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 drop in the bucket Means a very small amount compared with what is needed or expected
20 A far cry from something Something that has a great many differences from something else
21 A fifth wheel Something that is useless or unnecessary
22 A flash in the pan Something that seems promising at first but ultimately doesn't deliver anything
23 A fool and his money are easily parted It's easy to convince a foolish person to give you their money for something silly
24 A for effort Made an excellent effort (but perhaps didn't succeed)
25 A fork in the road A situation in which you must choose one path or another
26 A good samaritan A person who helps others in need
27 A hand-me-down A piece of clothing that belonged to an older brother/sister and is passed to a younger brother/sister
28 A hang-up Something, perhaps irrational, that consistently worries you
29 A hard nut to crack Someone who is difficult to get to know or understand, or someone who is tricky to deal with
30 A home away from home Means a place where one is as happy, relaxed, or comfortable as in one's own home
31 A hot potato An issue, probably from current events, that is causing a lot of discussion and controversy
32 A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step Everything in life starts with a simple, yet vital, first step
33 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
34 A kickback A bribe or other illegal payment of money, usually offered to get someone to do something
35 A little bird told me A person (possibly someone recognized by both participants in the conversation) who imparted the information in question
36 A little bit To a small extent or a small amount
37 A little goes a long way Means a small amount of something can have a big impact or be enough
38 A little learning is a dangerous thing People who don't understand something fully are dangerous
39 A little porky Means to tell a lie or make a false statement
40 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
41 A memory like a sieve An inadequate memory
42 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
43 A new lease on life Means to substantially improve prospect of life or use after rejuvenation or repair
44 A pain in the neck Refers to a person who is annoying
45 A penny for your thoughts Tell me what you're thinking
46 A penny saved is a penny earned Money you save today you can spend later
47 A picture is worth a thousand words Better to show than tell
48 A piece of the pie To get a share or portion of something, usually referring to profits or benefits
49 A quart low Seeming confused; not thinking well
50 A ray of sunshine Someone who is always cheerful and makes other people feel more positive
51 A rip-off Something that costs too much for what it is really worth
52 A rising tide lifts all boats It is associated with economic growth, wealth, and prosperity
53 A screw loose To be crazy
54 A screwup A mistake
55 A shoo-in Means someone or something that is a guaranteed winner or is certain to succeed
56 A sledgehammer to crack a nut Using a disproportionate (and probably ineffective) solution for a problem
57 A smart cookie A clever and quick-thinking person
58 A snafu Utter confusion or chaos
59 A sniffle turned into a full-blown cold Something small turned into something big
60 A snowball effect A series of events gain momentum and build upon one another, leading to a more impactful outcome
61 A stitch in time saves nine Fix the problem now because it will get worse later
62 A stone's throw Very close by
63 A storm in a teacup A big fuss about a small problem
64 A storm is brewing There is likely to be significant trouble in the near future
65 A surefire way An approach that will definitely lead to something happening
66 A sweet tooth To love sweet foods and flavors
67 A tempest in a teapot Means a great anger or excitement about a trivial matter
68 A third wheel Something that is not wanted or needed in a situation
69 A toss-up Something that is difficult to decide
70 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
71 Absence makes the heart grow fonder Means you feel more affection for those you love when parted from them
72 Absent-minded Gives the impression of not being aware of what is happening in the present moment
73 Ace in the hole A hidden, but very effective, method for winning a conflict
74 Ace up the sleeve A hidden advantage in a competition
75 Achilles heel A major weakness
76 Achilles' heel A significant weakness and/or reason for potential downfall
77 Acid test An important or critical test of something
78 Across the board In every area and/or in every way
79 Act all high and mighty Thinking or acting as though one is more important than others
80 Actions speak louder than words Believe what people do and not what they say
81 Add fuel to the fire Means to cause a conflict or difficult situation to worsen or intensify
82 Add insult to injury To make a bad situation, worse
83 Adding fuel to the fire To make a situation worse
84 Adding insult to injury Means to act in a way that makes a bad or displeasing situation worse
85 Against the clock Rushed
86 Ahead of schedule To finish something earlier than the schedule requires
87 Ahead of the curve Means to be more advanced, innovative, or better informed than others, typically regarding trends, technology, or knowledge
88 Ahead of the game Means to be in a position of advantage, especially financially; succeeding or winning
89 All bark and no bite Seems more intimidating than he actually is
90 All bets are off Any existing agreements are discarded
91 All eyes on me Means that everyone is paying attention to you
92 All greek to me I don't understand it
93 All gussied up Dressed in fancy clothes
94 All hands on deck Means that there is a crisis that needs everyone to help out
95 All hat, no cattle All talk, no action or substance
96 All heart To be very kind and loving to others
97 All hell broke loose Means a sudden, chaotic, and uncontrollable situation
98 All in the same boat All in the same situation
99 All kidding aside I was joking before, but now i'm going to speak seriously
100 All over the map Something that doesn't stay on target with the primary topic or purpose
101 All set Ready to go or proceed
102 All that glitters is not gold Something may not be as valuable or good as it first appears
103 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
104 All the gear, no idea Someone who has the necessary tools for a task but lacks the skills or knowledge to use them effectively
105 All the rage Means something is currently very popular, fashionable, or a widespread trend
106 All the time in the world Means that there is plenty of time to accomplish something or to take things at a leisurely pace
107 All things considered Means taking every factor, positive and negative, into account before making a judgment or reaching a conclusion
108 All thumbs Clumsy, especially with intricate tasks that require a lot of dexterity
109 All thumbs up To be in complete agreement or approval of something
110 All wet To be wrong to the extent of being unbelievable or just silly
111 Almost to the finish line Means that someone is very close to completing a task, project, or goal
112 Along for the ride To be present when something is happening, without actually participating in it
113 Always a bridesmaid, never a bride Being consistently overshadowed by competitors
114 An about-face A sudden change, usually in the opposite direction
115 An albatross around my neck An encumbrance or significant burden
116 An arm and a leg Something that is very expensive
117 An old head on young shoulders Someone who seems to have more perception and wisdom than most other people the same age
118 An old soul Someone who seems to have more emotional insight and wisdom than other people the same age
119 An open book Someone who is extremely open about themselves
120 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
121 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
122 Anchors aweigh Means that a ship's anchor has been hoisted clear of the sea bottom and the vessel is ready to get underway
123 And bob's your uncle Said after explaining how to do something, to emphasize how easy it is
124 Another nail in the coffin Means an event, mistake, or action that causes further damage to a person, plan, or business that is already struggling and brings it closer to complete failure
125 Ants in your pants You can't sit still
126 Anything but Means not at all
127 Apple a day will keep the doctor away Eat right to stay healthy
128 Apple of my eye To be cherished or adored by someone else
129 Apply some elbow grease Put some physical effort into what you're doing
130 Armchair quarterback A person who offers opinions and advice but shows no evidence that they actually have any necessary knowledge or skill
131 Armed to the teeth To be heavily armed
132 Around the clock Means all day and all night
133 Around-the-clock At every time of day and night
134 As busy as a bee Very busy
135 As easy as abc Very simple and easy
136 As easy as pie Very simple and easy
137 As genuine as a three-dollar bill Fake, as three-dollar bills do not exist
138 As happy as a clam Happy and content
139 As i live and breathe Used to emphasize the truth of a statement
140 As quiet as a mouse Very quiet and reserved
141 As rare as hen's teeth Extremely rare or non-existent
142 As right as rain Something is perfect
143 As the crow flies Either in a straight line or directly, without the use of roads
144 As white as a ghost Extremely pale, so much so that it causes concern
145 As white as a sheet Extremely pale, so much so that it causes concern
146 At a standstill Means a situation where all movement or activity has stopped, or no progress is being made
147 At best In the best-case scenario
148 At hand Available (used for objects, not people)
149 At least At a minimum
150 At my wits' end Getting extremely frustrated and close to becoming angry
151 At one's fingertips Easily recalled or available
152 At sea Confused
153 At the 11th hour At the last moment
154 At the bottom of the totem pole Having a low-status position, especially at work
155 At the crack of dawn Extremely early in the morning
156 At the drop of a hat Do something without having planned beforehand
157 At the end of your rope Reached the limit of endurance and/or patience with something or someone
158 At-large At liberty when one shouldn't be
159 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
160 Baby boomer Someone born during the years following world war ii
161 Back against the wall Means to be in a difficult situation with no easy way out
162 Back to basics To go back to thinking about the basic elements of something
163 Back to square one Back to the beginning of an endeavor
164 Back to the drawing board After experiencing failure, it's time to start a task over from scratch
165 Backfile Refers to a collection of documents that are no longer in use or are in a different format than digital
166 Backfire Means to have an opposite result from what was intended
167 Backhanded compliment A compliment that is really meant as an insult
168 Backseat driver A passenger who tries to interfere with the driver's driving
169 Backstabber Means a person who betrays the trust of a friend, ally, or coworker by harming them secretly or speaking ill of them when they are not around to defend themselves
170 Bad blood Ill or negative feelings
171 Bad egg A person who causes trouble or is dishonest
172 Bad hair day Hair is not looking as good as one would like
173 Bag and baggage To indicate the entirety of someone’s belongings
174 Ball and chain Something that limits one's freedom or ability to do things
175 Ball is in your court It refers to the fact that it’s time for action now
176 Ball's in your court It's your turn to act or respond
177 Ballpark figure A rough numerical estimate
178 Bamboozle Means to fool or cheat
179 Band-aid on a bullet wound Trying to deal with a serious situation in a negligent way
180 Bang for the buck The worth of one's money or exertion
181 Bang for your buck Get the most benefit possible out of the money you spend
182 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
183 Bare bones A very basic model or version, with no extras or add-ons
184 Bare bones and all To give everything you got
185 Barking up the wrong tree To search for solutions in the wrong places
186 Basket case A person or thing regarded as useless or unable to cope.
187 Bats in the belfry Someone is behaving in an eccentric or less than sane manner
188 Batten down the hatches Means to prepare for a difficulty or crisis
189 Batting a thousand To accomplish a task perfectly
190 Be at a loss Uncertain what to do; bewildered
191 Be glad to see the back of Happy when someone leaves
192 Be in a tight corner Being in a difficult situation
193 Be my guest Go ahead and do it
194 Be the best version of yourself Means to actively strive to improve your character, abilities, and overall self by identifying your strengths and weaknesses
195 Bear a grudge To continue to feel angry or unfriendly toward someone or something because of a particular past incident
196 Bear in mind Remember something, while thinking about something else
197 Beat a hasty retreat To leave really quickly, especially to flee a difficult situation
198 Beat around the bush Avoid saying what you mean, usually because it is uncomfortable
199 Beat someone to the draw You do something before someone else manages to
200 Beat someone to the punch To accomplish something before someone else does
201 Beat something into someone's head To teach someone something by repeating it
202 Beat the bushes To search thoroughly
203 Beat you to the draw To do something before someone else manages to
204 Beating a dead horse Continuing to talk about a subject that is now useless to discuss
205 Beating around the bush Trying to avoid a topic
206 Bed head Hair that is messy after sleeping on it
207 Bed of roses A blissfully happy and comfortable situation
208 Bee’s knees The very best
209 Beef up To strengthen something
210 Been there, done that Means that you have already experienced a specific situation or activity and have no interest in doing it again
211 Been there, done that, got the t-shirt Means you have already experienced a specific situation or adventure, so it no longer excites, interests, or surprises you
212 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
213 Before you know it Almost immediately
214 Beg to differ To disagree
215 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
216 Behind one’s back To do something to someone without them knowing
217 Behind someone's back Without someone knowing
218 Behind the curve Means lagging behind current trends, developments, or new ways of thinking
219 Behind the eight ball To be in a difficult or unfavorable position
220 Behind the scenes Something that happens in private
221 Being full as a tick Means you have eaten or drunk so much that your stomach feels completely stuffed, bloated, and stretched to capacity
222 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
223 Believe you me Means "believe me" with extra emphasis to show that a statement is true
224 Below the belt To pass a disrespectful, insulting or unethical comment
225 Below the salt Common, vulgar, or of low standing
226 Belt and suspenders Exercising caution and avoiding of risks
227 Bend over backward Try extremely hard to do something, usually to help someone with a specific issue
228 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
229 Bent out of shape Annoyed and upset
230 Bermuda triangle Is a loosely defined area in the north atlantic ocean where ships and planes have reportedly disappeared
231 Beside oneself Very troubled or anxious and distraught
232 Beside the point Irrelevant
233 Beside yourself with joy To be extremely happy or filled with joy
234 Best of both worlds All the advantages of two different situations and none of the disadvantages
235 Best wishes Used to express hope for another person's happiness, success, health
236 Bestie Best friend
237 Besties Best friends
238 Bet the ranch To risk everything on an endeavor that you believe will be successful
239 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
240 Better late than never Better to arrive late than not to come at all
241 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
242 Between the devil and the deep blue sea Having to deal with the reality of two difficult possible outcomes for the same situation
243 Beware the ides of march Sometimes used as a warning for upcoming events
244 Beyond the call of duty To exceed expectations; to perform extra work that wasn't required by one's responsibilities
245 Beyond the pale Outside of the limits of socially or morally acceptable behavior
246 Big cheese A very important person, especially the most important person in an organization
247 Big deal Something is important
248 Big fish in a small pond Someone who seems more significant than they are because they live in a small or relatively insignificant community
249 Big shot A powerful person
250 Big wheel An influential, powerful, and important person
251 Bigwig A powerful person with a high position in a corporate structure
252 Bird's-eye view A broad and expansive view of a place or something
253 Birds eye view Means to have an elevated, top-down perspective looking down on a scene, simulating a bird in flight, providing a comprehensive overview
254 Birds of a feather People who are similar in character
255 Birds of a feather flock together People who are alike are often friends (usually used negatively)
256 Bite off more than you can chew To take on more responsibilities or challenges than you can handle
257 Bite someone's head off To criticize someone strongly
258 Bite someone's nose off To respond to someone in a very angry or aggressive manner
259 Bite the bullet To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage
260 Bite the dust To fail or suffer a defeat
261 Bite your tongue To stop talking
262 Black and blue To be bruised
263 Black sheep A member of a family or group who is regarded as a disgrace to it
264 Black-and-white To think in an extreme way; everything is either completely right or entirely wrong
265 Blackout Faint
266 Blind date Means a social gathering between two people who have not previously met
267 Blood on your hands Means to signifies personal guilt or responsibility for a death or serious harm
268 Bloodsucker A person who unfairly takes or uses things that other people worked for
269 Blow my skirt up Means to excite, interest, or deeply please someone
270 Blow off steam To express anger or frustration
271 Blow this joint Means let's leave
272 Blown away Very impressed
273 Blue blood A blue blood is an aristocrat. blue bloods come from privileged, noble families that are wealthy and powerful
274 Blue in the face To be exhausted due to strain or anger
