communication

Idioms (100)

• on the other hand Neutral · CEFR B1
  used to introduce a contrasting point of view or alternative
• on the one hand Neutral · CEFR B1
  used to introduce the first of two contrasting points or sides of an argument
• bad news Informal · CEFR A2
  an unpleasant piece of information; (informal) a person or thing likely to cause trouble
• go without saying Neutral · CEFR B2
  to be so obvious that it does not need to be stated
• full circle Neutral · CEFR B2
  back to the original position or state after a series of changes
• that's another story Informal · CEFR B1
  used to say a topic is separate and won't be discussed now
• get something straight Informal · CEFR B2
  to make sure something is clearly understood or correct
• the whole story Neutral · CEFR B1
  all the facts about a situation, including ones not yet known
• get the picture Informal · CEFR B1
  to understand a situation, especially after an explanation
• take home message Neutral · CEFR B2
  the main point or lesson you should remember from something
• ring true Neutral · CEFR B2
  to seem true or believable
• so far so good Informal · CEFR A2
  used to say that things have gone well up to now
• end of story Informal · CEFR B1
  used to say that there is nothing more to add or discuss
• to say the least Neutral · CEFR B2
  used to show that something is more extreme than your words suggest
• quote somebody on something Informal · CEFR B2
  to repeat what someone said, attributing the words to them
• in a nutshell Informal · CEFR B2
  expressed in a very brief and simple way
• set the scene Neutral · CEFR B2
  to describe the background so that something can be understood, or to create the conditions for it
• on that note Neutral · CEFR B2
  used to move on or end after what was just said
• not to mince one's words Neutral · CEFR C1
  to speak directly and honestly, even if it is unpleasant
• happily ever after Informal · CEFR B1
  living a happy life forever, especially as the end of a story
• get one's message across Neutral · CEFR B2
  to make people understand what you mean or want to say
• give the game away Informal · CEFR B2
  to accidentally reveal a secret or plan
• not to put too fine a point on it Formal · CEFR C1
  used before saying something directly and bluntly
• give someone a shout Informal · CEFR B2
  to contact or tell someone, especially when you need them
• watch this space Informal · CEFR B2
  used to say that more news or developments will come soon
• break the ice Neutral · CEFR B1
  To do or say something that eases tension and gets people talking comfortably in an unfamiliar social situation.
• hit the nail on the head Neutral · CEFR B1
  To describe or identify something exactly right.
• speak of the devil Informal · CEFR B2
  Said when a person you were just talking about suddenly appears.
• beat around the bush Informal · CEFR B2
  To avoid talking about the main point directly.
• give someone a piece of your mind Informal · CEFR B2
  To tell someone angrily what you really think of them.
• the elephant in the room Neutral · CEFR B2
  an obvious and important problem that everyone notices but avoids discussing
• cut to the chase Informal · CEFR B2
  To get to the important point without wasting time.
• on the same page Neutral · CEFR B1
  In agreement or sharing the same understanding.
• read between the lines Neutral · CEFR B2
  To understand a hidden or implied meaning that is not stated directly.
• get something off your chest Informal · CEFR B1
  To finally say something that has been worrying you, so you feel relieved.
• trial balloon Neutral · CEFR C1
  a tentative announcement or test designed to gauge reaction before committing to a decision
• touch base Informal · CEFR B1
  to make brief contact with someone, usually to update them or stay connected
• circle back Informal · CEFR B1
  to return to a topic or person later, after other things have happened
• read the room Informal · CEFR B1
  to sense the mood, expectations, and dynamics of the people present
• on the same wavelength Neutral · CEFR B1
  thinking and understanding in the same way; in agreement
• through the grapevine Informal · CEFR B2
  via informal gossip or rumor, not official channels
• call a spade a spade Informal · CEFR B2
  to speak plainly and directly, even bluntly
• keep someone posted Neutral · CEFR B1
  to keep someone informed of the latest developments
• last but not least Neutral · CEFR B1
  final in order but no less important
• preach to the choir Informal · CEFR B2
  to try to convince people who already agree with you
• speak volumes Neutral · CEFR B2
  to reveal a great deal without words
• the long and the short of it Neutral · CEFR B2
  the essential point, stripped of detail
• go public Neutral · CEFR B2
  to reveal information openly or make it available to the general public
• by the same token Formal · CEFR C1
  for the same or a closely related reason
• come to think of it Neutral · CEFR B2
  used when reconsideration brings a fresh realization or memory
• take the piss Informal · CEFR B2
  to mock someone, often through teasing or sarcasm
• in the final analysis Formal · CEFR C1
