ball game
Meaning- a completely different situation.
247. A woman of few words (also a man of few words)
Meaning- a woman who doesn't speak much. A woman of action
248. A woman's work is never done
Meaning- The proverb a woman's work is never done means that a woman often works longer
hours than a man because the housework and raising children are jobs that never end.
249. About as useful as a chocolate teapot
Meaning- Saying something is about as useful as a chocolate teapot means that it is totally
useless.
250. Above suspicion
Meaning- This phrase is used to describe a person who is honest enough that no one would
suspect.
251. Above the law
Meaning- Not subject to the law, exempt from the laws that apply to everyone else.
252. Above the salt
Meaning- If someone is above the salt they are of high standing or honor.
253. Achilles heel
Meaning- said about a strong situation which contains an element of vulnerability.
254. Act of God
Meaning- something that occured, such as an accident, for which no human is responsible. A
natural disaster such as a storm, earthquake...
255. Act one's age
Meaning- To be mature and not childish.
256. Adam's ale
Meaning- (old-fashioned) water.
257. Affinity for
Meaning- said about you have attraction , preference or sympathy for something or someone.
258. Against the clock
Meaning- To work or race against the clock means to do something as fast as possible and try to
finish it before a deadline.
259. Against the clock
Meaning- To work or race against the clock means to do something as fast as possible and try to
finish it before a deadline.
260. Age before beauty
Meaning- A phrase said to allow older people to go before younger ones. Now most often used
humorously or lightheartedly, and usually said by a younger person to an older friend or relative
out of mock pity for being so much older and unattractive.
261. Age out of something
Meaning- The phrase age out of something means to reach an age at which one is no longer
eligible for the system of care designed to provide services, such as education or protection, for
people below a certain age level.
262. Ahead of one's time
Meaning- in advance of concurrent commonly accepted ideas; showing characteristics of
changes yet to be; present in one's work before later advances in the field.
263. Alive and kicking (also be alive and well)
Meaning- to continue to be well, healthy or successful.
264. All dressed up and nowhere to go
Meaning- The phrase all dressed up and nowhere to go means getting ready for something and
then it never happened. The phrase may be used literally or figuratively.
265. All hat and no cattle
Meaning- Describing someone who is full of big talk but lacking action, power, or substance;
pretentious.
266. All in a day's work
Meaning- What is normal, typical or expected.
267. All ones eggs in one basket
Meaning- the state of having invested heavily in just one area or of having devoted all of ones
resources to one thing.
268. All that glitters is not gold
Meaning- appearance is sometimes misleading. Things that appear valuable or worthwhile might
not be as good as they look.
269. All that jazz
Meaning- Everything else related to something; and other similar things.
270. All the more
Meaning- even more.
271. All walks of life
Meaning- Occupations, roles, social class, or lifestyle.
272. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy
Meaning- All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy is a proverb which means that it is not
good to work all the time and that people may get bored if they don't get some time off from
work.
273. All's fair in love and war.
Meaning- In love or in war, you are allowed to be deceitful in order to get what you want.
274. Along the lines
Meaning- in a general direction or manner.
275. An eye for an eye (also, an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.)
Meaning- Said to suggest that punishment should equal the crime. At the root of this principle is
that one of the purposes of the law is to provide equitable retribution for an offended party.
276. Another nail in one's coffin
Meaning- One in a series of events which lead to downfall or inevitable failure.
277. Another nail in one's coffin
Meaning- One in a series of events which lead to downfall or inevitable failure.
278. Any port in a storm
Meaning- An unfavorable option which might well be avoided in good times but which
nevertheless looks better than the alternatives at the current time.
279. Apple of somebody's eye
Meaning- said about someone whom you love the most and you are very proud of.
280. Are your ears burning?
Meaning- Said about someone who was not present but was the topic of discussion.
281. Armchair critic
Meaning- An armchair critic is a person who knows or pretends to know a lot about something
in theory rather than practice.