275 Blue-collar job A job that involves manual labor
276 Boil the ocean Undertaking an impossible task or making a task unnecessarily difficult
277 Bolt from the blue Something that happened without warning
278 Bone and all Signifies the idea of accepting someone completely, including their flaws and vulnerabilities
279 Born with a silver spoon in his mouth Means that his family is very wealthy, and he is likely to lead a privileged life
280 Bought the farm To die unexpectedly
281 Bounce off the walls To be extremely excited and energetic
282 Bowl of cherries A blissfully happy and comfortable situation
283 Bread and butter A person’s main source of income
284 Break a leg A wish for good luck, often used in the theater world
285 Break even Means to reach a point where expenses and income are equal, resulting in neither a profit nor a loss
286 Break new ground To do something innovative that is regarded as an advance or of positive benefit
287 Break someone’s bubble To do or say something that proves someone else’s beliefs are not true
288 Break the bank To spend a lot of money or exceed one’s budget
289 Break the ice To start a conversation by making people feel more comfortable
290 Breath of fresh air Something that is new and refreshing
291 Breathing down my neck Means to watch, monitor, or supervise someone so closely that it makes them feel annoyed, pressured, or uncomfortable
292 Bright eyed and bushy tailed Means eager and alert
293 Bring home the bacon To earn a living or provide financial support for a family
294 Bring it home Means a successful completion, a deeper understanding, or securing a win
295 Bringing a knife to a gunfight Means being significantly outmatched, often due to a lack of resources or a failure to prepare properly
296 Broke even Means to have neither a profit nor a loss, meaning expenses and income are equal, and there is no gain or loss
297 Broke the bank To deplete all available funds; to spend more than expected or affordable
298 Buck stops here I have the final responsibility
299 Bug off Leave me alone
300 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
301 Bun in the oven She is pregnant
302 Bundle of nerves Very nervous or anxious about something
303 Burn bridges To Do something to spoil relationships
304 Burn it all down Means to express extreme frustration or a desire for radical change
305 Burn the midnight oil Means to read, study, or work late into the night
306 Burning daylight Means to waste time, especially during the daylight hours
307 Burning the candle at both ends To work from early in the morning until late at night
308 Burning the midnight oil Working late into the night
309 Bury one's head in the sand To ignore something completely
310 Bury the hatchet Ending a quarrel to make peace
311 Busting my chops Busting my chops" primarily means to give someone a hard time through teasing, criticism, or nagging, but it can also mean working extremely hard
312 Busy as a bee Very active
313 Butter up To flatter or praise someone to get their help or support
314 Butterfingers Is a humorous way to describe someone who is clumsy and often drops things
315 Butterflies in your stomach Means to feel nervous or excited, especially before a performance or event
316 By the skin of your teeth To do something with little chance of success
317 Caesar's wife Means that someone in a position of power, particularly a public figure, must be above suspicion
318 Calculated risk Is a chance of failure that's been estimated before taking action
319 Call a spade a spade Identifying what something, or someone, really is
320 Call it a day To stop working on something
321 Call it a night Halt your evening or nighttime activities
322 Call the shots To make the decisions; to decide what will be done
323 Call their bluff To try to force someone to show that they are lying
324 Calm before the storm Something bad is coming, but right now it's calm
325 Calm someone down To help make someone calm
326 Can it keep Means to stop talking or shut up
327 Can't hold a candle to something or someone Cannot compete
328 Can't judge a book by its cover You shouldn't attempt to judge someone or something just by how it looks
329 Can't keep up Cannot stay at the same level of achievement
330 Can't put a face to the name When you hear a name you recognize but you cannot remember what the person looks like
331 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
332 Canary in the mine Refers to something that acts as an early warning of potential danger or failure
333 Can’t put my finger on it Means you can't quite identify or explain the exact reason for something, even though you feel or notice that something is off
334 Can’t take a hint Means someone doesn't understand or act on an indirect suggestion
335 Card sharp or card shark Someone who makes money from cheating at cards
336 Carry a torch To feel passion, devotion, or tenderness for
337 Carry the ball To take on greater responsibility in order to help ensure a project continues
338 Cash cow A consistent and reliable source of income or profits
339 Cash-strapped Means individuals, organizations, or governments that are short on money and lack sufficient financial resources to meet their needs or expenses
340 Cast pearls before swine To display fine attributes to people incapable of appreciating them
341 Cast-iron stomach A stomach that never seems to get upset, regardless of what one eats
342 Castle in the sky A hope or daydream for the future that will probably never come true
343 Cat got your tongue? Expression used to ask someone why they are not speaking or are unusually quiet
344 Cat has nine lives Cats possess a high level of resilience and the ability to survive against the odds
345 Cat nap Take a short nap
346 Catch someone's eye Means to attract someone's attention, to be noticed, or to make eye contact with someone
347 Cattywampus Crooked or confused
348 Caught between a rock and a hard place To face a difficult decision with no easy solution
349 Caught red-handed To be caught in the act of doing something wrong
350 Change hands For an object to be passed or sold from one owner to another
351 Change of heart To change your opinion about something
352 Changed my mind Means that you have decided to do something different than what you originally planned or thought
353 Chase adventure Go out and do something interesting
354 Chasing your tail Spending time and energy but achieving nothing; going around in circles
355 Chatterbox Someone who talks constantly
356 Chatty cathy To describe someone who talks a lot
357 Cheap shot To take advantage of someone when they are down
358 Check is in the mail A common excuse used by debtors to put off creditors
359 Cherry on top A desirable feature perceived as the finishing touch to something that is already very good
360 Chew the fat To chat or gossip
361 Chickens come home to roost Means that the consequences of one's past actions, especially negative ones, will eventually return to affect them
362 Chips to the middle Means to risk it all or bet all of one's money
363 Choke point A narrowing that reduces the flow through a channel
364 Chop, chop Get back to work
365 Chopped liver Means someone or something that is not important or appealing
366 Circle back Means to return to a topic or conversation at a later time, often after some delay or after addressing other matters
367 Claim to fame Means a reason for being regarded as unusual or noteworthy
368 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
369 Clean as a whistle Something/someone who is free from dirt
370 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
371 Clean sweep Winning without facing any defeats
372 Clean-cut Having a neat appearance that suggests you are someone who does not break rules or cause trouble
373 Clear as mud Very confusing
374 Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades Means that close doesn't count; a close loss is still a loss
375 Close, but no cigar Nearly achieving a goal but ultimately falling short
376 Close-fisted To be mean
377 Close-knit family Means a group of relatives with strong emotional bonds who support each other, stay actively involved in each other's lives, and share deep affection
378 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
379 Cloudy situation Means a state of being uncertain, confused, obscure, or lacking clear definition, often applied to complex issues, decisions, or murky liquids
380 Coast is clear Means there is no danger of being observed or caught
381 Cold hands warm heart Means someone has a kind and loving personality, even though their hands are usually cold
382 Cold turkey To suddenly stop using a substance or engaging in a behavior
383 Come clean Be completely honest; keep nothing hidden
384 Come hell or high water Something will be done no matter what obstacles or difficulties arise
385 Come into your own Means to reach a desired level of accomplishment
386 Come rain or shine No matter what
387 Come to grips with it Means to begin to understand or deal with a problem or situation in a direct or effective wa
388 Come to one's senses Start to think and behave reasonably after a period of foolishness or irrationality
389 Come to your senses To begin to think in a sensible or correct way after being foolish or wrong
390 Comes with the territory Something is an expected result of a situation or position
391 Coming of age Is a young person's transition from being a child to being an adult
392 Coming out guns blazing Means to approach something with a lot of force, energy, and determination, often in a forceful or aggressive manner
393 Common courtesy The level of politeness that people can generally be expected to show
394 Common decency A set of ethical and moral behaviors that are guided by fairness, respect, and empathy
395 Common ground Shared interests, beliefs, or opinions between two people or groups of people who disagree about most other subjects
396 Common law A body of unwritten laws based on legal precedents established by the courts
397 Common law wife A woman who is considered to be married to a man without having gone through a formal marriage ceremony
398 Common sense The ability to think and behave in a reasonable way and to make good decisions
399 Comparing apples to oranges Comparing two things that cannot be compared
400 Compromising position Refers to a situation where someone is caught in a suggestive or potentially embarrassing act, often implying infidelity or inappropriate behavior
401 Connected at the hip Means that two people are very close and inseparable, spending a great deal of time together and having a strong bond
402 Conversation has no guardrails Means the interaction is completely unrestricted by predefined rules, safety filters, or ethical guidelines
403 Cookie cutter The same approach or style is always used and not enough attention is paid to individual differences
404 Cool as a cucumber To remain calm and composed
405 Cool it Calm down
406 Cooler heads prevail Means that in a tense situation, the influence or ideas of calmer and more reasonable people will ultimately win out
407 Copycat Person who copies another's behavior, dress, or ideas
408 Cost an arm and a leg Something that is very expensive
409 Costs an arm and a leg To describe something that is very expensive
410 Couch potato To be lazy
411 Count your blessings To make a special effort to appreciate the good things in one's life
412 Cover to cover Means to read a book, magazine, or document entirely from the first page to the last, without skipping any parts
413 Crack a window Open a window slightly
414 Cram To study frantically before a test
415 Crazy like a fox Pretty clever
416 Cream of the crop The best or choicest of anything
417 Crush on someone Means to have a strong, often romantic, attraction or liking for someone
418 Cry for the moon To ask for something that is rather difficult
419 Cry over spilled milk To feel sorry over something that has already happened, even though it’s not helpful
420 Cry uncle Means to surrender or admit defeat
421 Cry your eye's out Means to cry very hard, uncontrollably, and for a long period
422 Curiosity killed the cat Stop asking questions
423 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
424 Cut a rug Means to dance, especially in an energetic or accomplished way
425 Cut class To be deliberately absent from class
426 Cut no ice Fail to make an impact
427 Cut somebody some slack Don't be so critical
428 Cut the mustard You meet expectations and are performing adequately
429 Cut to the chase Getting to the important point
430 Cutting corners Doing something poorly in order to save time or money
431 Damn someone with faint praise To criticize someone in a way that seems to be praise but actually communicates disapproval or condemnation
432 Dark horse A previously unknown person who becomes prominent or known for something
433 Davy jones's locker The bottom of the sea, especially the grave of those who die at sea
434 Dawned on me To suddenly realize or recognize something
435 Days are heaven sent Means that certain days feel like incredibly fortunate, welcome gifts from above, arriving perfectly when needed, like a miracle or divine blessing, bringing unexpected joy, relief, or perfect opportunity, as if sent by god
436 Days are numbered Someone or something is nearing the end of their existence, and will not last much longer
437 Dead as a doornail Completely dead or quiet
438 Dead from the neck up Unintelligent or stupid
439 Dead in the water No longer effective
440 Dead quiet Extremely quiet
441 Dead ringer A duplicate or double, something that looks just like another
442 Dead tired Extremely tired
443 Dead to the world In a deep sleep
444 Dead-end job A job that doesn't seem to have any opportunities for advancement
445 Deadline Means the latest time or date by which something should be completed
446 Death and taxes Something is inevitable or certain to happen
447 Deep down How you really feel inside, even if you don't realize it
448 Devil is in the details Something that seems to be good only from a distance
449 Devil quoting the bible Good things being twisted for selfish and evil purposes
450 Diamond in the rough A person who is generally of good character but lacks manners, education, or style
451 Dig two graves Means that if you seek revenge against someone, you are essentially digging a grave for yourself as well
452 Ding-it! Expression of complete frustration and anger; usually accompanied by flying hammers
453 Dire straits To be in a very bad or difficult situation
454 Do it ASAP Do it as soon as possible
455 Do it with both feet Means to tackle a task aggressively
456 Do unto others as you would have them do unto you Treat people fairly; also known as "the golden rule"
457 Do you come here often A common phrase for initiating conversation with a stranger, especially one for seeking romantic involvement
458 Dodge a bullet Means to narrowly escape a dangerous or unpleasant situation, essentially avoiding something bad that could have happened to you
459 Doing a 180 Means to make a complete about-face or change one's mind or direction, often in a sudden or dramatic way
460 Don't beat a dead horse To continue to talk about something that is now useless to discuss
461 Don't bite the hand that feeds you Don't act against someone who is supporting you
462 Don't count on it You should not expect something to happen or rely on it
463 Don't cry over spilled milk There's no reason to complain about something that can't be fixed
464 Don't dilly-dally Means do not waste time, dawdle, or be indecisive
465 Don't give up your day job You're not very good at this
466 Don't judge a book by its cover This person or thing may look bad, but it's good inside
467 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
468 Don't let the inmates run the asylum Those who are in charge should make the decisions rather than those in subordinate rolls
469 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
470 Don't look a gift horse in the mouth To find fault with something that has been received as a gift or favor
471 Don't make waves Don't cause problems
472 Don't mention it You're welcome
473 Don't put all your eggs in one basket What you're doing is too risky
474 Don't s--t on your own doorstep Don't sleep with your housemate or workmate
475 Don't spit on me and tell me its raining Don't lie to me
476 Don't sweat the small stuff Don't be concerned about trivial matters
477 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
478 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
479 Don’t burst my balloon Means to don't spoil my excitement or optimism, or ruin my plans/dreams
480 Don’t count your chickens before they hatch Don’t depend on something before it happens
481 Don’t give up a day’s job You are not very good at something or you could not do it professionally
482 Don’t jump the gun Means to act too soon or before the right time
483 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
484 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
485 Done and dusted Successfully finished; completely finished
486 Door swings both way Means a rule, principle, or situation applies equally to both parties involved, often implying that actions (positive or negative) will be reciprocated
487 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
488 Double down Means to continue to do something in an even more determined way than before
489 Down for the count Tired; giving up
490 Down to the wire Completing or finishing something with no extra time remaining
491 Drag your feet Slow down intentionally to delay the outcome
492 Draw the line To stop before a point where something okay gets not okay
493 Dream job Means a highly personal, ideal position that perfectly aligns with an individual's passions, skills, and values, offering fulfillment, good work-life balance, and fair compensation
494 Dressed to the nines Wearing stylish or elegant clothing
495 Drive me up the wall To make one very nervous, upset, or annoyed
496 Drop the ball To make a mistake or fail to do something
497 Drove hard and put out wet Means someone or something looks extremely exhausted, worn out, neglected, or in rough shape
498 Drown your sorrows Means to drink alcohol in order to forget something sad or upsetting that has happened
499 Drum up some support Means to make an effort to obtain or increase support for something, often through active solicitation or canvassing
500 Duck test For application of common sense and/or intuition regardless of technical parameters
501 Dutch oven Means to fart in a bed and immediately pull the blanket over another
502 Eager beaver Someone who is very eager or excited to do something
503 Eagle eye Close or careful watch on something
504 Earworm Thinking about a song or lyrics from a song over and over
505 Easier said than done Not as easy as it appears to be
506 Easy come, easy go You get something easily and you lose it easily
