The List of Idioms |
|
Native English speakers use a thousand idioms daily to express themselves so English as a Second Language (ESL) students should study idioms to understand them better. Below is the list of idioms with definitions designed specifically for ESL students. I made sure that the definitions are easy to understand. I also added simple sentences under for each idiom so that students will learn how to use them. Some sentences are based on real people and events to make them interesting. There are links that you can visit if you want to learn more about them.
|
|
1. A Blessing In Disguise
2. A Chip On Your Shoulder
4. Acid Test
5. Add Fuel To The Fire
6. A dime a dozen
7. A Doubting Thomas (Thomas is a name of man)
|
|
8. A drop in the bucket
9. Against the clock
10. A House Divided Against Itself Cannot Stand
11. A Leopard Can't Change His Spots
12. A little bird told me
13. All bark and no bite
14. All greek
|
|
15. All in the same boat
16. A Penny Saved Is A Penny Earned:
17. A Picture Paints a Thousand Words:
18. A piece of cake
19. An arm and a leg
20. An Axe To Grind
21. Ants in one's pants
|
|
22. Apple of the eye
23. As calm as a toad in the sun
24. As good as gold
25. A slap on the wrist
26. Ask someone out
27. A taste of your own medicine
28. A toss-up
|
|
29. A dime a dozen
30. As nice as a ninepence
31. As proud as a peacock
32. At a snail's pace
33. At a snap of a finger
34. A whale of something
35. A wide berth
|
|
36. Backroom boys
37. Back to square one
38. Back to the drawing board
39. Bad egg
40. Backseat driver
41. Baker's dozen
42. Barking up the wrong tree
|
|
43. Beard the lion in his den
meaning: fight the person in his place example: Kate wants to fight with Nora. Kate lives in Canada while Nora lives in Iceland. Kate will go to Iceland to beard Nora in her den. 44. Be as high as a kite meaning: act funny after taking drugs or alcohol example: I could not talk to her seriously during the party because she was as high as a kite. meaning: very excited example: I was as high as a kite when I received a gift from my parents. 45. Beat around the bush meaning: not able to say things directly example: He wants to marry her but he could not say it. He was talking and talking about how they met, the beautiful places they visited, their families and other things. He was beating around the bush. 46. Beat the dead horse meaning: doing something that is actually useless example: Talking about the game is like beating the dead horse. We already lost it. Talking about it will not change anything. 47. Bee in one's bonnet meaning: always thinking about something example: The TV show is a bee in his bonnet. He thinks about it from morning til night. 48. Be glad to see the back of meaning: be happy when the person leaves example: I do not like my boss that much. I would be happy to see his back. 49. Better half meaning: one's husband or wife example: He loves his better half so much that he gives her everything she likes. |
|
50. Bend over backwards
meaning: do hardwork to help someone example: He is my best friend. He bends backwards for me whenever I have problems. 51. Between a rock and a hard place meaning: in a situation where it is difficult to choose example: I have 2 girlfriends now. They are both beautiful. I do not know who to marry. I am between a rock and a hard place. 52. Beyond the pale meaning: unacceptable example: The kid was shouting at his mother. That behavior is beyond the pale. 53. Big cheese meaning: very important person example: Mr. Bill Gates is the big cheese of Microsoft and he takes time to help the poor people. 54. Bite off more than one can chew meaning: do a lot of things that you cannot simple do example: She joined the swimming team, volleyball team, dance group and music club. She does a lot of things. She bites off more than she can chew. 55. Bite your tongue meaning: to avoid talking example: Bite your tongue and listen to me. 56. Blood is thicker than water meaning: Family relationships are more important than other things example: She is in love with a poor man. Her parents do not like him. She chose to follow her parents. She left the man. Blood is thicker than water. |
|
57. Blood, sweat and tears
meaning: a lot of hardwork example: Mr. Honda was poor when he was young but because of his blood, sweat and tears, he became successful in the car business. 58. Blow up in someone's face meaning: to fail example: Her effort to befriend him blew up in her face. 59. Blue moon meaning: something that happens rarely example: He drinks alcohol once in a blue moon. His friends were surprised when he did. 60. Break a leg meaning: goodluck example: Before going to the basketball court, his sister said, 'break a leg.' I know you can play well today. |