282. Arrow in the quiver
Meaning- This idiom is used when talking about one of a number of resources or strategies that
can be used to achieve a goal.
283. As bald as a cue ball (also as bald as a coot)
Meaning- completely bald.
284. As blind as a bat
Meaning- If someone is as blind as a bat, they are nearly or completely blind or they are
unwilling to recognize problems or bad things.
285. As gentle as a lamb
Meaning- Said about kind , innocent, mild-mannered people.
286. As one man
Meaning- If a group of people do something as one man, they do it unanimously, in complete
agreement.
287. As patient as Job
Meaning- If someone is as patient as Job, they are very patient.
288. As poor as a church mouse
Meaning- If someone is as poor as a church mouse they are extremely poor.
289. As ugly as sin
Meaning- If something is as ugly as sin, it is very ugly.
290. At death's door
Meaning- About to die; in a life-threatening state of health
291. At sixes and sevens
Meaning- This idiom is used to describe a state of confusion or disarray.
292. At the wheel
Meaning- Driving; in control of a vehicle.
293. At your mother's knee
Meaning- said about something that you learned when you were a child.
294. Back the wrong horse
Meaning- to support someone or something that later cannot be successful.
295. Backseat driver
Meaning
1. A passenger in a car who insists on giving the driver directions.
2. Anybody offering unsolicited or unwelcome advice.
296. Bad blood
Meaning- unpleasant feeling between different people.
297. Bad egg
Meaning- bad person
298. Bag of bones
Meaning- an extremely thin person.
299. Bag of tricks
Meaning- a set of techniques and methods.
300. Ball of fire
Meaning- a person who is especially hard-working, high-achieving, ambitious, or active.
301. Ball someone or something up
Meaning
1. To make a mess of, destroy or ruin; to interfere with someone or something.
2. To roll something up into a ball.
302. Ball-breaker (Also a ball-buster.)
Meaning- This refers either to a job or situation that is demanding and arduous and punishing or
to a demanding woman who destroys men's confidence.
303. Banana repulic
Meaning- A small country, especially one in Central America, that is dependent on a single
export commodity (traditionally bananas) and that has a corrupt, dictatorial government.
304. Bank on
Meaning- to expect something or rely on.
305. Baptism of fire
Meaning- The idiom baptism of fire refers to a very difficult first experience someone
undergoes.
306. Be a barrel of laughs
Meaning- be enjoyable or entertaining.
307. Be a chicken
Meaning- be a coward.
308. Be a cold fish
Meaning- be a person who is distant and unfeeling
309. Be an item
Meaning- said about a couple when they are having a romantic relationship.
310. Be better than sex
Meaning- said about something which is very enjoyable or exciting.
311. Be dead in the water
Meaning- said when something has no chance of succeeding or of making any progress.
312. Be dead to the world
Meaning- to be sleeping.
313. Be full of beans
Meaning- said about someone who is active, lively, healthy and has a lot of energy and
enthusiasm.
314. Be glad to see the back of someone
Meaning- To be happy to get rid of someone; to be happy because someone has left.
315. Be in black and white (also be down in black and white)
Meaning- to be written down.
316. Be in deep water
Meaning- to be in serious trouble.
317. Be in hot water
Meaning- to be in a difficult situation
318. Be in somebody's shoes
Meaning- to be in the situation that another person is in.
319. Be in the land of the living
Meaning- be awake or to be alive.
320. Be like a fish out of water
Meaning- to feel uncomfortable in a situation
321. Be on cloud nine
Meaning- feel extreme happiness or elation
322. Be on the ball
Meaning- to be well-informed and respond promptly.
323. Be part of the furniture
Meaning- if someone or something is part of the furniture, they have been somewhere so long as
to seem an integral part of the place.
324. Bean counter
Meaning- An accountant.
325. Bear fruit
Meaning- The phrase bear fruit means to yield successful results.
326. Bear one's cross
Meaning- If someone bear one's cross they endure burden or difficulties.
