English Idioms

A curated set of 908 idioms in English — literal translations, real meanings, and where each one comes from.

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The last straw that broke the camel's back — The final small burden that causes a total collapse. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
To have a frog in your throat — To have difficulty speaking due to hoarseness. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
It's raining cats and dogs — It's raining extremely heavily. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
To have butterflies in your stomach — To feel nervous excitement. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
Bob's your uncle — And there you have it; simple as that. Literally: (Baffling to non-Brits).
take the biscuit — to be the most outrageous or remarkable thing; to win or excel. Literally: to take the biscuit.
beat around the bush — to avoid addressing the main point; to speak indirectly. Literally: to beat around a bush.
give someone the cold shoulder — to deliberately treat someone with indifference or ignore them. Literally: to give someone a cold shoulder.
let the cat out of the bag — to reveal a secret inadvertently. Literally: to let a cat out of a bag.
pull your punches — to hold back; to be less forceful than you could be. Literally: to pull your punches.
spill the tea — to reveal gossip or scandalous information. Literally: to spill tea.
go belly up — to fail completely; to go bankrupt. Literally: to go belly up.
wear your heart on your sleeve — to display emotions openly; to be transparent about feelings. Literally: to wear your heart on your sleeve.
mad as a box of frogs — completely crazy; chaotic and unpredictable. Literally: mad as a box of frogs.
bark up the wrong tree — to pursue a wrong course; to blame the wrong person. Literally: to bark up the wrong tree.
have the wool pulled over your eyes — to be deceived or fooled. Literally: to have wool pulled over your eyes.
not worth your salt — incompetent; not deserving of wages or respect. Literally: not worth your salt.
get your ducks in a row — to organize yourself; to prepare systematically. Literally: to get your ducks in a row.
in a pig's eye — absolutely not; never; expressing strong disagreement. Literally: in a pig's eye.
stick your oar in — to interfere in someone else's affairs; to meddle. Literally: to stick your oar in.
lower your guard — to relax defenses; to become vulnerable. Literally: to lower your guard.
bring home the bacon — to provide income; to succeed in earning money. Literally: to bring home the bacon.
like a fish out of water — uncomfortable or awkward in a situation; out of one's element. Literally: like a fish out of water.
have an axe to grind — to have a personal grievance; hidden motives behind actions. Literally: to have an axe to grind.
come hell or high water — no matter what obstacles arise; with absolute determination. Literally: come hell or high water.
run rings around someone — to easily surpass someone; to be far superior in ability. Literally: to run rings around someone.
bury the hatchet — to make peace; to settle a dispute. Literally: to bury the hatchet.
a storm in a teacup — excessive fuss over something trivial; tempest in a teapot. Literally: a storm in a teacup.
get the ball rolling — to start something; to initiate a process. Literally: to get the ball rolling.
as tough as old boots — very strong; enduring; difficult to break. Literally: as tough as old boots.
head honcho — the person in charge; the leader. Literally: head honcho.
up the creek without a paddle — in a difficult situation without means to escape. Literally: up the creek without a paddle.
paint the town red — to celebrate wildly; to party extensively. Literally: to paint the town red.
get the short end of the stick — to receive unfair treatment; to get the worse deal. Literally: to get the short end of the stick.
fit as a fiddle — in excellent physical condition; healthy. Literally: fit as a fiddle.
no love lost — mutual dislike; bad relations between people. Literally: no love lost.
take the plunge — to commit to something risky; to make a decisive move. Literally: to take the plunge.
a nose for something — a talent for finding or recognizing something; keen instinct. Literally: a nose for something.
throw in the towel — to give up; to concede defeat. Literally: to throw in the towel.
keep your chin up — to remain optimistic; to stay courageous during difficulty. Literally: to keep your chin up.
pitter-patter of little feet — the sound of children running; anticipation of having babies. Literally: pitter-patter of little feet.
be in someone's shoes — to understand someone's perspective; to experience their situation. Literally: to be in someone's shoes.
the real McCoy — the genuine article; something authentic and high quality. Literally: the real McCoy.
cry over spilled milk — to regret something past; useless to grieve over unchangeable events. Literally: to cry over spilled milk.
white as a sheet — extremely pale; shocked or frightened. Literally: white as a sheet.
go pear-shaped — to go wrong; to develop badly; to become misshapen. Literally: to go pear-shaped.
hard pill to swallow — difficult to accept; unpleasant truth or reality. Literally: a hard pill to swallow.
be on cloud nine — to be extremely happy; in a state of bliss. Literally: to be on cloud nine.
get a kick out of something — to enjoy something greatly; to find something amusing. Literally: to get a kick out of something.
sharp as a tack — intelligent; quick-witted; keen-minded. Literally: sharp as a tack.
run it up the flagpole — to test an idea; to present something for approval or feedback. Literally: to run it up the flagpole.
knock on wood — to seek good fortune; to ward off bad luck. Literally: to knock on wood.
pull someone's leg — To joke or tease someone by telling them something untrue. Literally: to pull someone's leg.
Mad as a hatter — Completely eccentric or unhinged. Literally: As mad as a hat-maker.
To steal someone's thunder — To take credit for another's idea or upstage their big moment. Literally: To take someone's thunder for yourself.
To turn a blind eye — To deliberately ignore something you know is wrong. Literally: To look with the eye that cannot see.
Hair of the dog — A morning drink taken to cure a hangover. Literally: A hair of the dog that bit you.
To bite the bullet — To face something painful with gritted courage. Literally: To clamp a bullet between your teeth.
To go cold turkey — To quit a habit abruptly and completely. Literally: To go like a cold turkey.
To cut the mustard — To meet the required standard; to succeed. Literally: To cut the mustard.
To chew the fat — To chat idly and at length. Literally: To chew the fat.
By the skin of your teeth — By the narrowest possible margin. Literally: By the skin of your teeth.
To rain on someone's parade — To spoil someone's plans or happy moment. Literally: To rain on someone's parade.
To have a chip on your shoulder — To harbor a grudge or a defensive sense of grievance. Literally: To carry a chip of wood on your shoulder.
To cost an arm and a leg — To be extremely expensive. Literally: To cost an arm and a leg.
To burn the midnight oil — To work late into the night. Literally: To burn the midnight oil.
Once in a blue moon — Very rarely. Literally: Once in a blue moon.
To break the ice — To ease the initial tension in a social situation. Literally: To break the ice.
To throw a spanner in the works — To sabotage or disrupt a plan. Literally: To throw a spanner in the works.
A skeleton in the closet — A shameful secret kept hidden. Literally: A skeleton in the closet.
To read the riot act — To reprimand someone sternly. Literally: To read the riot act.
To give a wide berth — To keep well away from someone or something. Literally: To give a wide berth.
To pull out all the stops — To make every possible effort. Literally: To pull out all the stops.
To have egg on your face — To look foolish or embarrassed. Literally: To have egg on your face.
To jump on the bandwagon — To join something only once it becomes popular. Literally: To jump on the bandwagon.
To bury your head in the sand — To refuse to face an obvious danger. Literally: To bury your head in the sand.
To bite off more than you can chew — To take on more than you can handle. Literally: To bite off more than you can chew.
Caught between a rock and a hard place — Stuck between two equally bad options. Literally: Caught between a rock and a hard place.
To show your true colours — To reveal your real character at last. Literally: To show your true colours.
To take with a pinch of salt — To regard a claim with healthy scepticism. Literally: To take with a pinch of salt.
To let off steam — To release pent-up emotion or stress. Literally: To let off steam.
To face the music — To confront the unpleasant consequences of your actions. Literally: To face the music.