|
61. Buckle down Meaning: Do some hard work Example: You have to buckle down yourself if you want to pass the entrance exams in Harvard. 62. Bug- eyed Meaning: be surprised Example: I was bug- eyed when my father gave me a brand new car. 63. Bug someone Meaning: to irritate someone Example: The child kept on bugging her parents to buy her a new pair of shoes. 64. Buy a lemon
Meaning: buy a defective car Example: He cannot move the seats of his new car. The windshield is also broken. He bought a lemon 65. Get a grip on yourself Meaning: controlling your feelings to deal with a situation. Example: When she arrived home, she saw her door unlocked and all her things scattered on the floor. After she got a grip on herself, she called up the police. 66. Get Down to Brass Tacks Meaning: To begin to talk about important things Example: After eating lunch, the officers got down to brass tracks. 67. Get Over It Meaning: to move beyond something that is bothering you Example: Your boyfriend had already left you for another woman. Just get over it and stop crying. 68. Get the axe Meaning: lose the job Example: The company is losing money so one whole department should get the axe immediately. 69. Get the ducks in a row Meaning: organize things Example: Her mom told her to prepare for the party and get the ducks in a row. 70.Get the show on the road Meaning: begin work Example: After months of practice for their music recital, the kids will finally get the show on the road. |
|
71. Get Up On The Wrong Side Of The Bed
Someone who is having a bad day. Example: Our boss was always shouting at us for no reason, maybe, he got up on the wrong side of the bed. 72. Go bananas Meaning: go crazy Example: Your family will go bananas when they learn that you are going to marry him. 73. Go For Broke Meaning: to risk everything you have Example: When she decided to live in another country, she went for broke to start a new life. 74. Go Out On A Limb Meaning: do something different from other people Example: She is prepared to go out on a limb to help the earthquake victims. 75. Going places Meaning: will be successful in the future She works very hard. She will surely go places. 76. Golden handshake Meaning: a big amount of money given to an employee who resigns or retires Example: Ms. Bette Nash is the world's most senior flight attendant who had been flying for 57 years. She will surely get a handshake when she leaves the US Airways. This is a true story: http://onemileatatime.boardingarea.com/2016/05/29/oldest-flight-attendant/ 77. Good egg Meaning: good person Example: Mother Theresa is a good egg. She helps a lot of poor people so she became a saint. |
|
78. Good Samaritan
Meaning: Someone who helps others Example: She became a good samaritan during the Christmas season. She gave gifts to the poor kids. 79. Go The Extra Mile Meaning: going above and beyond whatever is required for the task at hand Example: He is a janitor at school but he goes the extra mile by helping the students out with their problems. He talks to them whenever they need him. He goes the extra mile so that students love him very much. 80. Graveyard Shift Meaning: working hours from about 12:00 am to 8:00 am. The time of the day when most other people are sleeping. Example: He hates his graveyard shift as a security guard. 81. Great Minds Think Alike Meaning: intelligent people think like each other Example: They are best friends and both of them are honor students. Great minds think alike. 82. Green around the gills Meaning: look sick Example: The prisoner looked green around the gills so he was sent to the hospital. 83. Green Room Meaning: the waiting room, especially for those who are about to go on a tv or radio show. Example: The actress was at the green room before the interview. She had her make up done there. 84. Groan inwardly Meaning: not to say something bad Example: When he told me that I was ugly, I just groaned inwardly. I did not say something to him. |
|
85. Gut Feeling
A personal intuition you get, especially when feel something may not be right. Example: I had a gut feeling that he was not a good man when I first saw him. I was correct all along. 86. Have one's heart set on Meaning: wanting to have something so much He has his heart set on making it big in the movie industry. He works hard day and night to prove himself. 87. Hang on by fingernails Meaning: continuing to do something in a very difficult situation Example: Bags from China are sold all over the world. Bag sellers from Europe are hanging on by fingernails hoping that people will buy them too. 88. Happy as a clam Meaning: very happy and content Example: The child was as happy as a clam when she got a toy. She was as happy as a clam when she first saw the Eiffel tower. 89. Hard as nails Meaning: a person with no emotions Example: Do not think that she will change her mind when you see her. She won't. She is as hard as nails. 90. Hard cheese Meaning: bad luck Example: It is hard cheese for the workers now. There are not a lot of jobs available. 91. Haste Makes Waste Meaning: Quickly doing things results in a poor ending. Example: He was in a rush doing the project that he forgot the most important thing. Now, he had to do everything again. Haste makes waste. |