327. Beat a dead horse (Also flog a dead horse.)
Meaning- To persist or continue far beyond any purpose, interest or reason.
328. Beat a retreat
Meaning- to leave hastily in the face of opposition.
329. Beat around the bush
Meaning- To treat a topic, without mentioning its main points, often intentionally, because the
topic is difficult or unpleasant.
330. Beat the clock
Meaning- To do something before a deadline.
331. Beat the rap
Meaning- To beat the rap means to evade conviction and punishment for a crime.
332. Beats me (Also it beats me)
Meaning- I don't know; I have no idea.
333. Beef up
Meaning- To strengthen or make something more effective.
334. Before you can say Jack Robinson
Meaning- very quickly.
335. Behind bars
Meaning- in jail or prison.
336. Behind bars
Meaning- To be in prison.
337. Behind closed doors
Meaning- in private; in one's private life.
338. Behind one's back
Meaning- In one's absence
339. Bells and whistles
Meaning- The phrase bells and whistles refers to extra, fancy add-ons or gadgets on something
like a phone, a car or a computer.
340. Below the salt
Meaning- If someone is below the salt they are common or of low standing.
341. Benjamin of the family
Meaning- This refers to the youngest child of the family.
342. Bet your bottom dollar
Meaning-This idiom is used to say that one can be sure about something.
343. Better the devil you know (also better the devil you know than the devil you don't)
Meaning- it is sometimes better to deal with someone or thing you know than to deal with a new
person or thing who could be even worse.
344. Between life and death
Meaning-A situation involving the danger of dying or being killed.
345. Between the devil and the deep blue sea
Meaning-The phrase between the devil and the deep blue sea is an idiom referring to a
dilemma, a choice between two undesirable situations.
346. Big Apple
Meaning-The phrase Big Apple is a nickname for New York City.
347. Big bucks
Meaning- Lots of money.
348. Big deal
Meaning- Something very important, difficult, or of concern.
349. Big fish in a small pond
Meaning- One who has achieved a high rank or is highly esteemed, but only in a small,
relatively unimportant, or little known location or organization.
350. Big girl's blouse
Meaning- The phrase a big girl's blouse is a British and Australian idiomatic expression which
refers to an effeminate or weak man or boy.
351. Big mouth
Meaning- said about someone who tend to say things which are meant to be kept secret.
352. Big wheel
Meaning- A person with a great deal of power or influence, especially a high-ranking person in
an organization.
353. Birthday suit
Meaning- The idiom birthday suit is a slang term for the naked human body.
354. Bite me
Meaning- An expression of discontent, aggravation or anger.
355. Bite the dust
Meaning- The phrase bite the dust has two meanings:
1. To die
2. To break; to fail.
356. Bite your lip
Meaning- to make an effort not to react to something.
357. Bitter pill to swallow (Also swallow a bitter pill)
Meaning-Said about something unpleasant that must be accepted or endured.
358. Black and blue
Meaning- covered in bruises
359. Black out
Meaning- to lose consciousness.
360. Black sheep
Meaning- A disreputable member of a family or a group.
361. Black-and-white
Meaning- said when you have a simplistic opinion about situations while they are in fact more
complicated.
362. Blank cheque
Meaning- This phrase is used to mean that one is given an unlimited freedom of action.
363. Blind date
Meaning- A social meeting where the two people have never met before.
364. Blood is thicker than water
Meaning- family relations are more important than all other relationships.
365. Blow a fuse
Meaning- become uncontrollably angry; lose your temper.
366. Blow a kiss
Meaning- To kiss one's hand, then blow on the hand in a direction towards the recipient.
367. Blow one's own horn (also toot one's own horn)
Meaning- to brag; to talk boastfully.
368. Blue-eyed boy (also fair-haired boy)
Meaning- a person highly regarded by someone and treated with special favour
369. Blue-sky thinking
Meaning- This refers to thinking that is unrealistic. This phrase may also refer to creative ideas
that diverge from current beliefs or ideas.
