E N T E R

# EXPRESSION MEANING
1 A bad apple Someone who might corrupt the entire group
2 A baker's dozen Thirteen, or one more than an actual dozen
3 A ballpark figure An approximate figure
4 A bat out of hell To describe someone or something moving very fast
5 A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush It's better to have what you already have than to risk losing it for something better
6 A bit of a disaster Means something that is unsuccessful or disappointing, but not entirely catastrophic
7 A blessing in disguise A good thing that seemed bad at first
8 A bolt from the blue Something completely unexpected that surprises you
9 A bone to pick A reason why one is upset
10 A breath of fresh air A person who is different from others in a very positive way
11 A bunch of A group of something
12 A cheapskate Someone who is tight with money
13 A chip on your shoulder You have a grievance of some kind or an attitude that you won't let go of
14 A cut above the rest To be better than other people or things
15 A day late and a dollar short Too little and too late
16 A dime a dozen Something very plentiful, common, and therefore, inexpensive.
17 A doozy Something incredible, usually in a negative way
18 A doubting thomas Someone who has a very skeptical attitude and who requires strong evidence to believe something
19 A far cry from something Something that has a great many differences from something else
20 A fifth wheel Something that is useless or unnecessary
21 A flash in the pan Something that seems promising at first but ultimately doesn't deliver anything
22 A fool and his money are easily parted It's easy to convince a foolish person to give you their money for something silly
23 A for effort Made an excellent effort (but perhaps didn't succeed)
24 A fork in the road A situation in which you must choose one path or another
25 A good samaritan A person who helps others in need
26 A hand-me-down A piece of clothing that belonged to an older brother/sister and is passed to a younger brother/sister
27 A hang-up Something, perhaps irrational, that consistently worries you
28 A hard nut to crack Someone who is difficult to get to know or understand, or someone who is tricky to deal with
29 A hot potato An issue, probably from current events, that is causing a lot of discussion and controversy
30 A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Everything in life starts with a simple, yet vital, first step
31 A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step Means that even the most ambitious or challenging goal can be achieved by taking the first, seemingly small, action
32 A kickback A bribe or other illegal payment of money, usually offered to get someone to do something
33 A little bird told me A person (possibly someone recognized by both participants in the conversation) who imparted the information in question
34 A little bit To a small extent or a small amount
35 A little goes a long way Means a small amount of something can have a big impact or be enough
36 A little learning is a dangerous thing People who don't understand something fully are dangerous
37 A little porky Means to tell a lie or make a false statement
38 A match made in heaven Means two people are perfectly suited for each other, implying that their relationship is divinely ordained or simply a perfect fit, like something orchestrated in heaven itself
39 A memory like a sieve An inadequate memory
40 A memory like a steel trap Someone has an exceptionally sharp and reliable memory, where information is easily retained and recalled, just like a steel trap securely catches its prey
41 A pain in the neck Refers to a person who is annoying
42 A penny for your thoughts Tell me what you're thinking
43 A penny saved is a penny earned Money you save today you can spend later
44 A picture is worth a thousand words Better to show than tell
45 A piece of the pie To get a share or portion of something, usually referring to profits or benefits
46 A quart low Seeming confused; not thinking well
47 A ray of sunshine Someone who is always cheerful and makes other people feel more positive
48 A rip-off Something that costs too much for what it is really worth
49 A rising tide lifts all boats It is associated with economic growth, wealth, and prosperity
50 A screw loose To be crazy
51 A screwup A mistake
52 A shoo-in Means someone or something that is a guaranteed winner or is certain to succeed
53 A sledgehammer to crack a nut Using a disproportionate (and probably ineffective) solution for a problem
54 A smart cookie A clever and quick-thinking person
55 A snafu Utter confusion or chaos
56 A sniffle turned into a full-blown cold Something small turned into something big
57 A snowball effect A series of events gain momentum and build upon one another, leading to a more impactful outcome
58 A stitch in time saves nine Fix the problem now because it will get worse later
59 A stone's throw Very close by
60 A storm in a teacup A big fuss about a small problem
61 A storm is brewing There is likely to be significant trouble in the near future
62 A surefire way An approach that will definitely lead to something happening
63 A sweet tooth To love sweet foods and flavors
64 A third wheel Something that is not wanted or needed in a situation
65 A toss-up Something that is difficult to decide
66 A watched pot never boils Means time seems to pass much more slowly when you are anxiously waiting for something to happen, making the event feel like it takes forever
67 Absent-minded Gives the impression of not being aware of what is happening in the present moment
68 Ace in the hole A hidden, but very effective, method for winning a conflict
69 Ace up the sleeve A hidden advantage in a competition
70 Achilles heel A major weakness
71 Achilles' heel A significant weakness and/or reason for potential downfall
72 Acid test An important or critical test of something
73 Across the board In every area and/or in every way
74 Act all high and mighty Thinking or acting as though one is more important than others
75 Actions speak louder than words Believe what people do and not what they say
76 Add insult to injury To make a bad situation, worse
77 Adding fuel to the fire To make a situation worse
78 Adding insult to injury Means to act in a way that makes a bad or displeasing situation worse
79 Against the clock Rushed
80 Ahead of schedule To finish something earlier than the schedule requires
81 All bark and no bite Seems more intimidating than he actually is
82 All bets are off Any existing agreements are discarded
83 All eyes on me Means that everyone is paying attention to you
84 All greek to me I don't understand it
85 All gussied up Dressed in fancy clothes
86 All hands on deck Means that there is a crisis that needs everyone to help out
87 All hat, no cattle All talk, no action or substance
88 All heart To be very kind and loving to others
89 All in the same boat All in the same situation
90 All kidding aside I was joking before, but now i'm going to speak seriously
91 All over the map Something that doesn't stay on target with the primary topic or purpose
92 All set Ready to go or proceed
93 All that glitters is not gold Something may not be as valuable or good as it first appears
94 All the boxes are checked Means that all the necessary requirements or criteria have been met or fulfilled, often in a checklist or list-like context
95 All the gear, no idea Someone who has the necessary tools for a task but lacks the skills or knowledge to use them effectively
96 All the rage Means something is currently very popular, fashionable, or a widespread trend
97 All the time in the world Means that there is plenty of time to accomplish something or to take things at a leisurely pace
98 All thumbs Clumsy, especially with intricate tasks that require a lot of dexterity
99 All thumbs up To be in complete agreement or approval of something
100 All wet To be wrong to the extent of being unbelievable or just silly
101 Almost to the finish line Means that someone is very close to completing a task, project, or goal
102 Along for the ride To be present when something is happening, without actually participating in it
103 Always a bridesmaid, never a bride Being consistently overshadowed by competitors
104 An about-face A sudden change, usually in the opposite direction
105 An albatross around my neck An encumbrance or significant burden
106 An arm and a leg Something that is very expensive
107 An old head on young shoulders Someone who seems to have more perception and wisdom than most other people the same age
108 An old soul Someone who seems to have more emotional insight and wisdom than other people the same age
109 An open book Someone who is extremely open about themselves
110 An ounce of common sense is worth a pound of theory A small amount of practical, everyday understanding is more valuable than a large amount of theoretical knowledge
111 An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure Its better to prevent a problem with little effort then to fix it later which is normally harder
112 And bob's your uncle Said after explaining how to do something, to emphasize how easy it is
113 Ants in your pants You can't sit still
114 Anything but Means not at all
115 Apple a day will keep the doctor away Eat right to stay healthy
116 Apple of my eye To be cherished or adored by someone else
117 Apply some elbow grease Put some physical effort into what you're doing
118 Armchair quarterback A person who offers opinions and advice but shows no evidence that they actually have any necessary knowledge or skill
119 Armed to the teeth To be heavily armed
120 Around-the-clock At every time of day and night
121 As busy as a bee Very busy
122 As easy as abc Very simple and easy
123 As easy as pie Very simple and easy
124 As genuine as a three-dollar bill Fake, as three-dollar bills do not exist
125 As happy as a clam Happy and content
126 As i live and breathe Used to emphasize the truth of a statement
127 As quiet as a mouse Very quiet and reserved
128 As rare as hen's teeth Extremely rare or non-existent
129 As right as rain Something is perfect
130 As the crow flies Either in a straight line or directly, without the use of roads
131 As white as a ghost Extremely pale, so much so that it causes concern
132 As white as a sheet Extremely pale, so much so that it causes concern
133 At a standstill Means a situation where all movement or activity has stopped, or no progress is being made
134 At best In the best-case scenario
135 At hand Available (used for objects, not people)
136 At least At a minimum
137 At my wits' end Getting extremely frustrated and close to becoming angry
138 At one's fingertips Easily recalled or available
139 At sea Confused
140 At the 11th hour At the last moment
141 At the bottom of the totem pole Having a low-status position, especially at work
142 At the crack of dawn Extremely early in the morning
143 At the drop of a hat Do something without having planned beforehand
144 At the end of your rope Reached the limit of endurance and/or patience with something or someone
145 At-large At liberty when one shouldn't be
146 Avoid at all costs Means to completely prevent something from happening, no matter what the difficulty or sacrifice involved; it emphasizes that something should be completely avoided under any circumstances
147 Baby boomer Someone born during the years following world war ii
148 Back against the wall Means to be in a difficult situation with no easy way out
149 Back to basics To go back to thinking about the basic elements of something
150 Back to square one Back to the beginning of an endeavor
151 Back to the drawing board After experiencing failure, it's time to start a task over from scratch
152 Backfile Refers to a collection of documents that are no longer in use or are in a different format than digital
153 Backfire Means to have an opposite result from what was intended
154 Backhanded compliment A compliment that is really meant as an insult
155 Backseat driver A passenger who tries to interfere with the driver's driving
156 Bad blood Ill or negative feelings
157 Bad egg A person who causes trouble or is dishonest
158 Bad hair day Hair is not looking as good as one would like
159 Bag and baggage To indicate the entirety of someone’s belongings
160 Ball and chain Something that limits one's freedom or ability to do things
161 Ball is in your court It refers to the fact that it’s time for action now
162 Ball's in your court It's your turn to act or respond
163 Ballpark figure A rough numerical estimate
164 Bamboozle Means to fool or cheat
165 Band-aid on a bullet wound Trying to deal with a serious situation in a negligent way
166 Bang for the buck The worth of one's money or exertion
167 Bang for your buck Get the most benefit possible out of the money you spend
168 Bank on it Means to rely on or depend on something happening or someone doing something with confidence. it implies a strong expectation or belief that something will occur as planned