To add insult to injury — To make a bad situation worse by a further offence. Literally: To add insult to injury.
To butter someone up — To flatter someone to win their favour. Literally: To butter someone up.
Russian roulette — Any high-risk activity undertaken needlessly, where disaster may strike without warning. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pull back the curtain — To expose a hidden truth or reality behind an appearance. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
present company excepted — These remarks do not apply to anyone currently present in this conversation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on sufferance — Tolerated reluctantly and only because one has no better choice. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
set in stone — Unchangeable and permanent, fixed beyond modification. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
friend of Bill W. — A recovering alcoholic, especially one in Alcoholics Anonymous. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
wear out one's welcome — To overstay one's time as a guest until one's presence becomes unwelcome or burdensome. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
nothing short of — Absolutely; entirely; completely—nothing less than the full extent of what is stated. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
give up the ghost — To die, or to cease functioning entirely. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
live in the past — To be preoccupied with previous events and unable to move forward in life. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hammer and tongs — With great vigor and force; in a determined and vigorous manner. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in black and white — Stated explicitly and in writing; absolutely clear and unambiguous. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
string attached — A hidden condition or requirement that makes something less advantageous than it initially appears. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
rhyme or reason — Any logical sense or reasonable explanation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
drop in the bucket — A contribution or action so small it is negligible compared to a massive problem. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bed of roses — A situation or life that is entirely easy, comfortable, and free from hardship. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
made in the shade — Assured of comfort, success, or an effortless, favorable position. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
blow up in one's face — To fail spectacularly or cause a plan to collapse in an embarrassing way. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
back up the truck — To make a large purchase by taking advantage of a favorable price. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
haul someone over the coals — To scold or reprimand someone severely for wrongdoing. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make a fist of — To accomplish something with reasonable competence or success. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
tilt at windmills — To waste effort fighting against imaginary enemies or pursuing hopeless causes. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
welcome to my world — You are now experiencing something unpleasant that the speaker knows well and has dealt with many times. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
one is a poet and doesn't know it — Someone has unintentionally created a rhyme or spoken in verse without realizing it. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hash slinger — A cook or server in a cheap restaurant, often regarded as rude or inattentive. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
built different — Uniquely talented or operating by a different standard than ordinary people. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
turn up the heat — To make a situation more intense, uncomfortable, or urgent. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
green fingers — A natural talent for growing plants successfully. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on blast — Being publicly shamed or criticized, especially on social media. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
train wreck — A spectacular, inevitable disaster that is witnessed by many people. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
chase a rainbow — To pursue something that is impossible or unrealistic to attain. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
rock the boat — To disrupt the status quo or challenge established conventions and rules. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
body English — Subtle body movements a person makes to coax a moving object toward a desired direction, as if willing it through physical effort. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
above the salt — Of high social rank, importance, or honor. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
break the bank — To win or spend so much money that a casino or financial institution loses its entire available funds. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
break the mold — To abandon convention and do something radically new or different. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hoist by one's own petard — To be harmed or destroyed by one's own trap or scheme meant to injure someone else. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sleep with the fishes — To be dead, with one's body disposed of in the ocean or a large body of water. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
Augean stables — An extremely filthy, corrupt, or morally decayed place or situation that seems impossible to clean up. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on eternal patrol — Lost or missing at sea, presumed dead. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
play with house money — To take risks when one has nothing personal to lose, or to act recklessly because the stakes feel low. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
all mouth and trousers — Full of loud boasting and empty talk, lacking substance or follow-through. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
turn on one's heel — To suddenly depart or walk away, often in a dramatic or dismissive manner. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sugarcoat the pill — To make something unpleasant more palatable or easier to accept. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
ace up one's sleeve — A hidden advantage or secret resource kept in reserve to use when needed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
what's eating you — What is bothering or irritating you? Literally: (Already vivid in English).
old flame — A former romantic partner, especially one whose memory still stirs affection. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
old fogey — An elderly person with old-fashioned or reactionary views. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
were you born in a tent — An admonishment to someone who has carelessly left a door open. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
rip it up — To perform with energy, excitement, and conspicuous success. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
anything goes — There are no rules, restrictions, or moral limits. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bash into shape — To shape, repair, or train something or someone by vigorous, rough, or direct methods. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in the same boat — In a shared predicament or situation; facing the same difficulties or circumstances together. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go along for the ride — To accompany someone passively, without taking an active role or responsibility. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
at a pinch — In an urgent or difficult situation, when no better alternative is available or when resources are scarce. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
at latter Lammas — Never; at a time that will never come. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go overboard — To exceed reasonable limits; to do something to an excessive, unrestrained, or reckless degree. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
straight from the horse's mouth — Information received directly from the original source, without intermediaries. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
thin the herd — To reduce the size of a group by removing members, typically the weakest or least productive. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
I have a bridge to sell you — A sarcastic way of saying that someone is gullible or easily deceived. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
swallow one's pride — To set aside one's pride and accept a humbling situation or apology. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fall into place — To become suddenly clear and fully understood when separate elements finally align. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
raise hell — To cause a major disturbance or create considerable trouble and chaos. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
flavor of the week — A person or thing that receives intense attention or popularity for a brief period before being forgotten. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stars align — Circumstances or events combine in a fortunate way, often unexpectedly or after a long period. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put the pedal to the metal — To accelerate a vehicle to maximum speed, or more figuratively, to exert maximum effort. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
donkey's ears — A very long time; ages. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
soft underbelly — A point of vulnerability or weakness in something otherwise strong or well-defended. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
long fuse — A personality trait of being slow to anger; patience before losing one's temper. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
long pork — Human flesh, especially as food. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bow out — To resign or withdraw from a situation while preserving one's dignity and reputation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
long shot — Something unlikely to succeed or happen; a bet or venture with very poor odds. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
see with half an eye — To perceive something obvious with very little effort or attention. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
mugged by reality — To experience a sudden, brutal confrontation with harsh truth after living in comfortable ignorance. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
plow the sands — To expend great effort on something completely futile or worthless. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
loaded for bear — Fully prepared and equipped, mentally and materially, to face a difficult challenge or confrontation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
have someone's guts for garters — To punish someone severely, especially with angry or violent reprimand. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
spin one's wheels — To work hard without making any real progress toward a goal. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
Lord willing and the creek don't rise — Used to express contingency on circumstances beyond one's control, especially minor natural obstacles. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
until the cows come home — For an indefinitely long time; forever or seemingly forever. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
land in someone's lap — Something desirable comes to someone without effort or expectation on their part. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
wet one's whistle — To have a drink. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
out of spoons — Exhausted of energy or resources, usually mental or emotional. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bad apple — A person of bad character whose presence corrupts or damages others or a group. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
thrash out — To discuss and resolve a contentious issue thoroughly through frank dialogue. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
play Cupid — To act as a matchmaker by trying to bring two people together romantically. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bad blood — Persistent hostility or deep resentment between people. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pull teeth — To accomplish something with great difficulty, requiring much effort and persistence. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cut a rug — To dance with energy and style, particularly in early twentieth-century jazz or swing styles. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stumbling block — An obstacle or barrier that impedes progress or causes difficulty. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hang upon — To be deeply absorbed in or emotionally dependent on someone or something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cut above — Superior in quality or ability; better than most. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
feet first — Dead, or in the manner of a corpse. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
of the same leaven — Of the same nature, character, or type; alike. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
as the crow flies — Directly or in a straight line, without roads. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
beat a dead horse — To argue or pursue a point or topic without the possibility of success. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
big fish in a small pond — A person who is considered important primarily because the place or setting is small. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
black sheep — An outcast. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bug — To bother, annoy, or irritate mildly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bull in a china shop — Insensitive to delicate situations; to be so clumsy that one breaks things inadvertently. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
chicken — Scared; frightened. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
chicken out — To become too frightened to do something; to lose one's nerve. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
clam up — To not say anything. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cock-and-bull story — A story that is too unlikely to be believed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cook someone's goose — To ruin someone's plans. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
crocodile tears — False, exaggerated tears. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cry wolf — To raise a false alarm or exaggerate so often that one is no longer believed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
