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 B1Something that seems bad at first but turns out to have a good outcome.
bear in mind
CEFR B1to remember and consider something when making a decision
bury one's head in the sand
CEFR B1to ignore an unpleasant reality hoping it will go away
fall in line
CEFR B1to obey or accept the rules and expectations set by a group or authority
in broad daylight
CEFR B1openly and where people can clearly see it, especially during the daytime
in the early days
CEFR B1during the beginning stages of something
in the hands of
CEFR B1under the control or responsibility of someone
in the long run
CEFR B1over a long period of time; eventually
in the nick of time
CEFR B1at the latest moment when success is still possible
in the short run
CEFR B1over a short period of time; in the near future
once in a blue moon
CEFR B1Very rarely, almost never.
once in a while
CEFR B1occasionally, but not often
run in the family
CEFR B1to be a trait shared by members of a family
a bull in a china shop
CEFR B2A clumsy person who causes damage or upset in a delicate situation.
a shot in the dark
CEFR B2a guess or attempt with very little chance of success
all in a day's work
CEFR B2a task treated as routine because it belongs to someone's normal duties
big fish in a small pond
CEFR B2an important person in a small or limited environment
don't put all your eggs in one basket
CEFR B2Don't risk everything on a single plan or possibility.
down in the dumps
CEFR B2feeling sad, discouraged, or low in spirits
feather in your cap
CEFR B2an achievement to be proud of
follow in someone's footsteps
CEFR B2to copy another person's actions or pursue a similar path, especially in work or achievement
foot in the door
CEFR B2an initial opportunity that may lead to bigger things
friends in high places
CEFR B2powerful or influential acquaintances who can provide help or favorable treatment
go hand in hand with
CEFR B2to be closely connected or to happen together
go round in circles
CEFR B2To repeat the same discussion or actions without reaching a solution or making progress.
go up in smoke
CEFR B2be completely ruined or fail, leaving nothing of the original plan
hand in glove
CEFR B2working together in an extremely close and cooperative way
in its own right
CEFR B2by its own qualities, independently of anything else
in one's sights
CEFR B2chosen as a target or goal that you intend to achieve or pursue
in spades
CEFR B2in exceptional abundance or to a remarkably high degree
in store
CEFR B2about to happen or waiting to be experienced in the future
in the fast lane
CEFR B2living or working at an intense pace often associated with excitement and risk
in the pipeline
CEFR B2being planned or developed and expected to happen soon
in the red
CEFR B2Owing money or operating at a financial loss.
in the same breath
CEFR B2said almost at the same time or as part of the same statement
leave someone in the lurch
CEFR B2to withdraw support when another person is stranded in serious difficulty
nip it in the bud
CEFR B2to stop a problem at an early stage
pie in the sky
CEFR B2an attractive ambition with almost no realistic prospect of being achieved
put words in someone's mouth
CEFR B2to claim falsely that someone expressed an opinion or made a statement
set foot in
CEFR B2to enter or visit a place, often used in negatives
set something in stone
CEFR B2to make something fixed and impossible to change
skeleton in the closet
CEFR B2a shameful secret in someone's past
stab someone in the back
CEFR B2to betray someone secretly
the ball is in your court
CEFR B2It is now your responsibility to make the next decision or move.
the devil is in the details
CEFR B2the hidden difficulties of a plan are in its small details
the elephant in the room
CEFR B2an obvious and important problem that everyone notices but avoids discussing
the man/woman in the street
CEFR B2an ordinary, average person
up in arms
CEFR B2angry and protesting, ready to fight
a storm in a teacup
CEFR C1A great deal of fuss made about a trivial matter.
a wolf in sheep's clothing
CEFR C1A dangerous person who pretends to be harmless or friendly.
ace in the hole
CEFR C1a secret advantage kept hidden until it is needed
born with a silver spoon in your mouth
CEFR C1born into a wealthy family
canary in the coal mine
CEFR C1an early warning sign, or a small test group, that reveals a danger or failure before it affects everyone
cap in hand
CEFR C1in a humble or pleading manner when asking someone for help or a favor
have too many irons in the fire
CEFR C1To be involved in too many activities at once.
in cold blood
CEFR C1deliberately and without compassion, especially when committing violence or cruelty
in the offing
CEFR C1expected to happen or become available soon
live in sin
CEFR C1to cohabit romantically without having married
long in the tooth
CEFR C1old or growing old, especially when age affects suitability for something
skin in the game
CEFR C1personal risk or investment in a venture, aligning your interests with its outcome