507 Easy does it Slow down
508 Eat crow To admit that you were mistaken about something
509 Eat like a bird To eat very little
510 Eat like a horse To eat a lot and have a big appetite
511 Eating crow Admitting that you are wrong after taking a strong position
512 Eating humble pie Admitting that you are wrong after taking a strong position
513 Egg on your face Look foolish; be publicly embarrassed by something you did
514 Eight hundred pound gorilla An entity so powerful that it can act without regard to the rights of others or the law
515 Elephant in the room The big issue; the problem people are avoiding
516 End of my rope Means having absolutely no patience, strength, or resources left to deal with a difficult situation or problem
517 End of time Means "forever" or "always", essentially signifying something that will last indefinitely
518 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
519 Even-steven Means exactly equal, tied, or fair, often referring to a settled debt, score, or split
520 Every cloud has a silver lining Good things come after bad things
521 Every dog has his day Everyone gets a chance at least once
522 Everything from A to Z Everything from start to finish; the complete event
523 Everything from soup to nuts Everything from start to finish; the complete event
524 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
525 Everything is coming up roses Things are turning out well or better than expected
526 Everything is looking up Things are turning out better than in the recent past
527 Experience something first-hand To experience something yourself
528 Eye for an eye If someone harms you, you should harm them back in the same way
529 Eyes too big for (or bigger than) your stomach You took more food on your plate than you can eat
530 Face a conundrum Means to encounter a difficult problem or puzzle
531 Face only a mother could love Means they are ugly by the person's standards
532 Face the music Face the consequences of something you have done
533 Factor out To isolate a common factor from an expression
534 Fair and square To be done fairly and correctly
535 Fair to middling Average in quality
536 Fair-weather friend A person who only acts like a friend when things are going well and they can benefit in some way
537 Fairy Godmother Someone who helps others with their problems, sometimes providing financial assistance
538 Fall by the wayside Something that comes to be ignored
539 Fall in love Means to develop romantic feelings for someone or something
540 Fall off the wagon To fail to stick to a determination to do something
541 Fall on deaf ears Advice is ignored by the people who need to hear it
542 False flag A harmful action that is designed to make it look like someone else is responsible
543 False light A legal term that refers to a misleading or false portrayal of someone in public
544 Familiarity breeds contempt The better you know someone the less you like him
545 Fancy pants Very fancy and maybe ostentatious
546 Far cry Means something is radically different or completely unlike something else
547 Fashion victim Someone who is obsessed with fashion, probably to the point where they go overboard and end up looking worse
548 Fat cat A wealthy, but usually very lazy, person
549 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
550 Father knows best Means that a father is the authority figure who provides guidance and advice for his family
551 Feather in one's cap Something one is proud of
552 Feather in your cap Means an achievement or honor that someone can be proud of
553 Feather one's nest To gather up resources to ensure future comfort
554 Feed a cold, starve a fever Eating more will cure the common cold, and eating less will cure a fever
555 Feeding frenzy To eat a large amount of food
556 Feel like a fifth wheel Not needed or wanted in the situation, not valued
557 Feel like a million dollars To feel extremely good
558 Feel like death warmed over To feel or look extremely tired and drained
559 Feel the pinch To feel the effects of a lack of money or other resources
560 Feeling blue Feeling sad or depressed
561 Fell on its head Means something was poorly executed or had a negative outcome
562 Fender bender A minor car accident
563 Few cards short of a deck The man often does very strange things
564 Field day An enjoyable circumstance or day
565 Fifteen minutes of fame To enjoy an extremely short period of fame or recognition of some sort
566 Fight an uphill battle To deal with a difficult situation that becomes harder as you go
567 Fight tooth and nail To fight hard and determinedly
568 Fill in the blanks To guess the content of missing information
569 Filthy rich Extremely wealthy
570 Find your feet Adjust and become accustomed to new circumstances or expectations
571 Finders keepers, losers weepers Means whoever finds a lost item gets to keep it, and the original owner has no right to reclaim it
572 Finger lickin' good Delicious food (very informal)
573 Fingers crossed Used to wish for good luck or to strongly hope that a positive outcome happens
574 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
575 Fish out of water To be in an environment that you're not used to or that you don't readily fit into
576 Fishy Seems suspicious
577 Fit as a fiddle To be in good health
578 Fit to be tied Extremely angry
579 Fits and starts Very brief bursts of motion
580 Five o'clock shadow The signs of hair starting to grow back on the face of a man who has recently shaved
581 Fix someone's wagon To ruin someone's chance of success, often in revenge for a grievance
582 Fixed in your ways Inflexible in the ways you do things
583 Fixin' to About to do something
584 Flat broke Means to have absolutely no money, to be completely penniless, or destitute
585 Flavor of the month Something that is trendy or fashionable to care about at the moment
586 Flea market A market where people buy and sell secondhand and/or inexpensive goods
587 Flesh and blood People who are related to you, or anyone or anything that is alive
588 Flights of fancy Means an imaginative idea or plan that is unrealistic, impractical, or unlikely to be true
589 Fly in the face of something To act in opposition to something or to show disrespect for someone or something
590 Fly in the ointment Something unpleasant in a situation that is otherwise entirely pleasant
591 Fly off the handle To suddenly become extremely angry, especially if overreacting to something
592 Fly the coop To escape
593 Fly-by-night Markedly untrustworthy or undependable
594 Flying by the seat of your pants Making decisions based on instinct/intuition rather than on a plan
595 Foam at the mouth To show rage
596 Follow in someone's footsteps To follow the same path in life as someone else
597 Follow the money To follow the direction of people gaining large amounts of money when investigating corruption
598 Food for thought Something that you or others think is worth carefully thinking about
599 Fool around To joke around and act in a jovial or silly way
600 Fool's gold Something that looks like gold but isn't
601 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
602 Foot in the door To find an opportunity to make progress in a desired direction
603 Foot the bill To pay for something, especially something expensive
604 Footloose and fancy-free To be free of care and worry, able to have fun all the time
605 For Christ sake An exclamation used to express frustration, annoyance, or exasperation
606 For crying out loud Exclamation of utter frustration at a person or situation
607 For goodness' sake Something one says when one is frustrated or in a state of disbelief
608 For heaven's sake Something one says when one is frustrated or in a state of disbelief
609 For the birds Something that is silly, ridiculous or ludicrous
610 For the love of God Used to give added force to an angry statement
611 Fork over the money To pay money for something
612 Formidable opponent Is a powerful or strong enemy or competitor that deserves respect and serious attention
613 Fortune favors the bold You are more likely to succeed if you take risks
614 Forty winks A very short nap, usually during the day
615 Four sheets to the wind Means extremely drunk
616 Freak out To become very angry, worried, or frightened
617 Freeze someone out To deliberately leave someone out; to choose not to include someone who would expect to be included
618 Fresh said of eyes Refers to getting someone else to have a look
619 From day one From the very beginning
620 From rags to riches To go from being poor to wealthy
621 From the get-go From the beginning
622 From the word go From the very beginning
623 From time to time Occasionally
624 From your lips to God's ears Means it's a way of turning someone's words into a prayer, asking the divine to make it so
625 Frowned upon Means that an action, behavior, or practice is disapproved of, considered unacceptable, or viewed with displeasure by a group, society, or culture
626 Fuddy-duddy An excessively old-fashioned person
627 Full of bologna Means something is filled with nonsense, foolish ideas, or empty words
628 Full of crap Doesn't know what he or she is talking about Offensive in most contexts
629 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
630 Full of it Means someone is talking nonsense, exaggerating, or not telling the truth
631 Full steam ahead Enthusiastically moving forward
632 Full-court press To put maximum effort into something
633 Functioning as advertised Means something is operating or performing in the way it was intended and described in its advertising or promotional materials
634 Gain ground To advance and make progress
635 Game plan To put a plan in place; to decide how things should be handled
636 Garden variety Ordinary, common, or unexceptional
637 Gave someone the thumbs-up Gave someone approval
638 Get a handle on something To gain control or understanding of something
639 Get a hold of something To obtain possession of something
640 Get a hold of yourself To gain control of yourself
641 Get a kick out of it To be amused by something
642 Get a move on To start being active again in something
643 Get a second wind Have more energy after having been tired
644 Get a taste of your own medicine Get treated the way you've been treating others (negative)
645 Get a word in edgewise To be able to say something when someone won't stop talking
646 Get ahead of the game To have an advantage over others
647 Get along with each other To have a harmonious relationship with someone; to refrain from argument or conflict
648 Get back to someone To contact a person again to tell them something in the near future
649 Get bent out of shape To be upset, to take offense, or to be angry
650 Get cold feet To feel nervous or hesitant about a decision or action
651 Get down to brass tacks Get to the point of the matter
652 Get down to business Start doing the practical things that need to be done
653 Get down to the nuts and bolts To focus on the basics of something or a situation
654 Get from A to B To get from one place to another
655 Get hitched Means to get married
656 Get hold of someone To get in contact with someone
657 Get in shape To become strong or fit
658 Get in someone's hair To annoy someone or cause them some kind of irritation or hindrance
659 Get into deep water In a lot of trouble
660 Get it off my chest To express something that has been bothering you or
661 Get it off your chest Share information about something that has been bothering you
662 Get off my back Stop criticizing me; stop nagging me to do something
663 Get out of hand To be out of one's control
664 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
665 Get some shut eye Means to go to sleep or get some rest; it's an informal way of saying get some sleep
666 Get something out of your system Do the thing you've been wanting to do so you can move on
667 Get the ball rolling To begin or get started; to put things into motion
668 Get the gist Means to understand the main point, core idea, or essential meaning of something, like a conversation, article, or situation, without necessarily knowing all the small details
669 Get the hang of it To have the ability to complete a task and do it well
670 Get this show on the road Let's go; let's get started
671 Get underway Means to start, begin, or set an activity, event, or journey in motion
672 Get wind of something To get information about something about to happen
673 Get your act together Work better or leave
674 Get your ducks in a row Make proper plans; get things in order
675 Get your feet wet To take a small step in an effort to learn or do something new
676 Get your foot in the door To establish an initial connection or opportunity that will benefit you in the future
677 Gets my goat Something that really bothers or annoys someone
678 Give (or get) the bum's rush forcible eviction or dismissal
679 Give a pass To forgive someone or overlook a mistake
680 Give her a lick and a promise Means doing a job, usually cleaning or a chore, in a quick, superficial, and careless manner
681 Give it a whirl To give something a try
682 Give it the gun (or gun it) To cause something to start or speed up; press the accelerator
683 Give it the once over To clean or inspect something in a quick or cursory fashion
684 Give it your best shot Try as hard as you possibly can; put forth your best effort
685 Give kudos to someone Praise someone for achievements (note: kudos is not plural, so you can't give a kudo)
686 Give props to Show appreciation for
687 Give someone a hand To help or assist someone
688 Give someone the benefit of the doubt Trust what someone says
689 Give someone the cold shoulder To act rudely or ignore someone
690 Give something a fair shake To try something for a while before deciding that it isn't for you
691 Give the cold shoulder Intentionally ignore someone
692 Give them a taste of their own medicine To give someone the same bad treatment that they have given to others
693 Giving someone a hard time To make things difficult or unpleasant for someone
694 Go back to the drawing board After experiencing failure, it's time to start a over from scratch
695 Go bananas To go crazy
696 Go behind one's back To sneak and do something without telling someone who should be aware
697 Go belly up Go out of business; to lose everything
698 Go cold turkey To quit or stop addictive or dangerous behaviour
699 Go down in flames To fail suddenly and terribly
700 Go Dutch (or It will be Dutch treat) When going somewhere with another person or a group of people, everyone pays their own way
701 Go fly a kite Means to tell someone to go away or to leave you alone
702 Go off half-cocked To act or speak impulsively and without proper preparation or consideration
703 Go on a wild goose chase To do something pointless
704 Go the extra mile To make an extra effort
705 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
706 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
707 Go with the flow To let things happen or let other people tell you what to do, rather than trying to take charge
708 GOAT Greatest of all time
709 Going forward The next time or on a future occasion
710 Going postal Becoming extremely and uncontrollably angry, often to the point of violence, usually in a workplace environment
711 Going south Things are turning out worse than expected; an expression mainly used by ignorant yankees
712 Golden handshake Special incentive given to an employee (usually an executive) to induce them to retire
713 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
714 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
715 Gonna Going to
716 Good things come to those who wait Be patient
717 Got a leg up Have an advantage over others
718 Got away clean To escape a situation without any negative consequences
719 Grab (or take) the bull by the horns Face a difficult situation directly, with confidence
720 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
721 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
722 Grasping at straws To find a solution or hope in a desperate situation
723 Graveyard shift Working through the overnight hours
724 Green light Permission to start or continue something
725 Green thumb To be good at gardening; having good skills or luck with growing flowers or vegetables
726 Green with envy Means to be very jealous or envious of someone or something
727 Grey area Indeterminate territory, undefined position, neither here nor there
728 Guard your heart Means to protect your heart with care and attention
729 Gut feeling To do more than you’re required to do
730 Hail Mary pass To do something desperate that could lead to a big success
731 Hair of the dog An alcoholic beverage of some kind taken in an attempt to cure a hangover
732 Hair of the dog that bit you Whatever caused you to be in the situation you're in, go get more of that
733 Hair's breadth A very narrow space
734 Half a mind to do something Thinking about doing something
735 Half price Half the usual price at which something is offered for sale
736 Half the battle Half of the effort or work required
737 Half-baked Inadequately thought-out or planned
738 Half-baked idea Too have a foolish plan
739 Hammering out a deal To negotiate and arrive at a deal
740 Hand in glove Very close
741 Hand over fist Very quickly
742 Hands are tied Not have the ability to help or take action
743 Hands down Obviously, unquestionably, without a doubt
744 Hang in there To not give up
745 Hang loose Relax, let go, and live in the moment; don't take things too seriously
746 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
747 Hang tight Just wait for something to happen
748 Hang tough To stay determined
749 Hanging by a thread Means to be in a highly precarious state
750 Hankering Strong intention or desire
751 Happy as a clam Extremely happy
752 Happy-go-lucky Very cheerful and happy
753 Hard pill to swallow Something that is difficult to take or accept
754 Hard sell To use selling techniques that are relatively aggressive or pushy
755 Hari-kari To commit suicide
756 Has no filter Means to have a tendency to say exactly what one is thinking without considering the consequences
757 Hasn’t exactly been a picnic Means that a situation, task, or experience has been difficult, challenging, or unpleasant
758 Haste makes waste You'll make mistakes if you rush through something
759 Hat trick Three successes of the same kind, especially consecutive ones within a limited period, such as three goals in soccer
760 Hats off to you Means you admire, respect, or congratulate someone for something they've done, showing approval for their hard work, achievement, bravery, or talent
761 Have (or with) a heavy heart To be sad about something or reluctant to do something
762 Have a bee in your bonnet To be extremely upset
763 Have a chip on your shoulder Holding a grudge or feeling resentful because you believe you have been treated unfairly