370. Bobs your uncle
Meaning- Said to mean "No problem", "the solution is simple", "there you have it" (appended to
the end of a description of how to achieve something).
371. Bolt from the blue
Meaning- This refers to a complete surprise; something totally unexpected. In this phrase there
is an allusion to a stroke of lightning from a clear blue sky.
372. Boots on the ground
Meaning- The ground forces actually fighting in a war or conflict at the time of speaking, rather
than troops not engaged or being transported to the fighting.
373. Breathe one's last
Meaning- The phrase breathe one's last means to die.
374. Bright as a button
Meaning- intelligent.
375. Bring a knife to a gunfight (Also, take a knife to a gunfight)
Meaning- To enter into a confrontation or other challenging situation without being adequately
equipped or prepared.
376. Bring home the bacon
Meaning- get a job and bring home money earned from this job.
377. Bring the curtain down
Meaning- To bring the curtain down to something means to bring something to an end.
378. Bring to knees
Meaning- to destroy or defeat someone or something.
379. Bring to the table
Meaning- To bring something to the table means to contribute something to a group effort.
380. Browned off
Meaning- annoyed, upset, angry, bored, fed up, disgusted.
381. Build bridges
Meaning- to improve relationships between people.
382. Burn the midnight oil
Meaning- Work hard, especially late into the night.
383. Butter up
Meaning- To praise or flatter excessively.
384. Button (up) one's lip
Meaning- to stop talking.
385. By the grace of God
Meaning- Through the kindness and help of God.
386. By the name of
Meaning- called.
387. By the numbers
Meaning- If you do something by the numbers, you are doing it in a strict, mechanical way,
without using your imagination or creativity.
388. Call a spade a spade
Meaning- to be truthful about something, even if it is rude or unpleasant.
389. Call it a day
Meaning- to stop working for the rest of the day.
390. Call off the dogs
Meaning- said when you want someone to stop criticizing you.
391. Call on the carpet
Meaning- To reprimand; to censure severely or angrily.
392. Call someone names
Meaning- to call someone by unpleasant, abusive or insulting names.
393. Call the tune
Meaning- to be the one who controls a situation; to have the most power and authority in a
situation
394. Calm before the storm
Meaning- the calm before the storm is an unusual or false quiet period before a period of
upheaval.
395. Carrot and stick
Meaning- an offer involving a reward countered by the threat of punishment.
396. Carry the ball
Meaning- to take charge and control of an activity and be considered reliable enough to do a job.
397. Case in point
Meaning- an example that illustrates a point
398. Case-by-case
Meaning- Separate and distinct from others of the same kind.
399. Cash cow
Meaning- This idiom refers to someone or something that generates a steady return of profits; a
money maker.
400. Castles in the air
Meaning- Plans that are unlikely to happen.
401. Cat burglar
Meaning- A cat burglar refers to a thief who enters a building by skillfully climbing to a building
without attracting notice.
402. Cat got your tongue
Meaning- Why aren't you speaking?
403. Chalk something up to inexperience
Meaning- To attribute a failure to inexperience and learn from that particular experience.
404. Charmed life
Meaning- The phrase "charmed life" refers to a life protected as if by magic charms. It describes
a person who is very lucky and is strangely unaffected by dangers and difficulties.
405. Chase rainbows
Meaning- This idiom is used when someone tries to pursue unrealistic or fanciful goals, things
that are impossible.
406. Chew the cud
Meaning- The idiom chew the cud means to ponder over or meditate about something; to think
carefully Meaning- about something.
407. Chew the fat
Meaning- To waste time talking or to chat idly.
408. Chicken out
Meaning- To refuse to do something because of fear.
409. Chicken-hearted
Meaning- not brave.
410. Chin music
Meaning- talk, conversation
411. Clean as a whistle
Meaning- If someone is as clean as a whistle they are perfectly clean.
412. Clock on
Meaning- To register one's arrival at work
413. Clock out (Also clock off)
Meaning- To register one's departure from work.
