More Idioms
The idiom you are looking for is not listed?
This section contains the expressions or idioms suggested by our visitors to be explained/discussed further.Please post expressions of your interest using the comments form below (at the end) on this page.
However before you do, please try this to find the idiom on this site using the ultimate search by Google.
Want to learn more on idioms?
Consider the following resources:- English idioms page @ Dr. Ron Chang Li's site (overview)
- Idioms and Slang resources @ Internet Journal for TESL (overview)
- Idiom resources @ Translation Workplace (overview)
- Idiom page @ Wikipedia
- English Slang @ DMOZ Open Directory
The list of additional idioms follows below
Contents of More Idioms:
[as good as go] {adv. phr.}
In the phrase, I'd as good's go to New York, instead of "I might as well go to New York." "I'd as good's do this," for, I may as well do this. Only heard among the illiterate.
[as it comes]
1. As is.
Reese takes life as it comes.
2. {adv. phr.}
Instinctively, by intuition.
I write as it comes to me. I often don't know exactly what I think until I see it on paper.
[attention whore] {n. phr.} {informal}
Label given to any person who craves attention to such an extent that they will do anything to receive it. The type of attention (negative or positive) does not matter.
You're such a GD attention whore!
See […]
[bank-bill] {n. phr.}
A bank-note.
Neither Johnson nor the other lexicographers have the term bank-note, though they all have bank-bill, which Johnson defines, "a note for money laid up in a bank, at the sight of which the money is paid."
In the […]
[break a leg] {v. phr.}
Is said to actors for good luck before they go on stage, especially on an opening nights.
One of the interpretaions of "break a leg" is wishing to "make a strenuous effort".
[corn hustler]
What is the meaning of this expression?
There is Tom and Jerry cartoon where Tom is insulted by being called a corn hustler.
[fat is in the fire]
~[game over], [game is up]
The situation is in crisis.
{literally} because sth. or someone has [poured oil on the flames] or [added fuel to the fire].
[fools rush in where angels fear to tread] {proverb}
The idiom is used where people who are inexperienced or lack knowledge do something that more informed people would avoid.
[go around the barn at high noon] {v. phr.}
To use indirect ways of doing sth. when it is quite not necessary.
To shift, contrive to avoid sth.
See:
[all around Robin Hood's barn]
[goof up] {v. phr.}
To make a mistake (usually not serious).
See also: [blunder], [screw up] — bad mistake.
[have a blast] {v. phr.}
To enjoy doing something very much.
Sky watchers are having a blast keeping track of the comet.
They had a blast poking around the farmers' market looking at all the food.
[have a thing for] or [have a thing about] {v. phr.}
To have a strong inexplicable feeling about sth. or somebody.
* /I have a thing about sweets, for example. If there are no sweets in front of me, I'm not suffering. But if you bring me some, and put […]
[have it in for somebody] {v. phr.} {slang}
To bear a strong grudge against you.
You just cannot drive a Rolls-Royce in Beverly Hills anymore because they have it in for you. — Zsa Zsa Gabor
The fantastically talented Hugh Laurie paid a house call to Ellen, and they played an exciting game of American slang versus English slang — and the game was [bloody] brilliant!
Anyway, you will now know what [flossing], [chin wag], [ba-donka-donk], […]
[lazybones] {n.} {informal}
A lazy person.
Seeing him return so early from the fields, his wife, who was a stirring, busy woman, called out, 'What! lazybones! — Tales of the Punjab
[leave to one's own devices] {v. phr.}
Let someone do what they want without helping them or trying to control them (usually passive).
There are four hours of lessons each morning, and in the afternoon students are left to their own devices.
* […]
[make one (little) step at a time]
to do something gradually. Little by little.
Breaking old habits isn't easy so take the changes you need to make one step at a time.
[not able to speak above one's breath] {adj. phr.}
Not able to speak aloud.
[not to speak above one's breath] {v. phr.}
* /We arrived on the scene just after dark, — that is, General Walthall's Division of Stewart's Corps; this division was on the […]
[Old Man of the Sea] {n. phr.}
A tiresome burden, especially a person, difficult to free oneself from.
* /Deirdre has Ken the Cardie Wearer ever at her side, an Old Man of the Sea she can't ditch. He grows daily more brain-sapping as he takes up local […]
[paint your wagon]
Does anybody know what is the origin and the meaning of this expression?
[party animal] {n. phr.}
1. A person who loves parties.
That kid is such a party animal. He takes every opportunity he gets to go to a party.
2. A person who loves to dance, party and drink and also to make the most of a party. Usally ends up drunk […]
[play hookey] {v. phr.}
Be absent (without good excuse), shirk (lessons, work);
Miss.
See: [play truant]
[pretty how-do-you-do!] or
[here's a nice!] {ingerj.}
See: [do tell], [you don't say].
[raise jack] {v. phr.} {informal}
Make a noise, set up a clamour; start making a raw, an uproar, brawl.
See: [kick up a fuss]
[to reap the benefit of sth.] {v. phr.}
— to gain advantages of sth.
Investors struggle to reap the benefits of liquidity offered by European non-listed property funds.
[sad sack] {n. phr.} {informal}
An inept person who makes mistakes despite good intentions.
See: [double-trouble]
[shuffle one's feet] {v. phr.}
To slide one's feet along the floor or ground while walking;
To do sth. very slowly, unwillingly.
[sure as shooting] {adv. phr.} or {adv. phr.}
Certainly, for certain, for sure, sure, surely, sure enough.
{adv. phr.}
Definitely or positively.
he'll win sure as shooting.
{adj. phr.}
Absolutely certain.
* /it is sure as shooting that they […]
[talk to the hand] or {slang} [talk to da hand] {v. phr.} {informal}
('cause the face ain't listening)
(With outstretched vertical palm) Shut up — I've no interest in hearing what you've got to say.
Per the source, mentioned below, the idiom appeared […]
[the whole nine yards] {adv. phr.} or {n. phr.}
{adv. phr.} completely;
{n. phr.} everything.
I was mugged. They took my wallet, my keys, my shoes, my cat – the whole nine yards!
[throw to the wolves] or [throw one to the wolves] or [leave one to the wolves] {v. phr.}
1. To abandon or deliver to destruction.
2. To sacrifice a part to save the rest; to abandon someone to harm.
3. To put sbd. or sth. in a situation where there is […]
[to a T] or [to a tee] {adv. phr.}
Exactly; properly.
Often used with the verb 'suit'.
This hat suits me to a T.
[to foul one's own nest] {v. phr.}
To compromise unintentionally one's own interests by sharing private information unnecessarily.
With he constant complaints about he job, she's only fouling her own nest.
Transfers a bird's soiling in its nest to […]