dark horse — A competitor who is little-known by most people but who is expected to win by someone more knowledgeable. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
dog-eared — Well-worn. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
dog-eat-dog — Ruthless, competitive, and fast-paced. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
dog days of summer — Very hot days. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
eat crow pie — To humble oneself because one has been proved wrong. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fat cat — A rich but usually lazy person. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fine kettle of fish — A terrible mess. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fly-by-night — Undependable; untrustworthy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fly in the face of something — To go against something; to show disrespect for something or someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fly in the ointment — An unpleasant element in an otherwise pleasant situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fly off the handle — To suddenly become very angry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fly the coop — To escape. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get off one's high horse — To stop acting superior. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get someone's goat — To irritate or annoy someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go whole hog — To spare nothing; to do something with maximum enthusiasm. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
grin and bear it — To accept or endure a bad situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
horse around — To play a little roughly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
horse of another color — A situation or plan which represents a change from what was expected or assumed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
horse sense — Common sense (sentence 1) or shrewdness; cleverness (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
lame duck — A person who holds an office but has little real influence because he or she has not been reelected. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not look a gift horse in the mouth — To find fault with a gift or to refuse a gift, usually because one is suspicious of the giver's motives. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
look like the cat that swallowed the canary — To have a knowing and self-satisfied smile on one's face; to be pleased with oneself, often because one has done something which one knows was wrong but which was very enjoyable. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
lucky dog — A lucky person. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
monkey around — To play like a monkey, i.e., climb on or examine things with curiosity. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
monkey business — Suspicious activity (sentence 1) or mischievous activity (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
there's more than one way to skin a cat — There are different ways to accomplish the same thing; there are different possible solutions to a problem. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pass the buck — To redirect the blame or responsibility for something (usually a decision) to someone else. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put the cart before the horse — To reverse the necessary or expected order of two things; to put a later step first. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sacred cow — An idea or thing that cannot be altered. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
something to crow about — An exceptional accomplishment; an achievement that is worth bragging about. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
take the bull by the horns — To take action in a difficult or unpleasant situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
talk turkey — To talk seriously, usually about a business deal. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
white elephant — An item that no one wants to buy or that is difficult to get rid of; a costly but useless possession. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
wild-goose chase — A useless or difficult search. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
wolf in sheep's clothing — Someone who presents himself as a harmless person, but who has intentions that are not honorable. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
apple of one's eye — A person or thing that is precious or loved above all else. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
big cheese — An important, powerful or influential person. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bite the dust — To be destroyed or ruined beyond repair; slang for "to die". Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bitter pill to swallow — A difficult or unpleasant reality to deal with. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
black tie — Formal dress in which men wear black bow ties and dinner jackets or tuxedos and women wear formal, usually floor-length dresses. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
chew someone out — To scold someone harshly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
chew something over — To think slowly and carefully about something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cook up — To invent or plan. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
couch potato — A person who sits for long periods of time on the couch, usually eating snack foods and watching television. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
flash in the pan — A temporary or passing fancy; a fad or attraction that will fade quickly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
forbidden fruit — Something that one cannot have. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
give someone a taste of his or her own medicine — To treat someone the same way they treat others (especially when they are strict, unfair, or unkind). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go to pot — To fall into disrepair; to deteriorate from lack of attention. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
good egg — A person who is basically good or sound, but who may be slightly peculiar or idiosyncratic. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
gravy train — An effortless time or job; a life of luxury. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
junk food — Food that is relatively unhealthy, high in sugar and fat and lacking in vitamins, minerals and other body-building components. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not know beans about something — To know very little about something; to speak without authority on some topic. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
lay an egg — To do something embarrassing. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not one's cup of tea — Not to suit someone; not to one's liking. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not worth a hill of beans — Worthless. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
out of the frying pan and into the fire — From a bad situation to one that is even worse. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
out to lunch — Absent-minded, unaware or confused (sentence 1); ignorant on some topic (sentence 2); harmlessly crazy or out of touch with reality (sentence 3). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pie in the sky — Something that is unrealistic or that cannot be achieved. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
a piece of cake — Something that is easy to do. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
the salt of the earth — A very dependable and unpretentious person. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
salt something away — To save, store, or hoard something (usually something highly valued and in danger of being stolen). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sixth sense — A feeling, intuition or premonition not based on one of the five senses: sight, hearing, taste, touch, or smell. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
spill the beans — To reveal a secret. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
square meal — Full and well-balanced meal. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
take the cake — To outdo; to exceed normal behavior; metaphorically, to win the prize. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
upset the apple cart — To disturb the status quo; to shake up the existing situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
albatross around one's neck — Something or someone that is a burden and difficult to get rid of. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
armed to the teeth — Well-equipped with weapons. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go back to square one — Return to the beginning. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go back to the drawing board — Return to the planning stage of a project. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
have one's back to the wall — To be in a difficult or desperate situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
back-seat driver — A person who gives driving orders when he/she is not the driver. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bend someone's ear — To talk to someone for a long time. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bird's-eye view — A broad view or overview of something or someplace. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
blue-blood — A person (or animal) that is an aristocrat or from a noble family. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
a bone of contention — A topic of dispute. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
a bone to pick — A dispute. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
burn one's bridges — To take a course of action that makes it impossible to go back. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
by word of mouth — The informal, verbal passing of information from one person to another. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
catch someone's eye — To attract someone's visual attention. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
change of heart — A reversal of attitude. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cold feet — Too scared to do something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cut off one's nose to spite one's face — To injure oneself in the process of seeking revenge or attempting to punish someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
do an about-face — To change one's behavior or mind abruptly and (often) apparently without reason. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
down in the mouth — Unhappy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
eat one's heart out — To suffer silently in a hopeless situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
eat out of someone's hand — To be submissive; to have someone eating out of one's hand means to get someone to be submissive. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fight tooth and nail — To fight fiercely; to fight with everything you have. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fine-tooth comb — An imaginary device one uses to look for something very carefully. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get a leg up — To make a good start on some activity or project. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get it in the neck — To receive something unpleasant, such as criticism or punishment. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get something off one's chest — To disclose or talk about something that is bothering or worrying one. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get something on the nose — To do or understand something perfectly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get something through one's head — To understand something that is difficult, especially because it is a shock, unwanted, or unexpected. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get someone the cold shoulder — To ignore someone intentionally. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get someone a hand — To help someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
give one's right arm to do something — To want something very much. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
give someone the shirt off one's back — To give (figuratively) someone all one's possessions; to be very generous. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
gray matter — Brain tissue and, by extension, intelligence. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
green around the gills — Sick to one's stomach; nauseated. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
green thumb — Natural ability to grow plants. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hand in glove — Close or intimate. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hand over fist — Extremely quickly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hand to mouth — To live in poor conditions from day to day; to be impoverished. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
head and shoulders above — At a much higher level. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
have one's head in the clouds — To be impractical or absent-minded; to be unaware of what is going on around one. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
head over heels in love — Very much in love; uncontrollably in love. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
heart to heart — Serious and intimate. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hit the nail on the head — To come to the right conclusion. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not hold one's breath — To not wait for something to happen because it probably won't happen soon, if at all. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hold one's tongue — To refrain from speaking. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
huff and puff — To be out of breath (sentence 1) or to threaten ineffectually (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in over one's head — Beyond one's capability (sentence 1); to have taken on more than one can cope with (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
it's no skin off someone's nose — It has no effect on someone or it is of no concern to someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep one's head above water — To just barely manage to stay ahead, financially (sentence 1) or with one's work or responsibilities (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep one's nose to the grindstone — To work hard without rest. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
knee-high to a grasshopper — Very young. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