169 Bare bones A very basic model or version, with no extras or add-ons
170 Bare bones and all To give everything you got
171 Barking up the wrong tree To search for solutions in the wrong places
172 Basket case A person or thing regarded as useless or unable to cope.
173 Bats in the belfry Someone is behaving in an eccentric or less than sane manner
174 Batten down the hatches Means to prepare for a difficulty or crisis
175 Batting a thousand To accomplish a task perfectly
176 Be at a loss Uncertain what to do; bewildered
177 Be glad to see the back of Happy when someone leaves
178 Be in a tight corner Being in a difficult situation
179 Be my guest Go ahead and do it
180 Be the best version of yourself Means to actively strive to improve your character, abilities, and overall self by identifying your strengths and weaknesses
181 Bear a grudge To continue to feel angry or unfriendly toward someone or something because of a particular past incident
182 Bear in mind Remember something, while thinking about something else
183 Beat a hasty retreat To leave really quickly, especially to flee a difficult situation
184 Beat around the bush Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable
185 Beat someone to the draw You do something before someone else manages to
186 Beat someone to the punch To accomplish something before someone else does
187 Beat something into someone's head To teach someone something by repeating it
188 Beat the bushes To search thoroughly
189 Beat you to the draw To do something before someone else manages to
190 Beating a dead horse Continuing to talk about a subject that is now useless to discuss
191 Beating around the bush Trying to avoid a topic
192 Bed head Hair that is messy after sleeping on it
193 Bed of roses A blissfully happy and comfortable situation
194 Bee’s knees The very best
195 Beef up To strengthen something
196 Before the cows come home Means for a very long time, or indefinitely. it's often used to describe activities that are unproductive or futile
197 Before you know it Almost immediately
198 Beg to differ To disagree
199 Beggars can’t be choosy Means people who need something should be satisfied with what they get even if it is not exactly what they wanted
200 Behind one’s back To do something to someone without them knowing
201 Behind someone's back Without someone knowing
202 Behind the eight ball To be in a difficult or unfavorable position
203 Behind the scenes Something that happens in private
204 Being stonewalled Means when one person becoming unresponsive, withdrawing, and emotionally disengaging during a conflict or conversation, often giving the silent treatment or avoiding eye contact
205 Below the belt To pass a disrespectful, insulting or unethical comment
206 Below the salt Common, vulgar, or of low standing
207 Belt and suspenders Exercising caution and avoiding of risks
208 Bend over backward Try extremely hard to do something, usually to help someone with a specific issue
209 Bend th rules Means to make an exception to a rule or to not strictly adhere to it, often in a way that is considered minor or not harmfu
210 Bent out of shape Annoyed and upset
211 Bermuda triangle Is a loosely defined area in the north atlantic ocean where ships and planes have reportedly disappeared
212 Beside oneself Very troubled or anxious and distraught
213 Beside the point Irrelevant
214 Beside yourself with joy To be extremely happy or filled with joy
215 Best of both worlds All the advantages of two different situations and none of the disadvantages
216 Best wishes Used to express hope for another person's happiness, success, health
217 Bestie Best friend
218 Besties Best friends
219 Bet the ranch To risk everything on an endeavor that you believe will be successful
220 Better half Refers to a person's spouse or significant other, essentially meaning the person you consider to be the most important or "better" part of your life
221 Better late than never Better to arrive late than not to come at all
222 Better to ask for forgiveness Means that it is often preferable to take action without explicit permission first, and then apologize later if necessary, rather than to ask for permission beforehand and potentially miss an opportunity
223 Between the devil and the deep blue sea Having to deal with the reality of two difficult possible outcomes for the same situation
224 Beware the ides of march Sometimes used as a warning for upcoming events
225 Beyond the call of duty To exceed expectations; to perform extra work that wasn't required by one's responsibilities
226 Beyond the pale Outside of the limits of socially or morally acceptable behavior
227 Big cheese A very important person, especially the most important person in an organization
228 Big deal Something is important
229 Big fish in a small pond Someone who seems more significant than they are because they live in a small or relatively insignificant community
230 Big shot A powerful person
231 Big wheel An influential, powerful, and important person
232 Bigwig A powerful person with a high position in a corporate structure
233 Bird's-eye view A broad and expansive view of a place or something
234 Birds of a feather People who are similar in character
235 Birds of a feather flock together People who are alike are often friends (usually used negatively)
236 Bite off more than you can chew To take on more responsibilities or challenges than you can handle
237 Bite someone's head off To criticize someone strongly
238 Bite someone's nose off To respond to someone in a very angry or aggressive manner
239 Bite the bullet To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage
240 Bite the dust To fail or suffer a defeat
241 Bite your tongue To stop talking
242 Black and blue To be bruised
243 Black sheep A member of a family or group who is regarded as a disgrace to it
244 Black-and-white To think in an extreme way; everything is either completely right or entirely wrong
245 Blackout Faint
246 Blind date Means a social gathering between two people who have not previously met
247 Bloodsucker A person who unfairly takes or uses things that other people worked for
248 Blow off steam To express anger or frustration
249 Blow this joint Means let's leave
250 Blown away Very impressed
251 Blue blood A blue blood is an aristocrat. blue bloods come from privileged, noble families that are wealthy and powerful
252 Blue in the face To be exhausted due to strain or anger
253 Blue-collar job A job that involves manual labor
254 Boil the ocean Undertaking an impossible task or making a task unnecessarily difficult
255 Bolt from the blue Something that happened without warning
256 Bone and all Signifies the idea of accepting someone completely, including their flaws and vulnerabilities
257 Born with a silver spoon in his mouth Means that his family is very wealthy, and he is likely to lead a privileged life
258 Bought the farm To die unexpectedly
259 Bounce off the walls To be extremely excited and energetic
260 Bowl of cherries A blissfully happy and comfortable situation
261 Bread and butter A person’s main source of income
262 Break a leg A wish for good luck, often used in the theater world
263 Break even Means to reach a point where expenses and income are equal, resulting in neither a profit nor a loss
264 Break new ground To do something innovative that is regarded as an advance or of positive benefit
265 Break someone’s bubble To do or say something that proves someone else’s beliefs are not true
266 Break the bank To spend a lot of money or exceed one’s budget
267 Break the ice To start a conversation by making people feel more comfortable
268 Breath of fresh air Something that is new and refreshing
269 Bring home the bacon To earn a living or provide financial support for a family
270 Bring it home Means a successful completion, a deeper understanding, or securing a win
271 Broke even Means to have neither a profit nor a loss, meaning expenses and income are equal, and there is no gain or loss
272 Broke the bank To deplete all available funds; to spend more than expected or affordable
273 Buck stops here I have the final responsibility
274 Bug off Leave me alone
275 Bull in a china shop A person who breaks things or who often makes mistakes or causes damage in situations that require careful thinking or behavior
276 Bun in the oven She is pregnant
277 Bundle of nerves Very nervous or anxious about something
278 Burn bridges To Do something to spoil relationships
279 Burn it all down Means to express extreme frustration or a desire for radical change
280 Burning daylight Means to waste time, especially during the daylight hours
281 Burning the candle at both ends To work from early in the morning until late at night
282 Burning the midnight oil Working late into the night
283 Bury one's head in the sand To ignore something completely
284 Bury the hatchet Ending a quarrel to make peace
285 Busy as a bee Very active
286 Butter up To flatter or praise someone to get their help or support
287 Butterfingers Is a humorous way to describe someone who is clumsy and often drops things
288 Butterflies in your stomach Means to feel nervous or excited, especially before a performance or event
289 By the skin of your teeth To do something with little chance of success
290 Caesar's wife Means that someone in a position of power, particularly a public figure, must be above suspicion
291 Calculated risk Is a chance of failure that's been estimated before taking action
292 Call a spade a spade Identifying what something, or someone, really is
293 Call it a day To stop working on something
294 Call it a night Halt your evening or nighttime activities
295 Call the shots To make the decisions; to decide what will be done
296 Call their bluff To try to force someone to show that they are lying
297 Calm before the storm Something bad is coming, but right now it's calm
298 Calm someone down To help make someone calm
299 Can't hold a candle to something or someone Cannot compete
300 Can't judge a book by its cover You shouldn't attempt to judge someone or something just by how it looks
301 Can't keep up Cannot stay at the same level of achievement
302 Can't put a face to the name When you hear a name you recognize but you cannot remember what the person looks like
303 Can't see the forest for the trees Unable to fully see or understand the whole situation because one is distracted or overwhelmed by the details
304 Canary in the mine Refers to something that acts as an early warning of potential danger or failure
305 Can’t take a hint Means someone doesn't understand or act on an indirect suggestion
306 Card sharp or card shark Someone who makes money from cheating at cards
307 Carry a torch To feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for
308 Carry the ball To take on greater responsibility in order to help ensure a project continues
309 Cash cow A consistent and reliable source of income or profits
310 Cast pearls before swine To display fine attributes to people incapable of appreciating them
311 Cast-iron stomach A stomach that never seems to get upset, regardless of what one eats
312 Castle in the sky A hope or daydream for the future that will probably never come true
313 Cat got your tongue? Expression used to ask someone why they are not speaking or are unusually quiet
314 Cat has nine lives Cats possess a high level of resilience and the ability to survive against the odds
315 Cat nap Take a short nap
316 Cattywampus Crooked or confused
317 Caught between a rock and a hard place To face a difficult decision with no easy solution
318 Caught red-handed To be caught in the act of doing something wrong
319 Change hands For an object to be passed or sold from one owner to another
320 Change of heart To change your opinion about something
321 Changed my mind Means that you have decided to do something different than what you originally planned or thought
322 Chase adventure Go out and do something interesting
323 Chasing your tail Spending time and energy but achieving nothing; going around in circles
324 Chatterbox Someone who talks constantly
325 Chatty cathy To describe someone who talks a lot
326 Cheap shot To take advantage of someone when they are down
327 Check is in the mail A common excuse used by debtors to put off creditors
328 Cherry on top A desirable feature perceived as the finishing touch to something that is already very good
329 Chew the fat To chat or gossip
330 Chickens come home to roost Means that the consequences of one's past actions, especially negative ones, will eventually return to affect them
331 Choke point A narrowing that reduces the flow through a channel
332 Chop, chop Get back to work
333 Circle back Means to return to a topic or conversation at a later time, often after some delay or after addressing other matters
334 Clean as a baby bottom Means something is extremely clean, often used to describe something that is very smooth and spotless, like a baby's bottom after being changed
335 Clean as a whistle Something/someone who is free from dirt
336 Clean bill of health A person or a system or organisation has been examined and found in good condition, without facing any significant problems or issues
337 Clean sweep Winning without facing any defeats
338 Clean-cut Having a neat appearance that suggests you are someone who does not break rules or cause trouble
339 Clear as mud Very confusing
340 Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades Means that close doesn't count; a close loss is still a loss
341 Close, but no cigar Nearly achieving a goal but ultimately falling short
342 Close-fisted To be mean
343 Closer to the bone Means something said or written is very close to the truth, often to the point of being potentially offensive or uncomfortable for the person it is about; essentially, it implies a very candid, almost blunt honesty
344 Coast is clear Means there is no danger of being observed or caught
345 Cold hands warm heart Means someone has a kind and loving personality, even though their hands are usually cold
346 Cold turkey To suddenly stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior
347 Come clean Be completely honest; keep nothing hidden
348 Come hell or high water Something will be done no matter what obstacles or difficulties arise
349 Come into your own Means to reach a desired level of accomplishment
350 Come rain or shine No matter what
351 Come to grips with it Means to begin to understand or deal with a problem or situation in a direct or effective wa
352 Come to one's senses Start to think and behave reasonably after a period of foolishness or irrationality
353 Come to your senses To begin to think in a sensible or correct way after being foolish or wrong
354 Comes with the territory Something is an expected result of a situation or position
355 Coming of age Is a young person's transition from being a child to being an adult
356 Coming out guns blazing Means to approach something with a lot of force, energy, and determination, often in a forceful or aggressive manner
357 Common courtesy The level of politeness that people can generally be expected to show
358 Common decency A set of ethical and moral behaviors that are guided by fairness, respect, and empathy
359 Common ground Shared interests, beliefs, or opinions between two people or groups of people who disagree about most other subjects
360 Common law A body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts
361 Common law wife A woman who is considered to be married to a man without having gone through a formal marriage ceremony
362 Common sense The ability to think and behave in a reasonable way and to make good decisions
363 Comparing apples to oranges Comparing two things that cannot be compared
364 Compromising position Refers to a situation where someone is caught in a suggestive or potentially embarrassing act, often implying infidelity or inappropriate behavior
365 Cookie cutter The same approach or style is always used and not enough attention is paid to individual differences
366 Cool as a cucumber To remain calm and composed
367 Cool it Calm down
368 Cooler heads prevail Means that in a tense situation, the influence or ideas of calmer and more reasonable people will ultimately win out
369 Copycat Person who copies another's behavior, dress, or ideas
370 Cost an arm and a leg Something that is very expensive
371 Costs an arm and a leg To describe something that is very expensive
372 Couch potato To be lazy
373 Count your blessings To make a special effort to appreciate the good things in one's life
374 Crack a window Open a window slightly
375 Cram To study frantically before a test
376 Crazy like a fox Pretty clever
377 Cream of the crop The best or choicest of anything
378 Crush on someone Means to have a strong, often romantic, attraction or liking for someone
379 Cry for the moon To ask for something that is rather difficult
380 Cry over spilled milk To feel sorry over something that has already happened, even though it’s not helpful
381 Curiosity killed the cat Stop asking questions
382 Curving Means to reject or ignore someone who is trying to initiate a romantic or physical relationship by delaying responses to messages or giving lame excuses for not agreeing to meet
383 Cut class To be deliberately absent from class
384 Cut no ice Fail to make an impact
385 Cut somebody some slack Don't be so critical
386 Cut the mustard You meet expectations and are performing adequately
387 Cut to the chase Getting to the important point
388 Cutting corners Doing something poorly in order to save time or money
389 Damn someone with faint praise To criticize someone in a way that seems to be praise but actually communicates disapproval or condemnation
390 Dark horse A previously unknown person who becomes prominent or known for something
391 Davy jones's locker The bottom of the sea, especially the grave of those who die at sea
392 Dawned on me To suddenly realize or recognize something
393 Days are numbered Someone or something is nearing the end of their existence, and will not last much longer
394 Dead as a doornail Completely dead or quiet
395 Dead from the neck up Unintelligent or stupid
396 Dead in the water No longer effective
397 Dead quiet Extremely quiet
398 Dead ringer A duplicate or double, something that looks just like another
399 Dead tired Extremely tired
400 Dead to the world In a deep sleep
401 Dead-end job A job that doesn't seem to have any opportunities for advancement
402 Death and taxes Something is inevitable or certain to happen
403 Deep down How you really feel inside, even if you don't realize it
404 Devil is in the details Something that seems to be good only from a distance
405 Devil quoting the bible Good things being twisted for selfish and evil purposes
406 Diamond in the rough A person who is generally of good character but lacks manners, education, or style
407 Dig two graves Means that if you seek revenge against someone, you are essentially digging a grave for yourself as well
408 Ding-it! Expression of complete frustration and anger; usually accompanied by flying hammers
409 Dire straits To be in a very bad or difficult situation
410 Do it ASAP Do it as soon as possible
411 Do unto others as you would have them do unto you Treat people fairly; also known as "the golden rule"
412 Do you come here often A common phrase for initiating conversation with a stranger, especially one for seeking romantic involvement
413 Dodge a bullet Means to narrowly escape a dangerous or unpleasant situation, essentially avoiding something bad that could have happened to you
414 Doing a 180 Means to make a complete about-face or change one's mind or direction, often in a sudden or dramatic way
415 Don't beat a dead horse To continue to talk about something that is now useless to discuss
416 Don't bite the hand that feeds you Don't act against someone who is supporting you
417 Don't count on it You should not expect something to happen or rely on it
418 Don't count your chickens before they hatch Don't count on something good happening until it's happened
419 Don't cry over spilled milk There's no reason to complain about something that can't be fixed
420 Don't give up your day job You're not very good at this
421 Don't judge a book by its cover This person or thing may look bad, but it's good inside
422 Don't jump to conclusions Means to form an opinion or make a decision without having all the facts, essentially reaching a conclusion too quickly based on limited information; it implies making a hasty judgment without considering all possible explanations
423 Don't let the inmates run the asylum Those who are in charge should make the decisions rather than those in subordinate rolls
424 Don't let your guard down Means to remain alert and cautious, not relaxing or becoming complacent, even when you feel safe, as it could lead to potential danger or negative consequences; essentially, stay on your toes and be prepared for anything
425 Don't look a gift horse in the mouth To find fault with something that has been received as a gift or favor
426 Don't make waves Don't cause problems
427 Don't mention it You're welcome
428 Don't put all your eggs in one basket What you're doing is too risky
