Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Above Board Above The Law: Informal
Above Board Above The Law: Informal
If something is above board, it's been done in a legal and honest way.
above the law
If someone is above the law, they are not subject to the laws of a
society.
Achilles' heel
An Achilles' heel is a weakness that could result in failure.
across the board
If something is across the board, it relates to all without exception.
add fuel to the fire
If you add fuel to the fire, you do something to make a bad situation
even worse.
add insult to injury
Someone adds insult to injury if they say or do something to upset you
a second time, after you've already been upset somehow.
against all odds | against all the odds
If you do something against all odds, or against all the odds, you do it
even though there were many problems and it didn't seem possible to
do.
agree to differ | agree to disagree
If two people agree to differ, or agree to disagree, they accept that
they have different opinions about something and stop trying to
change each other's opinion.
ahead of the game
You are ahead of the game if you have an advantage over your
competitors in any activity in which you try to do better than others,
such as in business, academia, sports, etc.
all hell broke loose Informal
You can say "all hell broke loose" if a situation suddenly became
violent or chaotic.
all the rage Informal
If something is all the rage, it's very popular or it's in fashion at the
moment.
an acid test
An acid test is something that shows the true worth or value of
something or someone.
an act of God Formal
If someone beats the rap, they avoid being found guilty of a crime.
behind someone's back
If you do something behind someone's back, you do it without letting
them know about it.
behind the eight ball Informal
If you call it a day, you stop doing something that's usually related to
work.
can of worms Informal
If you come a cropper, you fall over, or you make a mistake which has
serious consequences for you.
come clean
If you come clean about something, you let people know about it after
keeping it a secret.
come in handy Informal
You can say something might come in handy if you think it might be
useful.
come to a head
You can say a situation or a problem comes to a head if it reaches a
crisis point and dealing with it can no longer be avoided.
come to grips with | get to grips with
If you come to grips with something, or get to grips with something,
you deal with the problems or challenges it poses.
come to your senses
If you come to your senses, you see things clearly and begin to act
sensibly after a period of confusion and unwise behaviour.
come up trumps
If you come up trumps, you succeed in something that you may not
have been expected to succeed in.
cook the books | cook the accounts
If someone cooks the books, or cooks the accounts, they keep
inaccurate accounts for a business, usually in order to pay less tax.
cost the earth | charge the earth
If something costs the earth, or they charge the earth for it, it's very
expensive.
couldn't care less Informal
You can say "I couldn't care less" when you don't care about
something, or it doesn't matter to you.
cover your tracks
If you cover your tracks, you make sure no-one can find evidence of
what you've done.
cross that bridge when we come to it
You can say "we'll cross that bridge when we come to it" if someone
mentions a problem that might occur in the future, but you want them
to think about what's happening now instead.
cut to the chase Informal
If you tell someone to cut to the chase, you want them to get straight
to the main point of what they are saying.
the cream of the crop
If something or someone is in the cream of the crop, they are among
the best of a class of things or peo
If you're down in the dumps, or down in the mouth, you're feeling sad.
down to earth
If someone is down to earth, they are practical and sensible.
drag your feet | drag your heels
If you drag your feet, or drag your heels, you do something slowly
because you don't really want to do it.
draw a blank Informal
If you draw a blank, you get no response when you ask for something,
or get no results when you search for something.
dressed (up) to the nines Informal
If you are dressed to the nines, or dressed up to the nines, you are
wearing very smart clothes for a special occasion.
drink like a fish Informal
You have egg on your face if you've said or done something wrong,
and it's made you feel embarrassed or stupid.
(something) escapes you
If you say something escapes you, it means you can't remember it.
an end in itself
If something is an end in itself, it's done for its own pleasure or benefit
rather than for some other purpose like making money.
an even break
If you get an even break, you get a fair opportunity to succeed in your
ambition or to achieve your goals.
an eye-opener
You can say something's an eye-opener if it's made you realize
something you hadn't been aware of before.
each to their own
You can say "each to their own" when you want to point out that we're
all different and we all like different things.
ear to the ground Informal
If you have your ear to the ground, you know what's really going on in
a situation.
earn your stripes
If you earn your stripes, you do something to prove that you have the
skills or ability for a particular job or rank.
easier said than done
You say something is easier said than done when it looks easy to do,
but in fact it's quite difficult to do.
easy as pie | easy as abc
If something's as easy as pie, or easy as abc, it's very easy.
easy come, easy go Informal
You can say "easy come, easy go" to express the idea that if
something comes to someone easily, such as money they get without
working hard for it, they can lose it just as easily and it won't matter
to them much.
