Idioms

Bucket List

A list of accomplishments or tasks one hopes to do or achieve before one dies.

Elephant in the Room

A matter or problem that is obvious or of great importance but that is not discussed openly.

MIA

A member of the armed services who is reported missing following a combat mission and whose status as to injury, capture, or death is unknown.

Drama Queen

A person (usually a woman, though not always) who is given to exaggerated, disproportionate emotional reactions to relatively minor events or situations. Since I was an only child, my mother tended to be a bit of a drama queen about anything happening in my life. Ah, don't be such a drama queen, Tom, they're not going to fire you for a simple mistake like that.

Baggage

A personal history, emotional disposition, or traumatic experience that is or becomes debilitating or burdensome in life.

Comfort Zone

A place, activity, situation, or psychological state in which a person feels free from anxiety and is within his or her realm of ability, experience, security, and/or control. Though it is often outside your comfort zone, traveling to foreign countries gives you a much greater perspective on how other people in the world live. The new job is a little out of my comfort zone, but it will give me a great opportunity to see what I'm truly capable of.

Wake-Up Call

A sign or warning that alerts one to negative or dangerous behavior or circumstances Her personal life was spiraling out of control ... and her brush with death came as a wake-up call" (Geraldine Fabrikant).

A Bitter Pill to Swallow

An unwanted or unpleasant situation that someone is forced to accept. When Brett's parents stopped giving him money to pay his bills and told him to get a job, it was a bitter pill for him to swallow. Getting a poor performance review was a bitter pill, but it made me a better worker.

Living Under a Rock

It is to be a person who lives in isolation from and has limited knowledge of what is happening in the world around them. Used to describe an ignorant or obtuse person.

Nail-biter

Literally, someone who bites off his or her fingernails, especially due to nervousness or agitation. I was a nail-biter at a young age, and, try as I might, I've never managed to shake the habit completely.

Down to Earth

Realistic or interested in everyday occurrences She is a very down-to-earth person, not at all involved with the glamour of Hollywood.

Deer in the headlights

Someone caught in a state of paralyzing surprise, fear, or bewilderment. Likened to the tendency of deer to freeze in place in front of an oncoming vehicle. Often used in the phrase "like a deer in the headlights

Red Herring

Something that draws attention away from the central issue Talking about the new plant is a red herring to keep us from learning about downsizing plans The herring in this expression is red and strong-smelling from being preserved by smoking.

Wiggle Room

The space, time, or freedom to make changes as needed

Throw the Baby Out with the Bathwater

To discard something valuable along with something not desired, usually unintentionally.

Fly Under the Radar

To go without being noticed, detected, or addressed

Get Roped Into

To persuade someone to do something by means of trickery or deception

Not Have a Leg to Stand on

[for an argument or a case] to have no support You may think you're in the right, but you don't have a leg to stand on. My lawyer said I didn't have a leg to stand on, so I shouldn't sue the company

Ring a Bell

[for something] to cause someone to remember something or for it to seem familiar I've never met John Franklin, but his name rings a bell. Whenever I see a bee, it rings a bell. I remember when I was stung by one.

On the tip of tongue

[of a thought or idea] about to be said or almost remembered. Her name is right on the tip of my tongue - Helen something or other, what is her last name!

Open Book

[of someone or something] easy to understand Jane's an open book. I always know what she is going to do next. The committee's intentions are an open book. They want to save money.

Pain in the Neck

a bother; an annoyance This assignment is a pain in the neck. Your little brother is a pain in the neck.

jack of all trades

a person who undertakes many different kinds of work

The Calm Before the Storm

a quiet period immediately before a period of great activity or trouble For most teachers, the days just before the school year begins are the calm before the storm.

Best of Both Worlds

a situation wherein one can enjoy two different opportunities

Bull in a china shop

a very clumsy creature in a delicate situation. I never know what to say at a funeral. I feel like a bull in a china shop, trampling on feelings without even meaning to.

Moving target

an idea or situation that continuously changes as you are trying to deal with it

Fifth Wheel

an unwelcome or extra person I don't like living with my son and daughter-in-law. I feel like a fifth wheel. Bill always begs to come on camping trips with us, but really, he's a fifth wheel

Bent out of Shape

angry; insulted Man, there is no reason to get so bent out of shape. I didn't mean any harm. I got bent out of shape because of the way I was treated.

On Pins and Needles

anxious; in suspense I've been on pins and needles all day, waiting for you to call with the news. We were on pins and needles until we heard that your plane had landed safely.

