English idiom

fun and games

Register · Neutral CEFR B2

Post

Figurative meaning

Enjoyable, lighthearted activity, often mentioned in contrast with a situation's serious or difficult side.

Word picture

A difficult situation is pictured as if it were merely a session of play and amusement.

Example

“Planning the festival was not all fun and games; permits and safety checks took weeks.”

Dictionary details

Component words

fun

Tags

Expressions connected by reviewed component words or topic tags.

down at heel

shabby, worn, or neglected in appearance, often because of poverty

cut loose

to abandon restraint and behave freely or wildly

easier said than done

Something that sounds simple to do but is actually hard.

go bananas

to become wildly excited, angry, or otherwise out of control

hang in there

to persevere and not give up despite difficulty

in a tight spot

in a difficult or dangerous situation

Source methodology

Meanings, register, CEFR, and examples come from the reviewed dictionary record. Expression notes may describe a reviewed present-day word picture or a background note; they are not presented as verified etymology.

External links

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