Idioms
English fixed expressions — phrases whose meaning isn't obvious from the individual words. Each entry shows the meaning, an example sentence, and its register.
408 idioms
rub someone the wrong way
Neutral · CEFR B2
to irritate or offend a person, often without intending to
rule of thumb
Neutral · CEFR B2
a rough, practical guideline based on experience rather than exact measurement
rule the roost
Neutral · CEFR B2
To hold the most power in a household, organization, or other group and make the main decisions.
run riot
Neutral · CEFR B2
to behave in a wild, uncontrolled way that creates disorder
runway
Neutral · CEFR B2
the amount of time a company can keep operating before its money runs out
save face
Neutral · CEFR B2
to protect one's dignity or public reputation after embarrassment or failure
scratch the surface
Neutral · CEFR B2
To examine or deal with only a small, superficial part of a larger subject.
seal of approval
Neutral · CEFR B2
a recognized sign that an authority accepts, supports, or endorses something
second nature
Neutral · CEFR B2
a learned skill or habit that has become automatic and effortless
see the light of day
Neutral · CEFR B2
be created, published, or finally made available for people to see
send someone packing
Neutral · CEFR B2
to dismiss someone or force them to leave quickly and decisively
serve someone right
Neutral · CEFR B2
used to say that someone deserves the unpleasant result they received
set eyes on
Neutral · CEFR B2
to see or notice a person or thing, especially for the first time
set foot in
Neutral · CEFR B2
to enter or visit a place, often used in negatives
set something in stone
Neutral · CEFR B2
to make something fixed and impossible to change
set the scene
Neutral · CEFR B2
to describe the background so that something can be understood, or to create the conditions for it
settle a score
Neutral · CEFR B2
to retaliate for an old grievance or perceived wrong
show someone the door
Neutral · CEFR B2
to dismiss someone or make it clear that they must leave
sign of the times
Neutral · CEFR B2
an event or development that reveals what a particular era is like
silver bullet
Neutral · CEFR B2
a single, simple, magical solution that solves a hard problem completely
sing the praises of
Neutral · CEFR B2
to praise a person or thing enthusiastically when speaking to others
sitting pretty
Neutral · CEFR B2
being in a comfortable and advantageous position, often financially
skeleton in the closet
Neutral · CEFR B2
a shameful secret in someone's past
slip of the tongue
Neutral · CEFR B2
an unintended word or phrase spoken by mistake
small print
Neutral · CEFR B2
important detailed conditions that are easy to overlook in an agreement or advertisement
smoke test
Neutral · CEFR B2
a quick, shallow test that checks whether a system's most basic functions work at all
speak volumes
Neutral · CEFR B2
to reveal a great deal without words
spin a yarn
Neutral · CEFR B2
to tell an entertaining story that may be lengthy, imaginative, or exaggerated
spring to mind
Neutral · CEFR B2
to come into your thoughts suddenly and easily
stab someone in the back
Neutral · CEFR B2
to betray someone secretly
stand the test of time
Neutral · CEFR B2
to remain effective, admired, or valuable over a long period
stand to reason
Neutral · CEFR B2
to be logical or obvious
stand up and be counted
Neutral · CEFR B2
to declare one's position publicly when doing so calls for courage or principle
state of the art
Neutral · CEFR B2
using the most advanced and modern techniques or technology
steal the show
Neutral · CEFR B2
to receive the most attention and praise at an event by outshining everyone else
stepping stone
Neutral · CEFR B2
something that helps you make progress toward a goal
stop at nothing
Neutral · CEFR B2
to pursue a goal without accepting any moral or practical limit
strike a chord
Neutral · CEFR B2
to cause a strong feeling of recognition or emotional connection
strike while the iron is hot
Neutral · CEFR B2
to act quickly while the opportunity exists
sweat equity
Neutral · CEFR B2
value built through hard work rather than cash investment
sweep the board
Neutral · CEFR B2
To win every available prize or category in a competition.
sweet nothings
Neutral · CEFR B2
affectionate romantic words that flatter but say little of substance
take a back seat
Neutral · CEFR B2
to accept a less active or less important role and let others lead
take a dim view of
Neutral · CEFR B2
To judge something negatively or regard it with doubt or disapproval.
take a leaf out of someone's book
Neutral · CEFR B2
to follow someone's good example by copying what they do
take for granted
Neutral · CEFR B2
to fail to appreciate something or assume it will always be there
take home message
Neutral · CEFR B2
the main point or lesson you should remember from something
take it with a grain of salt
Neutral · CEFR B2
To treat something as not fully reliable or true.