429 Don't s--t on your own doorstep Don't sleep with your housemate or workmate
430 Don't spit on me and tell me its raining Don't lie to me
431 Don't sweat the small stuff Don't be concerned about trivial matters
432 Don't throw out the baby with bath water To be careful not to discard something valuable while trying to get rid of something unwanted
433 Don’t be a stranger Means you should stay in touch with someone, or visit them again soon, especially when they are leaving a place or situation
434 Don’t burst my balloon Means to don't spoil my excitement or optimism, or ruin my plans/dreams
435 Don’t count your chickens before they hatch Don’t depend on something before it happens
436 Don’t give up a day’s job You are not very good at something or you could not do it professionally
437 Don’t jump the gun Means to act too soon or before the right time
438 Don’t let the door hit you on the way out Means to tell someone to get out in a rude or dismissive way, indicating that their departure is desired and you are not sorry to see them go
439 Don’t throw out the baby out with the bath water Means to be careful not to discard something valuable while getting rid of something unwanted
440 Done and dusted Successfully finished; completely finished
441 Dot your i's and cross your t’s Means to be very meticulous and pay close attention to every detail, ensuring nothing is overlooked
442 Double down Means to continue to do something in an even more determined way than before
443 Down for the count Tired; giving up
444 Down to the wire Completing or finishing something with no extra time remaining
445 Drag your feet Slow down intentionally to delay the outcome
446 Draw the line To stop before a point where something okay gets not okay
447 Dressed to the nines Wearing stylish or elegant clothing
448 Drive me up the wall To make one very nervous, upset, or annoyed
449 Drop the ball To make a mistake or fail to do something
450 Drown your sorrows Means to drink alcohol in order to forget something sad or upsetting that has happened
451 Drum up some support Means to make an effort to obtain or increase support for something, often through active solicitation or canvassing
452 Duck test For application of common sense and/or intuition regardless of technical parameters
453 Eager beaver Someone who is very eager or excited to do something
454 Eagle eye Close or careful watch on something
455 Earworm Thinking about a song or lyrics from a song over and over
456 Easier said than done Not as easy as it appears to be
457 Easy come, easy go You get something easily and you lose it easily
458 Easy does it Slow down
459 Eat crow To admit that you were mistaken about something
460 Eat like a bird To eat very little
461 Eat like a horse To eat a lot and have a big appetite
462 Eating crow Admitting that you are wrong after taking a strong position
463 Eating humble pie Admitting that you are wrong after taking a strong position
464 Egg on your face Look foolish; be publicly embarrassed by something you did
465 Eight hundred pound gorilla An entity so powerful that it can act without regard to the rights of others or the law
466 Elephant in the room The big issue; the problem people are avoiding
467 End of time Means "forever" or "always", essentially signifying something that will last indefinitely
468 Even stephen Means having no balance of debt, an equal chance or score, or being exactly equal, like a tied game or a fair exchange
469 Every cloud has a silver lining Good things come after bad things
470 Every dog has his day Everyone gets a chance at least once
471 Everything from A to Z Everything from start to finish; the complete event
472 Everything from soup to nuts Everything from start to finish; the complete event
473 Everything happens for a reason Means that events and experiences, even difficult ones, are not random but have a purpose or underlying cause, often implying a higher, predetermined plan or meaning
474 Everything is coming up roses Things are turning out well or better than expected
475 Everything is looking up Things are turning out better than in the recent past
476 Experience something first-hand To experience something yourself
477 Eye for an eye If someone harms you, you should harm them back in the same way
478 Eyes too big for (or bigger than) your stomach You took more food on your plate than you can eat
479 Face a conundrum Means to encounter a difficult problem or puzzle
480 Face only a mother could love Means they are ugly by the person's standards
481 Face the music Face the consequences of something you have done
482 Factor out To isolate a common factor from an expression
483 Fair and square To be done fairly and correctly
484 Fair to middling Average in quality
485 Fair-weather friend A person who only acts like a friend when things are going well and they can benefit in some way
486 Fairy Godmother Someone who helps others with their problems, sometimes providing financial assistance
487 Fall by the wayside Something that comes to be ignored
488 Fall in love Means to develop romantic feelings for someone or something
489 Fall off the wagon To fail to stick to a determination to do something
490 Fall on deaf ears Advice is ignored by the people who need to hear it
491 False flag A harmful action that is designed to make it look like someone else is responsible
492 False light A legal term that refers to a misleading or false portrayal of someone in public
493 Familiarity breeds contempt The better you know someone the less you like him
494 Fancy pants Very fancy and maybe ostentatious
495 Fashion victim Someone who is obsessed with fashion, probably to the point where they go overboard and end up looking worse
496 Fat cat A wealthy, but usually very lazy, person
497 Fatal attraction A psychological phenomenon where the qualities that initially attract people to each other in a relationship eventually lead to the relationship's end
498 Father knows best Means that a father is the authority figure who provides guidance and advice for his family
499 Feather in one's cap Something one is proud of
500 Feather in your cap Means an achievement or honor that someone can be proud of
501 Feather one's nest To gather up resources to ensure future comfort
502 Feed a cold, starve a fever Eating more will cure the common cold, and eating less will cure a fever
503 Feeding frenzy To eat a large amount of food
504 Feel like a fifth wheel Not needed or wanted in the situation, not valued
505 Feel like a million dollars To feel extremely good
506 Feel like death warmed over To feel or look extremely tired and drained
507 Feel the pinch To feel the effects of a lack of money or other resources
508 Feeling blue Feeling sad or depressed
509 Fell on its head Means something was poorly executed or had a negative outcome
510 Fender bender A minor car accident
511 Few cards short of a deck The man often does very strange things
512 Field day An enjoyable circumstance or day
513 Fifteen minutes of fame To enjoy an extremely short period of fame or recognition of some sort
514 Fight an uphill battle To deal with a difficult situation that becomes harder as you go
515 Fight tooth and nail To fight hard and determinedly
516 Fill in the blanks To guess the content of missing information
517 Filthy rich Extremely wealthy
518 Find your feet Adjust and become accustomed to new circumstances or expectations
519 Finger lickin' good Delicious food (very informal)
520 First to cry foul Which means to be the first person to express a complaint or protest about something, often implying that the complaint might be exaggerated or unnecessary
521 Fish out of water To be in an environment that you're not used to or that you don't readily fit into
522 Fishy Seems suspicious
523 Fit as a fiddle To be in good health
524 Fit to be tied Extremely angry
525 Fits and starts Very brief bursts of motion
526 Five o'clock shadow The signs of hair starting to grow back on the face of a man who has recently shaved
527 Fix someone's wagon To ruin someone's chance of success, often in revenge for a grievance
528 Fixed in your ways Inflexible in the ways you do things
529 Fixin' to About to do something
530 Flavor of the month Something that is trendy or fashionable to care about at the moment
531 Flea market A market where people buy and sell secondhand and/or inexpensive goods
532 Flesh and blood People who are related to you, or anyone or anything that is alive
533 Fly in the face of something To act in opposition to something or to show disrespect for someone or something
534 Fly in the ointment Something unpleasant in a situation that is otherwise entirely pleasant
535 Fly off the handle To suddenly become extremely angry, especially if overreacting to something
536 Fly the coop To escape
537 Fly-by-night Markedly untrustworthy or undependable
538 Flying by the seat of your pants Making decisions based on instinct/intuition rather than on a plan
539 Foam at the mouth To show rage
540 Follow in someone's footsteps To follow the same path in life as someone else
541 Follow the money To follow the direction of people gaining large amounts of money when investigating corruption
542 Food for thought Something that you or others think is worth carefully thinking about
543 Fool around To joke around and act in a jovial or silly way
544 Fool's gold Something that looks like gold but isn't
545 Fools rush in where angels fear to tread Means that inexperienced or foolish people will readily jump into dangerous or difficult situations that wiser individuals would avoid
546 Foot in the door To find an opportunity to make progress in a desired direction
547 Foot the bill To pay for something, especially something expensive
548 Footloose and fancy-free To be free of care and worry, able to have fun all the time
549 For Christ sake An exclamation used to express frustration, annoyance, or exasperation
550 For crying out loud Exclamation of utter frustration at a person or situation
551 For goodness' sake Something one says when one is frustrated or in a state of disbelief
552 For heaven's sake Something one says when one is frustrated or in a state of disbelief
553 For the birds Something that is silly, ridiculous or ludicrous
554 For the love of God Used to give added force to an angry statement
555 Fork over the money To pay money for something
556 Formidable opponent Is a powerful or strong enemy or competitor that deserves respect and serious attention
557 Fortune favors the bold You are more likely to succeed if you take risks
558 Forty winks A very short nap, usually during the day
559 Four sheets to the wind Means extremely drunk
560 Freak out To become very angry, worried, or frightened
561 Freeze someone out To deliberately leave someone out; to choose not to include someone who would expect to be included
562 Fresh said of eyes Refers to getting someone else to have a look
563 From day one From the very beginning
564 From rags to riches To go from being poor to wealthy
565 From the get-go From the beginning
566 From the word go From the very beginning
567 From time to time Occasionally
568 Fuddy-duddy An excessively old-fashioned person
569 Full of bologna Means something is filled with nonsense, foolish ideas, or empty words
570 Full of crap Doesn't know what he or she is talking about Offensive in most contexts
571 Full of hot air To be a person who talks a lot but has no idea what they are talking about and/or is arrogant
572 Full of it Means someone is talking nonsense, exaggerating, or not telling the truth
573 Full steam ahead Enthusiastically moving forward
574 Full-court press To put maximum effort into something
575 Functioning as advertised Means something is operating or performing in the way it was intended and described in its advertising or promotional materials
576 Gain ground To advance and make progress
577 Game plan To put a plan in place; to decide how things should be handled
578 Garden variety Ordinary, common, or unexceptional
579 Gave someone the thumbs-up Gave someone approval
580 Get a handle on something To gain control or understanding of something
581 Get a hold of something To obtain possession of something
582 Get a hold of yourself To gain control of yourself
583 Get a kick out of it To be amused by something
584 Get a move on To start being active again in something
585 Get a second wind Have more energy after having been tired
586 Get a taste of your own medicine Get treated the way you've been treating others (negative)
587 Get a word in edgewise To be able to say something when someone won't stop talking
588 Get ahead of the game To have an advantage over others
589 Get along with each other To have a harmonious relationship with someone; to refrain from argument or conflict
590 Get back to someone To contact a person again to tell them something in the near future
591 Get bent out of shape To be upset, to take offense, or to be angry
592 Get cold feet To feel nervous or hesitant about a decision or action
593 Get down to brass tacks Get to the point of the matter
594 Get down to business Start doing the practical things that need to be done
595 Get down to the nuts and bolts To focus on the basics of something or a situation
596 Get from A to B To get from one place to another
597 Get hitched Means to get married
598 Get hold of someone To get in contact with someone
599 Get in shape To become strong or fit
600 Get in someone's hair To annoy someone or cause them some kind of irritation or hindrance
601 Get into deep water In a lot of trouble
602 Get it off my chest To express something that has been bothering you or
603 Get it off your chest Share information about something that has been bothering you
604 Get off my back Stop criticizing me; stop nagging me to do something
605 Get out of hand To be out of one's control
606 Get out of town Means to leave the current town or city immediately, often used in a surprised or incredulous way to express disbelief at something someone has said or done, essentially saying you can't be serious or i don't believe you
607 Get some shut eye Means to go to sleep or get some rest; it's an informal way of saying get some sleep
608 Get something out of your system Do the thing you've been wanting to do so you can move on
609 Get the ball rolling To begin or get started; to put things into motion
610 Get the hang of it To have the ability to complete a task and do it well
611 Get this show on the road Let's go; let's get started
612 Get wind of something To get information about something about to happen
613 Get your act together Work better or leave
614 Get your ducks in a row Make proper plans; get things in order
615 Get your feet wet To take a small step in an effort to learn or do something new
616 Get your foot in the door To establish an initial connection or opportunity that will benefit you in the future
617 Gets my goat Something that really bothers or annoys someone
618 Give (or get) the bum's rush forcible eviction or dismissal
619 Give a pass To forgive someone or overlook a mistake
620 Give it a whirl To give something a try
621 Give it the gun (or gun it) To cause something to start or speed up; press the accelerator
622 Give it the once over To clean or inspect something in a quick or cursory fashion
623 Give it your best shot Try as hard as you possibly can; put forth your best effort
624 Give kudos to someone Praise someone for achievements (note: kudos is not plural, so you can't give a kudo)
625 Give props to Show appreciation for
626 Give someone a hand To help or assist someone
627 Give someone the benefit of the doubt Trust what someone says
628 Give someone the cold shoulder To act rudely or ignore someone
629 Give something a fair shake To try something for a while before deciding that it isn't for you
630 Give the cold shoulder Intentionally ignore someone
631 Give them a taste of their own medicine To give someone the same bad treatment that they have given to others
632 Giving someone a hard time To make things difficult or unpleasant for someone
633 Go back to the drawing board After experiencing failure, it's time to start a over from scratch
634 Go bananas To go crazy
635 Go behind one's back To sneak and do something without telling someone who should be aware
636 Go belly up Go out of business; to lose everything
637 Go cold turkey To quit or stop addictive or dangerous behaviour
638 Go down in flames To fail suddenly and terribly
639 Go Dutch (or It will be Dutch treat) When going somewhere with another person or a group of people, everyone pays their own way
640 Go fly a kite Means to tell someone to go away or to leave you alone
641 Go off half-cocked To act or speak impulsively and without proper preparation or consideration
642 Go on a wild goose chase To do something pointless
643 Go the extra mile To make an extra effort
644 Go the way of the dinosaurs To go extinct or become obsolete; to fall out of common use or practice; to go off the firsthand market; to become a thing of the past
645 Go the way of the dodo to go extinct or become obsolete; to fall out of common use or practice; to go out of the firsthand market; to become a thing of the past
646 Go with the flow To let things happen or let other people tell you what to do, rather than trying to take charge
647 GOAT Greatest of all time
648 Going forward The next time or on a future occasion
649 Going postal Becoming extremely and uncontrollably angry, often to the point of violence, usually in a workplace environment
650 Going south Things are turning out worse than expected; an expression mainly used by ignorant yankees
651 Golden handshake Special incentive given to an employee (usually an executive) to induce them to retire
652 Golden opportunity Is a great chance to do or achieve something. it's an opportunity that's so beneficial that it's hard to pass up
653 Golden parachute A large payment or other financial compensation guaranteed to a company executive should the executive be dismissed as a result of a merger or takeover
654 Gonna Going to
655 Good things come to those who wait Be patient
656 Got a leg up Have an advantage over others
657 Got away clean To escape a situation without any negative consequences
658 Grab (or take) the bull by the horns Face a difficult situation directly, with confidence
659 Grab the wrong end of the stick To misunderstand a situation or take the wrong approach in the nick of time and at the very last moment, just before it's too late
660 Grandfather it in Means to allow someone or something to continue benefiting from existing rules or conditions even when new rules or requirements are implemented, essentially exempting them from the new changes
661 Grasping at straws To find a solution or hope in a desperate situation
662 Graveyard shift Working through the overnight hours
663 Green light Permission to start or continue something
664 Green thumb To be good at gardening; having good skills or luck with growing flowers or vegetables
665 Green with envy Means to be very jealous or envious of someone or something
666 Grey area Indeterminate territory, undefined position, neither here nor there
667 Guard your heart Means to protect your heart with care and attention
668 Gut feeling To do more than you’re required to do
669 Hail Mary pass To do something desperate that could lead to a big success
670 Hair of the dog An alcoholic beverage of some kind taken in an attempt to cure a hangover
671 Hair of the dog that bit you Whatever caused you to be in the situation you're in, go get more of that
672 Hair's breadth A very narrow space
673 Half a mind to do something Thinking about doing something
674 Half price Half the usual price at which something is offered for sale
675 Half the battle Half of the effort or work required
676 Half-baked Inadequately thought-out or planned
677 Half-baked idea Too have a foolish plan
678 Hammering out a deal To negotiate and arrive at a deal
679 Hand in glove Very close
680 Hand over fist Very quickly
681 Hands are tied Not have the ability to help or take action
682 Hands down Obviously, unquestionably, without a doubt
683 Hang in there To not give up
684 Hang loose Relax, let go, and live in the moment; don't take things too seriously
685 Hang me out to dry To allow someone to be punished, criticized, or made to suffer in a way that is unfair, without trying to help them
686 Hang tight Just wait for something to happen
687 Hang tough To stay determined
688 Hankering Strong intention or desire
689 Happy as a clam Extremely happy
690 Happy-go-lucky Very cheerful and happy
691 Hard pill to swallow Something that is difficult to take or accept
692 Hard sell To use selling techniques that are relatively aggressive or pushy
693 Hari-kari To commit suicide
694 Haste makes waste You'll make mistakes if you rush through something
695 Hat trick Three successes of the same kind, especially consecutive ones within a limited period, such as three goals in soccer
696 Have (or with) a heavy heart To be sad about something or reluctant to do something
697 Have a bee in your bonnet To be extremely upset
698 Have a chip on your shoulder Holding a grudge or feeling resentful because you believe you have been treated unfairly