|
92. Hat Trick
Meaning: When one player scores three goals in the same hockey game. This idiom can also mean three scores in any other sport, such as 3 homeruns, 3 touchdowns, 3 soccer goals, etc. Example: He did a hat trick and everyone was proud of him. 93. Have an axe to grind Meaning: have a problem with someone or something Example: Peter and Tim need to talk to each other. They have an axe to grind. 94. Have something on the brain Meaning: Thinking about it all the time Example: He just got a new cat and he has it on his brain all day. He talks about his cat endlessly. 95. Head Over Heels Meaning: Very excited and/or joyful, especially when in love. Example: He was head over heels in love with the woman that he gave her the most expensive diamond ring he can find. 96. Hell in a Handbasket Meaning: Deteriorating and headed for complete disaster. Example: He thinks that the new President will bring the company to hell in a handbasket. 97. Het up Meaning: get angry Example: The company President het up when he learned that our profits are down by 59%. 98.High on the hog Meaning: living in luxury Example: Singapore's 'Queen of Instagram' has been living high on the hog even after she and the Indonesian tycoon divorced. http://nextshark.com/jamie-chua-singapore-instagram/ Melania Trump married Donald Trump and she lives high on the hog since |
|
99. Hit the books
Meaning: study Example: He hit the books from morning til night. 100. Hit the hay Meaning: go to sleep Example: He will hit the hay at 9 in the evening. 101. Hit The Nail on the Head Meaning: do something exactly right or say something exactly right Example: You hit the nail on the head when you said that he doesn't love you anymore. He just couldn't say it straight. 102. Hive of activity Meaning: a busy place Example: Our house is a hive of activity every Christmas season. All our relatives come over for a party. 103. Hold Your Horses Meaning: be patient Example: Hold your horses and wait for the sale announcement. You will be able to buy clothes on big discounts and you will surely save a lot of money. 104. Hot potato Meaning: a controversial issue Example: The topic about a possible World War III is a hot potato among people from all over the world. 105. Icing On The Cake Meaning: when you already have good things and having another just makes life better Example: She is already rich and famous. Having a lover is just an icing on the cake. |
|
106. I'll take a rain check
Meaning: something that you say when you cannot accept someone's invitation to do something but you would like to do it in the future. Sentence: I'll take a rain check on that movie date, if that's all right. I won't play baseball this afternoon but can I get a rain check? 107. In a trice Meaning: instantly; very fast Example: He pays his credit card in a trice to avoid charges. After the wedding, she got pregnant in a trice. 108. In the bag Meaning: sure of success Example: The victory of Cleveland Cavaliers against Golden State Warriors was in the bag when LeBron James made a shot. 109. In The Heat Of The Moment Meaning: if you say or do something in the heat of the moment, you say or do it without thinking because you are angry or excited Example: Leo does not hate you. He was just mad at what you did and he said something bad in the heat of the moment. I am sure that he will forget about everything by tomorrow. 110. It's A Small World Meaning: people are connected to one another Example: I learned that my best friend's dad is the cousin of my brother's classmate. It is a small world. 111. It's Anyone's Call Meaning: a competition where the outcome is difficult to judge or predict Example: The two (2) boxers are very good. We do not know who will win. It's anyone's call. 112. It Takes Two To Tango Meaning: a conflict where both persons are at fault Example: They broke up and they have each other to blame. It takes two to tango. Both of them are at fault. |
Ivy League
Meaning: best schools
Example: Jack Ma did not go to Ivy League schools but he became one of the richest men on earth.