laugh all the way to the bank — To be proved right or successful in the face of scorn, particularly as regards money. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
lead someone around by the nose — To dominate someone; to force someone to do something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
lend someone an ear — To listen to someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
like water off a duck's back — Having no effect on someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
look down one's nose at someone or something — To be snobbish about someone or something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make one's blood boil — To cause someone to become extremely angry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make one's mouth water — To make one salivate in anticipation of something good. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
millstone around one's neck — A burden or handicap, or a source of worry or concern. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
more than meets the eye — Some hidden aspect to a situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
neck of the woods — An area; a place. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
need something like one needs a hole in the head — To have absolutely no need for something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
the nitty-gritty — The heart of the issue; the most important part of the discussion; the essential points. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not have a leg to stand on — To be in an indefensible situation or to have no support for an argument or case. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
off the top of one's head — To say something without much advance preparation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put something on the back burner — To decrease the amount of energy spent on some activity; to delay or postpone action on some activity. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the nose — Exactly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the tip of one's tongue — Almost remembered; about to be said. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pay someone back — To respond to somebody's behavior with similar behavior. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pay through the nose — To pay a great amount; to pay too much. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pick someone's brain — To get information from someone, usually by questioning the person carefully and in great detail. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
play it by ear — To go along with a situation as it develops before deciding what to do; to do something without prior planning. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
poker face — An expressionless face; a face that reveals nothing of one's feelings or thoughts. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put one's best foot forward — To try to make the best possible impression. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put one's finger on it — To identify or understand something properly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put one's foot down — To be firm and unyielding about something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put one's money where one's mouth is — To support what one is saying by risking or spending money (sentences 1 and 2); to demonstrate in action what one says one can do (sentence 3). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
rack one's brain — To search through one's mind intensively; to try very hard to think of something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
rule of thumb — A rough guide; an unwritten or customary rule based on experience or practice. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
save face — To maintain/not maintain a degree of pride in a shameful situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
see eye to eye — To agree. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
set someone's teeth on edge — To irritate. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
shake a leg — To hurry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
shot in the arm — Something that stimulates, boosts, or renews people's interest. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stand on one's own two feet — To be independent and self-supporting. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stick one's neck out — To take a risk. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stick one's nose in — To try to find out about someone else's private business. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stick out like a sore thumb — Not to blend in; to be obvious and prominent or easily seen. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sweat blood — To put out a great deal of effort; to work very, very hard. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sweep someone off his feet — To overwhelm someone, often causing him or her to fall in love. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
talk someone's ear off — To bore someone with one's unending talk. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
toe the line — To follow the rules; to do what is expected of one. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
tongue-in-cheek — Joking or sarcastic. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
turn a deaf ear — To ignore someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
turn the other cheek — Not to retaliate; not to pay back bad behavior with more bad behavior. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
turn up one's nose at something or someone — To scorn, snub, or reject something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
under someone's thumb — Under someone's control. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
with bated breath — Hardly breathing at all because of fear, excitement, or other strong emotion. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
when hell freezes over — Never. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
beat about the bush — To speak or write evasively; to talk around an issue. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
beat the bushes — To search exhaustively. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
between the devil and the deep blue sea — Facing two difficult outcomes for the same situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
down to earth — Practical and rational; unpretentious. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fair-weather friend — A person who is loyal in good times but not when times are difficult. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
field day — A wild and uncontrolled time; a time of especially pleasant or exciting action. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get one's second wind — To get a second burst of energy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
give someone a snow job — To give someone a description of something or someone that is unrealistically attractive and positive. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
heavyweight — A person who is important and influential; a leader in a particular field. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hold water — To be credible or sound; to stand up to scrutiny; to make sense. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in hot water — In trouble. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
kill two birds with one stone — To accomplish two objectives with one action. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
leave no stone unturned — To search everywhere. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make a mountain out of a molehill — To exaggerate the importance of something; to react more strongly to a situation than is reasonably called for. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
move heaven and earth — To try very hard to do something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put something on ice — To put something (an excess of some item) in reserve for later use. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the rocks — Unstable; likely to collapse. When referring to alcoholic beverages, it means with ice cubes. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
skate on thin ice — In an unsafe or risky position. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
out of a clear blue sky — Without warning. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
play with fire — To invite disaster by doing something foolish, dangerous, or risky. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
see which way the wind blows — To determine what stance to take based on what others want, even though such actions or words may not be what one sincerely wants to do or say. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
shoot the breeze — To chat or to pass time by chatting; to talk idly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stick-in-the-mud — Someone who is seen as never wanting to take part in fun activities. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
take someone a rain check — To accept a different time for an appointment from the original one; to request that an appointment be rescheduled. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
take something by storm — To overwhelm someone or something, often by becoming famous quickly (sentence 1), or by spreading very rapidly (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
take the wind out of someone's sails — To deflate someone's ego (sentence 1) or to ruin or destroy someone's high expectations (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
too many irons in the fire — Too many activities demanding one's time. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
turn over a new leaf — To change one's bad ways and begin to lead a better life. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
under a cloud — Less than entirely trustworthy; suspected of some wrongdoing. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
under the weather — Unwell; ill. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
water under the bridge — Past and finished; over and done with. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
the wave of the future — A strong, growing trend. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
ace in the hole — A hidden but effective means of winning a conflict. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
achilles' heel — A person's weakness or the vulnerable spot in his or her character. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
acid test — The most crucial or important test of worth. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
across the board — Equally for everyone, for everything, or in all cases. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
actions speak louder than words — The things that people do (actions) are more important than the things they say (words). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
all kidding aside — Speaking seriously. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
all thumbs — Uncoordinated and awkward, especially with one's hands. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
all wet — Wrong to the point of being silly or unbelievable. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
at loggerheads — In strong disagreement, in a quarrel; at an impasse. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
at one's wits' end — At a loss about what to do next; in a state of frustration. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
at the drop of a hat — On any pretext; without needing an excuse or reason. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
at the end of one's rope — No longer able to deal with a bad situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
ax to grind — A hidden reason for wanting something or for not liking someone or something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
backhanded compliment — A criticism that is phrased in such a way that it appears to be a compliment. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
have bats in one's belfry — Harmlessly crazy or eccentric. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
beat a hasty retreat — To run very fast in the opposite direction. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
beat someone to the punch — To do something before someone else does it. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
behind the eight ball — In a difficult situation or position. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hit someone below the belt — To act unfairly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
beside oneself — Distraught; very anxious and troubled. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
beside the point — Irrelevant. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bet one's boots — To be sure. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bet one's bottom dollar — To be sure. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
beyond the pale — Beyond or outside the limits of morally or socially acceptable behavior. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
big shot — An important, powerful, or influential person. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
big wheel — An important, powerful, or influential person. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bigwig — An important, powerful or influential person. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
black and blue — Discolored from a bruise; injured in a fight either physically or verbally. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
black market — A system of buying and selling illegal goods or goods at illegal prices or quantities. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
black out — To lose consciousness temporarily. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
blow one's own horn — To boast or brag. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
blow one's stack — To become suddenly very angry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
blow hot and cold — To have mixed or inconsistent feelings about something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
blow off steam — To express one's anger, usually noisily and harmlessly, thereby relieving one's tension. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
blue — Sad. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
blue law — A law which regulates personal behavior such as going to certain movies, dancing, or gambling. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
blue ribbon — Renowned (sentence 1); first prize (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
blue-collar worker — A person who earns a living doing manual labor, or generally uses his or her body rather than his or her mind to earn a living. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
boiling point — The point at which one loses one's temper. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bomb — To fail completely. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