699 Have a finger in the pie To have an interest in or take part in some activity; to meddle in the situation
700 Have a hand in Have a role in
701 Have a method to one’s madness Seeming to be crazy but in fact is very clever
702 Have a whale of a time To have a lot of fun or enjoy oneself very much
703 Have an advantage over others To have an advantage over others
704 Have an axe to grind To be upset about something and to perhaps desire revenge of some kind
705 Have bats in one's belfry Eccentric or crazy in a harmless way
706 Have big ears To listen to a conversation not intended for you; to eavesdrop
707 Have eyes only for something To have desire focused on a specific person or object
708 Have hell to pay To be in severe difficulties
709 Have it in spades Means that they have a lot of it, or that they have it to a high degree.
710 Have one's ear to the ground To be well informed about coming events
711 Have one's head in the clouds To have no concentration at all
712 Have some faith Means to trust or believe in something or someone strongly, even without complete proof
713 Have something down pat To thoroughly understand something
714 Have the blues Sad
715 Have the hots Means that they feel a strong sexual attraction to that person
716 Have the upper hand O have more power in a competitive situation than the other side
717 Have the world at one’s feet To be extremely successful and admired by a large number of people
718 Have the world by the tail To be doing remarkably well with something; to be in control of one's life and prospects
719 Have time off To have time away from work
720 Have two left feet To be clumsy, especially while dancing
721 Have your hands full To be completely busy or occupied with something
722 Have your head in the clouds To have no concentration at all
723 Have your head in the sand To avoid, or try to avoid, a particular situation by pretending that it does not exist
724 Having a monkey on your back To have a problem that you cannot solve or get rid of easily
725 Having second thoughts Means you are having doubts or uncertainty about a decision, opinion, or action you previously made, leading you to reconsider it
726 Having the time of his life Means someone is enjoying themselves immensely and having a lot of fun
727 He has a memory of an elephant To be able to remember things easily and for a long period of time
728 He has bigger fish to fry He has bigger things to take care of than what we are talking about now
729 He who laughs last laughs loudest I'll get you back for what you did
730 He's a chip off the old block The son is like the father
731 He's not playing with a full deck He's not being smart
732 He's off his rocker He's crazy
733 Head and shoulders above Vastly superior
734 Head honcho Someone in the highest position of power within an organization or company
735 Head in a noose Means to be in a very dangerous or difficult situation, essentially putting yourself on the path to your own downfall
736 Head in the clouds Tending to live in the imagination and not firmly grounded in reality
737 Head on the chopping block Means to risk a bad thing happening to you by doing something or helping someone
738 Head over heels To be very much in love
739 Head start To have an advantage or an early start in something
740 Heads will roll Means that as a result of something bad that has happened, you mean that people will be punished for it; especially by losing their jobs
741 Heads-up An update that provides new knowledge or understanding of something
742 Hear it on the grapevine To hear a rumor about someone or something
743 Hear something straight from the horse's mouth Hear something from the person involved
744 Heaven can wait Means something is not urgent and can be postponed
745 Heebie-jeebies A creepy feeling that might make you shudder
746 Here and there On occasion
747 High five A gesture of celebration or greeting in which two people slap each other's open palm with their arms raised
748 High on the hog To live in a luxurious way
749 High time It's time to do something that should have been done a long time ago
750 High, wide, and handsome Large and impressive
751 Hillbilly Uneducated, unsophisticated person living in remote mountains or backwoods
752 Hindsight is 20/20 Means it is easy to understand something after it has already happened
753 Hissy fit To get really upset and to show it
754 Hit a grand slam Means a batter hits a home run with the bases loaded (all three bases occupied by runners), resulting in four runs scored and the maximum possible runs from a single play
755 Hit below the belt Acting unfairly
756 Hit it on the nose To have a perfect understanding of something or to do something perfectly
757 Hit me up Contact me in the near future
758 Hit pay dirt To come upon something of significant value
759 Hit someone below the belt To insult or otherwise treat a person in an unfair way
760 Hit the books To study intensely
761 Hit the ceiling To get extremely angry
762 Hit the hay To go to bed and get some sleep
763 Hit the jackpot To come into possession of wealth or something of great value
764 Hit the mark To find the perfect or ideal solution; to be in exactly the right place
765 Hit the nail on the head To do something the exact way it should be done
766 Hit the road To start on a journey
767 Hit the sack Go to sleep
768 Hit-or-miss Something that might be good sometimes and bad other times; unreliable
769 Hob·nob Means to mix socially
770 Hocus-pocus Magic of some sort, or perhaps trickery
771 Hoist by (or with) your own petard Injured or defeated by one's own action that was intended to harm others
772 Hold down the fort Means to take responsibility for a place or situation while someone else is away or busy, essentially keeping things running smoothly
773 Hold no grudges Means to not have or hold onto anger, bitterness, or resentment toward someone
774 Hold the fort To take responsibility for a place or maintain an activity while someone is away
775 Hold the line To stay on the telephone to wait for the party you are calling to become available
776 Hold your horses Slow down; stop and think about what you're doing
777 Hold your tongue Stop talking, especially about something specific
778 Holding the bag Having to be responsible for something
779 Holy smokes To express surprise, excitement, or pleasure
780 Home sweet home Used when one returns home after being away to say that one is happy to be home
781 Honest mistake An unintentional error that is not intended to cause harm
782 Honesty is the best policy Even when it's difficult, telling the truth is always the best course of action, implying that being truthful will lead to better outcomes in the long run compared to lying; it emphasizes the importance of integrity and genuineness in one's life
783 Honeymoon A trip or vacation taken by a newly married couple
784 Hoodwink Means to deceive or trick
785 Hook, line and sinker Doing something or trying to achieve something with thoroughness and passion
786 Hook, line, and sinker Completely tricked or deceived
787 Hope for the best To hope that something will be successful or happen in the way you want, even if it seems unlikely
788 Hopping mad Extremely angry
789 Horse around To act in a silly way
790 Horse of a different color Something that is very different, especially with regard to a situation or an idea in the context of a debate
791 Horse sense Common sense, especially with a connotation of folk wisdom independent from, and trumping, formal education
792 Hot mess Something or someone in a state of extreme disorder, but paradoxically attractive
793 Hot under the collar Angry
794 Hot-button issue An issue that people tend to have strong opinions on
795 Hotcakes To sell quickly and in large amounts
796 Hotshot An important and powerful person in a particular place or situation
797 Houston, we have a problem Disaster awaits
798 How do you like them apples An expression used to boast about/gloat over something to someone Can also be used to express surprise
799 Hung the moon Means to think someone is incredibly special, perfect, or highly admired, as if they have achieved something extraordinary
800 Hunky-dory Happy and comfortable
801 I am broke I have no money
802 I can't even To express that something is intolerable
803 I can't imagine Something is unbelievable or terrible
804 I couldnt't care less Means that you are completely not concerned or interested in something
805 I don't buy that I don't believe you
806 I don't have two nickels to rub together A drastic lack of money
807 I suck at something I'm terrible or disappointing at something
808 I'll be a monkey's uncle I'm shocked, surprised, and can't quite believe what i'm seeing or hearing
809 I'm all ears The person is prepared and ready to listen to what you have to say
810 I'm in over my head Something is too difficult for you
811 I'm losing my mind I forgot something obvious or important
812 Icing on the cake Something that makes a good situation even better
813 If at first you don't succeed, try, try again Means to encourage people to keep trying after failure
814 If the shoe fits More common version of the original "if the shoe fits, wear it"; if it has all of the characteristics of a thing, it probably is that thing
815 If they didn't have bad luck, they would have no luck at all Someone experiences such a consistent stream of negative events that, if they weren't unlucky, they would essentially never experience any positive luck at all
816 Ignorance is bliss Ou're better off not knowing
817 Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery Means that mediocrity can pay to greatness. it can also mean that someone admires another person's style, ideas, or behavior
818 In a coon's age A long time
819 In a league of their own Someone is better than anyone else at something
820 In a nutshell Express something in a concise manner
821 In cold blood Deliberately
822 In for a penny, in for a pound Since you have started something, you should complete the work although it has become more difficult or complicated than you had expected
823 In good hands In the care of somebody good or knowledgeable
824 In hog heaven In a good situation; surrounded by your favorite things, such as favorite foods
825 In hot water Someone is in trouble or facing difficulties
826 In ship shape Means something is neat, tidy, and in good order, like a ship that is well-maintained and organized
827 In the ballpark Close to a suitable amount or suggestion
828 In the black To be financially successful
829 In the cards Likely or certain to happen.
830 In the fast lane A life filled with excitement
831 In the hole In debt; in trouble, especially financial trouble
832 In the hot seat In a difficult position, subject to much attention or criticism
833 In the red To be losing money
834 Inside joke A joke that is shared exclusively by a small group of people
835 It ain't over until the fat lady sings This isn't over yet
836 It goes without saying Something is so obvious that it doesn't need to be said
837 It is a poor workman who blames his tools If you can't do the job, don't blame it on others
838 It is always darkest before the dawn Things are going to get better
839 It just goes to show Means something demonstrates or proves a point
840 It takes one to know one You're just as bad as i am
841 It takes two to tango Two persons are equally responsible for what is happening or has happened
842 It's a small world People are similar all over the globe; often said when strangers discover that they have shared acquaintances or have visited the same places
843 It's a win-win situation Just let me have my way
844 It's all greek to me I don't understand any of it
845 It's like pulling teeth Something that requires a lot of effort
846 It's no sweat It's not a problem
847 It's not rocket science It's not complicated
848 It's over my head I don't understand it because it's too complicated
849 It's time to show up It's time to be responsible
850 It’s raining cats and dogs To rain very hard
851 Itchy feet Someone is getting restless; being ready to move on to the next activity
852 Jack of all trades, master of none Means someone who is competent in many areas but not an expert in any one
853 Jam on the brakes Press brakes of a vehicle suddenly
854 Jaw hit the floor Be surprised
855 Jaywalking Crossing the street at a place other than the crosswalk
856 Joe public A hypothetical average or generic member of the public; the common man
857 Johnny come lately Is a newcomer to or late starter at a particular place or activity
858 Joined at the hip People who seem to be together all the time
859 Joshing me Fooling me about something
860 Jump at the chance To quickly take advantage of a new opportunity
861 Jump down someone's throat To get really angry with someone and express that emotion, perhaps in an aggressive way
862 Jump into the fray Means to suddenly and actively participate in a heated argument, fight, or struggle
863 Jump into the ring Means to suddenly and often enthusiastically become involved in a situation or activity, or to enter a competition or contest
864 Jump on the bandwagon Join others in supporting a popular activity or trend
865 Jump the gun To start too quickly, either without adequate preparation or at the wrong time
866 Jump the shark Means that a creative work, most often a television series, has passed its peak quality and begun to decline, marked by a point where it resorts to outlandish, desperate, or far-fetched attempts to maintain audience interest
867 Jump through hoops To do things that don't seem to make much sense, just because they're required
868 Junk food Unhealthy, usually heavily processed food (such as candy)
869 Jury is still out A decision hasn't been made yet
870 Just a moment Please wait a moment or two
871 Just around the corner Very close by
872 Just in the nick of time Just before the last moment when something can be changed or something bad will happen
873 Just like old times Means an experience or activity feels the same as it did in the past, evoking nostalgia or a return to a previous state
874 Just now Something has recently occurred, perhaps within the last few seconds or minutes
875 Keep a level head Means to remain calm and sensible, especially in a difficult or stressful situation, maintaining composure and clear thinking
876 Keep a lookut Means to be alert and watch carefully for someone or something, especially to avoid danger
877 Keep an ear to the ground Staying informed about everything
878 Keep an open mind To wait until you know all the facts before forming an opinion or making a judgment
879 Keep at arm's length To deliberately not let someone get too close
880 Keep at bay To prevent someone or something from approaching or having an effect
881 Keep body and soul together To earn enough money to stay alive
882 Keep in contact Means to maintain communication with someone, essentially staying in touch with them through regular contact like phone calls, emails, or visits
883 Keep it coming Don't stop..continue
884 Keep it in the family To not share information or secrets outside of the family unit
885 Keep it in your head Means to remember something or keep it in mind, or to keep something to yourself
886 Keep it under control To control a situation
887 Keep it under wraps To keep something a secret
888 Keep me guessing To cause someone to be uncertain: the idea was to keep the enemy guessing until the attack had actually begun
889 Keep me in the loop Keep me informed
890 Keep me posted Stay in touch
891 Keep my cool To stay calm
892 Keep my head above water To manage to survive adversity, especially with regard to finances
893 Keep my nose to the grindstone To remain focused on hard work
894 Keep someone at arm's length To keep someone at a distance
895 Keep something at bay To keep something at a distance
896 Keep something under one's hat To keep something private or secret
897 Keep the ball rolling To keep something going or to make sure it continues
898 Keep the faith Means to continue to believe in, trust, or support someone or something when it is difficult to do so
899 Keep the home fires burning Means to maintain a stable and supportive home environment, essentially keeping the daily routines and necessities of life going smoothly, often used when someone is away and the family left behind needs to stay strong in their absence
900 Keep the home fires lit To maintain a stable and supportive home environment
901 Keep the lights on Means to maintain the basic operations or functionality of a business, system, or organization, especially during difficult times, ensuring it continues to function
902 Keep up with To match someone else in terms of progress or success
903 Keep you posted To keep someone notified of what is happening
904 Keep your chin up To keep a positive and optimistic frame of mind
905 Keep your eye on the ball To stay focused on the task at hand and not get distracted
906 Keep your eyes peeled To be watchful and alert
907 Keep your fingers crossed To hope that nothing will happen to bring bad luck or to ruin one's plans
908 Keep your friends close, and your enemies closer Means to maintain strong bonds with friends for support while strategically monitoring enemies to anticipate their actions and mitigate threats
909 Keep your head Maintain your sense of logic and be sensible
910 Keep your head on a swivel To be constantly alert and aware of your surroundings
911 Keep your mouth shut Stay quiet about something
912 Keep your nose clean Behave well and stay out of trouble
913 Keep your wits about you Stay aware of the situation you are in and be ready to react if you need to
914 Keeping up with the joneses Trying to compete with your peers' social status, wealth, and possessions
915 Kept in the dark To be kept unaware of something
916 Keyed up To be tense and anxious, perhaps in anticipation of something
917 Kick the bucket Die
918 Kick the can down the road Means to put off confronting a difficult issue or making an important decision, typically on a continuing basis
919 Kick the tires Means to examine or test something before making a decision
920 Kill someone with kindness Overwhelm or harm someone with mistaken or excessive benevolence
921 Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs To destroy something that gives you a lot of money to get immediate returns
922 Kill two birds with one stone Get two things done with a single action
923 Kiss and make up To become friendly again after a fight or disagreement
924 Knee jerk reaction A quick response
925 Knee-jerk reaction Means an automatic, unthinking response to a situation
926 Knit one’s brows To frown or scowl, usually to indicate anger, worry, or puzzlement
927 Knives are out People are ready to blame or punish someone
928 Knock it out of the park You have achieved great success or accomplished something exceptionally well
929 Knock yourself out Means to tell someone to go ahead and do something
930 Know like the back of your hand To know a place very well
931 Know the score Be aware of all relevant factors and variables
932 Know which end is up To possess sound judgment or common sense; to have a clear understanding of a situation
933 Know which way the wind is blowing To understand what is happening
934 Know-how The knowledge of the methods or techniques of doing something, especially something technical or practical
935 Know-it-all A person who behaves as if they know everything
936 Knucklehead Person who doesn't understand something or acts foolishly
937 Labor of love Something one loves to do, especially for the benefit of someone one loves
938 Laid off To lose one's job
939 Lap of luxury To be in an extremely luxurious situation
940 Last but not least This last-named person is in no way the least (least important, least qualified) of all the people being mentioned
