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Fixed expressions

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.

Idioms containing in, including its inflections. Clear word filter

a blessing in disguise

CEFR B1

Something that seems bad at first but turns out to have a good outcome.

Neutral

bear in mind

CEFR B1

to remember and consider something when making a decision

Neutral

bury one's head in the sand

CEFR B1

to ignore an unpleasant reality hoping it will go away

Neutral

fall in line

CEFR B1

to obey or accept the rules and expectations set by a group or authority

Neutral

in broad daylight

CEFR B1

openly and where people can clearly see it, especially during the daytime

Neutral

in the early days

CEFR B1

during the beginning stages of something

Neutral

in the hands of

CEFR B1

under the control or responsibility of someone

Neutral

in the long run

CEFR B1

over a long period of time; eventually

Neutral

in the nick of time

CEFR B1

at the latest moment when success is still possible

Neutral

in the short run

CEFR B1

over a short period of time; in the near future

Neutral

once in a blue moon

CEFR B1

Very rarely, almost never.

Neutral

once in a while

CEFR B1

occasionally, but not often

Neutral

run in the family

CEFR B1

to be a trait shared by members of a family

Neutral

a bull in a china shop

CEFR B2

A clumsy person who causes damage or upset in a delicate situation.

Neutral

a shot in the dark

CEFR B2

a guess or attempt with very little chance of success

Neutral

all in a day's work

CEFR B2

a task treated as routine because it belongs to someone's normal duties

Neutral

big fish in a small pond

CEFR B2

an important person in a small or limited environment

Neutral

don't put all your eggs in one basket

CEFR B2

Don't risk everything on a single plan or possibility.

Neutral

down in the dumps

CEFR B2

feeling sad, discouraged, or low in spirits

Neutral

feather in your cap

CEFR B2

an achievement to be proud of

Neutral

follow in someone's footsteps

CEFR B2

to copy another person's actions or pursue a similar path, especially in work or achievement

Neutral

foot in the door

CEFR B2

an initial opportunity that may lead to bigger things

Neutral

friends in high places

CEFR B2

powerful or influential acquaintances who can provide help or favorable treatment

Neutral

go hand in hand with

CEFR B2

to be closely connected or to happen together

Neutral

go round in circles

CEFR B2

To repeat the same discussion or actions without reaching a solution or making progress.

Neutral

go up in smoke

CEFR B2

be completely ruined or fail, leaving nothing of the original plan

Neutral

hand in glove

CEFR B2

working together in an extremely close and cooperative way

Neutral

in its own right

CEFR B2

by its own qualities, independently of anything else

Neutral

in one's sights

CEFR B2

chosen as a target or goal that you intend to achieve or pursue

Neutral

in spades

CEFR B2

in exceptional abundance or to a remarkably high degree

Neutral

in store

CEFR B2

about to happen or waiting to be experienced in the future

Neutral

in the fast lane

CEFR B2

living or working at an intense pace often associated with excitement and risk

Neutral

in the pipeline

CEFR B2

being planned or developed and expected to happen soon

Neutral

in the red

CEFR B2

Owing money or operating at a financial loss.

Neutral

in the same breath

CEFR B2

said almost at the same time or as part of the same statement

Neutral

leave someone in the lurch

CEFR B2

to withdraw support when another person is stranded in serious difficulty

Neutral

nip it in the bud

CEFR B2

to stop a problem at an early stage

Neutral

pie in the sky

CEFR B2

an attractive ambition with almost no realistic prospect of being achieved

Neutral

put words in someone's mouth

CEFR B2

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

Neutral

set foot in

CEFR B2

to enter or visit a place, often used in negatives

Neutral

set something in stone

CEFR B2

to make something fixed and impossible to change

Neutral

skeleton in the closet

CEFR B2

a shameful secret in someone's past

Neutral

stab someone in the back

CEFR B2

to betray someone secretly

Neutral

the ball is in your court

CEFR B2

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

Neutral

the devil is in the details

CEFR B2

the hidden difficulties of a plan are in its small details

Neutral

the elephant in the room

CEFR B2

an obvious and important problem that everyone notices but avoids discussing

Neutral

the man/woman in the street

CEFR B2

an ordinary, average person

Neutral

up in arms

CEFR B2

angry and protesting, ready to fight

Neutral

a storm in a teacup

CEFR C1

A great deal of fuss made about a trivial matter.

Neutral

a wolf in sheep's clothing

CEFR C1

A dangerous person who pretends to be harmless or friendly.

Neutral

ace in the hole

CEFR C1

a secret advantage kept hidden until it is needed

Neutral

born with a silver spoon in your mouth

CEFR C1

born into a wealthy family

Neutral

canary in the coal mine

CEFR C1

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

Neutral

cap in hand

CEFR C1

in a humble or pleading manner when asking someone for help or a favor

Neutral

have too many irons in the fire

CEFR C1

To be involved in too many activities at once.

Neutral

in cold blood

CEFR C1

deliberately and without compassion, especially when committing violence or cruelty

Neutral

in the offing

CEFR C1

expected to happen or become available soon

Neutral

live in sin

CEFR C1

to cohabit romantically without having married

Neutral

long in the tooth

CEFR C1

old or growing old, especially when age affects suitability for something

Neutral

skin in the game

CEFR C1

personal risk or investment in a venture, aligning your interests with its outcome

Neutral

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