E N T E R

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