764 Have a finger in the pie To have an interest in or take part in some activity; to meddle in the situation
765 Have a hand in Have a role in
766 Have a method to one’s madness Seeming to be crazy but in fact is very clever
767 Have a whale of a time To have a lot of fun or enjoy oneself very much
768 Have an advantage over others To have an advantage over others
769 Have an axe to grind To be upset about something and to perhaps desire revenge of some kind
770 Have bats in one's belfry Eccentric or crazy in a harmless way
771 Have big ears To listen to a conversation not intended for you; to eavesdrop
772 Have eyes only for something To have desire focused on a specific person or object
773 Have hell to pay To be in severe difficulties
774 Have it in spades Means that they have a lot of it, or that they have it to a high degree.
775 Have no filter Means to have a tendency to say exactly what one is thinking without considering the consequences
776 Have one's ear to the ground To be well informed about coming events
777 Have one's head in the clouds To have no concentration at all
778 Have some faith Means to trust or believe in something or someone strongly, even without complete proof
779 Have something down pat To thoroughly understand something
780 Have the blues Sad
781 Have the hots Means that they feel a strong sexual attraction to that person
782 Have the upper hand O have more power in a competitive situation than the other side
783 Have the world at one’s feet To be extremely successful and admired by a large number of people
784 Have the world by the tail To be doing remarkably well with something; to be in control of one's life and prospects
785 Have time off To have time away from work
786 Have two left feet To be clumsy, especially while dancing
787 Have your hands full To be completely busy or occupied with something
788 Have your head in the clouds To have no concentration at all
789 Have your head in the sand To avoid, or try to avoid, a particular situation by pretending that it does not exist
790 Haven't got a clue Means to not know about something or about how to do something
791 Having a monkey on your back To have a problem that you cannot solve or get rid of easily
792 Having second thoughts Means you are having doubts or uncertainty about a decision, opinion, or action you previously made, leading you to reconsider it
793 Having the time of his life Means someone is enjoying themselves immensely and having a lot of fun
794 He has a memory of an elephant To be able to remember things easily and for a long period of time
795 He has bigger fish to fry He has bigger things to take care of than what we are talking about now
796 He who laughs last laughs loudest I'll get you back for what you did
797 He's a chip off the old block The son is like the father
798 He's being coy Means he is playfully evasive, shy, or reluctant to give a direct answer or reveal his true feelings, often in a teasing or flirtatious way
799 He's not playing with a full deck He's not being smart
800 He's off his rocker He's crazy
801 Head and shoulders above Vastly superior
802 Head honcho Someone in the highest position of power within an organization or company
803 Head in a noose Means to be in a very dangerous or difficult situation, essentially putting yourself on the path to your own downfall
804 Head in the clouds Tending to live in the imagination and not firmly grounded in reality
805 Head on the chopping block Means to risk a bad thing happening to you by doing something or helping someone
806 Head over heels To be very much in love
807 Head start To have an advantage or an early start in something
808 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
809 Heads-up An update that provides new knowledge or understanding of something
810 Hear it on the grapevine To hear a rumor about someone or something
811 Hear something straight from the horse's mouth Hear something from the person involved
812 Heaven can wait Means something is not urgent and can be postponed
813 Heebie-jeebies A creepy feeling that might make you shudder
814 Here and there On occasion
815 Here’s the kicker Used to introduce a surprising, dramatic, or unexpected turn of events in a story
816 High five A gesture of celebration or greeting in which two people slap each other's open palm with their arms raised
817 High on the hog To live in a luxurious way
818 High time It's time to do something that should have been done a long time ago
819 High, wide, and handsome Large and impressive
820 Hillbilly Uneducated, unsophisticated person living in remote mountains or backwoods
821 Hindsight is 20/20 Means it is easy to understand something after it has already happened
822 Hissy fit To get really upset and to show it
823 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
824 Hit below the belt Acting unfairly
825 Hit it on the nose To have a perfect understanding of something or to do something perfectly
826 Hit me up Contact me in the near future
827 Hit pay dirt To come upon something of significant value
828 Hit someone below the belt To insult or otherwise treat a person in an unfair way
829 Hit the books To study intensely
830 Hit the ceiling To get extremely angry
831 Hit the hay To go to bed and get some sleep
832 Hit the jackpot To come into possession of wealth or something of great value
833 Hit the mark To find the perfect or ideal solution; to be in exactly the right place
834 Hit the nail on the head Means to do or say something that is exactly right
835 Hit the road To start on a journey
836 Hit the sack Go to sleep
837 Hit-or-miss Something that might be good sometimes and bad other times; unreliable
838 Hob·nob Means to mix socially
839 Hocus-pocus Magic of some sort, or perhaps trickery
840 Hoist by (or with) your own petard Injured or defeated by one's own action that was intended to harm others
841 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
842 Hold no grudges Means to not have or hold onto anger, bitterness, or resentment toward someone
843 Hold the fort To take responsibility for a place or maintain an activity while someone is away
844 Hold the line To stay on the telephone to wait for the party you are calling to become available
845 Hold your horses Slow down; stop and think about what you're doing
846 Hold your tongue Stop talking, especially about something specific
847 Holding the bag Having to be responsible for something
848 Holier than though Means an attitude of moral superiority
849 Holy smokes To express surprise, excitement, or pleasure
850 Home sweet home Used when one returns home after being away to say that one is happy to be home
851 Honest mistake An unintentional error that is not intended to cause harm
852 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
853 Honeymoon A trip or vacation taken by a newly married couple
854 Hoodwink Means to deceive or trick
855 Hook, line and sinker Doing something or trying to achieve something with thoroughness and passion
856 Hook, line, and sinker Completely tricked or deceived
857 Hope for the best To hope that something will be successful or happen in the way you want, even if it seems unlikely
858 Hopping mad Extremely angry
859 Horse around To act in a silly way
860 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
861 Horse sense Common sense, especially with a connotation of folk wisdom independent from, and trumping, formal education
862 Hot mess Something or someone in a state of extreme disorder, but paradoxically attractive
863 Hot under the collar Angry
864 Hot-button issue An issue that people tend to have strong opinions on
865 Hotcakes To sell quickly and in large amounts
866 Hotshot An important and powerful person in a particular place or situation
867 Houston, we have a problem Disaster awaits
868 How do you like them apples An expression used to boast about/gloat over something to someone Can also be used to express surprise
869 Hung the moon Means to think someone is incredibly special, perfect, or highly admired, as if they have achieved something extraordinary
870 Hunky-dory Happy and comfortable
871 Hurry up and wait Means being rushed to finish a task or arrive at a place by a specific time, only to be forced to sit around and wait for a long period afterward
872 I am broke I have no money
873 I can't even To express that something is intolerable
874 I can't imagine Something is unbelievable or terrible
875 I couldnt't care less Means that you are completely not concerned or interested in something
876 I don't buy that I don't believe you
877 I don't have two nickels to rub together A drastic lack of money
878 I suck at something I'm terrible or disappointing at something
879 I'll be a monkey's uncle I'm shocked, surprised, and can't quite believe what i'm seeing or hearing
880 I'm all ears The person is prepared and ready to listen to what you have to say
881 I'm here all week Is a self-deprecating joke or sarcastic quip used after telling a bad joke, a cheesy pun, or a dad joke
882 I'm in over my head Something is too difficult for you
883 I'm losing my mind I forgot something obvious or important
884 Icing on the cake Something that makes a good situation even better
885 If at first you don't succeed, try, try again Means to encourage people to keep trying after failure
886 If it was a snake, it would have bit you Means that the object you are searching for is right in front of you or extremely close all along
887 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
888 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
889 Ignorance is bliss Ou're better off not knowing
890 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
891 In a coon's age A long time
892 In a league of their own Someone is better than anyone else at something
893 In a nutshell Express something in a concise manner
894 In cold blood Deliberately
895 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
896 In good hands In the care of somebody good or knowledgeable
897 In hog heaven In a good situation; surrounded by your favorite things, such as favorite foods
898 In hot water Someone is in trouble or facing difficulties
899 In ship shape Means something is neat, tidy, and in good order, like a ship that is well-maintained and organized
900 In the ballpark Close to a suitable amount or suggestion
901 In the black To be financially successful
902 In the cards Likely or certain to happen.
903 In the fast lane A life filled with excitement
904 In the hole In debt; in trouble, especially financial trouble
905 In the hot seat In a difficult position, subject to much attention or criticism
906 In the red To be losing money
907 Inside joke A joke that is shared exclusively by a small group of people
908 It ain't over until the fat lady sings This isn't over yet
909 It goes without saying Something is so obvious that it doesn't need to be said
910 It is a poor workman who blames his tools If you can't do the job, don't blame it on others
911 It is always darkest before the dawn Things are going to get better
912 It just goes to show Means something demonstrates or proves a point
913 It takes one to know one You're just as bad as i am
914 It takes two to tango Two persons are equally responsible for what is happening or has happened
915 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
916 It's a win-win situation Just let me have my way
917 It's all greek to me I don't understand any of it
918 It's like pulling teeth Something that requires a lot of effort
919 It's no sweat It's not a problem
920 It's not rocket science It's not complicated
921 It's over my head I don't understand it because it's too complicated
922 It's time to show up It's time to be responsible
923 It’s a crap shoot Means that a situation is completely unpredictable, risky, and up to pure chance or luck
924 It’s a two-way street Means a situation or relationship where both people must share the work, effort, or care
925 It’s raining cats and dogs To rain very hard
926 Itchy feet Someone is getting restless; being ready to move on to the next activity
927 Jack of all trades, master of none Means someone who is competent in many areas but not an expert in any one
928 Jam on the brakes Press brakes of a vehicle suddenly
929 Jaw hit the floor Be surprised
930 Jaywalking Crossing the street at a place other than the crosswalk
931 Joe public A hypothetical average or generic member of the public; the common man
932 Johnny come lately Is a newcomer to or late starter at a particular place or activity
933 Johnny-on-the-spot Means a person who is at hand whenever needed
934 Joined at the hip People who seem to be together all the time
935 Joshing me Fooling me about something
936 Jump at the chance To quickly take advantage of a new opportunity
937 Jump down someone's throat To get really angry with someone and express that emotion, perhaps in an aggressive way
938 Jump into the fray Means to suddenly and actively participate in a heated argument, fight, or struggle
939 Jump into the ring Means to suddenly and often enthusiastically become involved in a situation or activity, or to enter a competition or contest
940 Jump on the bandwagon Join others in supporting a popular activity or trend
941 Jump the gun To start too quickly, either without adequate preparation or at the wrong time
942 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
943 Jump through hoops To do things that don't seem to make much sense, just because they're required
944 Junk food Unhealthy, usually heavily processed food (such as candy)
945 Jury is still out A decision hasn't been made yet
946 Just a moment Please wait a moment or two
947 Just around the corner Very close by
948 Just in the nick of time Just before the last moment when something can be changed or something bad will happen
949 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
950 Just now Something has recently occurred, perhaps within the last few seconds or minutes
951 Keep a level head Means to remain calm and sensible, especially in a difficult or stressful situation, maintaining composure and clear thinking
952 Keep a lookut Means to be alert and watch carefully for someone or something, especially to avoid danger
953 Keep an ear to the ground Staying informed about everything
954 Keep an open mind To wait until you know all the facts before forming an opinion or making a judgment
955 Keep at arm's length To deliberately not let someone get too close
956 Keep at bay To prevent someone or something from approaching or having an effect
957 Keep body and soul together To earn enough money to stay alive
958 Keep in contact Means to maintain communication with someone, essentially staying in touch with them through regular contact like phone calls, emails, or visits
959 Keep it coming Don't stop..continue
960 Keep it in the family To not share information or secrets outside of the family unit
961 Keep it in your head Means to remember something or keep it in mind, or to keep something to yourself
962 Keep it under control To control a situation
963 Keep it under wraps To keep something a secret
964 Keep me guessing To cause someone to be uncertain: the idea was to keep the enemy guessing until the attack had actually begun
965 Keep me in the loop Keep me informed
966 Keep me posted Stay in touch
967 Keep my cool To stay calm
968 Keep my head above water To manage to survive adversity, especially with regard to finances
969 Keep my nose to the grindstone To remain focused on hard work
970 Keep someone at arm's length To keep someone at a distance
971 Keep something at bay To keep something at a distance
972 Keep something under one's hat To keep something private or secret
973 Keep the ball rolling To keep something going or to make sure it continues
974 Keep the faith Means to continue to believe in, trust, or support someone or something when it is difficult to do so
975 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
976 Keep the home fires lit To maintain a stable and supportive home environment
977 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
978 Keep up appearances Means to pretend that everything is fine, normal, or prosperous when your actual life or financial situation is doing very poorly
979 Keep up with To match someone else in terms of progress or success
980 Keep you posted To keep someone notified of what is happening
981 Keep your chin up To keep a positive and optimistic frame of mind
982 Keep your eye on the ball To stay focused on the task at hand and not get distracted
983 Keep your eyes peeled To be watchful and alert
984 Keep your fingers crossed To hope that nothing will happen to bring bad luck or to ruin one's plans
985 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
986 Keep your head Maintain your sense of logic and be sensible
987 Keep your head on a swivel To be constantly alert and aware of your surroundings
988 Keep your mouth shut Stay quiet about something
989 Keep your nose clean Behave well and stay out of trouble
990 Keep your wits about you Stay aware of the situation you are in and be ready to react if you need to
991 Keeping up with the joneses Trying to compete with your peers' social status, wealth, and possessions
992 Kept in the dark To be kept unaware of something
993 Keyed up To be tense and anxious, perhaps in anticipation of something
994 Kick the bucket Die
995 Kick the can down the road Means to put off confronting a difficult issue or making an important decision, typically on a continuing basis
996 Kick the tires Means to examine or test something before making a decision
997 Kill someone with kindness Overwhelm or harm someone with mistaken or excessive benevolence
998 Kill the goose that lays the golden eggs To destroy something that gives you a lot of money to get immediate returns
999 Kill two birds with one stone Get two things done with a single action
1000 Kiss and make up To become friendly again after a fight or disagreement
1001 Knee jerk reaction A quick response
1002 Knee-jerk reaction Means an automatic, unthinking response to a situation
1003 Knit one’s brows To frown or scowl, usually to indicate anger, worry, or puzzlement
1004 Knives are out People are ready to blame or punish someone
1005 Knock it out of the park You have achieved great success or accomplished something exceptionally well
1006 Knock on wood Means to be a confident or positive statement, to express a hope for one's good luck to continue
1007 Knock yourself out Means to tell someone to go ahead and do something
1008 Know like the back of your hand To know a place very well
1009 Know the score Be aware of all relevant factors and variables
1010 Know which end is up To possess sound judgment or common sense; to have a clear understanding of a situation
1011 Know which way the wind is blowing To understand what is happening
1012 Know-how The knowledge of the methods or techniques of doing something, especially something technical or practical
1013 Know-it-all A person who behaves as if they know everything
1014 Knows where the bodies are buried Means a person possesses confidential, incriminating, or embarrassing information about another person or an organization
1015 Knucklehead Person who doesn't understand something or acts foolishly
1016 Labor of love Something one loves to do, especially for the benefit of someone one loves
1017 Laid off To lose one's job
1018 Lap of luxury To be in an extremely luxurious situation
1019 Last but not least This last-named person is in no way the least (least important, least qualified) of all the people being mentioned
