Idioms

Something that is very easy to do.

used to ask someone to wait, or to express surprise or objection

To have a strong liking for sugary food.

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

a reasonable portion or a substantial amount of something, especially work or difficulties

Someone who feels uncomfortable because they are in an unfamiliar situation.

Something that is far too expensive for what it is.

usually or in most situations

A way of wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance.

To decide to stop working on something for now.

a complicated problem that causes trouble the moment it is touched

Matching variant: open a can of worms

To be extremely expensive.

suggest something indirectly instead of saying it openly

to get in touch by sending a short note, message, or email

to hurry up

to compete nearly as well as a much stronger opponent, forcing them to work hard for victory

to make an attempt at doing something

To feel particular fondness or affection for a person or thing.

in a difficult or dangerous situation

used to express surprise at an unexpected connection or meeting

to avoid notice or publicity by behaving discreetly

to give someone practical help

everything has a cost; you cannot get something for nothing

Matching variant: there's no such thing as a free lunch

someone or something that looks upsetting, embarrassing, or unpleasant

Very rarely, almost never.

occasionally, but not often

to sound familiar or remind you of something

to put money aside for future emergencies

to pause and reconsider a situation (step back), or develop an idea or action beyond its current point (step further)

unfavorable reporting or reputation in the media or among people

a subject that causes disagreement or argument between people

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

a person who strongly resembles a parent in character or behavior

So common as to be of little value.

A controversial or awkward issue that no one wants to deal with.

used to say that you know something while keeping your informant's identity secret

an extremely serious or urgent matter

a guess or attempt with very little chance of success

The same unpleasant treatment that you have given to others.

A completely different situation from before.

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

unable to express yourself because an emotional or confusing moment leaves you speechless

immediately and with no hesitation when an opportunity or prompt appears

facing two equally bad options, neither of which can be avoided

an important person in a small or limited environment

to pioneer an approach that opens the way for later people

to speak plainly and directly, even bluntly

to reach a critical point that demands action or resolution

very calm and composed, especially under pressure

to be unable to recall or produce the needed answer or information

regain composure and think calmly after becoming upset

to gain understanding or control of a situation

To get along extremely well and quickly become close.

to manage to understand something difficult or surprising

To tell someone angrily what you really think of them.

to contact or tell someone, especially when you need them

to choose not to do, attend, or take part in something

to get lost in a long, winding, often pointless digression while researching or building something

to remain so precarious that collapse or failure could happen at any moment

to make an attempt at doing something

to develop or grow in a way that is no longer controlled by anyone

to make an attempt at doing something, often something you're unsure about

expressed in a very brief and simple way

in a difficult or embarrassing situation

stuck in a boring, unchanging routine

To keep information secret and prevent it from spreading.

To remain serious and avoid smiling or laughing in an amusing or awkward moment.

to react with a noisy, angry complaint, often over a minor issue

to touch or interfere with a person, usually in a warning against causing harm

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

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

to turn an undertaking into a lasting success

to earn a very large amount of money quickly

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

you feel an urge to spend money soon after receiving it

experiencing a series of successes

With very little money or an extremely limited budget.

in a vulnerable position after taking an unusual or unsupported risk

to make an unusual facial expression that shows dislike, surprise, or amusement

to deceive someone with a quick, sneaky, or unexpected trick

to make an event or mood less enjoyable and exciting

stop talking or making a noise

to retaliate for an old grievance or perceived wrong

two alternatives have no meaningful difference

To suspect that something is wrong or that someone is being dishonest.

to tell an entertaining story that may be lengthy, imaginative, or exaggerated

to cause a strong feeling of recognition or emotional connection

to accept a less active or less important role and let others lead

To judge something negatively or regard it with doubt or disapproval.

to follow someone's good example by copying what they do

to politely decline an invitation with the promise to accept later

To treat something as not fully reliable or true.

to provoke a strong reaction by raising a sensitive or painful subject

To deliberately ignore something you know is wrong.

to start behaving better or differently