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75 English Idioms
75 English Idioms
piece of cake
a task that is very simple or easy to complete
all bark and no bite
a person who talks tough or strict but does not follow through with action
all thumbs
an idiom to describe a clumsy person
shot in the dark
a wild guess at an answer
slap on the wrist
a light or symbolic punishment for a mistake
slip of the tongue
when someone gives information out they should not have
with child
describes a pregnant woman
taste of your own medicine
when someone has been bad or cruel and then it happens back to them
arm and a leg
very expensive
all in the same boat
facing the same challenge and all needing to work together
wolf in sheep's clothing
a person who appears mild and calm but who is really aggressive and possibly cruel
at the drop of a hat
to do something at a moments notice
back to the drawing board
to start a task all over again because it failed
bad mouth
to talk poorly or badly about someone
death warmed over
very sickly or pale looking
lose your lunch
vomit
green thumb
a person who is good at gardening
bend over backwards
to make all efforts and try hard to please someone
birds of a feather
two people that have the same interest and/or character
blood is thicker than water
family always comes first over anyone else in times of need
burn your bridges
to speak so harshly at an injustice that reconciliation is impossible
dog eat dog
a very competitive environment
every cloud has a silver lining
you can derive some benefit from any bad thing that happens to you
wipe the floor with
to easily beat in a competition
watering hole
a pub or bar where people meet
off your rocker
a situation where a person is thinking like a crazy person
finding your feet
used to describe a person learning a new skill or occupation
down to the wire
a competition where the outcome is in question until the very end
rags to riches
used to describe a person who started with nothing and made themselves wealthy
got up on the wrong side of the bed
used to describe a person who is in a bad mood during the day
great minds think alike
when two people come up with the same clever idea
icing on the cake
something good that is added to another good thing
dirty laundry
a person's darkest and deepest personal secrets
in a pickle
a difficult or challenging situation
in the doghouse
in trouble with someone
it takes two to tango
in any problem or argument, the two people having the problem usually share the blame for starting it
method to my madness
what appears to be a foolish action actually has thought behind it
never bite the hand that feeds you
do not speak ill of the person who is your benefactor
nose out of joint
to upset or annoy someone
over my dead body
something that will never be permitted
on the fence
indecisive about an issue or problem
out on the town
to go out and enjoy yourself for an evening
roll out the red carpet
to give someone a first-class welcome or treatment
rock the boat
to do or say something that causes problems, especially in a situation which most people do not want to change
pulling your leg
kidding or joking someone in a friendly way
put your best foot forward
to try your hardest to impress or please
practice what you preach
not only talk about the right thing to do, but do it yourself
rub salt in old wounds
to intentionally bring back the pain of a past experience
sink or swim
to put someone into a challenging situation without advance preparation
shake a leg
to hurry along, especially if you are late
the apple of your eye
the favored one or favorite child/person
under the gun
under pressure to complete a project or task
under the weather
ill or sick
tie the knot
to get married
the writing on the wall
when an outcome is very clear to see and not likely to change
water under the bridge
to forget about a past conflict or problem and move on with life
when pigs fly
something that is impossible
when it rains it pours
when a bad things happen it is usually followed by more bad things
off the hook
out of trouble or out of an expected responsibility
off limits
a place not to be entered or something not to be used
let the cat out of the bag
to give out a secret that was supposed to be saved for later
wear your heart on your sleeve
a person whose emotions and thoughts are visible to all
variety is the spice of life
to try different things and not always do the same, like food, clothing, etc.
up for grabs
available for anyone and not yet claimed
flash in the pan
someone whose time as a celebrity was very brief
dry spell
a period of repeated unsuccessful efforts
bite your tongue
don't speak
cross your fingers
wish and hope for the best outcome
around the block
an experienced person
labour of love
something a person does not for profit or gain but because they really enjoy it
the jury is out
judgment has not been finalized, usually because of incomplete information
your guess is as good as mine
when you don't know the answer!
go for broke
to risk everything to receive some kind of reward or joy