1020 Last straw The latest problem in a series of problems Something that leads someone to finally lose their patience
1021 Last-ditch effort A final, perhaps desperate, effort at something
1022 Laugh all the way to the bank To gain money, most likely in a dishonest manner, and to feel smug about it
1023 Laughter is the best medicine Means that laughter has therapeutic benefits and can improve one's well-being.
1024 Lay an egg To do something that is embarrassing
1025 Lay down the law To set rules, probably strict ones
1026 Lay it on thick Grossly exaggerate or overemphasize something
1027 Lay of the land Means the features or characteristics of an area
1028 Laying it on thick Unrealistic flattery or positive descriptions of something
1029 Lead someone around by the nose To compel someone to do something, especially through manipulation or bullying
1030 Learn by rote To memorize something
1031 Learn the ropes To learn how to do well in a new job
1032 Learned my lesson To have learned from an experience, probably one caused by a mistake
1033 Leave me alone I want to be alone, so please stop talking to me; please go somewhere else, somewhere out of my sight
1034 Leave no stone unturned Look everywhere
1035 Leave someone high and dry To leave someone in a difficult position and to take things away from them
1036 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
1037 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
1038 Leave well enough alone Don't involve yourself in a situation that already seems stable and decent enough
1039 Left me in the lurch To be left in a difficult situation
1040 Left out in the cold Left out of something pleasant, or excluded from an opportunity
1041 Left someone behind To leave someone somewhere and to go somewhere else
1042 Left-handed compliment Saying something insulting in the form of appreciative words
1043 Lend a hand To help somebody with something – especially something that requires physical effort
1044 Lend me your ear Please listen to me
1045 Lend someone a hand To help someone
1046 Let bygones be bygones Leave past grievances in the past
1047 Let sleeping dogs lie To stop discussing something that is already over or sorted out
1048 Let someone off the hook To not hold someone responsible for something
1049 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
1050 Let the cat out of the bag To give away a secret
1051 Let the dust settle To wait for circumstances to return to normal after something significant has happened
1052 Let your hair down Let yourself relax
1053 Letter perfect Precisely correct
1054 Level playing field Fair and even circumstances, especially when it comes to anything with an element of competition
1055 Level the playing field To make a situation fair for everyone involved, ensuring that no one has an unfair advantage over others
1056 Liar, liar, pants on fire Means to accuse someone of telling a lie
1057 Life after death Means the idea that a person continues to exist in some form after they die
1058 Life of Riley A very comfortable, and probably luxurious, life
1059 Light it on fire Means to motivate or energize someone, to get them to act quickly or forcefully, or to excite or arouse someone
1060 Light of my life Someone you love who makes your life more cheerful and that you like to be around
1061 Lightning never strikes the same place twice An event that will not likely happen again
1062 Like a bad penny Means something unpleasant keeps coming back
1063 Like a cakewalk So easy task
1064 Like a cat on hot tin roof In an uneasy or nervous state
1065 Like a chicken with its head cut off To behave in a frenzied manner
1066 Like a deer in headlights To have a stunned or confused look on one's face
1067 Like a prize bull Used to describe someone or something that is of exceptional quality or importance, like a prize-winning anima
1068 Like clockwork On a very regular basis
1069 Like finding a needle in a haystack Something difficult to do
1070 Like nailing jello to the wall A very difficult or impossible task
1071 Like pulling teeth something that is difficult to do
1072 Like putting more salt on the wound Means to make a bad or painful situation even worse, often by adding insult to injury or highlighting a person's failure
1073 Like riding a bicycle Something you never forget how to do
1074 Like taking candy from a baby Extremely easy to do, especially something that involves convincing someone to do, or to give, something
1075 Like there is no tomorrow Living in the moment
1076 Like to pull the strings Means to be in control of events or of other people's actions
1077 Like water off a duck's back It doesn't bother me
1078 Lit a fire under me Means getting a sudden burst of energy, motivation, or pressure to act quickly and work hard, usually because of a looming deadline or a push from someone else.
1079 Lite the fires Means to ignite passion, enthusiasm, or action, essentially to start something with great energy or zeal
1080 Live and learn I made a mistake
1081 Live and let live To be non-judgmental of others
1082 Live in the moment Means to enjoy the present and not worry about the future
1083 Live it up Have lots of fun
1084 Living the dream Living a wonderful life, the type one would dream of
1085 LMAO Laugh my a$$ off
1086 Lock, stock, and barrel Absolutely everything involved
1087 Locked ad loaded Means being armed-and-ready, battle-ready, or mentally prepared for an intense task
1088 Logic has holes Means that an argument, reasoning, or explanation is flawed, inconsistent, or missing crucial information, preventing it from being fully convincing or valid
1089 LOL Laugh out loud
1090 Lollygag Means to waste time by moving slowly, fooling around, or doing unimportant tasks instead of working
1091 Lollygagging Means to waste time, dawdle, or spend time doing things that are not serious or useful
1092 Long face A sad facial expression
1093 Long in the tooth Old or of advanced years
1094 Long time no see! I haven't seen you in a long time
1095 Look before you leap Take only calculated risks
1096 Look down on someone or something To consider someone inferior to yourself; to have contempt for something
1097 Look down your nose at something or someone To consider someone inferior to yourself; to have contempt for something
1098 Look like a million bucks To look very attractive, usually well-dressed
1099 Look like the cat that swallowed the canary To look smugly pleased or satisfied with oneself
1100 Look up to someone To hold that person in high regard; to respect and admire that person
1101 Looking dapper Means someone is neat, stylish, and well-dressed, often used to describe a man who is smart and handsome
1102 Looking to your laurels Do not be lost in your achievements and lose sight of what is supposed to happen
1103 Looks like chicken scratch Means handwriting or drawing that is incredibly messy, scribbled, or illegible, resembling the erratic marks a chicken makes in the dirt
1104 Looney tunes Someone who may not be mentally healthy
1105 Loose cannon A person who is unpredictable and difficult to control, and who will probably inadvertently cause problems
1106 Lose one's shirt To lose a large amount of money, probably one's financial security as a whole
1107 Lose touch To discontinue contact with someone, often unintentionally
1108 Lose your marbles To go crazy
1109 Lose your touch To lose one's ability or skill in a specific area
1110 Lose-lose situation Is a situation where all parties involved end up worse off
1111 Losing my sh*t Means to lose control of one's emotions, typically becoming extremely angry, upset, or frantic
1112 Lost at sea To feel confused about a situation, and to not know what to do
1113 Lost my head To become overcome with emotion or anger; to act irrationally
1114 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
1115 Love at first sight An instantaneous attraction to someone or something
1116 Love is blind Means that love can make people overlook their loved one's flaws or faults
1117 Love is in the air Means a feeling of love is in the air, or that love is everywhere
1118 Love it or love it Means to express strong enjoyment or pleasure
1119 Love of my life Means the person someone loves more than anyone else in their entire life
1120 Love you to the moon and back Is a way of expressing very strong feelings of love for someone
1121 Lovebirds Means when two people who are in a romantic relationship or are very affectionate
1122 Lovey-dovey Means two people are being affectionate and amorous, especially in public
1123 Low blow Means an unfair, unscrupulous, or hurtful attack, criticism, or action that is intended to cause distress or embarrassment
1124 Low down Means the true facts or relevant information about something
1125 Low-hanging fruit Something that is easy to take advantage of
1126 Luck of the draw Means something is the result of chance and is beyond one's control
1127 Luck out To be very lucky
1128 Lucky break Something very lucky has happened
1129 Lucky dog A lucky person
1130 Mad as a hornet Extremely angry
1131 Madder than a wet hen Extremely angry
1132 Made for each other When a couple is extremely well-suited to each other
1133 Made my hair stand on end To be very frightened
1134 Make a beeline for To go directly toward
1135 Make a big stink To complain loudly
1136 Make a long story short Tell something briefly
1137 Make a mountain out of a molehill Exaggerate a small problem
1138 Make a pit stop To stop somewhere for a short period of time, usually during a long journey
1139 Make a scene To create a fuss of some kind that draws the attention of others in a negative way
1140 Make ends meet To have enough money for daily expenses over the course of a month
1141 Make eyes at someone To look at someone in a flirtatious way
1142 Make hay while the sun shines Take advantage of a good situation
1143 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
1144 Make it rain Means to earn a large amount of money, to bring in a lot of success, or to freely give out cash
1145 Make no bones about To say something in a very definite way that doesn't allow for objections
1146 Make out like a bandit To have success in a venture, especially one involving money or other benefits
1147 Make out what someone said Discern what someone said
1148 Make the cut To be chosen, selected or included in something
1149 Make the grade To be satisfactory or to meet necessary standards
1150 Make tracks To promptly or quickly leave
1151 Make two ends meet To have just enough money for all your needs
1152 Make waves To create any controversy or trouble
1153 Make yourself at home An invitation to feel comfortable in someone else's home
1154 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
1155 Man's best friend A dog
1156 Mark time To wait out the minimum time you need to put in
1157 Maximize your potential Means being more productive and successful by using your talents and working towards your goals
1158 Me time Time spent doing things you enjoy or relaxing
1159 Means to an end Something is done solely to achieve a desired outcome, even if it isn't enjoyable or important in itself
1160 Meat and potatoes The basics of something or a situation
1161 Meet halfway To understand one another's positions in an argument or situation, and to make compromises accordingly
1162 Mending fences Means to repair or improve a relationship that has been damaged
1163 Mickey mouse job A job that is considered insignificant, perhaps even useless
1164 Midas touch To be able to make money much more easily than other people
1165 Middle of the road A position (especially political) that is not at either extreme of the spectrum It is pretty much in the middle
1166 Mind your head Means to be careful not to hit your head on a low ceiling, doorway, or hanging object
1167 Mind your own beeswax Mind your own business and refrain from interfering in other people's concerns
1168 Mind your own business Means to stop interfering in what doesn't concern you and focus on your own affairs
1169 Mind your p's and q's Means to be careful of your behavior and manners, especially in social situations
1170 Mind your ps and qs A reminder to be polite and behave appropriately
1171 Minimize the risks Means to reduce the likelihood of loss or harm by implementing strategies and controls
1172 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
1173 Miss the boat To act too slowly and missed an opportunity
1174 Miss the mark Means to fail to achieve a goal or desired result
1175 Mission impossible Means a task that is extremely difficult or dangerous
1176 Mixed bag An assortment, or a group of entities with few characteristics in common
1177 Mom-and-pop A small family-run business, or a tiny establishment, such as a corner shop
1178 Monday morning quarterback Someone who tries to call the shots after the action is already over
1179 Money burns a hole in someone's pocket When someone feels the need to spend money simply because they have it
1180 Money is no object Means you are willing or able to spend as much money as necessary or travel whatever distance is required
1181 Money laundering Means to disguise financial assets so they can be used without detection of the illegal activity that produced them
1182 Money talks Money can be used to gain power and leverage; there is a strong implication of corruption
1183 Money to burn To have large amounts of extra money
1184 Monkey business Silliness or goofing off; breaking the rules
1185 Monkey see, monkey do People do what they see other people do
1186 More bang for the buck Better value for the money
1187 More bang for your buck To get a lot of value for your money
1188 More than I bargained for More than I expected
1189 More than meets the eye There is more to it than you think
1190 More than one way to skin a cat There are alternative solutions to this problem
1191 More the merrier To say an occasion will be more enjoyable if a lot of people are there
1192 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
1193 Move some things around To make some adjustments
1194 Move the goalposts To set your sights or standards even higher; to make something more challenging
1195 Move up in the world Means to improve one's social status, increase wealth, or achieve greater success than before
1196 Moving at a glacier pace Means something is progressing or changing extremely slowly, like the movement of a glacier
1197 Mum's the word Stay quiet and don't talk about it
1198 Mumbo jumbo Meaningless words or nonsense
1199 Murphy's law What can go wrong, will go wrong
1200 My bad It was my mistake and I take responsibility for it
1201 My door is always open Means a person is available to listen, offer support, or accept new ideas at any time
1202 My eyes are bigger than my stomach I wanted to eat more than my stomach could handle
1203 My hands are tied I cannot do anything to change the situation because I am not the one who can make the decision
1204 My heart is set on It means a lot to me to do something
1205 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
1206 My neck of the woods Where one lives
1207 Mystery on our hands Means having an unexplained problem or situation present that now requires attention, investigation, or solving
1208 Nail home the point Means to emphasize something so forcefully and clearly that it is thoroughly understood and leaves a lasting impression
1209 Neck and neck To be very close as in a race
1210 Need elbow room To prefer to have plenty of space between you and other people
1211 Needs a swift kick in the pants Someone needs a strong, immediate push or motivation to get them to take action
1212 Netflix and chill A slang term that's used as a euphemism for sexual activity
1213 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
1214 Next level Describes something as being better, more advanced, or more impressive than before
1215 Next of kin A person's closest living relative or relatives
1216 Next time The following occasion, or the next time something will happen
1217 Nightcap An alcoholic or hot drink taken at the end of the day or before going to bed
1218 Nincompoop Person who doesn't understand something or acts foolishly
1219 Nine-to-five An average job schedule
1220 No accounting for taste Means that people's preferences are subjective and cannot be explained or justified rationally
1221 No big deal Something is not important
1222 No biggie To say that something is not a problem
1223 No brainer Means something that requires or involves little or no mental effort
1224 No holds barred Without any restrictions or limits
1225 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
1226 No one is the wiser Means that nobody is more aware or has gained more understanding about a situation, either because they still don't understand a complicated explanation or because they are unaware of something that happened
1227 No pain no gain Means that suffering is necessary in order to achieve something
1228 No pain, no gain You have to work for what you want
1229 No rest for the wicked Means your work, chores, or responsibilities never seem to end, even when you feel exhausted
1230 No rhyme or reason There seems to be no logical reason for it to happen or be done
1231 No skin off my nose Something isn't going to affect you, so you don't really care
1232 No slouch Means someone is very good, skilled, or capable at a particular activity
1233 No spring chicken Not young anymore
1234 No stairway to heaven Means there is no easy path to success
1235 No wiggle room Means there is no capacity or scope for negotiation or operation, especially in order to modify a previous statement or decision
1236 Nose test An informal method for determining whether something is authentic, credible, or ethical, by using one's common sense or sense of propriety
1237 Nosebleed section The cheapest seats in an arena or stadium, high and far away from the action
1238 Not a big deal Used to indicate that something is of little consequence
1239 Not firing on all cylinders Seeming confused; not thinking well
1240 Not in a month of sundays Something is unlikely to happen
1241 Not my bailiwick Means something is outside a person's area of expertise, authority, responsibility, or interest
1242 Not my cup of tea Not something that a person would do
1243 Not out of the woods yet Means a person or situation is still facing difficulties, danger, or problems, even though some progress or recovery has been made
1244 Not playing with a full deck Seeming confused; not thinking well
1245 Not the sharpest tool in the shed He's not very smart
1246 Not touch with a ten-foot pole Means to express a refusal to have anything to do with someone or something
1247 Not up to snuff Means not as good as it should be; not up to an acceptable standard
1248 Not worth a hill of beans Something has low value
1249 Notch up To win or create a record
1250 Nothing to sneeze at Means something is significant, worthwhile, or important enough to be taken seriously and not dismissed or ignored
1251 Nothing to write home about Nothing special or exciting happened
1252 Now you're cooking with gas You are taking the best approach to this problem and you will make rapid progress
1253 Of another mindset Means having a different way of thinking or perspective compared to someone else
1254 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
1255 Off pudding Means something that causes uneasiness, dislike, or annoyance
1256 Off the bat Means at the very beginning
1257 Off the clock Means you are not currently working or being paid by your job
1258 Off the rails Means to behave in a strange, abnormal, or wildly uncontrolled way
1259 Off the top of my head To say something spontaneously; without thinking too much
1260 Old as dirt Someone very old
1261 Old as the hills Someone very old
1262 Old ball and chain Means a person or thing that restricts someone's freedom or ability to do things
1263 Old flame Is someone you previously had a romantic relationship with or sexual encounter with
1264 On a fishing expedition Trying to get information out of someone without being fully aware of what you're looking for
1265 On a shoestring budget Operating with very limited funds or resources
1266 On a wing and a prayer Attempting something without adequate preparation and resources
1267 On cloud nine Very happy
1268 On my last legs Means to be extremely exhausted, near physical collapse, or nearing the end of one's life
1269 On one hand and then on the other hand This expression is used to compare two aspects of a situation
1270 On pins and needles To be anxious or agitated
1271 On point Means something is perfectly executed, highly relevant, or accurate
1272 On the ball To be alert, competent, and well-prepared
1273 On the clock Means to be currently working or getting paid
1274 On the fence Means being undecided, neutral, or hesitant to choose between two or more options, sides in a debate, or courses of action
1275 On the rocks A relationship or enterprise experiencing difficulties and likely to fail
1276 On the same page To agree with someone
1277 On thin ice If you make another mistake, there will be trouble
1278 On top of the world A state of extreme happiness
1279 Once bitten, twice shy You're more cautious when you've been hurt before