941 Last straw The latest problem in a series of problems Something that leads someone to finally lose their patience
942 Last-ditch effort A final, perhaps desperate, effort at something
943 Laugh all the way to the bank To gain money, most likely in a dishonest manner, and to feel smug about it
944 Laughter is the best medicine Means that laughter has therapeutic benefits and can improve one's well-being.
945 Lay an egg To do something that is embarrassing
946 Lay down the law To set rules, probably strict ones
947 Lay it on thick Grossly exaggerate or overemphasize something
948 Laying it on thick Unrealistic flattery or positive descriptions of something
949 Lead someone around by the nose To compel someone to do something, especially through manipulation or bullying
950 Learn by rote To memorize something
951 Learn the ropes To learn how to do well in a new job
952 Learned my lesson To have learned from an experience, probably one caused by a mistake
953 Leave me alone I want to be alone, so please stop talking to me; please go somewhere else, somewhere out of my sight
954 Leave no stone unturned Look everywhere
955 Leave someone high and dry To leave someone in a difficult position and to take things away from them
956 Leave them laughing Means to depart from a situation or conversation having made the other people laugh, often implying that you've done so in a clever or witty way, leaving them with a positive impression of you even after you've left
957 Leave them wanting more Means to end something (like a performance, story, or event) in a way that leaves the audience eager for more, creating a sense of anticipation and desire for continuation; essentially, to stop at a high point to keep people interested
958 Leave well enough alone Don't involve yourself in a situation that already seems stable and decent enough
959 Left me in the lurch To be left in a difficult situation
960 Left out in the cold Left out of something pleasant, or excluded from an opportunity
961 Left someone behind To leave someone somewhere and to go somewhere else
962 Left-handed compliment Saying something insulting in the form of appreciative words
963 Lend a hand To help somebody with something – especially something that requires physical effort
964 Lend me your ear Please listen to me
965 Lend someone a hand To help someone
966 Let bygones be bygones Leave past grievances in the past
967 Let sleeping dogs lie To stop discussing something that is already over or sorted out
968 Let someone off the hook To not hold someone responsible for something
969 Let the cards fall where they may Means to allow events to happen naturally, without trying to control or influence them, and accept the consequences, whatever they may be
970 Let the cat out of the bag To give away a secret
971 Let the dust settle To wait for circumstances to return to normal after something significant has happened
972 Let your hair down Let yourself relax
973 Letter perfect Precisely correct
974 Level playing field Fair and even circumstances, especially when it comes to anything with an element of competition
975 Level the playing field To make a situation fair for everyone involved, ensuring that no one has an unfair advantage over others
976 Life after death Means the idea that a person continues to exist in some form after they die
977 Life of Riley A very comfortable, and probably luxurious, life
978 Light it on fire Means to motivate or energize someone, to get them to act quickly or forcefully, or to excite or arouse someone
979 Light of my life Someone you love who makes your life more cheerful and that you like to be around
980 Lightning never strikes the same place twice An event that will not likely happen again
981 Like a bad penny Means something unpleasant keeps coming back
982 Like a cakewalk So easy task
983 Like a cat on hot tin roof In an uneasy or nervous state
984 Like a chicken with its head cut off To behave in a frenzied manner
985 Like a deer in headlights To have a stunned or confused look on one's face
986 Like a prize bull Used to describe someone or something that is of exceptional quality or importance, like a prize-winning anima
987 Like clockwork On a very regular basis
988 Like finding a needle in a haystack Something difficult to do
989 Like nailing jello to the wall A very difficult or impossible task
990 Like pulling teeth something that is difficult to do
991 Like riding a bicycle Something you never forget how to do
992 Like taking candy from a baby Extremely easy to do, especially something that involves convincing someone to do, or to give, something
993 Like there is no tomorrow Living in the moment
994 Like water off a duck's back It doesn't bother me
995 Lite the fires Means to ignite passion, enthusiasm, or action, essentially to start something with great energy or zeal
996 Live and learn I made a mistake
997 Live and let live To be non-judgmental of others
998 Live in the moment Means to enjoy the present and not worry about the future
999 Live it up Have lots of fun
1000 Living the dream Living a wonderful life, the type one would dream of
1001 LMAO Laugh my a$$ off
1002 Lock, stock, and barrel Absolutely everything involved
1003 LOL Laugh out loud
1004 Lollygagging Means to waste time, dawdle, or spend time doing things that are not serious or useful
1005 Long face A sad facial expression
1006 Long in the tooth Old or of advanced years
1007 Long time no see! I haven't seen you in a long time
1008 Look before you leap Take only calculated risks
1009 Look down on someone or something To consider someone inferior to yourself; to have contempt for something
1010 Look down your nose at something or someone To consider someone inferior to yourself; to have contempt for something
1011 Look like a million bucks To look very attractive, usually well-dressed
1012 Look like the cat that swallowed the canary To look smugly pleased or satisfied with oneself
1013 Look up to someone To hold that person in high regard; to respect and admire that person
1014 Looking dapper Means someone is neat, stylish, and well-dressed, often used to describe a man who is smart and handsome
1015 Looking to your laurels Do not be lost in your achievements and lose sight of what is supposed to happen
1016 Looney tunes Someone who may not be mentally healthy
1017 Loose cannon A person who is unpredictable and difficult to control, and who will probably inadvertently cause problems
1018 Lose one's shirt To lose a large amount of money, probably one's financial security as a whole
1019 Lose touch To discontinue contact with someone, often unintentionally
1020 Lose your marbles To go crazy
1021 Lose your touch To lose one's ability or skill in a specific area
1022 Lose-lose situation Is a situation where all parties involved end up worse off
1023 Lost at sea To feel confused about a situation, and to not know what to do
1024 Lost my head To become overcome with emotion or anger; to act irrationally
1025 Lot in life Means someone's overall circumstances or life situation, often implying that it's something they have to accept as their fate or destiny
1026 Love at first sight An instantaneous attraction to someone or something
1027 Love is blind Means that love can make people overlook their loved one's flaws or faults
1028 Love is in the air Means a feeling of love is in the air, or that love is everywhere
1029 Love it or love it Means to express strong enjoyment or pleasure
1030 Love of my life Means the person someone loves more than anyone else in their entire life
1031 Love you to the moon and back Is a way of expressing very strong feelings of love for someone
1032 Lovebirds Means when two people who are in a romantic relationship or are very affectionate
1033 Lovey-dovey Means two people are being affectionate and amorous, especially in public
1034 Low blow Means an unfair, unscrupulous, or hurtful attack, criticism, or action that is intended to cause distress or embarrassment
1035 Low down Means the true facts or relevant information about something
1036 Low-hanging fruit Something that is easy to take advantage of
1037 Luck of the draw Means something is the result of chance and is beyond one's control
1038 Luck out To be very lucky
1039 Lucky break Something very lucky has happened
1040 Lucky dog A lucky person
1041 Mad as a hornet Extremely angry
1042 Madder than a wet hen Extremely angry
1043 Made for each other When a couple is extremely well-suited to each other
1044 Made my hair stand on end To be very frightened
1045 Make a beeline for To go directly toward
1046 Make a big stink To complain loudly
1047 Make a long story short Tell something briefly
1048 Make a mountain out of a molehill Exaggerate a small problem
1049 Make a pit stop To stop somewhere for a short period of time, usually during a long journey
1050 Make a scene To create a fuss of some kind that draws the attention of others in a negative way
1051 Make ends meet To have enough money for daily expenses over the course of a month
1052 Make eyes at someone To look at someone in a flirtatious way
1053 Make hay while the sun shines Take advantage of a good situation
1054 Make it or break it Describes a situation, decision, or period where the outcome will definitively lead to either success or failure, leaving no room for a middle ground
1055 Make it rain Means to earn a large amount of money, to bring in a lot of success, or to freely give out cash
1056 Make no bones about To say something in a very definite way that doesn't allow for objections
1057 Make out like a bandit To have success in a venture, especially one involving money or other benefits
1058 Make out what someone said Discern what someone said
1059 Make the cut To be chosen, selected or included in something
1060 Make the grade To be satisfactory or to meet necessary standards
1061 Make tracks To promptly or quickly leave
1062 Make two ends meet To have just enough money for all your needs
1063 Make waves To create any controversy or trouble
1064 Make yourself at home An invitation to feel comfortable in someone else's home
1065 Making mountain out of molehill Means to exaggerate a minor problem or difficulty, treating it as if it were a much larger and more serious issue
1066 Man's best friend A dog
1067 Mark time To wait out the minimum time you need to put in
1068 Maximize your potential Means being more productive and successful by using your talents and working towards your goals
1069 Me time Time spent doing things you enjoy or relaxing
1070 Means to an end Something is done solely to achieve a desired outcome, even if it isn't enjoyable or important in itself
1071 Meat and potatoes The basics of something or a situation
1072 Meet halfway To understand one another's positions in an argument or situation, and to make compromises accordingly
1073 Mending fences Means to repair or improve a relationship that has been damaged
1074 Mickey mouse job A job that is considered insignificant, perhaps even useless
1075 Midas touch To be able to make money much more easily than other people
1076 Middle of the road A position (especially political) that is not at either extreme of the spectrum It is pretty much in the middle
1077 Mind your own beeswax Mind your own business and refrain from interfering in other people's concerns
1078 Mind your own business Means to stop interfering in what doesn't concern you and focus on your own affairs
1079 Mind your p's and q's Means to be careful of your behavior and manners, especially in social situations
1080 Mind your ps and qs A reminder to be polite and behave appropriately
1081 Minimize the risks Means to reduce the likelihood of loss or harm by implementing strategies and controls
1082 Miss by an inch, miss by a mile Means that failing to achieve a goal by a small margin is the same as failing by a large margin
1083 Miss the boat To act too slowly and missed an opportunity
1084 Miss the mark Means to fail to achieve a goal or desired result
1085 Mission impossible Means a task that is extremely difficult or dangerous
1086 Mixed bag An assortment, or a group of entities with few characteristics in common
1087 Mom-and-pop A small family-run business, or a tiny establishment, such as a corner shop
1088 Monday morning quarterback Someone who tries to call the shots after the action is already over
1089 Money burns a hole in someone's pocket When someone feels the need to spend money simply because they have it
1090 Money is no object Means you are willing or able to spend as much money as necessary or travel whatever distance is required
1091 Money laundering Means to disguise financial assets so they can be used without detection of the illegal activity that produced them
1092 Money talks Money can be used to gain power and leverage; there is a strong implication of corruption
1093 Money to burn To have large amounts of extra money
1094 Monkey business Silliness or goofing off; breaking the rules
1095 Monkey see, monkey do People do what they see other people do
1096 More bang for the buck Better value for the money
1097 More bang for your buck To get a lot of value for your money
1098 More than I bargained for More than I expected
1099 More than meets the eye There is more to it than you think
1100 More than one way to skin a cat There are alternative solutions to this problem
1101 More the merrier To say an occasion will be more enjoyable if a lot of people are there
1102 More trouble than it’s worth Means something that requires a greater amount of effort, time, or resources than the benefit, usefulness, or reward it provides
1103 Move some things around To make some adjustments
1104 Move the goalposts To set your sights or standards even higher; to make something more challenging
1105 Moving at a glacier pace Means something is progressing or changing extremely slowly, like the movement of a glacier
1106 Mum's the word Stay quiet and don't talk about it
1107 Mumbo jumbo Meaningless words or nonsense
1108 Murphy's law What can go wrong, will go wrong
1109 My bad It was my mistake and I take responsibility for it
1110 My eyes are bigger than my stomach I wanted to eat more than my stomach could handle
1111 My hands are tied I cannot do anything to change the situation because I am not the one who can make the decision
1112 My heart is set on It means a lot to me to do something
1113 My mind is already made up Means that someone has already reached a decision and is not going to change it; they are fully committed to their choice and won't be persuaded otherwise
1114 My neck of the woods Where one lives
1115 Neck and neck To be very close as in a race
1116 Need elbow room To prefer to have plenty of space between you and other people
1117 Needs a swift kick in the pants Someone needs a strong, immediate push or motivation to get them to take action
1118 Netflix and chill A slang term that's used as a euphemism for sexual activity
1119 Never too old to learn Means it's possible to learn new things at any age. it encourages people to pursue their dreams and desires
1120 Next level Describes something as being better, more advanced, or more impressive than before
1121 Next of kin A person's closest living relative or relatives
1122 Next time The following occasion, or the next time something will happen
1123 Nightcap An alcoholic or hot drink taken at the end of the day or before going to bed
1124 Nincompoop Person who doesn't understand something or acts foolishly
1125 Nine-to-five An average job schedule
1126 No accounting for taste Means that people's preferences are subjective and cannot be explained or justified rationally
1127 No big deal Something is not important
1128 No biggie To say that something is not a problem
1129 No holds barred Without any restrictions or limits
1130 No news is good news Means that when you haven't heard anything about a situation, it's a positive sign that nothing bad has happened, implying that if something negative had occurred, you would have been informed
1131 No pain no gain Means that suffering is necessary in order to achieve something
1132 No pain, no gain You have to work for what you want
1133 No rhyme or reason There seems to be no logical reason for it to happen or be done
1134 No skin off my nose Something isn't going to affect you, so you don't really care
1135 No spring chicken Not young anymore
1136 No stairway to heaven Means there is no easy path to success
1137 No wiggle room Means there is no capacity or scope for negotiation or operation, especially in order to modify a previous statement or decision
1138 Nose test An informal method for determining whether something is authentic, credible, or ethical, by using one's common sense or sense of propriety
1139 Nosebleed section The cheapest seats in an arena or stadium, high and far away from the action
1140 Not a big deal Used to indicate that something is of little consequence
1141 Not firing on all cylinders Seeming confused; not thinking well
1142 Not in a month of sundays Something is unlikely to happen
1143 Not my cup of tea Not something that a person would do
1144 Not playing with a full deck Seeming confused; not thinking well
1145 Not the sharpest tool in the shed He's not very smart
1146 Not up to snuff Means not as good as it should be; not up to an acceptable standard
1147 Not worth a hill of beans Something has low value
1148 Notch up To win or create a record
1149 Nothing to sneeze at Means something is significant, worthwhile, or important enough to be taken seriously and not dismissed or ignored
1150 Nothing to write home about Nothing special or exciting happened
1151 Now you're cooking with gas You are taking the best approach to this problem and you will make rapid progress
1152 Of another mindset Means having a different way of thinking or perspective compared to someone else
1153 Of two minds Means to be undecided or uncertain about something, essentially having two different opinions or thoughts on a matter; it implies wavering between choices and not being able to make a decision