born yesterday — Naive. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
the bottom line — The net result (sentence 1), or the simple and irrefutable truth (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bottom of the barrel — The least able member of a group; the least desirable items from a collection. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bottoms up! — A call to drink; to empty one's glass. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
boxed in someone in — Restricted; to restrict someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
brainstorm — To generate many ideas quickly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
breadwinner — Somebody that provides financially for his or her family. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
bring down the house — To be a great success. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get someone the brush-off — To be dismissed casually and almost cruelly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
give someone a bum steer — Bad advice or instructions. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
burn rubber — To accelerate with tires so quickly from a stopped position that the rubber tires make a loud squealing noise and leave a black mark on the street; slang expression meaning to hurry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
burn the candle at both ends — To overwork oneself. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
burned out — Lacking enthusiasm due to overexposure or too much of the same thing; completely used up; worn out. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
burning question — A question that deserves or demands discussion. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
butt in — To interfere (sentence 1) or literally to push one's way in between other people (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
buy something for a song — To buy something very cheaply. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
by hook or by crook — By one way or another; by any means possible. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go by the book — Operate according to the rules. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
do something by the seat of one's pants — To accomplish something by luck and instinct rather than skill. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
call someone on the carpet — To confront or hold someone responsible for some misdeed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
call someone's bluff — To challenge someone to carry out a threat or prove the truth of a statement. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
call a spade a spade — To speak plainly or call something by its right name, even if it is unpleasant. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
call the shots — To be in control or to give orders. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
open a can of worms — A situation that contains many unexpected and unwanted problems and consequences. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
carry a torch for someone — To be in love with someone, usually someone who does not love in return. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
carry the ball — To take on work or responsibility in order to keep a project moving forward. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cast pearls before swine — To offer something to someone who cannot appreciate it. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
catch someone red-handed — To catch someone in the act of committing some offense. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
catch someone's fancy — To appeal to someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
change horses in midstream — To change plans or leaders in the middle of some action or event. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
lead a charmed life — To be lucky or avoid danger. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
checkered past — A personal history that includes both successes and failures, or ethical and unethical behavior. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
a chip off the old block — Very much like one's parent(s). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
clean slate — A new beginning, usually achieved by removing any record of previous bad deeds (sentence 1) or debts (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
clean someone out — To take or steal everything someone has. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
clear the air — To resolve hidden resentment or uncover hidden thoughts. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
climb the walls — To be uneasy or restless. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
climb on the bandwagon — To join the crowd in following a popular position, cause, activity, or fashion. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
close shave — A narrow escape. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
closed-minded — Unwilling to consider new ideas. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
come full circle — To return (figuratively) to a point where one has been before. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
come home to roost — To return to cause trouble. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
clown around — To act silly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
come off it! — A response to a statement that cannot be believed (sentence 1) or a behavior that must be stopped (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
come out of one's shell — To stop being shy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
come out smelling like a rose — To avoid blame that one deserves; to seem innocent. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cool one's heels — To wait. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cornered — Trapped with no means of escape. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cream of the crop — The best. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cross one's fingers — To hope for luck. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cry uncle — To admit defeat. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cut and dried — Routine (sentence 1) or clear and unequivocal (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cut corners — To do things poorly or incompletely in order to save money. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
cut someone to the quick — To hurt or wound someone deeply. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
damn someone with faint praise — To criticize in such a way that one appears to be praising when in fact one is condemning or disapproving. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
dawn on someone — To realize something that was perhaps already apparent to others. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
someone's days are numbered — There is only a short time before something ends. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
dead to the world — Fast asleep. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
deal someone in — To include someone in something, especially a card game. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
diamond in the rough — An unpolished or unsophisticated person that has potential. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
divide the spoils — To give portions of the goods captured during a war to the winners of the war. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
do or die — To act out of necessity, even if the outcome is unpleasant (sentences 1 and 2) or to try one's hardest despite the likelihood of failure (sentence 3). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
do someone a good turn — To do someone a favor without having been asked and without expecting a favor in return. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
dot the i's and cross the t's — To be very careful and attentive to detail. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
down and out — Poor. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
down in the dumps — Depressed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
down to the wire — To the deadline. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
draw a blank — To be unable to remember. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
draw the line at something — To not allow something beyond a certain acceptable point. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
dressed to kill — Dressed to make a strong impression, usually in fancy or stylish clothes. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
drum someone drummed out of the corps — To expel someone from a group or organization. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
dyed in the wool — Having a trait that is thoroughly ingrained or basic to one's nature. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
eager beaver — A person who is very excited and enthusiastic about pursuing some activity. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
eat one's hat — To do something unpleasant in the case of being proven wrong. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
eleventh hour — Late or last-minute. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
eternal triangle — A situation in which two men love the same woman or two women love the same man. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
and harry every tom, dick — Everyone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fair and square — Honest(ly). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get someone a fair shake — To give someone or something a chance to prove itself. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fair to middling — Average; neither good nor bad. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fall by the wayside — To drop out of the situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fall for something — To be deceived or believe an unlikely story. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fall for someone — To be in love with a person. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fall off the wagon — To lose control of oneself and engage in a compulsive behavior. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fall on deaf ears — To be heard but ignored, or to be heard but to have no effect. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
feather one's nest — To build up one's riches, usually quietly and perhaps by some unethical method (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
far cry from something — Much less than what was expected or anticipated. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
feel something in one's bones — To sense something without being able to see, hear or feel it; to have a premonition. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
feel the pinch — To have less money than one used to have, and less than one feels is necessary. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
feather in one's cap — An exceptional achievement. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fill the bill — To suit or satisfy a need. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
filthy rich — Extremely wealthy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
first-rate — Best quality. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fishy — Looking or sounding suspicious. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fits and starts — In short bursts of motion or effort. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fix someone's wagon — To return an irritation caused by a person through some form of mild revenge. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
flat broke — Have absolutely no money. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
follow in someone's footsteps — To follow the same career or lifestyle as someone else. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
food for thought — Something to think about. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fool around — To play, or to not be serious about an activity. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fool's gold — Something that appears to have great value but is in fact a cheap imitation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
footloose and fancy-free — Able to go anywhere and do anything that one wants; carefree. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
a force to be reckoned with — Something or someone whose influence or power must be considered. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
for crying out loud — An expletive that means "This is ridiculous!" or "I've had enough!" It carries no literal meaning of its own, but expresses a strong degree of exasperation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
for goodness' sake — An expletive that means "This is ridiculous!" or "I've had enough!" It carries no literal meaning of its own, but expresses a strong degree of exasperation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
for heaven's sake — An expletive that means "This is ridiculous!" or "I've had enough!" It carries no literal meaning of its own, but expresses a strong degree of exasperation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
for the birds — A waste of time; mixed up or confused. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
forty winks — A short sleep, usually during the day. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fourth-rate — Of inferior quality; not the best. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
from day one — From the beginning; from the outset. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
from the word go — From the beginning. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