1280 Once in a blue moon Rarely
1281 One for the road A final drink before leaving
1282 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
1283 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
1284 Opening pandora's box Do something that causes unexpected problems
1285 Out of line Means to behave in a way that breaks the rules or is considered disreputable or inappropriate
1286 Out of my hands Means you no longer have control or responsibility over a situation
1287 Out of order Means when a device is not working properly or at all
1288 Out of pocket Paid for directly rather than being put on account or charged to some other person or organization
1289 Out of the blue Something that is completely unexpected
1290 Out of the frying pan and into the fire Things are going from bad to worse
1291 Out of the mouth of babes Expression used when a child says something surprisingly wise or insightful
1292 Out of this world Means extremely enjoyable or impressive
1293 Out of work Means to be unemployed, jobless, or without a paid job
1294 Out of your league Above or beyond what one is capable of attaining
1295 Out on a limb In or into a dangerous or uncompromising position, where one is not joined or supported by anyone else; vulnerable
1296 Over my dead body I am strongly opposed to something and will make sure it doesn't happen
1297 Overplayed his hand To act more confidently than is warranted because one believes they are in a stronger position than they actually are
1298 Paint the town red Go out and enjoy oneself flamboyantly
1299 Palm off Pass off something as genuine when it is spurious
1300 Par for the course To be expected; normal; common; usual
1301 Paragon of virtue Means someone who serves as a perfect model or epitome of moral excellence, possessing no moral faults and embodying the highest standards of goodness, integrity, and righteousness
1302 Party pooper Someone who puts a stop to the fun
1303 Pass away To die
1304 Pass gas Refers to the normal bodily process of releasing intestinal gas
1305 Pass muster To be accepted as adequate or satisfactory
1306 Pass out He consumed enough alcohol to make him pass out
1307 Pass over To ignore the claims of someone to promotion or advancement
1308 Pass the buck Blame someone else for something or make someone else responsible for a difficult or unpleasant task
1309 Pass the time To spend time doing something enjoyable while waiting or while time passes
1310 Pass through The act of traveling from one place to another, an opening in a wall, and a business structure
1311 Pass up To refrain from taking up an opportunity
1312 Pass with flying colors To be extremely successful, to achieve something that is difficult, to excel
1313 Passive-aggressive behavior A pattern of indirectly expressing negative feelings instead of openly addressing them
1314 Patience is a virtue Means waiting calmly and without getting upset is a good quality
1315 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
1316 Peak something To claim that some commodity has reached its maximum availability and will begin to decline in the future
1317 Peanut gallery The cheapest and rowdiest seats in an arena, usually at the back of the balcony
1318 Pegged it Means having figured someone out
1319 Penny-pincher Someone who is extremely frugal and careful with their money
1320 Penny-wise and pound foolish Careful in trivial matters but wasteful or extravagant in large matters
1321 Perfect storm The worst possible situation
1322 Pick of the litter Means the best or most desirable member of a group or selection
1323 Pick someone's brain Means to obtain information by questioning someone who is better informed about a subject than oneself
1324 Pick your brain Ask some questions
1325 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
1326 Picture perfect Means something is flawless, ideal, or perfect in appearance
1327 Picture-perfect Perfect in appearance as with the subjects in paintings or photographs, without the common imperfections of real life
1328 Pie in the sky Unrealistic expectations
1329 Piece of cake Something is very easy to do
1330 Piece of the pie To get a share or portion of something
1331 Pig in a poke Something purchased without adequate examination
1332 Pipe dream Unrealistic expectations
1333 Pitter-patter of little feet The sound made by children running around inside a house
1334 Plant the seeds Means to introduce an idea or feeling into someone's mind
1335 Play catch up Means to make an effort to keep up with a rival or with the demands of a job or task
1336 Play devil's advocate To argue the opposite, just for the sake of argument
1337 Play devil’s advocate To argue, just for the sake of it
1338 Play for keeps To exert serious effort because the outcome will be permanent or have a major impact
1339 Play it by ear To go slowly and make a decision later
1340 Play one's cards close to one's chest Means to be extremely secretive and cautious about one's intentions
1341 Play the field Means to indulge in a series of relationships without committing oneself to anyone
1342 Play your cards right To behave or work in a way that gives you an advantage or improves your odds of success
1343 Playing fast and loose Means to be recklessly irresponsible, unreliable, or deceitful
1344 Playing hardball Means using tough, uncompromising tactics to achieve a goal, often involving being harsh or unfair
1345 Playing to the gallery Means acting in a showy, exaggerated, or overly simple way to win easy approval, popularity, or applause from a general, often unsophisticated, audience, rather than being genuine or focusing on substance
1346 Plead the fifth To refuse to answer a question
1347 Please excuse my dear aunt sally The mnemonic to remember the order of mathematical operations (pemdas)
1348 Pleased as punch Extremely happy about something
1349 Plenty of fish in the sea It's ok to miss this opportunity because others will arise
1350 Plot twist Means an unexpected development
1351 Point of fact Used to emphasize the truth of an assertion, especially one contrary to what might be expected or what has been asserted
1352 Poke the beehive Means to intentionally provoke someone or stir up trouble
1353 Poker face Describes an expressionless face that conceals a person's thoughts or feelings
1354 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
1355 Polish the apple To try to gain favor with someone through flattery
1356 Political football An issue that politicians argue in circles about or seek to use for their own political gain
1357 Pop into my head Means an idea or thought came to you suddenly and unexpectedly, without any prior planning or reasoning
1358 Pop my balloon Mean a viral dating rejection, a sudden disappointment, or the shattering of an illusion depending on the context
1359 Pop the question Means to ask someone to marry you
1360 Popularize the movement To cause something to become known, admired, or used by many people
1361 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
1362 Poster boy A man who epitomizes or represents a specified quality or cause
1363 Pot calling the kettle black Someone is criticizing another person for a fault that they also have
1364 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
1365 Practice what you preach Means to behave in the same way you advise others to behave
1366 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
1367 Pretty partial to it Means you have a strong liking, fondness, or preference for something, often more than other options
1368 Pretty penny Very expensive
1369 Pretty please Used for asking someone for something or persuading them to do something by trying to make yourself sound friendly
1370 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
1371 Protect your blind side Means to be aware of and guard against potential threats or vulnerabilities that you might not be immediately aware of
1372 Pull an all-nighter To study all night
1373 Pull one's head in To keep quiet or mind one's own business
1374 Pull some strings To use one's influence over people of importance in order to make something happen
1375 Pull someone's leg To joke with someone
1376 Pull the last straw The final point in a series of unfortunate events when you feel you cannot take it anymore
1377 Pull the wool over someone's eyes Fool that person; deceive or delude that person
1378 Pull together To unite for a common objective
1379 Pull yourself together Calm down
1380 Pull yourself up by your own bootstraps Improve your situation by your own efforts
1381 Punching above your weight class Means to achieve or perform at a higher level than expected, given your resources, status, or usual capabilities, often succeeding in a more challenging arena than you're typically expected to
1382 Puppet master Means a person, group, or country that covertly controls another
1383 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
1384 Put a pin in this Stop discussing or working this now, with plans to come back to it later
1385 Put lipstick on a pig If you dress up ugly, there's still ugly underneath
1386 Put one's face on Means to apply cosmetics or makeup, typically referring to a full routine
1387 Put one's foot in it To make an embarrassing blunder
1388 Put something on ice Put a projet on hold
1389 Put the cart before the horse Do things in the wrong order
1390 Put up your dukes To be prepared to fight by holding up your fists
1391 Put your best foot forward Begin a project in a positive or favorable way
1392 Put your foot down To be decisive or determined, or to deal with someone in a strict way
1393 Putting on the dog Dressing fancy; doing anything special to impress others
1394 Putting on the ritz To behave extravagantly, lavishly, or self-importantly
1395 Quick and dirty Fast and simple; not very sophisticated
1396 Quick buck To get some easy money
1397 Quit cold turkey To give up something all at once rather than gradually weaning off it
1398 Rain on someone's parade To spoil something
1399 Raining cats and dogs It's raining hard
1400 Raise a stink Means to create a loud, public complaint or a great fuss about something, often to demand change or express strong disapproval
1401 Reach out to someone Ask someone for information
1402 Read between the lines Understanding the real message behind something
1403 Real page turner Refers to a book that is so exciting that you want to read it quickly
1404 Red herring Something that misleads or distracts from a relevant or important question
1405 Red tape Excessive bureaucracy or adherence to rules and formalities, especially in public business
1406 Redneck Uneducated, unsophisticated person, usually in the rural south
1407 Remember the alamo Is a battle cry that refers to the 1836 siege of the alamo fort in san antonio, texas
1408 Ride or die Means extreme loyalty and unwavering support for someone
1409 Ride shotgun To say someone wants to sit in the front seat of a car
1410 Riding shotgun Riding in the front passenger seat of a car or truck
1411 Right around the corner Something is very close or will happen very soon
1412 Rise above the crowd To distinguish yourself from others by achieving a higher level of performance, skill, or quality
1413 Rise from the ashes To make a comeback after a long wait
1414 Road hog To take up too much of the road
1415 Rob peter to pay paul To take from one source to pay off another, often resulting in a cycle of debt or financial instability
1416 Rock the boat Doing something that causes problems
1417 Roll off the tongue Means words, phrases, or names that are easy, smooth, or enjoyable to pronounce and speak
1418 Roll out red carpet Means to formally welcome someone important or to give them special treatment
1419 Roll up your sleeves To prepare for hard work, mainly physical task
1420 Roll with the punches Means to adapt to difficult situations, handle unexpected setbacks, and keep going despite adversity
1421 Roll your eyes Show skepticism about a plan or situation
1422 Rolling Means to something that is continuous, adjustable, or moving without a fixed deadline
1423 Rolling in dough To be very wealthy or have a lot of money
1424 Rolling in it Means to be very wealthy
1425 Rolling in the aisles Means to laugh uncontrollably
1426 Rolling stone gathers no moss Means a person who never settles in one place or job will not accumulate wealth, stability, or responsibilities
1427 Roughneck Person who performs hard manual labor, or is uncouth
1428 Round the bend Crazy
1429 Rounding third base Almost finished with a task
1430 Rude awakening A sudden and unpleasant discovery that one is mistaken
1431 Ruffle feathers To irritate or annoy someone
1432 Rule of thumb A general guideline, rather than a strict rule
1433 Run around in circles To be very active but with few results
1434 Run it up the flagpole To present an idea tentatively and see whether it receives a favorable reaction
1435 Run like the wind Run fast
1436 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
1437 Running on fumes Means to be in a state of near exhaustion or depletion, where you're barely managing to continue
1438 Running point Means taking the lead or being in charge of a specific task or project
1439 Sacred cow Something considered immune from question or criticism, especially unreasonably so
1440 Safety in numbers Being in a group of people makes you feel more confident or secure about taking action
1441 Sail close to the wind To behave in a manner that is on the verge of being dangerous, improper or illegal
1442 Salt of the earth Means a person or group of people of great kindness, reliability, or honesty
1443 Salute smartly and carry on Means accepting an order, decision, or chain of command with prompt respect and efficiency, and then immediately returning to the task at hand without complaint or hesitation
1444 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
1445 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
1446 Save for a rainy day To save money for later
1447 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
1448 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
1449 Say "uncle" Expression to demand that the opponent in a contest submit or give up
1450 Say your piece Express your opinion
1451 S—t show Means a situation or event marked by chaos or controversy
1452 Scam To swindle
1453 Scaredy cat Person who is easily frightened
1454 Scorched earth Means a ruthless attempt to win at all costs
1455 Scrape the barrel To be reduced to using things or people of the poorest quality because there is nothing else available
1456 Scratch my back Means to do someone a favor with the expectation that they will do you a favor in return
1457 Scratch that Means to immediately cancel, retract, or ignore a previous statement or idea
1458 Sea legs To master a task or a job without feeling overwhelmed or uneasy
1459 Second nature Easy and natural
1460 Second to none Better than all others of the same kind
1461 Second-hand Previously owned or used
1462 See a man about a horse Is an old-fashioned idiom used as a polite or humorous excuse when leaving a place without explaining where you are going
1463 See eye to eye To have the same opinion or have the same point of view
1464 See in the dark To be aware of something that others might not know about or understand
1465 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
1466 See the light at the end of the tunnel To have hope that a difficult or unpleasant situation will soon come to an end
1467 See the world through rose-colored glasses Be overly optimistic; only see the positive aspects
1468 Seeing red To be extremely angry
1469 Sell like hot cakes To be sold quickly and in large numbers
1470 Sell someone a bill of goods To deceive someone into buying or believing something that has no value
1471 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
1472 Set the pace Lead the way in doing or achieving something
1473 Set the record straight To reveal the truth or to clarify
1474 Sh** eating grin A snarky, knowing smile
1475 Sh** happens Life is full of unfortunate unpredictable events
1476 Sh** or get off the pot Just hurry and finish
1477 Shaking like a leaf Very frightened
1478 Shape up or ship out Work better or leave
1479 Sharp as a tack Very intelligent or clever
1480 Shell shock Means a state of extreme mental confusion, exhaustion, or trauma resulting from intense stress
1481 Shivering in my boots Means to be very nervous or frightened
1482 Shoot for the moon Means to set exceptionally high goals and ambitions, aiming for something very difficult or seemingly impossible to achieve
1483 Shoot the breeze Make small talk; have a casual conversation
1484 Should be straightforward Something should be easy to understand, clear, and direct, without any complications or hidden meanings
1485 Show no remorse To demonstrate a complete lack of guilt, regret, or sorrow for one's actions
1486 Showboating Means behaving in a flashy, ostentatious way to attract attention, often by showing off skills (like an athlete doing tricks) or being excessively flamboyant
1487 Shut the front door Is an informal expression used to convey strong surprise or disbelief, essentially meaning no way or you're kidding me
1488 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
1489 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
1490 Silver lining Means a consoling or hopeful prospect within an otherwise difficult, unpleasant, or sad situation
1491 Silver spoon Means someone was born into a wealthy family and has many advantages in life
1492 Sitting on the fence Can't make up there mind
1493 Skating on thin ice Engaged in some behavior that is risky, dangerous, or could cause trouble
1494 Skedaddle Leave; get out of here
1495 Skeleton in the closet Means they have a discreditable or embarrassing fact that they want to keep secret
1496 Skin and bones Very thin in a way that is unattractive and unhealthy
1497 Skin in the game Having a vested interest in how something turns out
1498 Skinflint Someone who doesn't like to spend (or give) money
1499 Slap on the wrist A minor caution against doing something
1500 Sleep like a log Sleep very soundly without waking
1501 Slip your mind To forget something
1502 Slow and steady wins the race Reliability is more important than speed
1503 Slow burn Low-level anger that continues to increase over time
1504 Slow poke An informal term for someone who moves or acts slowly
1505 Slowpoke Means a person who acts or moves slowly
1506 Smell a rat To get a sense that there is a problem with something
1507 Smell test An informal method for determining whether something is authentic, credible, or ethical, by using one's common sense or sense of propriety
1508 SNAFU Situation Normal, All F---ed Up
1509 Snail mail Refers to mail that is carried by the traditional postal delivery service
1510 Snap out of it Means to quickly recover from a negative situation or to change one's state of mind
1511 Snowball effect Events have momentum and build upon each other
1512 Snowball's chance in hell No chance at all
1513 Snowed under Very busy
1514 Snug as a bug in a rug Cozy and comfortable
1515 So close but yet so far Means something is almost within reach, but still remains unattainable
1516 So far so good Things are going well so far
1517 Some people spoil the whole bunch A few negative individuals within a group can have a detrimental effect on the entire group
1518 Someone's ears are burning People are talking about that person, usually behind their back
1519 Sounding board Refers to a person or group with whom you discuss ideas to get feedback and assess their viability
1520 Speak of the devil The person we were talking about, just showed up
1521 Spice things up To add some excitement or variety
1522 Spill the beans To give away a secret
1523 Spirited away Means to take someone or something away quickly and secretly, or to remove something mysteriously
1524 Spitballing Means to quickly suggest ideas without thinking them through
1525 Spitting image An exact likeness or close resemblance
1526 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
1527 Squirreled away Means to save or hide something in a safe place for future use
1528 Stab someone in the back To betray a close person
1529 Stand head and shoulders above the rest Someone or something is much better than others
1530 Stand still Means either to remain motionless or to tolerate something
1531 Stare down the barrel Means to face a very dangerous, threatening, or unpleasant situation
1532 Staring down the barrel Means facing an upcoming, serious danger or a very bad situation
1533 Start off on the right foot Begin a project in a positive or favorable way
1534 Start off on the wrong foot To start a relationship or activity badly
1535 Start with a clean slate Means to begin a fresh start, completely disregarding past mistakes, offenses, or debts, and making a new beginning without prejudice or bias from what happened before
1536 Stay above the fray Means to remain uninvolved or not directly participate in a heated argument, conflict, or struggle
1537 Stay in your lane Means focusing on your own work, responsibilities, or expertise without interfering in the matters of others