1154 Off pudding Means something that causes uneasiness, dislike, or annoyance
1155 Off the rails Means to behave in a strange, abnormal, or wildly uncontrolled way
1156 Off the top of my head To say something spontaneously; without thinking too much
1157 Old as dirt Someone very old
1158 Old as the hills Someone very old
1159 Old ball and chain Means a person or thing that restricts someone's freedom or ability to do things
1160 Old flame Is someone you previously had a romantic relationship with or sexual encounter with
1161 On a fishing expedition Trying to get information out of someone without being fully aware of what you're looking for
1162 On a shoestring budget Operating with very limited funds or resources
1163 On a wing and a prayer Attempting something without adequate preparation and resources
1164 On cloud nine Very happy
1165 On one hand and then on the other hand This expression is used to compare two aspects of a situation
1166 On pins and needles To be anxious or agitated
1167 On the ball To be alert, competent, and well-prepared
1168 On the rocks A relationship or enterprise experiencing difficulties and likely to fail
1169 On the same page To agree with someone
1170 On thin ice If you make another mistake, there will be trouble
1171 On top of the world A state of extreme happiness
1172 Once bitten, twice shy You're more cautious when you've been hurt before
1173 Once in a blue moon Rarely
1174 One for the road A final drink before leaving
1175 Open house Means a day when members of the public are invited to visit a place or institution, especially one to which they do not normally have access
1176 Open your heart Means to be vulnerable and openly share your true feelings, thoughts, and emotions with someone, essentially allowing them access to your most private self
1177 Opening pandora's box Do something that causes unexpected problems
1178 Out of pocket Paid for directly rather than being put on account or charged to some other person or organization
1179 Out of the blue Something that is completely unexpected
1180 Out of the frying pan and into the fire Things are going from bad to worse
1181 Out of the mouth of babes Expression used when a child says something surprisingly wise or insightful
1182 Out of your league Above or beyond what one is capable of attaining
1183 Out on a limb In or into a dangerous or uncompromising position, where one is not joined or supported by anyone else; vulnerable
1184 Over my dead body I am strongly opposed to something and will make sure it doesn't happen
1185 Overplayed his hand To act more confidently than is warranted because one believes they are in a stronger position than they actually are
1186 Paint the town red Go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly
1187 Palm off Pass off something as genuine when it is spurious
1188 Par for the course To be expected; normal; common; usual
1189 Party pooper Someone who puts a stop to the fun
1190 Pass away To die
1191 Pass gas Refers to the normal bodily process of releasing intestinal gas
1192 Pass muster To be accepted as adequate or satisfactory
1193 Pass out He consumed enough alcohol to make him pass out
1194 Pass over To ignore the claims of someone to promotion or advancement
1195 Pass the buck Blame someone else for something or make someone else responsible for a difficult or unpleasant task
1196 Pass the time To spend time doing something enjoyable while waiting or while time passes
1197 Pass through The act of traveling from one place to another, an opening in a wall, and a business structure
1198 Pass up To refrain from taking up an opportunity
1199 Pass with flying colors To be extremely successful, to achieve something that is difficult, to excel
1200 Passive-aggressive behavior A pattern of indirectly expressing negative feelings instead of openly addressing them
1201 Patience is a virtue Means waiting calmly and without getting upset is a good quality
1202 Peace and quiet Means a state of calmness and tranquility, free from disturbance, noise, or interruption; essentially, a situation where there is no stress or commotion and one can relax in serenity
1203 Peak something To claim that some commodity has reached its maximum availability and will begin to decline in the future
1204 Peanut gallery The cheapest and rowdiest seats in an arena, usually at the back of the balcony
1205 Penny-pincher Someone who is extremely frugal and careful with their money
1206 Penny-wise and pound foolish Careful in trivial matters but wasteful or extravagant in large matters
1207 Perfect storm The worst possible situation
1208 Pick of the litter Means the best or most desirable member of a group or selection
1209 Pick your brain Ask some questions
1210 Pickup ball and run with it Means to take over and develop an idea or plan that someone else initiated, often when they were unable to fully execute it
1211 Picture perfect Means something is flawless, ideal, or perfect in appearance
1212 Picture-perfect Perfect in appearance as with the subjects in paintings or photographs, without the common imperfections of real life
1213 Pie in the sky Unrealistic expectations
1214 Piece of cake Something is very easy to do
1215 Piece of the pie To get a share or portion of something
1216 Pig in a poke Something purchased without adequate examination
1217 Pipe dream Unrealistic expectations
1218 Pitter-patter of little feet The sound made by children running around inside a house
1219 Plant the seeds Means to introduce an idea or feeling into someone's mind
1220 Play devil's advocate To argue the opposite, just for the sake of argument
1221 Play devil’s advocate To argue, just for the sake of it
1222 Play for keeps To exert serious effort because the outcome will be permanent or have a major impact
1223 Play it by ear To go slowly and make a decision later
1224 Play one's cards close to one's chest Means to be extremely secretive and cautious about one's intentions
1225 Play the field Means to indulge in a series of relationships without committing oneself to anyone
1226 Play your cards right To behave or work in a way that gives you an advantage or improves your odds of success
1227 Playing fast and loose Means to be recklessly irresponsible, unreliable, or deceitful
1228 Playing hardball Means using tough, uncompromising tactics to achieve a goal, often involving being harsh or unfair
1229 Plead the fifth To refuse to answer a question
1230 Please excuse my dear aunt sally The mnemonic to remember the order of mathematical operations (pemdas)
1231 Pleased as punch Extremely happy about something
1232 Plenty of fish in the sea It's ok to miss this opportunity because others will arise
1233 Plot twist Means an unexpected development
1234 Point of fact Used to emphasize the truth of an assertion, especially one contrary to what might be expected or what has been asserted
1235 Poke the beehive Means to intentionally provoke someone or stir up trouble
1236 Poker face Describes an expressionless face that conceals a person's thoughts or feelings
1237 Poker tell Refers to any physical, verbal, or behavioral cue a player exhibits that, consciously or unconsciously, reveals information about the strength of their hand or their intended actions
1238 Polish the apple To try to gain favor with someone through flattery
1239 Political football An issue that politicians argue in circles about or seek to use for their own political gain
1240 Pop into my head Means an idea or thought came to you suddenly and unexpectedly, without any prior planning or reasoning
1241 Pop the question Means to ask someone to marry you
1242 Popularize the movement To cause something to become known, admired, or used by many people
1243 Possibilities are endless There are a limitless number of options or potential outcomes, suggesting that anything is possible and there are no clear boundaries to what can be achieved or explored; essentially, the potential is vast and seemingly without limit
1244 Poster boy A man who epitomizes or represents a specified quality or cause
1245 Pot calling the kettle black Someone is criticizing another person for a fault that they also have
1246 Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely Means that when someone has complete and unchecked power, they are very likely to abuse it and become morally corrupt
1247 Practice what you preach Means to behave in the same way you advise others to behave
1248 Preaching to the choir Means to try to convince people who already agree with you, essentially wasting time by presenting an argument to an audience that already shares your viewpoint
1249 Pretty penny Very expensive
1250 Pretty please Used for asking someone for something or persuading them to do something by trying to make yourself sound friendly
1251 Promises are meant to be broken Means people often fail to keep their promises, implying that breaking promises is a common occurrence and sometimes considered acceptable, even if it shouldn't be; it essentially suggests that promises are not always reliable and can be disregarded
1252 Protect your blind side Means to be aware of and guard against potential threats or vulnerabilities that you might not be immediately aware of
1253 Pull an all-nighter To study all night
1254 Pull one's head in To keep quiet or mind one's own business
1255 Pull some strings To use one's influence over people of importance in order to make something happen
1256 Pull someone's leg To joke with someone
1257 Pull the last straw The final point in a series of unfortunate events when you feel you cannot take it anymore
1258 Pull the wool over someone's eyes Fool that person; deceive or delude that person
1259 Pull together To unite for a common objective
1260 Pull yourself together Calm down
1261 Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps Improve your situation by your own efforts
1262 Puppy love Refers to a young person's first romantic feelings, usually characterized as being intense but short-lived and often based on infatuation rather than deep understanding
1263 Put a pin in this Stop discussing or working this now, with plans to come back to it later
1264 Put lipstick on a pig If you dress up ugly, there's still ugly underneath
1265 Put one's foot in it To make an embarrassing blunder
1266 Put something on ice Put a projet on hold
1267 Put the cart before the horse Do things in the wrong order
1268 Put up your dukes To be prepared to fight by holding up your fists
1269 Put your best foot forward Begin a project in a positive or favorable way
1270 Put your foot down To be decisive or determined, or to deal with someone in a strict way
1271 Putting on the dog Dressing fancy; doing anything special to impress others
1272 Putting on the ritz To behave extravagantly, lavishly, or self-importantly
1273 Quick and dirty Fast and simple; not very sophisticated
1274 Quick buck To get some easy money
1275 Quit cold turkey To give up something all at once rather than gradually weaning off it
1276 Rain on someone's parade To spoil something
1277 Raining cats and dogs It's raining hard
1278 Reach out to someone Ask someone for information
1279 Read between the lines Understanding the real message behind something
1280 Real page turner Refers to a book that is so exciting that you want to read it quickly
1281 Red herring Something that misleads or distracts from a relevant or important question
1282 Red tape Excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules and formalities, especially in public business
1283 Redneck Uneducated, unsophisticated person, usually in the rural south
1284 Remember the alamo Is a battle cry that refers to the 1836 siege of the alamo fort in san antonio, texas
1285 Ride or die Means extreme loyalty and unwavering support for someone
1286 Ride shotgun To say someone wants to sit in the front seat of a car
1287 Riding shotgun Riding in the front passenger seat of a car or truck
1288 Right around the corner Something is very close or will happen very soon
1289 Rise above the crowd To distinguish yourself from others by achieving a higher level of performance, skill, or quality
1290 Rise from the ashes To make a comeback after a long wait
1291 Road hog To take up too much of the road
1292 Rob peter to pay paul To take from one source to pay off another, often resulting in a cycle of debt or financial instability
1293 Rock the boat Doing something that causes problems
1294 Roll out red carpet Means to formally welcome someone important or to give them special treatment
1295 Roll up your sleeves To prepare for hard work, mainly physical task
1296 Roll your eyes Show skepticism about a plan or situation
1297 Rolling in dough To be very wealthy or have a lot of money
1298 Roughneck Person who performs hard manual labor, or is uncouth
1299 Round the bend Crazy
1300 Rounding third base Almost finished with a task
1301 Rude awakening A sudden and unpleasant discovery that one is mistaken
1302 Ruffle feathers To irritate or annoy someone
1303 Rule of thumb A general guideline, rather than a strict rule
1304 Run around in circles To be very active but with few results
1305 Run it up the flagpole To present an idea tentatively and see whether it receives a favorable reaction
1306 Run like the wind Run fast
1307 Running around like a chicken with your head cut off Being confused, disorganized, or unsure of where to get started or what to do next
1308 Running on fumes Means to be in a state of near exhaustion or depletion, where you're barely managing to continue
1309 Running point Means taking the lead or being in charge of a specific task or project
1310 Sacred cow Something considered immune from question or criticism, especially unreasonably so
1311 Safety in numbers Being in a group of people makes you feel more confident or secure about taking action
1312 Sail close to the wind To behave in a manner that is on the verge of being dangerous, improper or illegal
1313 Same old same old Used to describe a situation or someone's behavior that remains unchanging, often in a way that is boring or annoying
1314 Same s--t different day Describes a situation where things are essentially unchanged, despite the passage of time, often implying a lack of progress or improvement
1315 Save for a rainy day To save money for later
1316 Save the planet Means to actively protect and preserve the earth's environment from damage caused by human activities, such as pollution, climate change, and resource depletion
1317 Saved by the bell Used when one has been saved by the timely intervention of something or someone, or when one has been rescued from difficulty at the last second
1318 Say "uncle" Expression to demand that the opponent in a contest submit or give up
1319 Say your piece Express your opinion
1320 S—t show Means a situation or event marked by chaos or controversy
1321 Scam To swindle
1322 Scaredy cat Person who is easily frightened
1323 Scorched earth Means a ruthless attempt to win at all costs
1324 Scrape the barrel To be reduced to using things or people of the poorest quality because there is nothing else available
1325 Scratch my back Means to do someone a favor with the expectation that they will do you a favor in return
1326 Sea legs To master a task or a job without feeling overwhelmed or uneasy
1327 Second nature Easy and natural
1328 Second to none Better than all others of the same kind
1329 Second-hand Previously owned or used
1330 See eye to eye To have the same opinion or have the same point of view
1331 See in the dark To be aware of something that others might not know about or understand
1332 See past the end of one's nose To have insight into underlying facts or consequences; to possess common sense or a vision for the future
1333 See the light at the end of the tunnel To have hope that a difficult or unpleasant situation will soon come to an end
1334 See the world through rose-colored glasses Be overly optimistic; only see the positive aspects
1335 Seeing red To be extremely angry
1336 Sell like hot cakes To be sold quickly and in large numbers
1337 Sell someone a bill of goods To deceive someone into buying or believing something that has no value
1338 Separates the men from the boys Means to distinguish between those who are skilled, experienced, or mature, and those who are not, often implying a test or challenge that reveals true capabilities
1339 Set the pace Lead the way in doing or achieving something
1340 Set the record straight To reveal the truth or to clarify
1341 Sh** eating grin A snarky, knowing smile
1342 Sh** happens Life is full of unfortunate unpredictable events
1343 Sh** or get off the pot Just hurry and finish
1344 Shaking like a leaf Very frightened
1345 Shape up or ship out Work better or leave
1346 Sharp as a tack Very intelligent or clever
1347 Shivering in my boots Means to be very nervous or frightened
1348 Shoot for the moon Means to set exceptionally high goals and ambitions, aiming for something very difficult or seemingly impossible to achieve
1349 Shoot the breeze Make small talk; have a casual conversation
1350 Should be straightforward Something should be easy to understand, clear, and direct, without any complications or hidden meanings
1351 Show no remorse To demonstrate a complete lack of guilt, regret, or sorrow for one's actions
1352 Shut the front door Is an informal expression used to convey strong surprise or disbelief, essentially meaning no way or you're kidding me
1353 Sight for sore eyes A way of saying that you are very pleased to see someone or something, or that you think someone or something is very attractive
1354 Silence is golden Means that sometimes it is better to say nothing, implying that keeping quiet can be more valuable than speaking up in certain situations
1355 Silver spoon Means someone was born into a wealthy family and has many advantages in life
1356 Sitting on the fence Can't make up there mind
1357 Skating on thin ice Engaged in some behavior that is risky, dangerous, or could cause trouble
