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.
589 idioms
straight from the horse's mouth
Informal · CEFR B2
from the most reliable, first-hand source
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 a rain check
Informal · CEFR B2
to politely decline an invitation with the promise to accept later
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 piss
Informal · CEFR B2
to mock someone, often through teasing or sarcasm
take the plunge
Informal · CEFR B2
to make a bold commitment after a period of hesitation
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 gift of the gab
Informal · CEFR B2
the ability to speak persuasively and fluently
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 penny drops
Informal · CEFR B2
suddenly understanding something
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
this that and the other
Informal · CEFR B2
various unspecified things
through the grapevine
Informal · CEFR B2
via informal gossip or rumor, not official channels
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 in the towel
Informal · CEFR B2
To give up or admit defeat.
throw it at the wall and see what sticks
Informal · CEFR B2
to try many ideas quickly, keeping only the ones that work
throw somebody in at the deep end
Informal · CEFR B2
to make someone start a difficult task with little preparation or help
throw up one's hands
Neutral · CEFR B2
to show that you give up or feel helpless about something
tick the boxes
Informal · CEFR B2
to meet all the required conditions or do things just to satisfy rules
tie the knot
Informal · CEFR B2
to get married
tit for tat
Informal · CEFR B2
an equivalent retaliation, an eye for an eye
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
up against it
Neutral · CEFR B2
Facing severe difficulties, pressure, or obstacles.
up and running
Neutral · CEFR B2
fully operating and ready for use
up for grabs
Informal · CEFR B2
available for anyone to claim, take, or win
up in arms
Neutral · CEFR B2
angry and protesting, ready to fight
up to scratch
Neutral · CEFR B2
good enough to satisfy the expected level of quality
uphill battle
Neutral · CEFR B2
a struggle that requires enormous effort against strong opposition
vicious circle
Neutral · CEFR B2
a loop of cause and effect in which each problem makes the next one worse
walk all over
Informal · CEFR B2
to dominate or treat someone disrespectfully as though they have no power
walk of life
Neutral · CEFR B2
a person's occupation, social position, or general way of living
walk on eggshells
Informal · CEFR B2
to act very carefully to avoid upsetting someone
war chest
Neutral · CEFR B2
money kept in reserve for a future fight, expansion, or acquisition
war room
Neutral · CEFR B2
a dedicated room, channel, or meeting where a team works intensively to solve a critical problem
warts and all
Neutral · CEFR B2
Shown or accepted honestly and completely, including every flaw and imperfection.
watch this space
Informal · CEFR B2
used to say that more news or developments will come soon
water off a duck's back
Informal · CEFR B2
criticism that has no effect on someone
water under the bridge
Neutral · CEFR B2
past events that no longer matter
wear your heart on your sleeve
Neutral · CEFR B2
To show your feelings openly rather than hiding them.
weather the storm
Neutral · CEFR B2
survive a difficult period without suffering lasting damage
weird and wonderful
Informal · CEFR B2
strange and unusual but in an interesting or impressive way
whack-a-mole
Informal · CEFR B2
a repetitive, endless cycle in which fixing one problem immediately causes or reveals another
what goes around comes around
Neutral · CEFR B2
good or bad actions return to their author
when all is said and done
Neutral · CEFR B2
ultimately, after everything has been discussed and considered
when in rome, do as the romans do
Neutral · CEFR B2
Follow the local customs when you are in an unfamiliar place.