Joined at the hip
Meaning: always together
Example: The two of them are joined at the hip. They eat dinner every night, even on weekends.
Keep An Eye On Him
Meaning: You should carefully watch him.
Example: Keep an eye on your baby all the time to avoid accidents.
Keep body and soul together
Meaning: To earn a sufficient amount of money in order to keep yourself alive .
Example: Having this job keeps my body and soul together.
Keep a stiff upper lip
Meaning: act as if you are not affected
Example: When he said bad things about me, I just keep a stiff upper lip to avoid problems in the future.
Keep your chin up
Meaning: To remain joyful in a tough situation.
Example: They said bad things about you but you must keep your chin up to show them that you are good.
Knee Jerk Reaction
Meaning: A quick and automatic response.
Example: His knee jerk reaction when he saw his ex- girlfriend was to run away.
Knock On Wood
Meaning: Knuckle tapping on wood in order to avoid some bad luck.
Example: I know I will win the contest. Knock on wood.
Know the ropes
Meaning: know the details
Example: You will know the ropes of the business as time goes by.
She has been working in the movie industry for 30 years so she already knows the ropes.
Laughing stock
Meaning: a person does silly things and is laughed at
Example: He was the laughing stock of the class but he became the wealthiest.
Lend Me Your Ear
Meaning: to politely ask for someone's full attention.
Sentence: "Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears" is the first line of a speech by Mark Antony in the play Julius Caesar, by William Shakespeare.
Let the cat out of the bag
Meaning: tell a secret
Example: My friend told me that she is getting married soon. She asked me not let the cat out of the bag when we are with other friends.
Let Sleeping Dogs Lie
Meaning: to avoid restarting a conflict
Example: Never bring up what happened to us in the past. Let the sleeping dogs lie.
Let The Cat Out Of The Bag
Meaning: To share a secret that wasn't suppose to be shared.
Example: You should tell your parents what happened to you so that they can give you a good advice. Let the cat out of the bag.
Level playing field
Meaning: A fair competition where no side has an advantage.
Example: You have to make sure that the karate players have the same belt color. This way, you level the playing field.
Lick one's wounds
Meaning: heal from hurt
Example: They lost the basketball game. To lick their wounds, they went to a party and drank beer all night.
Like a chicken with its head cut off
Meaning: To act in a frenzied manner.
Example: She ran back to the restaurant like a chicken with its head cut off when she realized that she left her cellphone there.
Long in the tooth
Meaning: old person
Example: She promised her father that she will take care of him when he becomes long in the tooth.
The lady in the van is long in the tooth. Her life story is amazing.
Watch this interesting true story: www.imdb.com/title/tt3722070/
Look on the bright side
Meaning: see the positive; see the good thing
Example: She did not become the top 1 in class but she got a special award. She must look on the bright side.
Loose Cannon
Meaning: Someone who is unpredictable and gets angry easily.
Example: The director of the movie is a loose canon. The actors and actresses are very careful not to annoy him.
Lump in one's throat
Meaning: feels like crying
Example: There was a lump in my throat when I saw my best friend going to another country. I will surely miss her.
Make headway
Meaning: improve
Example: The teacher made headway in teaching children with special needs. They have learned how to eat by themselves after a week of training.
Make one's flesh crawl
Meaning: make one nervous or uncomfortable
Example: Hearing about the 911 attack makes my flesh crawl.
Seeing my boss makes my flesh crawl.
My old china
Meaning: a loving term for a friend
Example: She is my old china. She helps me whenever I need her.
Nest Egg
Meaning: Savings set aside for future use.
Example: The couple are building their nest egg. They didn't like to ask money from their children when they grow old.
Never Bite The Hand That Feeds You
Meaning: Don't hurt anyone that helps you.
Example: Do not tell bad things about your boss. Never bite the hand that feeds you.