1358 Skedaddle Leave; get out of here
1359 Skin and bones Very thin in a way that is unattractive and unhealthy
1360 Skin in the game Having a vested interest in how something turns out
1361 Skinflint Someone who doesn't like to spend (or give) money
1362 Slap on the wrist A minor caution against doing something
1363 Sleep like a log Sleep very soundly without waking
1364 Slip your mind To forget something
1365 Slow and steady wins the race Reliability is more important than speed
1366 Slow burn Low-level anger that continues to increase over time
1367 Slow poke An informal term for someone who moves or acts slowly
1368 Smell a rat To get a sense that there is a problem with something
1369 Smell test An informal method for determining whether something is authentic, credible, or ethical, by using one's common sense or sense of propriety
1370 SNAFU Situation Normal, All F---ed Up
1371 Snail mail Refers to mail that is carried by the traditional postal delivery service
1372 Snap out of it Means to quickly recover from a negative situation or to change one's state of mind
1373 Snowball effect Events have momentum and build upon each other
1374 Snowball's chance in hell No chance at all
1375 Snowed under Very busy
1376 Snug as a bug in a rug Cozy and comfortable
1377 So close but yet so far Means something is almost within reach, but still remains unattainable
1378 So far so good Things are going well so far
1379 Some people spoil the whole bunch A few negative individuals within a group can have a detrimental effect on the entire group
1380 Someone's ears are burning People are talking about that person, usually behind their back
1381 Sounding board Refers to a person or group with whom you discuss ideas to get feedback and assess their viability
1382 Speak of the devil The person we were talking about, just showed up
1383 Spice things up To add some excitement or variety
1384 Spill the beans To give away a secret
1385 Spirited away Means to take someone or something away quickly and secretly, or to remove something mysteriously
1386 Spitballing Means to quickly suggest ideas without thinking them through
1387 Spitting image An exact likeness or close resemblance
1388 Spread too thin Means to try to do too many things at once, so that you can't give enough time or attention to any of them
1389 Squirreled away Means to save or hide something in a safe place for future use
1390 Stab someone in the back To betray a close person
1391 Stand head and shoulders above the rest Someone or something is much better than others
1392 Stand still Means either to remain motionless or to tolerate something
1393 Start off on the right foot Begin a project in a positive or favorable way
1394 Start off on the wrong foot To start a relationship or activity badly
1395 Stay above the fray Means to remain uninvolved or not directly participate in a heated argument, conflict, or struggle
1396 Steal someone’s thunder To direct the attention away from someone else
1397 Steam coming out of ears Angry
1398 Step up your game To start performing better
1399 Stick out like a sore thumb Be noticeably different from others, usually in a bad way
1400 Stick to something like white on rice To cling tightly with no possibility of letting go
1401 Stick to your guns Stay morally strong or be firm in decisions especially when being opposed
1402 Stick your neck out Take a chance on another person
1403 Sticker shock Means an unpleasant surprise at the high price of something
1404 Still have a shot Means to still have a chance or to attempt or try something, even if it seems unlikely
1405 Stir up a hornets nest Means to provoke a situation that causes a lot of anger, controversy, or trouble
1406 Stop and smell the roses Become more aware of your surroundings and appreciate the beauty in life
1407 Stop at nothing Means to be utterly ruthless or determined in one's attempt to achieve something
1408 Straight from the horse's mouth Got information directly from the most knowledgeable source
1409 Straight from the horse’s mouth Directly from the person involved
1410 Straighten up and fly right Get yourself together, behave properly, and do the right thing
1411 Stress out To become extremely anxious, overwhelmed, or mentally strained
1412 Stroke of luck Means a fortunate occurrence that could not have been predicted or expected
1413 Sugar and spice Excerpt from a common nursery rhyme "what are little girls made of?"
1414 Sum of all fears Means the worst possible scenario or outcome that someone can imagine, representing a culmination of all their individual fears, creating a situation of extreme dread
1415 Swan song The last piece of work of an artist before his/her death
1416 Sweep someone off their feet To be completely taken by someone emotionally
1417 Table an item Put something aside for consideration at another time
1418 Tackle the problem Means to deal with or address a difficult situation or issue in a determined or efficient way
1419 Take a backseat to someone To willingly take a less prominent role in some situation
1420 Take a breather Take a short pause in the action (in order to rest or do some other task)
1421 Take a leap of faith Means to do something that requires trust or belief in something uncertain, even when there is no guarantee of success, essentially taking a risk by acting on faith rather than concrete evidence
1422 Take a stand To state your principles or position firmly
1423 Take everything with a grain of salt Don’t take it too seriously
1424 Take it in stride Accept unpleasant news without changing your plans
1425 Take it into one's head To form a notion, purpose, or plan
1426 Take it with a grain of salt Be skeptical; don’t take something too literally
1427 Take matters into own hands To take action on a problem yourself because other people have failed to do so
1428 Take my breath away Astonish or shock one, with pleasure, surprise, or some other emotion
1429 Take one for the team To agree to do something unpleasant that you do not really want to do, or not have something that you want, in order to help or be kind to other people in a group
1430 Take the fifth Means to not want to answer a question
1431 Take the wind out of your sails To be disappointed
1432 Take with a pinch of salt When someone tells you something based on their opinion, rather than facts or evidence
1433 Taken by beauty Implies being so impressed or captivated by something's beauty that it has a strong emotional impact
1434 Talk is cheap It is easy to say something but much harder to actually do it
1435 Test the waters Means to judge people's feelings or opinions before taking further action
1436 Testing my patience Means that something or someone is causing you to become increasingly frustrated or annoyed, pushing the limits of your ability to remain calm and tolerant
1437 That dog won't hunt A plan, idea, or argument is not going to work or is ineffective
1438 That is lame To be boring, dull, or uninspired
1439 That old chestnut Means a joke or story that has become tedious because of its age and constant repetition
1440 That really knocked my socks off To be really impressed by something
1441 That rings a bell To remember slightly or vaguely recognize something
1442 That ship has sailed It's too late
1443 That takes the prize Means that something is so outstanding, remarkable, or extreme that it surpasses everything else
1444 That was a masterstroke Means a masterly action or achievement; an extremely skillful or effective action
1445 That would be my bet Means that based on your understanding of the situation, you believe something specific is likely to happen or be true
1446 That's above my pay grade I don't have responsibility or authority to do something
1447 That's good enough for government work Make sure you are doing a good job, of a high quality good enough for government work
1448 That's my kryptonite Something that is a weakness or can be used to hurt me
1449 That's no big deal That's not a problem
1450 That's rad That's cool
1451 That's serendipitous An event that was not planned but has a good result
1452 That's the last straw My patience has run out
1453 That's the way the cookie crumbles Such is life
1454 That’s the spirit Used to approve or encourage someone's positive attitude or action
1455 The ball is in your court It's your decision
1456 The beginning of the end The event to which ending or failure can be traced
1457 The best of both worlds An ideal situation
1458 The best thing since sliced bread A really good invention
1459 The buck stops here Means to take responsibility for something and not pass it on to someone else
1460 The butterfly effect How small changes can result in unpredictable consequences over a period of time
1461 The early bird gets the worm The first people who arrive will get the best stuff
1462 The enemy of your enemy is your friend Two parties who have an enemy in common should join forces against it
1463 The game is afoot Means a challenge has been accepted or a new and exciting activity has begun
1464 The good die young People with positive qualities, kindness, and good intentions often pass away at a young age, implying a sense of unfairness or tragedy in their early death
1465 The grass is always greener on the other side Never being satisfied with what one gets
1466 The lights are on but nobody's home Someone is present but is actually not paying attention or thinking clearly
1467 The other side With several meanings, ranging from the afterlife to a different perspective or an opposing force, depending on the context
1468 The other side of the coin To look at different aspects of a situation
1469 The straw that broke the camel's back A minor action that causes a big reaction due to a series of previous small actions
1470 The walls have ears Something you say to warn someone that it is not safe to speak at that particular time because other people might be listening
1471 The whole enchilada To refer to the entirety of something, down to the last detail
1472 The world is your oyster To be in a position to take advantage of life's opportunities
1473 There are clouds on the horizon Trouble is coming
1474 There is more than meets the eye Means that something is more complex, significant, or has hidden aspects that are not immediately obvious.
1475 There is no stairway to heaven There is no easy way to achieve perfection
1476 There ya go Means this is what you wanted
1477 There's a method to his madness He seems crazy but actually he's clever
1478 There's no such thing as a free lunch Nothing is entirely free
1479 Thick as thieves Very close or friendly
1480 Think on your feet To react quickly in a tricky or fast-moving situation
1481 Think outside the box Think of new ideas outside the norm
1482 Third times the charm Means that after two unsuccessful attempts, the third attempt is likely to be successful, often used as a form of encouragement or to express hope for a positive outcome
1483 Those three little words Refers to the phrase "i love you," signifying the powerful and significant nature of expressing deep affection with just those three simple words
1484 Those who can't do, teach People who can't do something well end up teaching it
1485 Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones People who are morally questionable shouldn't criticize others
1486 Three sheets to the wind To be intoxicated
1487 Through thick and thin In good times and in bad times
1488 Throw a curveball To unexpectedly present something surprising or unexpected
1489 Throw caution to the wind To act recklessly or without concern for the consequences
1490 Throw in the towel To give up or surrender
1491 Throw the fight Means to deliberately lose a competition, usually in a fighting context, by not trying your best or by intentionally allowing your opponent to win, often for personal gain or under outside pressure
1492 Throw your hat into the ring Means to announce that you are going to participate in a contest or competition, especially a political election or a business venture
1493 Throw your weight around Try to exert influence
1494 Tick, tock Time is a wasting
1495 Tie one on Drink a lot of alcohol
1496 Tie the knot Means to get married or to perform a wedding ceremony
1497 Ties that bind Describes the shared beliefs or ideas that connect people
1498 Till death do us part A common phrase said between the bride and the groom at a christian wedding, indicating togetherness and commitment
1499 Till the cows come home A long time
1500 Time and again Repeatedly
1501 Time constraints Limitations on how much time is available to complete a task or achieve a goal
1502 Time flies To observe that time seems to pass very quickly
1503 Time flies when you're having fun You don't notice how long something lasts when it's fun
1504 Time flies when you’re having fun When you’re having a good time, you don’t notice how quickly the time is passing
1505 Time frame A period of time that is used or planned for a particular action or project
1506 Time is all relative Means that how someone perceives the passage of time depends on their perspective, situation, or frame of reference
1507 Time is money Work quickly
1508 Time is of the essence Prompt action is absolutely necessary
1509 Time management The ability to use one's time effectively or productively,
1510 Time out Pause your action
1511 Time will tell Sooner or later something will become known or be revealed
1512 Time-lapse The photographic technique of taking a sequence of frames at set intervals to record changes that take place slowly over time
1513 Timeless Not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion
1514 Times gone by Means in the past, or bygone days, referring to periods or events that have already occurred. it evokes a sense of nostalgia and can be used to reminisce about past experiences, events, or periods
1515 Tip your hand To reveal a secret, especially about your own plans or opinions
1516 To backbite a person To speak negatively about someone in their absence
1517 To be a chicken/to chicken out To be too afraid
1518 To be a fly on the wall To wish to witness what is going on without anyone being aware that you are there
1519 To be a good catch Means that someone is considered a desirable partner in a romantic relationship
1520 To be at loggerheads with someone To quarrel or disagree
1521 To be beside yourself To feel extremely emotional with worry, anxiety, or sadness
1522 To be closefisted Someone who is stingy with money
1523 To be in the doldrums To be in a low spirit
1524 To be loaded To have a lot money; to be wealthy
1525 To be named after To be named in honor, or in memory, of someone else
1526 To be out of the question To be impossible or unacceptable
1527 To be red in the face Showing signs of embarrassment, shame, or humiliation
1528 To be tied up with something or someone To be completely occupied with someone or on something
1529 To be up to something To be doing something, or planning to do something, that other people aren't expecting or that you perhaps shouldn't
1530 To beat the band To do something in an exaggerated or extreme way
1531 To bell the cat To face a risk
1532 To bend someone's ear To speak to someone eagerly, especially in order to ask for a favor
1533 To bite the dust To be defeated in battle
1534 To black out To lose consciousness
1535 To blow your own horn To outwardly praise yourself for something
1536 To bomb To completely fail at something
1537 To box someone in To trap someone in a situation, or to put them in circumstances where their options are limited
1538 To bug someone To annoy someone
1539 To butt in To interrupt in a rude manner
1540 To call a person hot Describe the person as sexually attractive, fashionable, or cool
1541 To call a person or situation cool Describe a person or situation as interesting and fun to be around; impressive in a unique way; describe a person as hot
1542 To call it a day To stop working for the day
1543 To call someone on the carpet To confront someone with whom you're having a conflict
1544 To carry a torch for someone To continue to have an infatuation with someone
1545 To catch one’s eye To attract attention
1546 To cause bad blood To create feelings of resentment, hostility, or animosity
1547 To come out flat-footed To have been unprepared
1548 To come out swinging To strongly defend oneself as a confrontation or debate begins
1549 To corner the market To become the most dominant (or the only dominant) player in a specific area of the market
1550 To cry wolf To deliberately raise an alarm for no real reason
1551 To do a number on something To hurt or severely damage something
1552 To draw a blank To forget something you specifically wanted to remember
1553 To drink like a fish To drink a lot of alcohol on a regular basis
1554 To drop by To drink a lot of alcohol on a regular basis
1555 To find fault with To look for faults in someone or something
1556 To follow up on something To check up on someone or something
1557 To get bent out of shape To get upset
1558 To get ghosted When someone stops responding to texts, calls, or messages on social media without any closure
1559 To get in touch with To contact
1560 To get rid of To do away with something
1561 To get your walking papers To get fired from your job
1562 To give in To decide to go along with something, usually as a result of some sort of pressure
1563 To give someone the heads-up To notify someone of something and to keep them up-to-date
1564 To go down like a lead balloon To be terribly received by an audience
1565 To go dutch For every individual to pay for their own bill in a restaurant
1566 To go for broke To gamble all of your resources
1567 To go off the deep end To get extremely upset and/or emotional
1568 To go to bat To speak out positively about someone or something with the intent of helping
1569 To have another thing coming To have something else that will happen in the near future that you didn't expect or think would happen