In the Spotlight

at the center of attention

at the crack of dawn

at the earliest light of the day Jane was always awake at the crack of dawn. The birds start singing at the break of dawn.

To Fall Down the Rabbit Hole

being suddenly thrust into bewildering surroundings or situations. Having your mind blown.

On the Edge of Your Seat

closely following the action and excitement of a performance. We sat on the edge of our seats during the entire play.

Out of Your Mind

crazy You'd have to be out of your mind to reject an offer like that. Blanche thought she was going out of her mind.

Break Even

for income to equal expenses. (This implies that money was not made or lost.

Out of the Woods

freed from a previous state of uncertainty or danger; no longer critical As soon as her temperature is down, she'll be out of the woods.

Where There's Smoke There's Fire

if it looks like something is wrong, something probably is wrong

Out of the Blue

if something happens out of the blue, it happens suddenly and you are not expecting it Then one day, completely out of the blue, I had a letter from her. The invasion came out of a clear blue sky and caught everyone off guard.

Straight from the Horse's Mouth

if you get information about something from the horse's mouth, you get it from someone who is involved in it and knows a lot about it 'Are you sure she's leaving?' 'Definitely, I heard it straight from the horse's mouth.'

a fly on the wall

if you say you would like to be a fly on the wall in a certain situation, you mean that you would like to be there secretly to see and hear what happens

At the Drop of a Hat

immediately; instantly; on the slightest signal or urging. (Alludes to the dropping of a hat as a signal.)

get out of here

interjection An exclamation of surprise, disbelief, and/or incredulity Sally's brother is dating my cousin? Get out of here! You just won the lottery? Get out of here!

No pain no gain

is an exercise motto that promises greater value rewards for the price of hard and even painful work.

The Last Straw

the last in a series of unpleasant events which finally makes you feel that you cannot continue to accept a bad situation

Sit on the fence

not to take sides in a dispute; not to make a clear choice between two possibilities When Jane and Tom argue, it is best to sit on the fence and not make either of them angry

Tip of the Iceberg

only the part of something that can be easily observed, but not the rest of it, which is hidden. (Referring to the fact that the majority of an iceberg is below the surface of the water.) The problems that you see here now are just the tip of the iceberg. There are numerous disasters waiting to happen.

Beating about the bush

to avoid talking about a difficult or embarrassing subject because you are worried about upsetting the person you are talking to

A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing

someone or something that seems to be good but is actually bad

A Fish Out of Water

someone who is uncomfortable in a particular situation

Water Under the Bridge

something that has happened and cannot be changed I should probably have asked for more money when I was offered the job, but hey, that's water under the bridge now.

Don't Hold Your Breath

something that you say in order to tell someone that an event is not likely to happen She said she'd phone but don't hold your breath.

The Sky's the Limit

something that you say which means there is no limit to what something or someone can achieve With two important film roles and a major award, it seems like the sky's the limit for this talented young actress.

Gets the wrong end of the stick

stick to not understand a situation correctly

That Ship Has Sailed

term oft used to establish an opportunity lost

Low-Hanging Fruit

the easiest person(s) to sell something to, to convince of something, or to fool People who always want to be the first to buy something, they're low-hanging fruit for this product. Don't be satisfied with the low-hanging fruit. Go after the hard-sell types.

On the Same Page

thinking in a similar way Louisa said she called the meeting to make sure everybody's on the same page.

Face the Music

to accept criticism or punishment for something that you have done When the missing money was noticed, he chose to disappear rather than face the music.

Burning Bridges

to act unpleasantly in a situation that you are leaving, ensuring that you'll never be welcome to return If you get mad and quit your job, you'll be burning your bridges behind you. No sense burning your bridges. Be polite and leave quietly.

Skating on Thin Ice

to be in a risky situation. (Fig. on the image of someone taking the risk of ice skating on thin ice.) I try to stay well informed so I don't end up skating on thin ice when the teacher asks me a question. You are skating on thin ice when you ask me that!

Head Over Heels

to be in love with someone very much

Branch out

to become involved in a wider range of activities Women are branching out into leadership roles at many levels in the army.

Put Someone on the Spot

to cause someone difficulty or make them embarrassed by forcing them at that moment to make a difficult decision or answer an embarrassing question

Turn the Tables

to change a situation so that someone's position is the opposite of what it was She turned the tables by playing a better game and recently has won most of her matches. Hendricks turned the tables on the media when he borrowed a camera from a TV crew and started filming. Dan was always the one in trouble, but now the tables are turned and he's doing very well.