414. Cloud nine
Meaning- This idiom is used to mean that you are in a state of extreme happiness.
415. Cog in the machine (also a cog in the wheel)
Meaning- said about one part of a large system or organization
416. Coining it (also coining money)
Meaning- to be earning a lot of money quickly.
417. Cold day in hell
Meaning- This idiom is used to mean that something will never happen.
418. Cold piece of work
Meaning- If someone is a cold piece of work they are difficult to deal with.
419. Come clean
Meaning- to be honest and tell the truth.
420. Come down on somebody like a ton of bricks
Meaning- to hit or punish somebody.
421. Come from behind
Meaning- to win after being in a losing position in a game.
422. Come hell or high water
Meaning- said when you are determined to do something despite difficulties.
423. Come into bloom
Meaning- to blossom, to start to produce flowers.
424. Come of age
Meaning- The phrase come of age means to reach adulthood.
425. Come rain or shine (Also rain or shine)
Meaning- Regardless of the weather or circumstances.
426. Come to blows
Meaning- to have fight or an argument with someone.
427. Come to terms with
Meaning- to gradually accept a sad situation.
428. Come to your attention (also come to your notice)
Meaning- said when you notice something.
429. Come true
Meaning- said when something happens although it was unlikely that it would.
430. Come under fire
Meaning- to be subject of criticism.
431. Common as an old shoe (also (as) common as dirt)
Meaning- low class; unrefined; ill-mannered; uncouth.
432. Company man
Meaning- The phrase company man refers to a worker who is more loyal to his employer than
to his fellow workers.
433. Cool as a cucumber
Meaning- very calm.
434. Cost an arm and a leg (also cost a bomb, the earth, a packeta, a small fortune)
Meaning- extremely expensive.
435. Couch potato
Lazy person.
436. Count one's chickens before they hatch
Meaning- To assume success too early, before it is certain.
437. Cream of the crop
Meaning- The phrase cream of the crop means the best of all.
438. Crime doesn't pay
Meaning- This idiom is used to suggest that crime will ultimately not benefit a person.
439. Cross swords
Meaning- to quarrel or argue with someone; to have a dispute with someone.
440. Crux of the matter
Meaning- The phrase crux of the matter refers to the most important point of an issue. Another
related idiom is heart of the matter
441. Cry wolf
Meaning- to ask for help when there is really no danger.
442. Cupboard love
Meaning- The phrase cupboard love refers to affection that is given purely to gain something
from someone.
443. Curiosity killed the cat
Meaning- Curiosity killed the cat is a proverb used to warn someone not to be too curious about
something and ask too many questions because this can get you into trouble.
444. Curl your lip
Meaning- an upward movement of the side of the mouth to show dislike and disrespect.
445. Cut a rug
Meaning- To dance.
446. Cut your losses
Meaning- This idiom is used to mean that you should do something to avoid losing any more
money.
447. Dad fetch my buttons
Meaning- said to express a surprise.
448. Dance on someone's grave
Meaning- To celebrate a person's death triumphantly.
449. Dance with death
Meaning- try to do something that involves a lot of risks.
450. Darken someone's door
Meaning- To darken someone's door means to be an unwelcome visitor.
451. Dead and buried
Meaning- No longer in use or under consideration, irrelevant, forgotten.
452. Dead duck
Meaning- said about someone or something that is is doomed to failure or death.
453. Dead loss
Meaning- something described as a dead loss is absolutely unsuccessful or useless (a complete
failure)
454. Dead meat
Meaning- Someone in danger of death or severe punishment.
455. Dead right
Meaning- If someone is dead right, it means that they are absolutely correct.
456. Dead to the world
Meaning- Said about someone who is sound asleep or unconscious.
457. Dead wood
Meaning- Workers no longer contributing to an organization.
458. Devil finds work for idle hands to do
Meaning- People are inclined to do frivolous or harmful things to get rid of their boredom when
they don't do anything useful.
459. Devil-may-care
Meaning- careless, reckless or defiant.