New kid on the block
Meaning: Someone new to the group or area.
Example: Her family migrated from Vietnam to Canada. She is a new kid on the block in her school.
New York Minute
Meaning: A minute that seems to go by quickly, especially in a fast paced environment.
Example: I have a New York minute to clean my room. I do not know what it would look like after.
No Dice
Meaning: To not agree
Example: When I borrowed money from him, he said, "No dice." No. It can't be done, no dice.
No Room to Swing a Cat
Meaning: An unusually small or confined space.
Example: I live in a tiny house where there is no room to swing a cat. I can't invite my friends over.
Not Playing With a Full Deck
Meaning: Someone who lacks intelligence.
Example: You are not playing with a full deck. You will surely lose the game.
Night owl
Meaning: a person who is active at night
Example:
Me and my daughter are night owls. We like watching movies at night.
He does not sleep much, actually. In fact, he is a night owl.
Not hurt a flea
Meaning: Not hurt anyone
Example: My grandmother advised me not to hurt a flea so that good things will come to me.
This is a teaching from Buddha.
Not let grass grow under your feet
Meaning: do not delay doing something
Example: We should finish this project within the week. We should not let grass grow under our feet.
Not turn a hair
Meaning: be calm
Example: He did not turn a hair when he lost the game.
Off On The Wrong Foot
Meaning: Getting a bad start on a relationship or task.
Example: He began cooking the noodles even before preparing the other ingredients. As a result, he forgot to put in some of the vegetables and the soup did not taste delicious. He was off on the wrong foot.
Off The Hook
Meaning: No longer have to deal with a tough situation.
Example: He got out of the project from the beginning. When it turned out to be a disaster, he was off the hook.
Off the Record
Meaning: something said secretly
Example: During the interview, the actress said something to the interviewer that she did not like others to know. The actress wanted it to be off the record.
Once in a blue moon
Meaning: rarely, not always
Example: He likes eating home- cooked meals. He eats in restaurants once in a blue moon.
On Pins And Needles
Meaning: Anxious or nervous, especially in anticipation of something.
Example: She was on pins and needles before the announcement of the winner.
On The Fence
Meaning: undecided
Sentence: We are on the fence whether to buy the expensive tickets to the concert or not.
On The Same Page
Meaning: when many people all agree on the same thing.
Sentence: We all do not want the building to be constructed near the beach. We are on the same page.
Out Of The Blue
Something that suddenly and unexpectedly occurs.
Sentence: We have not heard from him for a long time then he suddenly appeared in the party out of the blue.
Out On The Town
To enjoy yourself by going out.
Example: We will go out of town on Saturday to relax.
Out On A Limb
When someone puts themself in a risky situation.
Example: She went out on a limb to help the people in a place damaged by war.
Over My Dead Body
When you absolutely will not allow something to happen.
Example: I will let her win the game over my dead body.
Over the moon
Meaning: very happy or delighted
Example:
I feel over the moon whenever I eat sashimi.
He feels over the moon when they are together.
Over the top
Meaning: very excessive
Example: Her expression of her love for her boyfriend is over the top.
She dressed over the top for a movie date. She wore a gown!
Pass The Buck
Meaning: avoid responsibility by giving it to someone else
Example: She passed the buck to her staff when the event became a big disaster.
Pick up your ears
Meaning; to listen very carefully
Example: "Children, pick up your ears. The school principal will come and observe the class," the teacher said.
Pig In A Poke
Meaning: buying something without inspecting it
Example: Buying a second hand car without inspecting is like buying a pig in a poke.
Pig Out
Meaning: to eat a lot and eat it quickly
Example: We were so hungry so we pigged out on Italian food during lunch.
Pin money
Meaning: a small amount of money
Example: The rich man only gave a pin money to the room boy.
My daughter gets a pin money everyday to put in her coin bank
Pipe Down
Meaning: to shut-up or be quiet
Example: You have to pipe down when the elders are talking.