full steam ahead — To proceed with maximum power and speed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get a handle on something — To find a way to deal with a problem or difficult situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get a hold of oneself — To get control of oneself; stop being emotional. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get a hold of someone — To contact someone or communicate with someone, usually by telephone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get a hold of something — To acquire or obtain something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get a move on — To hurry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get a word in edgewise — To insert a word or sentence into an otherwise one-sided conversation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get by — To just barely manage, financially (sentence 1) or with one's work or responsibilities (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get caught left holding the bag — To make someone the scapegoat; to be blamed for something that was not one's fault or was only partly one's fault. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get down to brass tacks — To get serious or practical about something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get off scot-free — To escape the proper or expected punishment; to be acquitted of a crime. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get one's act together — To get control of oneself mentally or physically; to get organized. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get someone's dander up — To irritate or anger moderately. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get the go-ahead — To receive or grant permission to proceed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get the message — To understand something that is only hinted at, perhaps because it is unpleasant. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get this show on the road — To get started. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get to the bottom of something — To understand something completely by sorting through all the facts or information. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get to the point — To speak or write concisely and directly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get-up-and-go — Physical energy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get up on the wrong side of the bed — To be in a bad mood from the beginning of the day. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get someone or something short shrift — To make quick work of something or to give little time to someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get someone the go-ahead — To get or give permission to proceed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get someone the green light — To get or give permission to proceed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get someone the sack — To be fired from one's job. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get someone the third degree — To be questioned in great detail. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
get something down pat — To do something repeatedly until one knows how to do it without a mistake; to perfect an activity. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
the gift of gab — The ability to speak easily and well. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
give in — To surrender. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
give someone a hard time — To be difficult with someone; to give someone unnecessary difficulty. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
give someone a piece of one's mind — To confront someone who has behaved badly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
give someone a ring — To call someone on the telephone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
give someone a song and dance — To give someone an overly dramatic or unbelievable excuse. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go against the grain — To be contrary to someone's nature. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go around in circles — To be confused or lost; to make no progress. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go bananas — To go crazy; to no longer be able to cope with a situation. To drive someone bananas means to annoy or irritate someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go broke — To run out of money completely; to become penniless. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go for broke — To risk everything. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go haywire — To malfunction; to break down. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go it alone — To travel some path or do some activity by oneself, often something dangerous or risky. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go off half-cocked — To do or say something in haste or without adequate planning or preparation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go off the deep end — To become deeply involved with someone or something before one is ready; to go crazy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go out on a limb — To take a risk. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go over with a bang — To be extremely successful. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go over like a lead balloon — To be completely unsuccessful, contrary to expectations; to fail. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go to pieces — To fall apart physically or emotionally; to lose one's self-control. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go to the dogs — To fall into disrepair; to deteriorate. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go up in smoke — To disappear; to be ruined. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go with the flow — To take a relaxed attitude towards life. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
golden age — A time when something is at its best. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
good grief! — An expletive that means "This is ridiculous!" or "I've had enough!". Literally: (Already vivid in English).
good samaritan — A person who helps someone in trouble without thought of personal gain. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
grasp at straws — To act in desperation with little hope of success. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
grim reaper — Death. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hair's breadth — A very narrow amount. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
half a mind to do something — Inclined or disposed to do something; to have almost decided to do something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
half-baked — Poorly planned or thought out. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
half the battle — Half the work or effort. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
handle someone with kid gloves — To treat someone cautiously or gently because he or she is easily hurt or angered. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hang-up — An obsession, problem, or concern about something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hanky panky — Sexual misconduct (sentence 1); mischievous behavior or activity (sentence 2); or suspicious activity (sentence 3). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
have the last laugh — To outsmart or get revenge on someone who thinks he or she has been clever. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
happy-go-lucky — Carefree. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hard act to follow — A person or thing that is so good that the person or thing that follows may not measure up to the same standard. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hard row to hoe — A difficult task. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
have it made — To have no problems; to have achieved success. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hear something through the grapevine — To hear a rumor that may or may not be true. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hem and haw — To hesitate to say something directly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hit or miss — Unplanned or random; equally likely to succeed or fail. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hit pay dirt — To find something of great value. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hit the jackpot — To get rich or find something of value. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hit the sack — To go to bed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hit the spot — To satisfy in just the right way. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hitch a ride — To solicit a ride in someone's (a stranger's) car; to hitchhike. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not hold a candle to someone — Not equal to someone or something; when two persons or things are compared, the first one is clearly inferior to the second one. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hold one's horses — To stay calm or be patient when someone wants to hurry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hold one's own — To be able to withstand opposition or attack; to do just as well as other people. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hold someone or something at bay — To prevent someone or something that is threatening or attacking from being able to advance. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hold the fort — To take care of a place or to keep an activity going while someone is away. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
fall for something hook, line, and sinker — To believe something completely, usually in the sense of being fooled. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hooked — Addicted. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hopping mad — Very angry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
hot under the collar — Very angry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
if push comes to shove — If the situation becomes serious. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in a bind — In a difficult situation or position. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in a nutshell — Concisely; in a few words. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in a pinch — In an emergency; if necessary. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in a rut — In a boring routine. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in dutch with someone — In trouble. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in full swing — At the peak of activity or intensity. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in of one's element — In one's most comfortable or favorite environment. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
have someone in stitches — To make someone laugh very hard. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in the bag — A sure thing; success is assured. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in the black — Making a profit. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in the chips — Having lots of money. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in the doghouse — In someone's bad graces; in trouble. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in the loop — Informed. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in the nick of time — At the last moment, just before something bad happens. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in the pink — In good health or good condition. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in the red — Losing money; not making a profit. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in of the mainstream — In the group that represents the majority; out of the mainstream means on the edge of the majority. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
it's all greek to me — Incomprehensible or unintelligible. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
ivory tower — An isolated environment where one is out of touch with everyday reality; a place of retreat where one concentrates on intellectual rather than everyday matters. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
jack of all trades — A person who knows a little about a lot of different subjects or activities, but not a lot about any one of them. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
john hancock — One's signature. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
johnny-come-lately — A newcomer. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
jump the gun — To do something prematurely; to start early, before all the preparations have been made. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
jumping-off point — A starting place or inspiration. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
kangaroo court — A court set up outside the regular legal system; staged trial where the outcome is set from the beginning. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep one's cool — To stay calm under stress; not to become angry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep one's eyes peeled — To be alert and watchful; to look very carefully for something or someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep one's fingers crossed — To hope for something; to wish for luck. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep one's shirt on — To stay calm or be patient when someone wants to hurry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep one's wits about one — To pay attention and be ready to react. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep someone at arm's length — To keep someone at a distance emotionally. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep something under one's hat — To keep something secret. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep the ball rolling — To maintain momentum; to keep some process going. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep up with the joneses — To have the same standard of living as one's friends and neighbors do. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keyed up — Full of nervous anticipation; anxious; tense. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
kick the bucket — To die. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
kick up one's heels — To have a lively and fun time, usually at a party or dance. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
knock someone for a loop — To shock, surprise, or astound someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not know if one is coming or going — To be confused and disoriented. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not know someone from adam — To be unable to recognize someone because the person is a stranger. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
know the ins and outs — To be familiar with the details and hidden meanings of an activity or situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
know the ropes — To be familiar with a task or situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
knuckle down — To do one's work seriously; to apply oneself fully; to get busy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
knuckle under — To submit or give in to pressure. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
labor of love — Something done out of affection or great interest. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
live in the lap of luxury — To be very comfortable because one is well-off financially. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
last but not least — The final item on a list, but not the least important. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
last-ditch effort — A very strenuous final attempt. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
last straw — The final thing; the thing or action that is too much or goes too far. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
lay down the law — To set rules and regulations. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
lay one's cards on the table — To be open and honest; to reveal everything. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