take liberties
Neutral · CEFR B2
behave with more freedom or authority than is acceptable, often without permission
take on board
Neutral · CEFR B2
to accept and consider an idea, suggestion, or piece of information
take root
Neutral · CEFR B2
to become firmly established and begin to develop
take something as read
Neutral · CEFR B2
to treat a statement as already established and beyond further discussion
take stock
Neutral · CEFR B2
to pause and carefully assess a situation before deciding what to do next
take the bull by the horns
Neutral · CEFR B2
To deal with a difficult situation directly and bravely.
take the liberty
Neutral · CEFR B2
to do something without first asking permission, often as a helpful or polite initiative
take the wind out of someone's sails
Neutral · CEFR B2
to suddenly weaken a person's confidence, excitement, or determination
tempt fate
Neutral · CEFR B2
to take a needless risk that seems likely to bring trouble
the apple of one's eye
Neutral · CEFR B2
a person or thing that someone loves and treasures above all others
the balance of power
Neutral · CEFR B2
the way power or influence is distributed among competing groups, countries, or people
the ball is in your court
Neutral · CEFR B2
It is now your responsibility to make the next decision or move.
the big picture
Neutral · CEFR B2
the overall situation and its most important facts, rather than its details
the bottom line
Neutral · CEFR B2
the most important fact or the final result of something
the calm before the storm
Neutral · CEFR B2
a quiet period immediately before trouble, intense activity, or chaos
the cream of the crop
Neutral · CEFR B2
The very best people or things in a group.
the devil is in the details
Neutral · CEFR B2
the hidden difficulties of a plan are in its small details
the elephant in the room
Neutral · CEFR B2
an obvious and important problem that everyone notices but avoids discussing
the grass is always greener on the other side
Neutral · CEFR B2
Other people's situations always seem better than your own.
the last straw
Neutral · CEFR B2
The final small problem that makes a situation no longer tolerable.
the lion's share
Neutral · CEFR B2
The largest part of something that is divided.
the long and the short of it
Neutral · CEFR B2
the essential point, stripped of detail
the man/woman in the street
Neutral · CEFR B2
an ordinary, average person
the other side of the coin
Neutral · CEFR B2
a different or opposite aspect of a situation
the straw that broke the camel's back
Neutral · CEFR B2
the final small addition that makes a situation unbearable
the tip of the iceberg
Neutral · CEFR B2
a small visible part of a much larger hidden problem or situation
think outside the box
Neutral · CEFR B2
To approach a problem in a fresh, creative, unconventional way.
think the world of
Neutral · CEFR B2
admire or care for someone or something very deeply
through thick and thin
Neutral · CEFR B2
Remaining loyal and supportive during both good times and serious difficulties.
throw caution to the wind
Neutral · CEFR B2
to act boldly or recklessly without considering the possible consequences
throw up one's hands
Neutral · CEFR B2
to show that you give up or feel helpless about something
to say the least
Neutral · CEFR B2
used to show that something is more extreme than your words suggest
to the tune of
Neutral · CEFR B2
amounting to a stated, usually substantial, quantity or sum
too clever by half
Neutral · CEFR B2
clever in a self-defeating way, so one's crafty plan causes trouble instead of success
touch a nerve
Neutral · CEFR B2
to provoke a strong reaction by raising a sensitive or painful subject
touch and go
Neutral · CEFR B2
very uncertain, with a chance of failure at any moment
track record
Neutral · CEFR B2
a person's or organization's past performance and achievements
true to form
Neutral · CEFR B2
behaving exactly as one's character or previous conduct would lead others to expect
trump card
Neutral · CEFR B2
a hidden advantage kept in reserve for the decisive moment
turn a blind eye
Neutral · CEFR B2
To deliberately ignore something you know is wrong.
turn over a new leaf
Neutral · CEFR B2
to start behaving better or differently
turn something on its head
Neutral · CEFR B2
to completely change something or make it the opposite of what it was
turn tail
Neutral · CEFR B2
to retreat or run away suddenly because of fear
turn the tables
Neutral · CEFR B2
to reverse a situation so that the former weaker side gains the advantage
twist the knife
Neutral · CEFR B2
to deliberately make an already painful situation feel even worse
under a cloud
Neutral · CEFR B2
subject to suspicion or disgrace that damages one's reputation
under fire
Neutral · CEFR B2
being strongly criticized or attacked
unknown quantity
Neutral · CEFR B2
a person or factor whose nature, ability, or effect cannot yet be predicted