460. Dice with death
Meaning- To do something which is very risky, or dangerous, and could even cause one's death.
461. Dime a dozen
Meaning- Said about anything that is common, inexpensive, and easy to get or available
anywhere.
462. Dip your toe in the water (also dip a toe in the water)
Meaning- said when you start something carefully because you are not sure whether it will work
or not.
463. Dirty work (also do the dirty work)
Meaning- unpleasant work or dishonest action.
464. Do the dirty work
Meaning- The phrase do the dirty work means to do the disagreeable, illegal or dishonest
things.
465. Do the trick
Meaning- said about something that works.
466. Dog's life
Meaning- a miserable, unhappy existence.
467. Dog-eat-dog
Meaning- said about a world where people do anything to be successful.
468. Dogs are barking
Meaning- If your dogs are barking, this means that your feet are hurting.
469. Dollars to donuts
Meaning- This idiomatic expression is used to suggest that something is very likely to be true or
that one is certain about something.
470. Don't get me wrong
Meaning- an expression said when you fear someone does not understand what you say.
471. Done to death
Meaning- if something is done to death, it is used or discussed so many times that it has become
boring.
472. Doormat
Meaning- The phrase To be a doormat or to be treated like a doormat describes a weak person
who is abused by others and submits to domination.
473. Double-edged sword
A benefit that carries some significant but non-obvious cost or risk.
474. Drag one's feet
Meaning- To procrastinate, put off; to dawdle, avoid, or make progress slowly and reluctantly.
475. Draw fire
Meaning- If you draw fire, you attract hostile criticism.
476. Draw in one's horns (also pull in one's horns)
Meaning- to become less impassioned, aggressive, or argumentative; to back down from a fight;
to yield or capitulate.
477. Draw the curtain on / over
Meaning- To draw the curtain on or over something means to bring it to an end.
478. Draw the shortest straw
Meaning- To be selected to do an undesirable task (by drawing the shortest straw or otherwise).
479. Dressed up to the nines
Meaning- when someone is dressed up to the nines, they are wearing fashionable or formal
clothes for a special occasion.
480. Drink like a fish
Meaning- to drink alcohol excessively.
481. Drive a hard bargain
Meaning- Negotiate forcefully.
482. Drive someone up the wall
Meaning- To irritate or annoy someone; to make a person very angry or bored; to infuriate.
483. Drop a bombshell
Meaning- The phrase drop a bombshell refers to an alarming and unexpected announcement.
484. Drop a dime
Meaning- to drop a dime means to make a phone call, usually calling the police to inform on or
betray someone.
485. Drop in the bucket
Meaning- Something so strong that it doesn't count or doesn't have any importance or
significance.
486. Drop the subject
Meaning- to stop discussing a subject.
487. Easy come, easy go
Meaning- said about something which is easily won or obtained and then soon spent or lost.
488. Easy on the ear
Meaning- something (music, voice...) Pleasant to listen to.
489. Easy on the eye
Meaning- attractive, pleasant to look at.
490. Eat humble pie (also eat humble crow)
Meaning- said when you admit that you were wrong.
491. Every cloud has a silver lining
Meaning- This expression is used to say that there is always something good even in an
unpleasant, difficult or even painful situation.
492. Every dog has its day
Meaning- everyone has a time of success and satisfaction.
493. Every man has his price
Meaning- The phrase every man has his price means that everyone can be bribed if you know
how much or what to bribe him or her with.
494. Every man jack
Meaning- The phrase every man jack means every person without exception.
495. Every minute
Meaning- describing the whole period that something lasted.
496. Every Tom, Dick and Harry
Meaning- said about something that is common knowledge to everybody.
497. Every trick in the book
Meaning- said when you try every possible way to achieve something.
498. Everybody and his cousin
Meaning- everybody; a huge crowd; too many people
499. Everything but the kitchen sink
Meaning- Almost everything, whether needed or not.
500. Expectant mother
Meaning- a pregnant woman.