Sing a different tune

to change one's manner, usually from bad to good

Knock Your Socks Off

to completely surprise or please you very much The magazine is beautiful and combines color and unusual design in a way that knocks your socks off.

Get a Grip

to control your emotions I know it's hard, but get a grip on yourself and tell me what you saw. Oh, get a grip, Tess! It's really not as bad as you think. to understand how to deal with something The program will have helpful tips on how to get a grip on your finances. Something is obviously not right in our organization, and we must get a grip on the problem.

Make up your mind

to decide I haven't made up my mind where to go yet.

Put foot down

to decide something and express your decision

Bend the Rules

to do something or to allow someone to do something which is not usually allowed We don't usually let students take books away, but I'm willing to bend the rules on this occasion.

Carrying Coals To Newcastle

to do something unnecessary; to do something that is redundant or duplicative. (Newcastle is an English town from which coal was shipped to other parts of England.)

Make a meal of something

to eat something The cat made a meal of the fish. They made a meal of the roast beef and enjoyed it very much.

To Have Butterflies

to feel very nervous, usually about something you are going to do She had butterflies in her stomach as she walked out onto the stage.

Fall Through the Cracks

to get lost or be forgotten, especially within a system

Keep Your Eye on the Ball

to give your compete attention to what you are doing or want to achieve

To Have a Lot on Your Plate

to have a lot of work to do or a lot of problems to deal with I don't want to burden my daughter with my problems; she's got enough on her plate with her husband in prison. Simon can't take on any more work. He's got his plate full as it is.

Pull someone's leg

to kid, fool, or trick someone. You don't mean that. You're just pulling my leg. Don't believe him. He's just pulling your leg.

Miss the Boat

to lose an opportunity that could lead to success

Pull socks up

to make an effort to improve your work or behaviour because it is not good enough He's going to have to pull his socks up if he wants to stay in the team.

Jazz it Up

to make something more interesting, exciting, or stylish She uses a basic recipe and jazzes it up with chocolate chips, apples, or bananas. My daughters think I should jazz up my wardrobe.

tighten belt

to manage to spend less money; to use less of something Things are beginning to cost more and more. It looks like we'll all have to tighten our belts. Times are hard, and prices are high. I can tighten my belt for only so long.

Push The Envelope

to move beyond the limit of what has usually been done or was the accepted standard

put something on hold

to postpone something; to stop the progress of something. They put the project on hold until they got enough money to finish it. Sorry, but we must put your plan on hold.

Nip it in the Bud

to put an end to something before it develops into something larger. (Alludes to destroying a flower bud before it blooms.) I wanted to nip that little romance in the bud. The whole idea was nipped in the bud.

Call it a day

to quit work and go home; to say that a day's work has been completed I'm tired. Let's call it a day. The boss was mad because Tom called it a day at noon and went home.

Clam Up

to say nothing. (Closing one's mouth in the way that a clam closes up.) The minute they got him in for questioning, he clammed up. You'll clam up if you know what's good for you.

Sleep Like a Rock

to sleep very well With a full stomach and a warm blanket, I slept like a log.

Hit the roof

to suddenly become very angry

Shoot the Breeze

to talk in a relaxed way about things that are not important We sat out on the porch until late, just shooting the breeze.

give somebody a buzz

to telephone someone I was just wondering if you were up for dinner tonight so give me a buzz if you're around.

Calls a spade spade

to tell the unpleasant truth about something

Fishing for Compliments

to try to make someone praise you, often by criticizing yourself to them Emma, you know you don't look fat in that dress. Are you fishing for compliments?

Make a fuss

to worry about or make a bother about someone or something. Why do you make a fuss over a problem like that? Please don't make a fuss. Everything will be all right.

In Over My Head

too deeply involved with someone or something, beyond what one can deal with They are all in over their heads with this money business.

Over the Hill

too old (for something). You're only fifty! You're not over-the-hillyet. Some people seem over-the-hill at thirty.

Up In The Air

undecided about someone or something; uncertain about someone or something I don't know what Sally plans to do. Things were sort of up in the air the last time we talked. Let's leave this question up in the air until next week.

Cool as a cucumber

very calm and in control of your emotions

Off the Cuff

without any planning I could give an opinion off the cuff, but I'd rather think about it.

Don't Count Your Chickens Before They Hatch

you should not make plans that depend on something good happening before you know that it has actually happened She wanted to buy a dress in case someone asked her to the dance, but I told her not to count her chickens before they hatched