Plum job
Meaning: an easy job that pays a high salary
Example: She got a plum job in the company because she is the daughter of the company President
Practice Makes Perfect
Meaning: by constantly practicing, you will become better
Example: Michael Jordan practices basketball everyday so he became one of the best basketball players of all time. Indeed, practice makes perfect.
Punch above one's weight
Meaning: performing beyond your ability
Example: He is poor but funny and he punched above his weight when he dated a rich and beautiful girl.
Pull out all the stops
Meaning: Doing everything you can to make something successful.
Example: The album is not selling well now but we are pulling out all the stops to promote it.
Pull the plug
Meaning: to stop something
Example: You cannot do 10 things at the same time. Choose only one and forget the others. You must learn to pull some plugs so that you can focus.
Pulling Your Leg
Meaning: tricking someone as a joke
Example: Oh! You can't really speak 10 languages. Stop pulling my leg. Get real.
Put a sock in it
Meaning: the person should stop saying something
Example: In a meeting with elders, it is Japanese custom for the young not to say anything. However, this boy does not know it and he kept on saying things that he shouldn't have. He should put a sock in it.
Put the pedal to the metal
Meaning: drive fast
Example: Put the pedal to the metal now so that we can reach the airport in time.
Queer the pitch
Meaning: destroy a plan
Example: The talent manager queered the pitch when she allowed the actress to talk about the issue.
The singer queered the pitch when he included songs that were not part of the program.
Raining Cats and Dogs
Meaning: a very loud and noisy rain storm
Sentence: It is raining cats and dogs today so the kids decided not to play in the garden.
Raring to go
Meaning: being excited to do to something
Example: She is raring to go to the studio to see her favorite singer.
Red-letter day
Meaning: a special day
Example: It is a red-letter day so we celebrated with the whole family.
I will wear something new for the red- letter day.
Reduce someone to tears
Meaning: make a person cry
Example: I was reduced to tears when he said that he does not love me anymore.
Rise and Shine
Meaning: good morning
Sentence: Rise and shine. Let us all go to the beach and have our breakfast there, as planned.
Rome Was Not Built In One Day
Meaning: If you want to do something, then its going to take time
Sentence: It takes a lot of time to build a good website. Remember that Rome was not built in a day.
Rule Of Thumb
Meaning: basic thing that a person should know
Example: As a rule of thumb, you should sleep eight (8) hours a day.
Run out of steam
Meaning: to be completely out of energy
Example: She was a hard working woman in her 20's but she ran out of steam in her 40's.
Saved By The Bell
Meaning: saved at the last possible moment
Example: Her mom was about to scold her when her dad came. She was saved by the bell. Her dad gave her a hug, instead.
Sail through it
Meaning: succeed easily
Example: She sailed through her exams. She got a score of 100 even without studying.
Salad days
Meaning: youthful, foolish days
Example: We made a lot of mistakes in our salad days.
Our salad days were very memorable for me.
Scapegoat
Meaning: a person who takes the blame
Example: She used her brother as a scapegoat when her mom asked who broke the glass. It was actually she but her brother took the blame.
Scot-free
Meaning: to escape and not have to pay
Example: After committing a crime in Scotland, he went to the island of Greece and went scot- free.
Separate the sheep from the goats
Meaning: separate people based on their qualities
Example: The auditions for the singing competition were held yesterday to separate the sheep from the goats. Those who qualified will be seen on TV.
Shilly-shally
Meaning: to be undecided
Example: He is shilly- shally about what to order from the menu.
Tina is shilly- shally about marrying her boyfriend at this time.
Sick as a dog
Meaning: to be very sick
Example: She was as sick as a dog so she could not start working.
When you are as sick as a dog, you have to take a rest at home.
Sink your teeth into
Meaning: do something with a lot of energy
Example: She is building her website. She is sinking her teeth into it so she does not have time to party.
Sit Shotgun
Meaning: ride in the front passenger seat of a car
Sentence: I want to ride shotgun so I don’t have to sit back there with those kids.