1538 Steal someone’s thunder To direct the attention away from someone else
1539 Steal you thunder Means to win praise for oneself by preempting someone else's attempt to impress.
1540 Steam coming out of ears Angry
1541 Step up your game To start performing better
1542 Stick out like a sore thumb Be noticeably different from others, usually in a bad way
1543 Stick to something like white on rice To cling tightly with no possibility of letting go
1544 Stick to your guns Stay morally strong or be firm in decisions especially when being opposed
1545 Stick with what works Means to continue using a method, idea, product, or routine because it has already proven to be successful, reliable, or effective
1546 Stick your neck out Take a chance on another person
1547 Sticker shock Means an unpleasant surprise at the high price of something
1548 Still have a shot Means to still have a chance or to attempt or try something, even if it seems unlikely
1549 Stinks to high heaven Means to give off an extremely foul odor or to be completely suspicious, dishonest, or corrupt
1550 Stir up a hornets nest Means to provoke a situation that causes a lot of anger, controversy, or trouble
1551 Stole his thunder Means to take away the attention, praise, or success that someone else was expecting
1552 Stop and smell the roses Become more aware of your surroundings and appreciate the beauty in life
1553 Stop at nothing Means to be utterly ruthless or determined in one's attempt to achieve something
1554 Stove up Means to be sore, stiff, exhausted, or physically battered, often from hard work, injury, or strenuous activity, making it difficult to move
1555 Straight from the horse's mouth Got information directly from the most knowledgeable source
1556 Straight from the horse’s mouth Directly from the person involved
1557 Straight shooter Means a honest, direct, and trustworthy person who communicates openly and acts with integrity
1558 Straighten up and fly right Get yourself together, behave properly, and do the right thing
1559 Stress out To become extremely anxious, overwhelmed, or mentally strained
1560 Strike while the iron is hot Means to do something immediately while there is still a good chance to do it
1561 Stroke of luck Means a fortunate occurrence that could not have been predicted or expected
1562 Stumbling block Means an obstacle, hindrance, or circumstance that prevents progress, agreement, or action
1563 Sugar and spice Excerpt from a common nursery rhyme "what are little girls made of?"
1564 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
1565 Swan song The last piece of work of an artist before his/her death
1566 Sweep someone off their feet To be completely taken by someone emotionally
1567 Sweep under the rug Conceal or ignore a problem or difficulty in the hope that it will be forgotten
1568 Swept me off my feet Means to make someone suddenly and completely fall in love with you, typically through charm, intense romance, or a grand gesture
1569 Table an item Put something aside for consideration at another time
1570 Tackle the problem Means to deal with or address a difficult situation or issue in a determined or efficient way
1571 Take a backseat to someone To willingly take a less prominent role in some situation
1572 Take a breather Take a short pause in the action (in order to rest or do some other task)
1573 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
1574 Take a stand To state your principles or position firmly
1575 Take everything with a grain of salt Don’t take it too seriously
1576 Take it in stride Accept unpleasant news without changing your plans
1577 Take it into one's head To form a notion, purpose, or plan
1578 Take it lying down Means to accept an insult, unfair treatment, or defeat passively without protesting, fighting back, or resisting
1579 Take it with a grain of salt Be skeptical; don’t take something too literally
1580 Take matters into own hands To take action on a problem yourself because other people have failed to do so
1581 Take my breath away Astonish or shock one, with pleasure, surprise, or some other emotion
1582 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
1583 Take the fifth Means to not want to answer a question
1584 Take the wind out of your sails To be disappointed
1585 Take with a pinch of salt When someone tells you something based on their opinion, rather than facts or evidence
1586 Taken by beauty Implies being so impressed or captivated by something's beauty that it has a strong emotional impact
1587 Talk is cheap It is easy to say something but much harder to actually do it
1588 Test the waters Means to judge people's feelings or opinions before taking further action
1589 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
1590 Thank god it's friday Means the relief and joy used to celebrate the end of the work or school week and the start of the weekend
1591 That dog won't hunt A plan, idea, or argument is not going to work or is ineffective
1592 That is lame To be boring, dull, or uninspired
1593 That old chestnut Means a joke or story that has become tedious because of its age and constant repetition
1594 That really knocked my socks off To be really impressed by something
1595 That rings a bell To remember slightly or vaguely recognize something
1596 That seems on brand Means something is perfectly in line with a person's, company's, or product's established identity, values, style, or expected behavior, showing consistency and authenticity
1597 That ship has sailed It's too late
1598 That takes the prize Means that something is so outstanding, remarkable, or extreme that it surpasses everything else
1599 That was a masterstroke Means a masterly action or achievement; an extremely skillful or effective action
1600 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
1601 That's above my pay grade I don't have responsibility or authority to do something
1602 That's good enough for government work Make sure you are doing a good job, of a high quality good enough for government work
1603 That's my kryptonite Something that is a weakness or can be used to hurt me
1604 That's no big deal That's not a problem
1605 That's rad That's cool
1606 That's serendipitous An event that was not planned but has a good result
1607 That's the last straw My patience has run out
1608 That's the way the cookie crumbles Such is life
1609 That’s the spirit Used to approve or encourage someone's positive attitude or action
1610 The apple doesn't fall far from the tree Means a child shares similar traits, behaviors, or looks with their parents
1611 The ball is in your court It's your decision
1612 The beginning of the end The event to which ending or failure can be traced
1613 The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray Means that no matter how carefully you plan something, unexpected events, misfortune, or external forces can cause those plans to fail or turn out poorly
1614 The best of both worlds An ideal situation
1615 The best thing since sliced bread A really good invention
1616 The buck stops here Means to take responsibility for something and not pass it on to someone else
1617 The butterfly effect How small changes can result in unpredictable consequences over a period of time
1618 The early bird gets the worm The first people who arrive will get the best stuff
1619 The enemy of your enemy is your friend Two parties who have an enemy in common should join forces against it
1620 The game is afoot Means a challenge has been accepted or a new and exciting activity has begun
1621 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
1622 The grass is always greener on the other side Never being satisfied with what one gets
1623 The lay of the land Means to get the current situation or state of affairs
1624 The lights are on but nobody's home Someone is present but is actually not paying attention or thinking clearly
1625 The other side With several meanings, ranging from the afterlife to a different perspective or an opposing force, depending on the context
1626 The other side of the coin To look at different aspects of a situation
1627 The pen is mightier than the sword Means that writing is more effective than military power or violence
1628 The straw that broke the camel's back A minor action that causes a big reaction due to a series of previous small actions
1629 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
1630 The whole enchilada To refer to the entirety of something, down to the last detail
1631 The world is your oyster To be in a position to take advantage of life's opportunities
1632 There are clouds on the horizon Trouble is coming
1633 There is more than meets the eye Means that something is more complex, significant, or has hidden aspects that are not immediately obvious.
1634 There is no stairway to heaven There is no easy way to achieve perfection
1635 There will be hell to pay Means there will be severe consequences, serious trouble, or angry repercussions resulting from an action
1636 There ya go Means this is what you wanted
1637 There's a method to his madness He seems crazy but actually he's clever
1638 There's many a slip twixt a cup and a lip Means that even when success seems certain, many things can still go wrong before it's completed, emphasizing that plans can easily fail at the last moment
1639 There's no such thing as a free lunch Nothing is entirely free
1640 Thick as thieves Very close or friendly
1641 Think on your feet To react quickly in a tricky or fast-moving situation
1642 Think outside the box Think of new ideas outside the norm
1643 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
1644 This thing might go sideways Means a situation is likely to go wrong, fail, or take an unexpected, negative turn, deviating from the planned, positive path, implying chaos, loss of control, or trouble ahead
1645 Those are fighting words Means an insult or statement is so deeply offensive that it is expected to start an immediate physical fight
1646 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
1647 Those who can't do, teach People who can't do something well end up teaching it
1648 Those who live in glass houses shouldn't throw stones People who are morally questionable shouldn't criticize others
1649 Three sheets to the wind To be intoxicated
1650 Through thick and thin In good times and in bad times
1651 Throw a curveball To unexpectedly present something surprising or unexpected
1652 Throw a monkey wrench into a situation Means to sabotage, disrupt, or ruin a plan, project, or process; preventing it from working smoothly
1653 Throw caution to the wind To act recklessly or without concern for the consequences
1654 Throw good money after bad Means to incur further loss in a hopeless attempt to recoup a previous loss
1655 Throw in the towel To give up or surrender
1656 Throw that back in my face Means to reject an offer, help, or an apology in a rude way, or to use someone's past mistakes against them during an argument
1657 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
1658 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
1659 Throw your weight around Try to exert influence
1660 Tick, tock Time is a wasting
1661 Tie one on Drink a lot of alcohol
1662 Tie the knot Means to get married or to perform a wedding ceremony
1663 Ties that bind Describes the shared beliefs or ideas that connect people
1664 Till death do us part A common phrase said between the bride and the groom at a christian wedding, indicating togetherness and commitment
1665 Till the cows come home A long time
1666 Time and again Repeatedly
1667 Time constraints Limitations on how much time is available to complete a task or achieve a goal
1668 Time flies To observe that time seems to pass very quickly
1669 Time flies when you're having fun You don't notice how long something lasts when it's fun
1670 Time flies when you’re having fun When you’re having a good time, you don’t notice how quickly the time is passing
1671 Time frame A period of time that is used or planned for a particular action or project
1672 Time is all relative Means that how someone perceives the passage of time depends on their perspective, situation, or frame of reference
1673 Time is money Work quickly
1674 Time is of the essence Prompt action is absolutely necessary
1675 Time management The ability to use one's time effectively or productively,
1676 Time out Pause your action
1677 Time will tell Sooner or later something will become known or be revealed
1678 Time-lapse The photographic technique of taking a sequence of frames at set intervals to record changes that take place slowly over time
1679 Timeless Not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion
1680 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
1681 Tip your hand To reveal a secret, especially about your own plans or opinions
1682 To backbite a person To speak negatively about someone in their absence
1683 To be a chicken/to chicken out To be too afraid
1684 To be a fly on the wall To wish to witness what is going on without anyone being aware that you are there
1685 To be a good catch Means that someone is considered a desirable partner in a romantic relationship
1686 To be at loggerheads with someone To quarrel or disagree
1687 To be beside yourself To feel extremely emotional with worry, anxiety, or sadness
1688 To be called on the carpet Means to be summoned by an authority figure or superior to be reprimanded, scolded, or questioned about a mistake or wrongdoing
1689 To be closefisted Someone who is stingy with money
1690 To be forewarned is to be forearmed Means that if you know about a potential problem or danger in advance, you can prepare for it and be ready to deal with it
1691 To be in the doldrums To be in a low spirit
1692 To be loaded To have a lot money; to be wealthy
1693 To be named after To be named in honor, or in memory, of someone else
1694 To be out of the question To be impossible or unacceptable
1695 To be red in the face Showing signs of embarrassment, shame, or humiliation
1696 To be tied up with something or someone To be completely occupied with someone or on something
1697 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
1698 To beat the band To do something in an exaggerated or extreme way
1699 To bell the cat To face a risk
1700 To bend someone's ear To speak to someone eagerly, especially in order to ask for a favor
1701 To bite the dust To be defeated in battle
1702 To black out To lose consciousness
1703 To blow your own horn To outwardly praise yourself for something
1704 To bomb To completely fail at something
1705 To box someone in To trap someone in a situation, or to put them in circumstances where their options are limited
1706 To bug someone To annoy someone
1707 To butt in To interrupt in a rude manner
1708 To call a person hot Describe the person as sexually attractive, fashionable, or cool
1709 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
1710 To call it a day To stop working for the day
1711 To call someone on the carpet To confront someone with whom you're having a conflict
1712 To carry a torch for someone To continue to have an infatuation with someone
1713 To catch one’s eye To attract attention
1714 To cause bad blood To create feelings of resentment, hostility, or animosity
1715 To come out flat-footed To have been unprepared
1716 To come out swinging To strongly defend oneself as a confrontation or debate begins
1717 To corner the market To become the most dominant (or the only dominant) player in a specific area of the market
1718 To cry wolf To deliberately raise an alarm for no real reason
1719 To do a number on something To hurt or severely damage something
1720 To draw a blank To forget something you specifically wanted to remember
1721 To drink like a fish To drink a lot of alcohol on a regular basis
1722 To drop by To drink a lot of alcohol on a regular basis
1723 To feel like death warmed up Means to feel extremely sick, exhausted, or physically unwell
1724 To find fault with To look for faults in someone or something
1725 To follow up on something To check up on someone or something
1726 To get bent out of shape To get upset
1727 To get ghosted When someone stops responding to texts, calls, or messages on social media without any closure
1728 To get in touch with To contact
1729 To get rid of To do away with something
1730 To get your walking papers To get fired from your job
1731 To give in To decide to go along with something, usually as a result of some sort of pressure
1732 To give someone the benefit of the doubt Means to choose to trust or believe a person, even when there is uncertainty or a lack of clear evidence about whether they are telling the truth or doing the right thing
1733 To give someone the heads-up To notify someone of something and to keep them up-to-date
1734 To go down like a lead balloon To be terribly received by an audience
1735 To go dutch For every individual to pay for their own bill in a restaurant
1736 To go for broke To gamble all of your resources
1737 To go off the deep end To get extremely upset and/or emotional
1738 To go to bat To speak out positively about someone or something with the intent of helping
1739 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
1740 To have no backbone Someone who lacks courage
1741 To have one's back to the wall To feel trapped, with no real options to deal with the situation
1742 To have sticky fingers To be likely to steal
1743 To hold out an olive branch To offer a gesture of peace or to ask for forgiveness or a truce
1744 To hold your own To be confident and politely assertive with other people and in various situations
1745 To keep an eye on To closely watch and/or monitor
1746 To know by heart Memorize something so that you can recite it without consulting the words
1747 To know by sight To know someone when you look at them
1748 To let someone off the hook To release someone from responsibility
1749 To live beyond your means To live in a manner that requires more money than you can afford
1750 To live hand-to-mouth To live with very little money
1751 To look down one's nose To feel superior to someone else
1752 To look like death warmed over Used to describe someone who appears very ill, exhausted, or unwell
