Y
Idioms beginning with "Y"
Part of speech, explanation, example sentences, pronunciation
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Contents of Y:
[yak-yak] or [yakety-yak] or [yakib-yak] {n.}, {slang}
Much talk about little things; talking all the time about unimportant things.
Tom sat behind two girls on the bus and he got tired of their silly yak-yak.
[year-round] or [year-around] {adj.}
Usable, effective, or operating all the year.
Colorado is a year-round resort; there is fishing in the summer and skiing in the winter.
[yellow-bellied] {adj.}, {slang}
Extremely timid, cowardly.
Joe Bennett is a yellow-bellied guy, don't send him on such a tough assignment!
[yellow journalism] {n. phr.}
Cheap and sensational newspaper writing; inflammatory language designed to stir up popular sentiment against another country.
Yellow journalism is hardly ever truly informative.
[yellow-livered] {adj.}
Cowardly.
The young boy greatly resented being called yellow-livered and started to fight right away.
[yeoman service] {n. phr.}
Help in time of need; serviceable and good assistance.
Sam was pressed into yeoman service in organizing our annual fundraiser for cerebral palsy victims.
[yes-man] {n.}, {informal}
A person who tries to be liked by agreeing with everything said; especially, someone who always agrees with a boss or the one in charge.
John tries to get ahead on his job by being a yes-man.
[yoo-hoo] {interj.}
- Used as an informal call or shout to a person to attract his attention.
Louise opened the door and called "Yoo-hoo, Mother — are you home?"
See:
[ALL RIGHT FOR YOU],
[I'M TELLING YOU],
[SAYS WHO] or [SAYS YOU],
[THAT'S […]
[you bet] or [you bet your boots] or [you bet your life] {informal}
Most certainly; yes, indeed; without any doubt. — Used to declare with emphasis that a thing is really so.
Do I like to ski? You bet your life I do.
* /You bet I will be at the […]
[you can't teach an old dog new tricks]
It is very hard or almost impossible to train an older person to acquire some new skill. — A proverb.
* /You'll never teach your grandfather how to do his income tax on a personal computer. You can't teach an old […]
[you don't say] {interj.}, {informal}
- Used to show surprise at what is said.
Your ring is a real diamond? You don't say!
"Bill and Jean are going to get married." "You don't say!"
Syn.: [DO TELL].
[your]
See:
[HANG ON TO YOUR HAT] or [HOLD ON TO YOUR HAT] or [HOLD YOUR HAT],
[YOU BET YOUR BOOTS] or [YOU BET YOUR LIFE].
[you're telling me] {interj.}, {informal}
Used to show that a thing is so clear that it need not be said, or just to show strong agreement.
"You're late." "You're telling me!"
Compare: [YOU BET], [YOU SAID IT].
[you said it] or [you can say that again] {interj.}, {slang}
— Used to show strong agreement with what another person has said.
"That sure was a good show." "You said it!"
"It sure is hot!" "You can say that again!"
Compare: [SAY A […]
[you tell 'em] {interj.}, {slang}
- Used to agree with or encourage someone in what he is saying.
The drunk was arguing with the bartenders and a man cried, "You tell 'em!"
[yours truly] {adv. phr.}
1. Signing off at the end of letters.
Yours truly, Tom Smith.
2. I, the first person singular pronoun, frequently abbreviated as t.y.
As t.y. has often pointed out...
T.y. is not really interested in the offer.
[…]
[yum-yum] {interj.}, {informal}
- Used usually by or to children, to express great delight, especially in the taste of food.
"Yum-Yum! That pie is good!"