learn the ropes — To become familiar with a task or situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
leave someone in the lurch — To abandon someone to a difficult situation, forcing him or her to take all the responsibility. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
leave someone left out in the cold — To shun someone; to exclude someone from a place or activity. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
leave someone high and dry — Abandoned or stranded; helpless. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
leave someone holding the bag — To leave somebody with unwanted responsibility. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
leave well enough alone — To accept a situation as it is; to avoid trying to improve a situation one's actions might make it worse. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
let sleeping dogs lie — To not look for trouble or stir up a troublesome situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
letter perfect — Exactly right. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
life of riley — The good life; a comfortable life. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
the lion's share — The greater part; most. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
live and let live — To live without interference from other; to not interfere with the lives of others. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
and barrel lock, stock — Everything; the entirety. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
the long and short of it — The outcome; the point. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
look like death warmed over — To look/feel ill or exhausted. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
look sharp — To have a neat and orderly appearance (sentence 1) or to have a stylish appearance (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
lose one's cool — To become angry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
lose one's temper — To become suddenly angry. To hold one's temper means to remain calm when irritated. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
low man on the totem pole — The person of lowest rank. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make a clean breast of it — To admit and explain some wrongdoing; to confess something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make a long story short — To summarize; to tell only the main points. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make ends meet — To manage financially; to have enough money for one's basic needs. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make heads or tails of something — To understand something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make or break — To be the deciding factor in whether something succeeds or fails. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make something from scratch — To make something by putting together the separate basic components, rather than using a mix or kit or buying something pre-made. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make the grade — To meet standards; to be satisfactory. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
make tracks — To leave, usually quickly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
mark time — To wait out one's time by doing the minimum and without progressing. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
method to one's madness — Explanation; forethought or logic. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
midas touch — The ability to make money or to be successful at everything one becomes involved in. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
mind one's own business — To not inquire about, become involved in, or interfere with other people's affairs. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
miss the boat — To miss an opportunity because one is too late. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
money to burn — Extra money; money to spend however one likes. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
more something than one bargained for — More than one expected. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
nip something in the bud — To stop something before it becomes big or involved; to stop something before it gets much of a start. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
nix something — To cancel an idea or plan; to reject or forbid something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
none of one's business — Private; not for anybody else to know. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
nothing to write home about — Ordinary; so-so; not especially good or important. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not worth a dime — Worthless. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not worth a plugged nickel — Worthless. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not worth a red cent — Worthless. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not worth the paper it's printed on — Worthless. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
odd man out — The person who is left out; the person who doesn't fit in. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
odds and ends — Small items that are left over, don't match, or are missing a mate. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
off one's rocker — Out of one's mind; slightly crazy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
off the beaten path — Off the road or way that is most often chosen by other people. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
off the cuff — Without much advance preparation; spontaneously. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
off the wall — Unusual; peculiar. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
old-boy network — The male connections that a man acquires, usually while in college or the military, later used to disseminate jobs and information. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
old fuddy-duddy — A person who is old-fashioned and not open to new technology or ideas. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
old hat — Routine to the point of boredom (sentence 1); old-fashioned and outmoded (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on a warpath — Looking for a fight; very angry and upset with someone or something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put something on hold — To postpone something; to wait until later (sentences 1 and 2); to ask somebody to wait without hanging up the telephone (sentence 3). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on a treadmill — In a dull and boring routine. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on one's last legs — About to die, fail, or collapse. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the ball — Mentally sharp or alert; well-prepared; efficient. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the blink — Not working correctly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the fritz — Not working correctly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the go — Constantly busy; very active. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the level — Honest and without deception. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the spot — In an awkward social situation (sentence 1) or immediately and nearby (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the up and up — Honest; ethical; fair. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the wagon — To abstain from drinking alcoholic beverages because one cannot control oneself. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
one fell swoop — One quick, sweeping action. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
open book — A person who doesn't hide anything about himself or herself; a person's life (sentence 1) or mind in which nothing is hidden. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
open-minded — Willing to consider new ideas. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
keep an open mind — To be willing to listen to and consider all sides of an issue; not to have made up one's mind in advance. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
out of circulation — Removed from the public; no longer available for use or social interaction. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
out of one's depth — Beyond one's capability. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
out of one's element — In a situation that one is unprepared for or unfamiliar with. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
out of the blue — Suddenly and unexpectedly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
out of the woods — Out of danger; out of a very difficult situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
over the top — Beyond expectations; outside normal or accepted boundaries; exaggerated. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
over a barrel — In a difficult situation or position. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
over the hill — Too old to be of much value. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
paint someone a picture — To explain something in very great detail. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pandora's box — A situation that contains many unexpected and unwanted problems and consequences. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
par for the course — Usual or to be expected; typical. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
past one's prime — Too old to be of much value. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
patience of job — Unlimited patience; the willingness to endure hardship patiently. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pay the piper — To pay for one's mistakes; to live with the consequences of one's (wrong) actions. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pencil pusher — An office worker; a bureaucrat who routinely does his or her paperwork job without any desire to advance. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
penny pincher — A person that doesn't like to spend money. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
peter out — To disappear gradually. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pinch pennies — To be very careful with one's money; to be concerned about how one spends every penny. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pink slip — Notice that one has been fired from one's job. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
play hardball — To work or act aggressively, competitively, or ruthlessly, as in business or politics. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
play one's cards right — To do all the right things and make all the right moves in order to achieve some end. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
play second fiddle — To be in a subordinate position; to have a lower rank or standing than someone else. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pop the question — To ask someone to get married. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pound of flesh — A (figuratively) painful payment of a debt. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pull oneself up by one's bootstraps — To improve oneself (usually economically) without help from others. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pull rank — To take advantage of one's superior position (one's rank). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pull something off — To accomplish something that had appeared difficult to finish or achieve. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pull strings — To use one's influence. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pull the rug out from under someone — To abruptly ruin someone's plans or expectations. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pull the wool over someone's eyes — To deceive or fool someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
pull up stakes — To collect one's household belongings and leave one's house or property; to move to another place. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put all one's eggs in one basket — To invest all one's hopes or plans in only one possible outcome. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put someone on the spot — To put someone in a difficult situation or to present someone with a difficult choice; to embarrass someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
put the squeeze on — To apply pressure on someone to do something; to force or coerce someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
raise cain — To cause a disturbance, often because one is extremely angry; to make trouble. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
rake someone raked over the coals — To reprimand or criticize someone harshly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
rank and file — The non-management workers in a company or the non-leadership members of a political party. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
read something into something — To give some meaning to something that is not justified; to imagine some significance that doesn't exist. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
red herring — Something used to divert someone's attention from the real or important issue; something used to send a searcher in the wrong direction. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
red-letter day — An important day; a day to remember. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
red tape — The unnecessary paperwork and procedures of a complicated bureaucracy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
rest on one's laurels — To be so satisfied with what one has already accomplished that one no longer works very hard. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
ring a bell — To stir something in one's memory; to cause someone to remember something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
roll with the punches — To adjust to bad fortune; to take a relaxed attitude towards life and its problems. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
see someone or something through rose-colored glasses — To see something in a falsely good way; not to see something objectively. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
rub elbows with someone — To associate with someone; to come into contact with someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
rub someone the wrong way — To irritate someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
run amok — To run around in a frenzied or disorderly way. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
run circles around someone — To outperform someone by a wide margin; to be better than someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
run its course — To follow a natural progression without interference. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
run-of-the-mill — Ordinary or usual. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