1570 To have no backbone Someone who lacks courage
1571 To have one's back to the wall To feel trapped, with no real options to deal with the situation
1572 To have sticky fingers To be likely to steal
1573 To hold out an olive branch To offer a gesture of peace or to ask for forgiveness or a truce
1574 To hold your own To be confident and politely assertive with other people and in various situations
1575 To keep an eye on To closely watch and/or monitor
1576 To know by heart Memorize something so that you can recite it without consulting the words
1577 To know by sight To know someone when you look at them
1578 To let someone off the hook To release someone from responsibility
1579 To live beyond your means To live in a manner that requires more money than you can afford
1580 To live hand-to-mouth To live with very little money
1581 To look down one's nose To feel superior to someone else
1582 To look like death warmed over Used to describe someone who appears very ill, exhausted, or unwell
1583 To make a long story short To tell someone something in a brief and simple way
1584 To make a mountain out of a molehill To overreact and overstate a situation
1585 To make matters worse Make a problem worse
1586 To mention something in passing To mention something casually
1587 To nix something To cancel a plan or dismiss an idea, or to forbid something
1588 To not see the wood for the trees To be so involved in trivial matters that you don’t get the important facts
1589 To outdo oneself To do better at something that one has done before
1590 To paddle your own canoe To be self-sufficient and think independently
1591 To pick and choose To make a careful selection
1592 To pig out To eat too much
1593 To pony up To pay money that is owed or that you need to pay for some other reason
1594 To punch above your weight To perform at a level that is considered beyond one's abilities
1595 To rat someone out To tell somebody in authority about something wrong that somebody else has done
1596 To ride off into the sunset Means to leave or depart, often signifying the end of a chapter in life, heading towards a new and potentially better phase, typically with a positive connotation, like a happy ending to a story or a well-deserved retirement
1597 To run interference To try to remove obstacles that are in someone's way; clearing the way for someone else
1598 To run/blow hot and cold To sometimes seem enthusiastic and other times seem the opposite
1599 To see the light To finally see something clearly and understand it
1600 To serve one right It was a just consequence or punishment
1601 To smooth things over To restore peace to a situation or to resolve conflict
1602 To square the circle To attempt something impossible
1603 To stand up for To help defend someone
1604 To start over from scratch To start over again from the very beginning
1605 To stonewall To be intentionally vague or to make insignificant statements in response to a question, specifically to avoid answering it
1606 To take a load off someone's back To relieve someone of a specific burden or a potential burden
1607 To take a rain check To postpone a plan
1608 To take it easy To relax and/or rest
1609 To take sides To choose a team or align yourself with one point of view in a controversy
1610 To take someone under one's wing To protect or teach someone
1611 To take something for granted To assume that you would have had, or will have, something no matter what
1612 To take up arms To prepare for battle or engage in a conflict
1613 To tear your hair out To be completely frustrated by a person or situation
1614 To the best of my knowledge Means you believe something is true, but you might not know all the facts
1615 To the hilt To do something in an extremely thorough way
1616 To turn a blind eye Pretend not to notice
1617 To vanish into thin air To disappear without leaving a trace
1618 To zero in on something To aim or focus directly on something
1619 Toe the line To stay within the acceptable boundary or limits
1620 Tomorrow is another day One may not accomplish everything today but will have another chance
1621 Tomorrow never comes You should take action today and not procrastinate
1622 Tomorrow onwards Starting tomorrow and continuing after that
1623 Tomorrow will be a better day Things may be better tomorrow
1624 Tongue and cheek Means a statement or comment that is not meant to be taken seriously, but rather is made with insincerity, irony, or whimsical exaggeration, often to be humorous or to express a slightly mocking or playful tone
1625 Too clever by half Clever in a way that is annoying or arrogant, and in danger of overreaching
1626 Top notch Means the highest quality or standard as in excellent or first-rate
1627 Top of the line The best possible version of something
1628 Top shelf Means something is of the highest quality or standard
1629 Topsy-turvy In utter confusion or disorder
1630 Total smoke show Means someone is extremely physically attractive, often used to describe a woman who is considered very beautiful and eye-catching
1631 Totaled Completely destroyed
1632 Touch base To communicate with someone regarding future plans
1633 Tough as nails Very tough or resilient
1634 Tried and true Means something that has proven in the past to be effective or reliable
1635 Trifecta Three things that happen at the same time
1636 Triple threat A person, especially a performer or athlete, who is proficient in three important skills within their particular field
1637 Triumph over adversity Means to successfully overcome significant challenges or difficult situations, essentially achieving victory despite facing setbacks or obstacles; it highlights the idea of resilience and perseverance in the face of hardship
1638 Trust but verify Means to be trusting but also to verify what is said or done
1639 Try your hand at Try doing something for the first time
1640 Tug on the heartstrings Cause someone to become emotional
1641 Turn a blind eye To ignore or pretend not to see something
1642 Turn a deaf ear To ignore what someone is saying
1643 Turn someone's head To cause someone to become smug or conceited
1644 Turn up the heat on someone Put pressure on someone to do something or agree with a particular viewpoint
1645 Turtle wins the race To have endurance and persistence is more important than speed
1646 Twist someone’s arm To convince someone
1647 Two heads are better than one It's better to work together
1648 Two peas in a pod They're always together; they have similar interests
1649 Two shakes of a lamb's tail Very quickly
1650 Under foot To be in the way
1651 Under the table To do something secretly, often used to refer to working for pay unofficially (and illegally)
1652 Under the weather Not feeling very well
1653 Underscore the fact Means to emphasize or highlight the importance of a particular fact or point
1654 Unfinished business Refers to something that has not been completed or dealt with
1655 Until we meet again Goodbye
1656 Up a creek To be in a difficult or unfavorable position, facing serious problems
1657 Up against the clock Running out of time
1658 Up for grabs Available for everyone
1659 Up in arms To be angry or rebellious
1660 Up in the air Uncertain or unsettled
1661 Up my alley Something that is within your skillset
1662 Up the creek without a paddle In a bad situation and unable to proceed; in an awkward position with no easy way out
1663 Up to par Meeting normal standards
1664 Up to snuff Means to meet the required standard
1665 Uphill climb Means a situation or task that is challenging, requires significant effort, and demands perseverance to achieve success
1666 Use your head To tell someone to think more carefully about what they are doing
1667 Use your noodle Means to use your intelligence or brainpower to think about something carefully, especially to solve a problem or figure something out
1668 Va-va-voom! Exclamation to indicate a that a person or event has a strikingly sexy, impressive, or appealing quality
1669 Vale of tears Is a christian phrase referring to the tribulations of life that christian doctrine says are left behind only when one leaves the world and enters heaven
1670 Vanish into thin air Disappear without leaving a trace
1671 Variety is the spice of life Trying different things keeps life interesting
1672 Vault over To jump or leap over someone or something
1673 Veer off To turn or steer sharply away from someone or something
1674 Veer toward To turn sharply or swerve toward someone or something
1675 Veg out To relax and not think about anything that stresses you out
1676 Velvet glove A superficial display of gentleness or courtesy that masks a strong or unyielding will or determination
1677 Vent your spleen To express anger or frustration
1678 Vested interest in A personal or biased interest, often financial, in something
1679 Vicar of bray A person who changes their beliefs or allegiances to gain an advantage
1680 Vicious circle A chain of events in which the response to one difficulty creates a new problem that aggravates the original difficulty
1681 Vie with someone To compete or contend with someone
1682 Vim and vigor Energy and enthusiasm
1683 Virgin territory A new experience or situation that someone has no experience with
1684 Visible to the naked eye Can be easily seen
1685 Visit the plumbing To go to the bathroom
1686 Voice in the wilderness Someone who expresses an idea or opinion that is not popular or that the individual is the sole person expressing that particular opinion with the suggestion that the opinion is then ignored
1687 Volte-face A major change in attitude or principle or point of view
1688 Vultures are circling Something is in danger and its enemies are getting ready for the kill
1689 Wait for nature to take its course To allow a situation to unfold naturally without interfering
1690 Wake up and smell the coffee Realize the truth about a situation
1691 Wake up on the wrong side of the bed Start the day in a bad mood
1692 Walk in the other’s shoes To understand what the other is going through
1693 Walk on eggshells To be very careful with your actions and words
1694 Walk the talk Means to act in accordance with what you say
1695 Walking on a tightrope Being in a difficult situation that requires extreme care and precision
1696 Warm reception A friendly, enthusiastic, or hospitable welcome
1697 Wash your hands To stop being responsible for or involved in something
1698 Waste not, want not Don't waste things and you'll always have enough
1699 Water under the bridge Means something that's in the past and no longer relevant to the current situation
1700 We don't see eye to eye We disagree
1701 We'll cross that bridge when we get to it To wait to deal with the problem when it happens
1702 Wear their feelings on their sleeves Means someone is openly and freely displaying their emotions, rather than hiding them
1703 Wear your heart on your sleeve To be extremely open about what you feel and think
1704 Weather the storm Means to survive or successfully endure a difficult period or challenging situation without suffering significant harm or damage
1705 We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it If that problem comes up, we’ll deal with it then, not right now
1706 Weigh the pros and cons Means to consider the advantages and disadvantages of something before making a decision
1707 Well begun is half done Getting a good start is important
1708 Well under way Means something has already started and is progressing well or making good progress
1709 Went out like a light Fall asleep rapidly, or pass out (lose consciousness)
1710 Went over like a lead balloon To be poorly received
1711 Wet behind the ears Doesn't have very much experience; isn't very skilled
1712 Wet blanket Someone who is dull and keeps others from having fun
1713 What comes around goes around People's actions will eventually have consequences which they will have to deal with, even though this may not happen for a long time
1714 What the f--k To be shocked at what is happening
1715 What we got here is a failure to communicate You didn't do what I told you to do
1716 What's the damage What's the cost
1717 What's up What is happening with you
1718 Whe the fat lady sings Meaning that the final outcome of something is not known until it is truly over, and you shouldn't assume the outcome based on current events
1719 When it rains, it pours Everything is going wrong at once
1720 When pigs fly When something is unlikely or impossible to happen
1721 Where on God's green earth Where in the world - it's an idiom expressing a strong sense of disbelief or frustration at something happening seemingly anywhere on the planet, implying that the situation is unbelievable or outrageous
1722 Where the rubber meets the road The point where actions begin to matter
1723 Where there's smoke, there's fire Rumors are sometimes close to the truth
1724 Whisper sweet nothings Romantic things that people who are in love say to each other
1725 Whistle past the graveyard Act confidently or cheerfully in a scary or dangerous situation
1726 White collar An office worker
1727 White elephant A possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain or difficult to dispose of
1728 White lie A harmless or trivial lie, especially one told to avoid hurting someone's feelings
1729 White-collar job A high-salary job that doesn't involve manual labor
1730 Whitewash Means to cover up or hide an unpleasant situation, wrongdoing, or error
1731 Who left the barn door open Means someone has made a significant mistake by neglecting to take necessary precautions, allowing a problem to occur because they weren't careful enough
1732 Whole nine yards Refers to everything; the complete extent
1733 Will it into existence Means to desire or believe in something so intensely that it appears to become real
1734 Win-win situation Is a mutually beneficial outcome where everyone involved benefits
1735 Wipe out To destroy or remove something or someone completely; to be completely exhausted
1736 Wipe the slate clean Make a fresh start despite past mistakes or problems
1737 Wishy-washy Lacking decisiveness
1738 Worth its weight in gold To be highly valued or appreciated
1739 Wrap your head around something To try to make sense about what is happening
1740 Writer's block The condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing
1741 WTF What the f--k
1742 X marks the spot This is the exact spot
1743 Yellow belly Coward
1744 You bet (or You betcha) You're welcome; I agree with what you just said
1745 You can catch more bees with honey Means it's easier to convince people to do something by being nice and respectful, rather than being aggressive
1746 You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar You are more likely to get what you want by being nice
1747 You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink You can't force someone to make the right decision
1748 You can say that again That's true, I agree
1749 You can't have your cake and eat it too You can't have everything
1750 You can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs There's always a cost to doing something
1751 You can't teach an old dog new tricks It's hard to change someone's established behavior or beliefs
1752 You don't say Used to show surprise at something that is being said
1753 You don’t have a leg to stand on Means you have no evidence, justification, or support for your argument or claim, making it impossible to defend your position
1754 You don’t have the cards Means that you are not in a position of power or control in a situation, essentially lacking the necessary advantages or information to achieve a desired outcome
1755 You look beside yourself You look very troubled or anxious and distraught
1756 You made your bed, now lie in it Means that someone must accept the negative consequences of their actions
1757 You never cease to amaze Used to express that one is consistently impressed or surprised by someone or something
1758 You protest too much Means someone is denying something so strongly that it makes others suspect they are not being truthful
1759 You're out of your mind Someone is acting foolishly, irrationally, or in a way that is not normal
1760 You're the doctor You are the expert in this situation, so the speaker is deferring to your judgment and asking you to make the decision because you know best
1761 You're the s--t You're the coolest
1762 You've got another think coming You are mistaken about something and need to reconsider your opinion
1763 You've outdone yourself this time You exceeded expectations
1764 You've sold me You have convinced me
1765 You’ll be sorry you asked The person you are speaking to is about to hear something unpleasant or unwelcome information, and they will likely regret having asked the question in the first place
1766 Young at heart Someone who maintains a youthful mindset, energy, and outlook on life despite their actual age, essentially acting and thinking like a younger person even if they are older
1767 Your guess is as good as mine I have no idea
1768 Your John Hancock Your official signature
1769 Your neck of the woods The general area where someone lives
1770 Your secret is safe with me Someone will not share a secret with anyone else
1771 Zebras don't change their stripes Don't expect anyone to be anything other than who they really are
1772 Zero sum gain A situation where one person's gain is exactly balanced by another person's loss
1773 Zero tolerance Refusal to tolerate something at all
1774 Zest for life Means having a strong enthusiasm, excitement, and passion for living life to the fullest, approaching experiences with energy and a positive attitude
1775 Zip Nothing
1776 Zip it Be quiet
1777 Zip past To move very quickly past something
1778 Zone out To shift attention away from the present situation, as in daydreaming
1779 Zonk out To fall asleep suddenly or lose consciousness
EXPRESSION MEANING
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