Idioms

To understand the true situation, including its rules, risks, or likely consequences.

to enjoy a large, easy profit, especially from something others consider unfair or undeserving

to state rules firmly and make clear that they are not open to negotiation

to withdraw support when another person is stranded in serious difficulty

To wait until a confusing or troubled situation becomes calm before acting.

A sign that a difficult period may soon improve or end.

to pretend not to notice misconduct or another troubling situation

have the appearance or clothing expected for a particular role

to have a significant, measurable effect on a key metric or outcome

to introduce confusion that obscures facts or makes a situation harder to judge

someone's local area or part of the country

to stop a problem at an early stage

in or toward a place that is remote, unusual, or rarely visited

incorrect, inaccurate, or below the expected standard

judging only by appearances, without deeper examination

while something is happening, without prior preparation

recovering or improving after illness or damage

To remove a restraint and allow something to increase rapidly, often beyond control.

no longer being considered for a prize, position, or competition

past the worst of a danger or difficulty

obtainable without a prescription or other formal authorization

Normal and unsurprising for a particular situation, even if it is inconvenient or disappointing.

avoid accountability by shifting responsibility or blame to another person

to rebuild one's life or restore order after a damaging event

to cover a bill yourself, often for a group after a meal or other outing

an attractive ambition with almost no realistic prospect of being achieved

to go beyond the limits of what is known or accepted

to do things in the wrong order

To set a higher standard of quality or achievement.

To understand a hidden or implied meaning that is not stated directly.

to waste time recreating something that already exists and works well

to respond successfully when a difficult situation demands unusual effort or skill

to irritate or offend a person, often without intending to

To hold the most power in a household, organization, or other group and make the main decisions.

To examine or deal with only a small, superficial part of a larger subject.

be created, published, or finally made available for people to see

to describe the background so that something can be understood, or to create the conditions for it

to dismiss someone or make it clear that they must leave

an event or development that reveals what a particular era is like

to praise a person or thing enthusiastically when speaking to others

a shameful secret in someone's past

an unintended word or phrase spoken by mistake

to betray someone secretly

to remain effective, admired, or valuable over a long period

using the most advanced and modern techniques or technology

to receive the most attention and praise at an event by outshining everyone else

accept responsibility and take action when needed

to act quickly while the opportunity exists

To win every available prize or category in a competition.

To deal with a difficult situation directly and bravely.

to do something without first asking permission, often as a helpful or polite initiative

to suddenly weaken a person's confidence, excitement, or determination

a person or thing that someone loves and treasures above all others

the way power or influence is distributed among competing groups, countries, or people

It is now your responsibility to make the next decision or move.

the overall situation and its most important facts, rather than its details

the most important fact or the final result of something

a quiet period immediately before trouble, intense activity, or chaos

The very best people or things in a group.

the hidden difficulties of a plan are in its small details

an obvious and important problem that everyone notices but avoids discussing

Other people's situations always seem better than your own.

The final small problem that makes a situation no longer tolerable.

The largest part of something that is divided.

the essential point, stripped of detail

an ordinary, average person

a different or opposite aspect of a situation

the final small addition that makes a situation unbearable

a small visible part of a much larger hidden problem or situation

To approach a problem in a fresh, creative, unconventional way.

admire or care for someone or something very deeply

to act boldly or recklessly without considering the possible consequences

used to show that something is more extreme than your words suggest

amounting to a stated, usually substantial, quantity or sum

to reverse a situation so that the former weaker side gains the advantage

to deliberately make an already painful situation feel even worse

past events that no longer matter

survive a difficult period without suffering lasting damage

at a moment of crisis when pressure forces an important choice

to forgive or forget past problems so a fresh start is possible

a secret advantage kept hidden until it is needed

in a way that conflicts with what is usual or with someone's natural character

to make one naturally want to ask a particular question; (formally) to assume the very point being argued

people with no experience guiding others who have no experience

to attempt something impossibly large or ambitious, especially by trying to solve every problem at once

an early warning sign, or a small test group, that reveals a danger or failure before it affects everyone

To take the blame or responsibility for a problem, especially when others avoid doing so.

to gain such control of a market that competitors cannot operate in it

from something impressive or elevated to something absurd or trivial

To commit fully to doing something, without holding anything back.

collapse or fail completely, particularly as a business or financial venture

To be involved in too many activities at once.

to be in a position of complete control in a negotiation

expected to happen or become available soon

maintain the home and its familiar routines while someone is away

to destroy a reliable source of future profit through greed or short-term thinking