Idioms

to recover safely from a difficult situation

unusually impressive, vivid, or forceful in personality or appearance

the final option, used only when all others have failed

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

a person or thing that others openly mock or ridicule

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

to try every possible way to achieve or find something

to withdraw support when another person is stranded in serious difficulty

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

a fair situation in which no one has an unfair advantage

to make even the smallest effort to help, most often used in a negative statement

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

to hide your true identity, beliefs, or feelings by living dishonestly

to spend all of each salary before the next one arrives, with no savings

to pretend not to notice misconduct or another troubling situation

have the appearance or clothing expected for a particular role

lose other people's respect through public embarrassment or humiliation

to turn an undertaking into a lasting success

to devote far too much effort to a task and make it seem needlessly complicated

to attract considerable public attention by doing something impressive or notable

to do something important or unprecedented that will be remembered

to treat a serious matter as unimportant, often by joking about it

to handle a demanding task quickly and effortlessly

to be the single decisive factor between success and failure

to finish a task or overcome an opponent with surprising speed and ease

to cause disruption or draw attention by challenging established expectations

an often temporary alliance entered for practical advantage, without emotional attachment or genuine common purpose

to show serious determination to accomplish a goal

to compromise with someone

the decisive point when reality or the final outcome becomes clear

cost does not limit what someone is willing or able to buy

financial power can strongly influence what people decide or do

to spare no effort, even extraordinary effort, in pursuing a goal

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

a goal or requirement that keeps changing while you try to hit it

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

very close in a competition, neither side clearly ahead

someone's local area or part of the country

irrelevant to the matter being discussed

a sum of money saved for retirement or the future

renewed energy, health, or usefulness

to stop a problem at an early stage

With no limits or restrictions on how a contest, argument, or conflict is conducted.

an uncontrolled, disputed, or undefined area where occupying or intervening is unwise

rumors or accusations usually contain at least some truth

a request or suggestion was carried out immediately

given freely, with nothing expected in return and no concealed restrictions

the situation is certain, with no reasonable alternative or different interpretation

a collection of small, miscellaneous items, especially things left over

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

incorrect, inaccurate, or below the expected standard

With very little money or an extremely limited budget.

as one's responsibility or problem to deal with

used to move on or end after what was just said

judging only by appearances, without deeper examination

while something is happening, without prior preparation

recovering or improving after illness or damage

in a risky position where one mistake could cause trouble

finally and permanently, so the matter will not need to be handled again

an odd or unfortunate situation accepted as unavoidable and not worth further explanation

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

no longer one's responsibility or under one's control

not working properly

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

past the worst of a danger or difficulty

to seem to materialize suddenly without any apparent origin

in a vulnerable position after taking an unusual or unsupported risk

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 scrutinize something in order to expose its flaws

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 change a company's direction or business model in response to what the market reveals

an activity or process that continues easily and without difficulties

to delay deliberately in order to prepare or avoid an immediate outcome

to be in a less important role than someone else

to take a serious risk that is likely to bring harmful consequences

a set of proven methods, tactics, and moves for a given situation

To do your fair share of the work in a group.

to go beyond the limits of what is known or accepted

to make an event or mood less enjoyable and exciting

to make a permanent home in one place and build a stable life there

to do things in the wrong order

to claim falsely that someone expressed an opinion or made a statement

to make a good first impression by showing your best side

a desperate hurry to finish before a deadline

To set a higher standard of quality or achievement.

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

excessive bureaucracy and official rules

to waste time recreating something that already exists and works well

to seem true or believable

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

the lowest possible point in a difficult situation

small flaws that remain without seriously reducing the overall quality