Sixth Sense
Meaning: a paranormal sense that allows you to communicate with the dead
Sentence: She has a sixth sense that is why she is afraid of the dark. She can see and hear things that others can't.
Skid Row
Meaning: the rundown area of a city where the homeless and drug users live
Sentence: He lived in a skid row but he continued with his studies so he was able to get out of that place. He is now a successful doctor.
Smell A Rat or Smell Something Fishy
Meaning: to feel that something is wrong
Sentence: While I was talking with him for a business deal, I smelled a rat so I did not push through with doing business with him.
Southpaw
Meaning: someone who is left-handed
Example: He is a southpaw.
Speak volumes
Meaning: show a lot about something or someone
Example: She gave me a gift when I was feeling bad. It spoke volumes about the kind of person she is.
Spitting Image
Meaning: looks exactly the same
Example: She is a spitting image of her father.
Start From Scratch
Meaning: to do it all over again from the beginning
Example: The high school students left their project in the room when the elementary students came and destroyed it. Now, they have to do the project again and start from scratch.
Stand one's ground
Meaning: maintain ones's position
Example: He stood his ground against the presence of the military bases in the country.
Stir up a hornet's nest
Meaning: make people angry
Example: Do not scare people that an earthquake will happen soon. You will be stirring up a hornet's nest.
Swallow one's pride
Meaning: accept one's mistakes
Example: You should swallow your pride and tell your parents about it. They will surely understand you.
Tall story
Meaning: an unbelievable story
Example: He has told several tall stories in the past so I don’t trust him anymore.
A lot of people believed her tall story.
The ball is in your court
Meaning: You have to do something
Example: I already gave you the budget for the vacation, it is up to you to decide where to go. The ball is in your court now.
The Best Of Both Worlds
Meaning: there are two choices and you have them both
Example: She has a good career and a happy family life. She has the best of both worlds.
The bottom fell out
Meaning: something suddenly lost value
Example: In the stock market, when the bottom fell out, a lot of people cried because they lost money.
The whole nine yards
Meaning: everything
Example: I will give you the whole nine yards if you marry me.
He got the whole nine yards after winning the lottery.
Think on your feet
Meaning: think and react quickly
Example: Donald Trump, a multi- billionaire who owns a lot of hotels in the US, thinks on his feet in order to succeed.
This is the website of Trump hotels: https://www.trumphotelcollection.com/#
Third time's a charm
Meaning: after no success the first two times, the third try is a lucky one
Example: Pia Wurtzbach won the Miss Universe title after two (2) tries. Indeed, third time's a charm.
Tie the knot
Meaning: get married
Example: They tied the knot very young.
They will tie the knot a year from now.
Til the cows come home
Meaning: for a very long time
Example: You can diet until the cows come home, and you still won't become a model.
To Make A Long Story Short
Meaning: You want to tell a long story but you don't have much time. So, to send your message, you just say a sentence or two.
Example: I want to be with you forever. I want to grow old with you. I want to have kids with you. To make the long story short, I want to marry you.
Tongue-in-cheek
Meaning: a joke
Example: She said a tongue- in- cheek about her friend that made her classmates laugh.
Tongue- tied
Meaning: cannot say anything
Example: He was tongue- tied when he saw the actress. She was so beautiful. He could not say anything to her.
To Steal Someone's Thunder
Meaning: to take the credit for something someone else did
Example: Ella was the one who wrote the essay but Bea took credit for it. Bea stole the thunder from Ella.
Tricks of the trade
Meaning: ways that help you do a job better or faster
Example: Takashi Ono, son of sushi craftsman Jiro Sukiyabashi, knows the tricks of the trade after working for his father for several years. He now build a restaurant of his own.
This is a true story: http://www.roppongihills.com.e.nt.hp.transer.com/shops_restaurants/restaurants/00138.html
Turn A Blind Eye
Meaning: pretend not to notice
Example: He saw her but he turned a blind eye. She was his first love but she broke up with him. He is hurting until now.
Turn turtle
Meaning: turn upside down
Example: The car turned turtle when the driver lost control.
The table turned turtle because of the dogs.