1753 To make a long story short To tell someone something in a brief and simple way
1754 To make a mountain out of a molehill To overreact and overstate a situation
1755 To make matters worse Make a problem worse
1756 To mention something in passing To mention something casually
1757 To nickel and dime someone Means to subject them to a continuous series of small, petty financial charges or expenses that add up to a large, burdensome amount over time
1758 To nix something To cancel a plan or dismiss an idea, or to forbid something
1759 To not see the wood for the trees To be so involved in trivial matters that you don’t get the important facts
1760 To outdo oneself To do better at something that one has done before
1761 To paddle your own canoe To be self-sufficient and think independently
1762 To pee like a racehorse Means you have an urgent, powerful, and very large-volume need to urinate
1763 To pick and choose To make a careful selection
1764 To pig out To eat too much
1765 To pony up To pay money that is owed or that you need to pay for some other reason
1766 To punch above your weight To perform at a level that is considered beyond one's abilities
1767 To put your two cents in Means to offer your opinion or advice, often when it hasn't been asked for, implying it's a small, humble contribution you don't expect others to highly value, allowing you to share thoughts without seeming arrogant
1768 To rat someone out To tell somebody in authority about something wrong that somebody else has done
1769 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
1770 To run interference To try to remove obstacles that are in someone's way; clearing the way for someone else
1771 To run/blow hot and cold To sometimes seem enthusiastic and other times seem the opposite
1772 To see the light To finally see something clearly and understand it
1773 To serve one right It was a just consequence or punishment
1774 To smooth things over To restore peace to a situation or to resolve conflict
1775 To square the circle To attempt something impossible
1776 To stand up for To help defend someone
1777 To start over from scratch To start over again from the very beginning
1778 To stonewall To be intentionally vague or to make insignificant statements in response to a question, specifically to avoid answering it
1779 To take a load off someone's back To relieve someone of a specific burden or a potential burden
1780 To take a rain check To postpone a plan
1781 To take it easy To relax and/or rest
1782 To take sides To choose a team or align yourself with one point of view in a controversy
1783 To take someone under one's wing To protect or teach someone
1784 To take something for granted To assume that you would have had, or will have, something no matter what
1785 To take up arms To prepare for battle or engage in a conflict
1786 To take your mind off Means to distract yourself or someone else from an unpleasant thought, worry, or pain by shifting focus onto a different activity
1787 To tear your hair out To be completely frustrated by a person or situation
1788 To the best of my knowledge Means you believe something is true, but you might not know all the facts
1789 To the hilt To do something in an extremely thorough way
1790 To turn a blind eye Pretend not to notice
1791 To vanish into thin air To disappear without leaving a trace
1792 To zero in on something To aim or focus directly on something
1793 Toe the line To stay within the acceptable boundary or limits
1794 Tomorrow is another day One may not accomplish everything today but will have another chance
1795 Tomorrow never comes You should take action today and not procrastinate
1796 Tomorrow onwards Starting tomorrow and continuing after that
1797 Tomorrow will be a better day Things may be better tomorrow
1798 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
1799 Tongue-in-cheek Means a humorous, ironic, or sarcastic statement meant to be understood as a joke, even if it is delivered with a serious expression
1800 Too clever by half Clever in a way that is annoying or arrogant, and in danger of overreaching
1801 Top gun Means a person who is the best or one of the best in a particular field
1802 Top notch Means the highest quality or standard as in excellent or first-rate
1803 Top of the line The best possible version of something
1804 Top shelf Means something is of the highest quality or standard
1805 Topsy-turvy In utter confusion or disorder
1806 Total disregard Means a complete and absolute lack of care, respect, or attention toward rules, safety, or other people's feelings
1807 Total smoke show Means someone is extremely physically attractive, often used to describe a woman who is considered very beautiful and eye-catching
1808 Totaled Completely destroyed
1809 Touch base To communicate with someone regarding future plans
1810 Tough as nails Very tough or resilient
1811 Tried and true Means something that has proven in the past to be effective or reliable
1812 Trifecta Three things that happen at the same time
1813 Triple threat A person, especially a performer or athlete, who is proficient in three important skills within their particular field
1814 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
1815 Trust but verify Means to be trusting but also to verify what is said or done
1816 Try your hand at Try doing something for the first time
1817 Tug on the heartstrings Cause someone to become emotional
1818 Turn a blind eye To ignore or pretend not to see something
1819 Turn a deaf ear To ignore what someone is saying
1820 Turn someone's head To cause someone to become smug or conceited
1821 Turn up the heat on someone Put pressure on someone to do something or agree with a particular viewpoint
1822 Turtle wins the race To have endurance and persistence is more important than speed
1823 Twist someone’s arm To convince someone
1824 Two heads are better than one It's better to work together
1825 Two peas in a pod They're always together; they have similar interests
1826 Two shakes of a lamb's tail Very quickly
1827 Under foot To be in the way
1828 Under the table To do something secretly, often used to refer to working for pay unofficially (and illegally)
1829 Under the weather Not feeling very well
1830 Underscore the fact Means to emphasize or highlight the importance of a particular fact or point
1831 Unfinished business Refers to something that has not been completed or dealt with
1832 Until we meet again Goodbye
1833 Up a creek To be in a difficult or unfavorable position, facing serious problems
1834 Up against the clock Running out of time
1835 Up for grabs Available for everyone
1836 Up in arms To be angry or rebellious
1837 Up in the air Uncertain or unsettled
1838 Up my alley Something that is within your skillset
1839 Up the creek without a paddle In a bad situation and unable to proceed; in an awkward position with no easy way out
1840 Up to par Meeting normal standards
1841 Up to snuff Means to meet the required standard
1842 Uphill climb Means a situation or task that is challenging, requires significant effort, and demands perseverance to achieve success
1843 Use your head To tell someone to think more carefully about what they are doing
1844 Use your noodle Means to use your intelligence or brainpower to think about something carefully, especially to solve a problem or figure something out
1845 Va-va-voom! Exclamation to indicate a that a person or event has a strikingly sexy, impressive, or appealing quality
1846 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
1847 Vanish into thin air Disappear without leaving a trace
1848 Variety is the spice of life Trying different things keeps life interesting
1849 Vault over To jump or leap over someone or something
1850 Veer off To turn or steer sharply away from someone or something
1851 Veer toward To turn sharply or swerve toward someone or something
1852 Veg out To relax and not think about anything that stresses you out
1853 Velvet glove A superficial display of gentleness or courtesy that masks a strong or unyielding will or determination
1854 Vent your spleen To express anger or frustration
1855 Vested interest in A personal or biased interest, often financial, in something
1856 Vicar of bray A person who changes their beliefs or allegiances to gain an advantage
1857 Vicious circle A chain of events in which the response to one difficulty creates a new problem that aggravates the original difficulty
1858 Vie with someone To compete or contend with someone
1859 Vim and vigor Energy and enthusiasm
1860 Virgin territory A new experience or situation that someone has no experience with
1861 Visible to the naked eye Can be easily seen
1862 Visit the plumbing To go to the bathroom
1863 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
1864 Voice of reason Means a person or perspective providing calm, logical, and sensible advice, especially during emotional, chaotic, or irrational situations
1865 Volte-face A major change in attitude or principle or point of view
1866 Vultures are circling Something is in danger and its enemies are getting ready for the kill
1867 Wait for nature to take its course To allow a situation to unfold naturally without interfering
1868 Wake up and smell the coffee Realize the truth about a situation
1869 Wake up on the wrong side of the bed Start the day in a bad mood
1870 Walk in the other’s shoes To understand what the other is going through
1871 Walk on eggshells To be very careful with your actions and words
1872 Walk the talk Means to act in accordance with what you say
1873 Walking on a tightrope Being in a difficult situation that requires extreme care and precision
1874 Warm reception A friendly, enthusiastic, or hospitable welcome
1875 Wash your hands To stop being responsible for or involved in something
1876 Waste not, want not Don't waste things and you'll always have enough
1877 Watch your head Means to be careful and aware of your surroundings to avoid hitting your head on low ceilings, doorframes, branches, or other obstacles
1878 Water under the bridge Means something that's in the past and no longer relevant to the current situation
1879 Wave a magic wand Means to wish for or attempt to find a quick, easy, and often unrealistic solution to a complex problem, as if by magic, rather than dealing with the hard work required
1880 We don't see eye to eye We disagree
1881 We'll cross that bridge when we get to it To wait to deal with the problem when it happens
1882 Wear their feelings on their sleeves Means someone is openly and freely displaying their emotions, rather than hiding them
1883 Wear your heart on your sleeve To be extremely open about what you feel and think
1884 Weather the storm Means to survive or successfully endure a difficult period or challenging situation without suffering significant harm or damage
1885 We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it If that problem comes up, we’ll deal with it then, not right now
1886 Weigh the pros and cons Means to consider the advantages and disadvantages of something before making a decision
1887 Welcome to the club Means to tell someone that they share the same unpleasant situation, problem, or feeling as the speaker
1888 Well begun is half done Getting a good start is important
1889 Well under way Means something has already started and is progressing well or making good progress
1890 Went out like a light Fall asleep rapidly, or pass out (lose consciousness)
1891 Went over like a lead balloon To be poorly received
1892 Wet behind the ears Doesn't have very much experience; isn't very skilled
1893 Wet blanket Someone who is dull and keeps others from having fun
1894 What are the odds Means how likely something is to happen. if said by itself without context, it's an expression of bewilderment or confusion that something has happened that was very unlikely
1895 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
1896 What the f--k To be shocked at what is happening
1897 What we got here is a failure to communicate You didn't do what I told you to do
1898 What's the damage What's the cost
1899 What's up What is happening with you
1900 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
1901 When a clown sits on the throne, he doesn't become king. the palace becomes a circus Means that putting an incompetent or foolish person (the clown) in a position of power (the throne) doesn't elevate them; instead, it degrades the entire system
1902 When it rains, it pours Everything is going wrong at once
1903 When pigs fly When something is unlikely or impossible to happen
1904 When push comes to shove Means it can be done if the situation becomes so bad that you have to do it
1905 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
1906 Where the rubber meets the road The point where actions begin to matter
1907 Where there's smoke, there's fire Rumors are sometimes close to the truth
1908 Whet your appetite Means to sharpen, stimulate, or increase your desire for something by giving you a small taste or a preview of it
1909 Whisper sweet nothings Romantic things that people who are in love say to each other
1910 Whistle past the graveyard Act confidently or cheerfully in a scary or dangerous situation
1911 White collar An office worker
1912 White elephant A possession that is useless or troublesome, especially one that is expensive to maintain or difficult to dispose of
1913 White knuckling it Means to endure a high-stress, anxiety-provoking, or difficult situation solely through willpower and sheer determination, often without seeking help or using proper coping strategies
1914 White lie A harmless or trivial lie, especially one told to avoid hurting someone's feelings
1915 White-collar job A high-salary job that doesn't involve manual labor
1916 Whitewash Means to cover up or hide an unpleasant situation, wrongdoing, or error
1917 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
1918 Whole nine yards Refers to everything; the complete extent
1919 Why buy the cow when the milk is free Means that if a person can obtain the benefits of a long-term commitment without marrying, they have no incentive to commit
1920 Will it into existence Means to desire or believe in something so intensely that it appears to become real
1921 Win-win situation Is a mutually beneficial outcome where everyone involved benefits
1922 Winner winner chicken dinner Means to celebrate a big win or success
1923 Wipe out To destroy or remove something or someone completely; to be completely exhausted
1924 Wipe the slate clean Make a fresh start despite past mistakes or problems
1925 Wishy-washy Lacking decisiveness
1926 With great power comes great responsibility Means that people who have special abilities, wealth, or influence must use them to help others and avoid doing harm
1927 Worth its weight in gold To be highly valued or appreciated
1928 Wound too tight Means a state of being tense, nervous, anxious, and easily irritable
1929 Wrap your head around something To try to make sense about what is happening
1930 Wreaking havoc Means causing great damage, widespread destruction, or severe disorder
1931 Writer's block The condition of being unable to think of what to write or how to proceed with writing
1932 WTF What the f--k
1933 X marks the spot This is the exact spot
1934 Yellow belly Coward
1935 You bet (or You betcha) You're welcome; I agree with what you just said
1936 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
1937 You can catch more flies with honey than you can with vinegar You are more likely to get what you want by being nice
1938 You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink You can't force someone to make the right decision
1939 You can say that again That's true, I agree
1940 You can't have your cake and eat it too You can't have everything
1941 You can't make an omelet without breaking some eggs There's always a cost to doing something
1942 You can't teach an old dog new tricks It's hard to change someone's established behavior or beliefs
1943 You could hula hoop through a cheerio Means that a person is extremely thin
1944 You don't say Used to show surprise at something that is being said
1945 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
1946 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
1947 You look beside yourself You look very troubled or anxious and distraught
1948 You made your bed, now lie in it Means that someone must accept the negative consequences of their actions
1949 You never cease to amaze Used to express that one is consistently impressed or surprised by someone or something
1950 You protest too much Means someone is denying something so strongly that it makes others suspect they are not being truthful
1951 You win some, you lose some Means success and failure are both a normal part of life, and you have to accept both, the good and the bad
1952 You're out of your mind Someone is acting foolishly, irrationally, or in a way that is not normal
1953 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
1954 You're the s--t You're the coolest
1955 You've got another think coming You are mistaken about something and need to reconsider your opinion
1956 You've outdone yourself this time You exceeded expectations
1957 You've sold me You have convinced me
1958 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
1959 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
1960 Your guess is as good as mine I have no idea
1961 Your John Hancock Your official signature
1962 Your neck of the woods The general area where someone lives
1963 Your secret is safe with me Someone will not share a secret with anyone else
1964 Zebras don't change their stripes Don't expect anyone to be anything other than who they really are
1965 Zero sum gain A situation where one person's gain is exactly balanced by another person's loss
1966 Zero tolerance Refusal to tolerate something at all
1967 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
1968 Zip Nothing
1969 Zip it Be quiet
1970 Zip past To move very quickly past something
1971 Zone out To shift attention away from the present situation, as in daydreaming
1972 Zonk out To fall asleep suddenly or lose consciousness
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