Easy does it! Informal
You can say "Easy does it!" when you want someone to do something
more carefully or more slowly.
easy money
You can say "easy money" to describe money that someone gets
without having to make much effort.
easy on the eye
If something is easy on the eye, it is pleasant to look at.
eat humble pie
If you eat humble pie, you admit that you are in the wrong and
behave apologetically.
eat your words
If you eat your words, you admit that something you said was wrong.
elbow grease
If something needs elbow grease, it needs a lot of hard physical work.
enough is enough
You can say "enough is enough" if you think someone shouldn't do
something because they've done it too many times already, or
because they've been doing it for too long.
err on the side of caution
If you err on the side of caution, you are overly careful in your
approach to something.
esprit de corps Formal
a fair-weather friend
A fair-weather friend is a person who will only be your friend when
things are going well for you.
a fait accompli Formal
If you fly off the handle, you are so angry about something that you
lose control of yourself and start screaming and shouting.
for a song
If you buy or sell something for a song, you buy or sell it at a very
cheap price.
for my money
You can say "for my money" to mean the same as "in my opinion".
for the time being
If something will be the way it is "for the time being", it will be that
way for a limited period of time only.
forty winks Informal
If you get away from it all, you go somewhere to escape from your
usual daily routine.
Get cracking! Informal
You can say "Get cracking!" if you want someone to hurry up and do
something faster.
get it off your chest
If you get it off your chest, you tell somebody about something that's
been bothering you and you've been thinking about a lot.
get off on the wrong foot
If you get off on the wrong foot, you start something poorly, or begin
with a mistake.
get to the bottom of
If you get to the bottom of something, you find out its real cause or
the true story behind it.
get your act together
If you get your act together, you greatly improve your attitude and
peformance in relation to something such as your work, or to life in
general.
give it a shot | give it a whirl Informal
an ivory tower
You can say someone's in an ivory tower if they're in a place that
separates them from everyday life, such as a university.
I owe you one! Informal
You can say "I owe you one!" when someone has done something for
you and you'd be happy to return the favour one day.
if all else fails
You can say "if all else fails" before saying what you'll do if your plans
don't work out as well as you'd like.
if I were you
You can say "if I were you" when giving advice to someone.
if push comes to shove
You can say "if push comes to shove" before saying what you'll do if
things don't go as well as you'd like, and you're forced to do
something that you'd rather not do.
if worst comes to worst
You can say "if worst comes to worst" before saying what you'll do if
your plans don't work out.
ignorance is bliss
You can say "ignorance is bliss" when you want to say that not
knowing about something unpleasant can be better than knowing
about it and worrying about it.
ill at ease
If you're ill at ease, you feel tense or you can't relax in a situation.
in a bind | fix | jam
If someone is in a bind, or in a jam, or in a fix, they're in a bad or
difficult situation.
in a nutshell Informal
If you're in someone's bad books, they are not pleased with you.
in someone's good books Informal
If you have itchy feet, you feel the need to go somewhere different or
do something different.
the icing on the cake | the frosting on the cake
If something is the icing on the cake, or the frosting on the cake, it
makes a good situation or a good result even better.
the ins and outs
If you know the ins and outs of something, you know all the details
about it and understand how it works.
You jump out of your skin when something suddenly shocks you and
your whole body jumps.
jump the gun
If you jump the gun, you start doing something too soon.
jump through hoops | go through hoops
You can say you had to "jump through hoops" or "go through hoops" if
you had to complete a lot of tasks before being permitted to do
something.
jump to conclusions
If you jump to conclusions, you decide something is true, or make a
judgement about something, before having enough information to be
sure you're right.
junk food
Food that is bad for us because it contains large amounts of harmful
substances like artificial colouring, preservatives, salt, refined sugar,
and so on.
just in case
You can say "just in case" when describing a possible future problem
and a precaution that has been, or should be, taken against it.
just in time | just in the nick of time
If you do something just in time, or just in the nick of time, you do it
just before time runs out.
Just my luck!
You can say "Just my luck!" when something goes wrong for you, or
when something inconvenient happens.
just shy of Informal
You can say something is just shy of an amount if it's just short of that
amount.
just the ticket
You can say something is just the ticket if it's the perfect thing or if it's
exactly what's needed.
just what the doctor ordered Informal
You can say something was just what the doctor ordered when it was
exactly what was needed.
the jewel in the crown
If something is the jewel in the crown, it's part of a group or set of
similar things, and it's the best of them all.
the jury is still out
We can say the jury is still out when a decision still hasn't been made
about something.
If you live it up, you enjoy yourself by doing things that cost a lot of
money.
live on your wits | live by your wits
If you live on your wits, or live by your wits, you don't have a regular
job but you survive by cleverly manipulating people or situations.
lock, stock and barrel
You can say "lock, stock and barrel" to mean every single thing when
you're talking about a collection of things.
lose face
If you lose face, your status falls and you aren't respected as much as
you were.
lose your head
If you lose your head, you become very angry about something.
lost for words
You are lost for words if you're so surprised by something that you
can't think of anything to say.
love at first sight
If you experience love at first sight, you love someone from the first
moment you see them.
the last straw
Something is the last straw if it's the latest in a series of annoying or
upsetting events, and it's the one that finally makes you do something
about the situation.
the lion's share
You can say something is the lion's share if it's the biggest share or
portion of something.