Under the weather
Meaning: sick
Example: She was under the weather for 3 days.
Up a blind alley
Meaning: at a dead end
Example: I have been trying to find out something about that old woman, but I'm up a blind alley. I can't find anything.
The police are up a blind alley in their investigation of the crime.
Use your noodles/ loaf
Meaning: think
Example: Do you know how to operate the computer? Use your noodles.
You must use your loaf if you want to continue working here.
Waiting in the wings
Meaning: When someone is waiting in the wings, he will become active or important soon.
Example: The talk show host will take a break from TV. Her replacement is waiting in the wings.
With bells on
Meaning: going somewhere excitedly
Example: I haven't seen you in a while so I will go to your birthday party will bells on.
When pigs fly
Meaning: never
Example: I will drink snake blood like the Chinese do when pigs fly.
She will try white water rafting when pigs fly.
Whole bag of tricks
Meaning: everything; all strategies
Example: It was really hard to solve the math problem even after applying the whole bag of tricks.
The whole nine yards
Meaning: everything
Example: I will give you the whole nine yards if you marry me.
He got the whole nine yards after winning the lottery.
Variety Is The Spice Of Life
Meaning: the more experiences you try the more exciting life can be
Example: She goes to different countries every 3 years for work. She believes that variety is the spice of life. She likes trying many different things.
Veg out
Meaning: to relax or do nothing much
Example: After doing the big project, he vegged out by watching tv.
Wag the Dog
Meaning: a diversion away from something of greater importance. There is an important thing but the person does something to put the attention to another thing that is less important. This is a political strategy to save the person, usually a politician.
Example: The President of the USA, Bill Clinton, was rumored to have an affair with Monica Lewinsky, a white house intern. This brought damage to his reputation so his staff put up an issue about his political enemies to wag the dog.
Water Under The Bridge
Meaning: anything from the past that isn't important anymore
Example: The old sweethearts did not talk about how they broke up in the past. That's water under the bridge and they are now ready to become friends again.
Wear off
Meaning: fade away
Example: The fake tattoo will wear off after 2 weeks.
The print on the bag wears off easily.
Wear Your Heart On Your Sleeve
Meaning: to openly and freely express your emotions
Example: He is the President of the company who wants to have a relationship with a low- ranking employee. He gave her roses and chocolates in front of all the other employees. He wears his heart on his sleeve.
When It Rains, It Pours
Meaning: when a bad thing happens, more bad things happen at the same time
Example: Linda lost her wallet at the mall. When she returned home, she realized that it was robbed. When it rains, it pours.
When Pigs Fly
Meaning: something that will never ever happen
Sentence: I do not like living in hot places. I will go to Africa when pigs fly.
Whet someone's appetite
Meaning: make someone want more of something
Example: Watching the video about success whetted my appetite to work harder to achieve my dreams.
Wild and Woolly
Meaning: without order or control
Example: All the kids went wild and woolly when inside the cinema. It was their first time to be inside one.
Wine and Dine
Meaning: when somebody is treated to an expensive meal
Example: I want to wine and dine together with you before you leave for New York.
With bells on
Meaning: excitedly
Example: I haven't seen you for a long time. I will surely go to your party with bells on.
Without a doubt
Meaning: surely; certainly
Example: He loves her very much without a doubt. He is willing to do anything for her.
She is without a doubt the prettiest in the class.
Work like a charm
Meaning: work very well
Example: I put toothpaste on my pimple and it hardened up easily. It worked like a charm.
Try this out: http://homeremediesforlife.com/toothpaste-for-pimples-and-acne/
Year dot
Meaning: a very long time ago
Example: He has been a bus driver since the year dot.
Your Guess Is As Good As Mine
Meaning: I have no idea.
Example: What will happen to the stock market tomorrow? She replied, "Your guess is as good as mine." No one really knows.
Zero Tolerance
Meaning; no crime or law breaking big or small will be overlooked
Example: The President of the Philippines has zero tolerance for drug addiction. He ordered that all drug addicts be killed.