run something into the ground — To belabor something beyond reason; to go too far with something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sales pitch — A speech or presentation designed to persuade someone to buy or do something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
save something for a rainy day — To save something, usually money, for a possible future need. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
say a mouthful — To say something of a significant or shocking nature (sentence 1); to say more than one should (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
scared out of one's wits — So afraid that one is unable to think clearly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
have a screw loose screw — To be harmlessly crazy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
second-guess — To dispute or try to understand someone's reason for doing something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
second-rate — Of inferior quality; not the best. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
have second thoughts — To begin to have doubts; to question and reexamine a decision. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
see red — To get angry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
see something through — To finish something one has started. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
see the light — To understand something clearly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
see through something or someone — To not be fooled by a false front or disguise that someone presents in order to mislead; to understand the true nature of someone or something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sell like hotcakes — To sell quickly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sell someone a bill of goods — To sell someone something that is worthless (sentence 1), or to make someone believe something that is untrue (sentence 2); to deceive someone. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
in seventh heaven — Blissfully happy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
ships passing in the night — Two people whose lives come together or whose paths cross for a short time. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
shot in the dark — A guess, often wild or based on little information. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sit tight — To wait quietly and patiently, often in an anxious situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sitting pretty — In a good or advantageous situation; living comfortably. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sleep like a log — To sleep so soundly that noise doesn't wake the person. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
let someone or something slip through someone's fingers — To lose something because one takes too much time to consider the situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
slow burn — To be quietly angry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
slow off the mark — Slow [or quick] to understand a situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
snowball's chance in hell — No chance at all. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sour grapes — A situation where a person criticizes something or someone out of jealousy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
sow one's wild oats — To do foolish or wild things, usually as a youth. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
speak of the devil — An expression used when someone who is being talked about has just appeared. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
speak one's mind — To tell someone how one feels or what one thinks. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
speak one's piece — To tell someone how one feels or what one thinks. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
spitting image — An exact likeness. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
split hairs — To argue about some detail that is not important. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
spring something on someone — To surprise someone with something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
on the spur of the moment — Suddenly or spontaneously; without advance planning. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
square deal — A fair arrangement, fair treatment, or a fair price. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stand one's ground — To be firm in one's resolve or not to alter one's position (sentence 1); not to give up any territory (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stand out in a crowd — To be distinguishable from others in a group; distinctive. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
start something from scratch — To start from the very beginning; to start from the very first step. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
step on it — To hurry. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stew in one's own juices — To suffer the consequences of one's own actions. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stick to one's guns — To be firm in one's resolve or not to alter one's position. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stonewall — To avoid answering a question directly by being deliberately vague about it, or by talking a lot but not saying anything meaningful. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
straight and narrow — The path of correct social or ethical behavior that society approves of. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
strange bedfellows — People or things that one does not normally expect to find together. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
strapped for cash — Not having quite enough money. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
street smarts — The knowledge one needs to live on the streets; less literally, it means knowledge of the way things work in the real world. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stretch the truth — To be truthful technically, but to distort the truth so that others are led to believe something that is not true. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
strike it rich — To make money (sentence 1); or, less literally, to be wildly successful (sentence 2). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
string someone along — To make someone believe something that is not true. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
stuffed shirt — A man who is tiresome, pompous and selfimportant. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
suit someone or something to a t — Perfectly; exactly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
take a shine to someone or something — To like someone spontaneously. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
take it easy — To relax. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
take off — To leave quickly (sentence 1) or to do well in sales (sentences 2 and 3). Literally: (Already vivid in English).
take potluck — To accept whatever is available. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
take someone to the cleaners — To steal or cheat someone out of all of his or her money. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
take something in stride — To accept and adjust to bad fortune or trouble. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
talk a blue streak — To talk fast and at length. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
talk through one's hat — To speak without authority on some topic; to talk nonsense. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
talk to someone like a dutch uncle — Person who talks to one like a close relative, giving advice that is sound, well-meant, and sometimes stern. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
tall order — Something difficult to accomplish. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
tan someone's hide — To spank a child's bottom as punishment. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
third-rate — Of poor quality. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
through thick and thin — In good times and bad times; steadfastly and loyally. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
throw down the gauntlet — To challenge someone to fight or argue. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
throw the book at someone — To give someone the harshest penalty or punishment allowed by law, or to impose any severe sentence or punishment. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
throw one's hat into the ring — To announce one's candidacy for elected office. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
tickle someone's fancy — To please or amuse someone in a light-hearted way. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
tickled pink — Thoroughly pleased; very happy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
tied to one's mother's apron strings — Emotionally or physically attached to one's mother beyond what is considered appropriate and normal. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
tie the knot — To get married. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
tighten one's belt — To spend less money than one did previously. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
have time on one's hands — To have free time with nothing to do. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
have time to kill — To have a period of time to pass while waiting for some future event. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
just the tip of the iceberg — The smallest, evident part of something that is much greater but hidden from view; more to a situation than one can see at the moment. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
tit for tat — An action in exchange for another equal action. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
to beat the band — In an exaggerated manner; with a lot of effort or to the extreme. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
the top of the line — The best quality. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
to the hilt — To be fully committed to something; to do something completely. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
too big for one's britches — To be sassy or arrogant, or to act or speak disrespectfully or inappropriately for one's age or position. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
touch and go — Precarious or uncertain. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
track record — A history of performance. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
train of thought — A course of reasoning; a succession of connected ideas. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
treat someone to something — To buy something for another person. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
troubled waters — Emotionally rough times or an unsettled situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
true blue — Loyal and steadfast. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
turning point — A critical point. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
under the table — Secretly or illegally. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
under the wire — Just in time before a deadline. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
up in arms — Angry or upset. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
up in the air — Unsettled or undecided. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
upper crust — The highest level of society, i.e. people who are separated from ordinary people as being elite either by economic or social position, or both. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
up to snuff — Meeting the minimum standard requirements; as good as is required. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
use one's wits — To use one's intelligence, knowledge, or wisdom. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
wait for one's ship to come in — When one gets an unexpected lucky gift, especially money. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
walk in someone's shoes — In someone else's situation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
walking on air — Blissfully happy. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
wash one's hands of something or someone — To put something out of one's life or to stop claiming responsibility for something. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
wear the pants in the family — To make the major decisions and have the greatest amount of power in a family. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
wet behind the ears — Young and inexperienced. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
wet blanket — A person who is seen as never wanting to take part in fun activities; a person who ruins a good time. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
not what it's cracked up to be — Not as good as its reputation; not as good as it is supposed to be. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
when the chips are down — When the situation is critical; when things are going badly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
whip someone or something into shape — To mold or assemble something into its proper shape quickly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
white-collar worker — An office worker. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
white lie — A minor, polite, or harmless lie. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
whitewash — To conceal something bad; to make something look better than it really is. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
the whole kit and caboodle — The entire amount; the whole lot. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
go the whole nine yards — The entire amount; (to go) all out. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
wing it — To improvise; to do something without planning or preparation. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
wipe the slate clean — To set a situation right or erase something bad. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
yellow — Cowardly. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
yellow journalism — Journalism that is exaggerated or unnecessarily sensational. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
with flying colors — Triumphantly; victoriously. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
come from the wrong side of the tracks — The poor part of town. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
Look for a needle in a haystack — To search for something you have almost no chance of finding, because the thing is tiny and the place holding it is vast. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
Know where the shoe pinches — To know exactly where the real trouble lies. Literally: (Already vivid in English).
Take the wrong sow by the ear — To go after the wrong target, or blame the wrong person. Literally: (Already vivid in English).

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