  after weighing all the relevant facts; ultimately
• to all intents and purposes Formal · CEFR C1
  in every way that matters in practice; effectively
• make light of Neutral · CEFR B2
  to treat a serious matter as unimportant, often by joking about it
• take someone's word for it Neutral · CEFR B1
  to believe what someone says without asking for evidence
• short shrift Formal · CEFR C1
  very little attention or consideration, usually given dismissively
• neither here nor there Neutral · CEFR B2
  irrelevant to the matter being discussed
• in no uncertain terms Formal · CEFR B2
  in a completely clear and direct way that leaves no room for doubt
• take the liberty Neutral · CEFR B2
  to do something without first asking permission, often as a helpful or polite initiative
• drop a hint Neutral · CEFR B1
  suggest something indirectly instead of saying it openly
• see the light of day Neutral · CEFR B2
  be created, published, or finally made available for people to see
• hold court Neutral · CEFR B2
  dominate the attention and conversation of a social gathering
• in the same breath Neutral · CEFR B2
  said almost at the same time or as part of the same statement
• get wind of Neutral · CEFR B2
  learn about something private or secret, usually through an indirect channel
• fair game Neutral · CEFR B2
  a person or thing considered an acceptable target for pursuit or criticism
• cut and thrust Neutral · CEFR C1
  the vigorous back-and-forth of intense argument or competition
• take it or leave it Neutral · CEFR B1
  accept an offer exactly as presented or reject it entirely
• fall on deaf ears Neutral · CEFR B2
  to be ignored without producing any response or acknowledgment
• cut and dried Neutral · CEFR C1
  fully settled and clear, with little room for debate or alteration
• cap in hand Neutral · CEFR C1
  in a humble or pleading manner when asking someone for help or a favor
• take a dim view of Neutral · CEFR B2
  To judge something negatively or regard it with doubt or disapproval.
• warts and all Neutral · CEFR B2
  Shown or accepted honestly and completely, including every flaw and imperfection.
• go round in circles Neutral · CEFR B2
  To repeat the same discussion or actions without reaching a solution or making progress.
• keep a lid on Neutral · CEFR B2
  To keep information secret and prevent it from spreading.
• pop the question Informal · CEFR B2
  To propose marriage to someone.
• stand up and be counted Neutral · CEFR B2
  to declare one's position publicly when doing so calls for courage or principle
• slip of the tongue Neutral · CEFR B2
  an unintended word or phrase spoken by mistake
• writ large Formal · CEFR C1
  displayed unmistakably in a broader or more general form
• sing the praises of Neutral · CEFR B2
  to praise a person or thing enthusiastically when speaking to others
• drop someone a line Neutral · CEFR B1
  to get in touch by sending a short note, message, or email
• the rest is history Neutral · CEFR B1
  later events are already familiar or easily assumed, so they need no further telling
• tread the boards Neutral · CEFR C1
  to pursue a career performing on the theater stage
• muddy the waters Neutral · CEFR B2
  to introduce confusion that obscures facts or makes a situation harder to judge
• at a loss for words Neutral · CEFR B2
  unable to express yourself because an emotional or confusing moment leaves you speechless
• put someone in mind of Formal · CEFR C1
  to remind someone of a particular person, place, or experience
• touch a nerve Neutral · CEFR B2
  to provoke a strong reaction by raising a sensitive or painful subject
• name names Neutral · CEFR B1
  to identify specific people, especially those linked to wrongdoing or secrecy
• when all is said and done Neutral · CEFR B2
  ultimately, after everything has been discussed and considered
• lend an ear Neutral · CEFR B1
  to listen to someone attentively and with sympathy
• break cover Neutral · CEFR B2
  to stop concealing one's true position or intentions and make them known
• perish the thought Neutral · CEFR C1
  used as an emphatic rejection of an idea considered intolerable
• economical with the truth Formal · CEFR C1
  deliberately omitting important facts in order to give a misleading impression
• not on your life Informal · CEFR B1
  used to refuse a suggestion in the strongest possible terms
• kick up a fuss Informal · CEFR B2
  to react with a noisy, angry complaint, often over a minor issue
• take something as read Neutral · CEFR B2
  to treat a statement as already established and beyond further discussion
• no smoke without fire Neutral · CEFR B2
  rumors or accusations usually contain at least some truth
• Bob's your uncle Informal · CEFR C1
  used after simple instructions to signal that the task is finished or the result achieved
• cry wolf Neutral · CEFR B1
  to give false warnings so often that a real warning may later be ignored
• famous last words Neutral · CEFR B2
  a confident prediction or claim that events soon prove completely wrong
• take the wind out of someone's sails Neutral · CEFR B2
  to suddenly weaken a person's confidence, excitement, or determination