If you say "Mind your own business!" to someone, you're telling them
to stop interfering in things that don't concern them, or to stop asking
personal questions.
miss the point
If you miss the point of something you hear or read, you don't
understand what it really means.
more often than not
If something happens more often than not, it happens quite often, but
not all the time.
more than meets the eye
You can say there's more to something than meets the eye if it's more
complex, more important or more interesting than it seems at first.
much ado about nothing
If you say something is much ado about nothing, you think it's an
overreaction to something that shouldn't have caused so much
trouble.
much of a muchness Informal
If two or more things are much of a muchness, they are very similar to
each other.
mumbo jumbo
If you describe what someone says or writes as mumbo jumbo, you
think it doesn't make sense or it's not clear because it's too complex.
music to your ears
If something is music to your ears, it's just what you want to hear.
the middle of nowhere
If a place is in the middle of nowhere, it's far from where most people
live.
the moment of truth
The moment of truth is a time when the truth about something is
revealed, or when an important decision is made.
the movers and shakers
You can say people are the movers and shakers in a place or a
situation if they are the ones with the power to make decisions.
(someone's) name is mud Informal
You can say "No way!" when you want to strongly reject an offer, a
request, or a suggestion.
not your cup of tea
If something is not your cup of tea, it's not what you like or what
you're interested in.
nothing to write home about
If you say something is nothing to write home about, you mean it isn't
very important or it isn't very good.
now and then | now and again
If you do something now and then, or now and again, you do it
occasionally.
now or never
If you say it's now or never, you mean that something has to be done
now or it can't be done at all.
the name of the game
You can say something is the name of the game if it's the most
important thing you need to know or to have in order to succeed at
something.
the new kid on the block Informal
If you are the new kid on the block, you are the newest person in a
workplace or in an educational institute, or any other place or
organization.
If you give someone information off the top of your head, you do so
from memory, without checking beforehand.
off your own bat
If you do something off your own bat, you do it without being asked to
or told to.
old hat
If something is old hat, it's old-fashioned and no longer seen as being
modern and new.
on the back burner
If a plan or a project is on the back burner, it isn't being worked on at
present, but it might be completed in the future.
on the ball Informal
If you're on the ball, you're alert and you know what's going on around
you.
on the off-chance
You can say you're doing something "on the off-chance" if you're doing
it because it might lead to something that you want, even though it's
not definite.
on the one hand | on the other hand
You can say "on the one hand" before describing one of two
contrasting ideas, options, or opinions, and then say "on the other
hand" before describing the other one.
on the record
If you say something "on the record", you say it on the understanding
that it will be part of the public record, and can be reported in the
media.
on the strength of
If you do something on the strength of certain advice or information,
you do it because the advice or information suggests doing it.
on your last legs | on its last legs Informal
If you say you're on your last legs, it can mean you're close to
exhaustion, or it can mean you're close to death. If a thing is on its
last legs, it's close to breaking or wearing out.
once and for all
If you do something once and for all, you do it in a way that's final and
it means you'll never have to do it again.
once in a blue moon
If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely.
one in a million
If you say someone is "one in a million", you mean they're an
exceptionally good person.
out of the blue
If something happens out of the blue, you're not expecting it to
happen and you're surprised when it does.
out of the question
If something is out of the question, it cannot be considered because
it's impossible or it's not allowed.
out of your depth
If you're out of your depth, you're in a situation that you don't have
the experience to handle, or the knowledge to understand.
out-of-date (1)
Something is out-of-date if it is old and therefore no longer useful or
no longer accurate.
out-of-date (2)
If something like a passport or a credit card is out-of-date, it cannot
be used anymore because the period during which it was valid is over.
over the moon Informal
If you're over the moon about something, you're extremely happy and
excited about it.
over the top
You can say something is over the top if you think it's too extreme or
it's more than a situation needs or deserves.
over your head
If something you hear or read is over your head, or goes over your
head, you don't understand it because the language or the ideas are
too advanced for you.
You can say someone is a pain in the neck if they annoy you, or
something is a pain in the neck if you don't like doing it.
a pat on the back
You've given someone a pat on the back if you've told them they've
done something well, or done a good job.
a piece of cake
If you say that something is a piece of cake, you mean that it is
extremely easy.
a pipe dream
A pipe dream is a plan or a dream for the future that could never come
true or be achieved.
paint the town red
If you paint the town red, you visit bars, nightclubs and other
nightspots to have a good time.
par for the course Informal
If something is par for the course, it's what you'd expect it to be.
part and parcel of
If something is part and parcel of an experience or a role in life, it is
an important part of it and it cannot be avoided.
pass the buck Informal
If you pass the buck, you shift the responsibility for something to
someone else in order to take the pressure off yourself.
pay the price
You pay the price for doing something when you experience the
unpleasant results of doing it.
pay through the nose Informal
If you pay through the nose for something, you pay more than the
usual price for it.
pick somebody's brains
If you pick somebody's brains, you ask them for detailed information
or ideas about something.
pick up the tab | pick up the bill Informal
If you pick up the tab, or pick up the bill, you pay for yourself and your
friends in a restaurant or a bar.
plain sailing
If something is plain sailing, it's very easy to do and there are no
problems to overcome.
play it by ear
If you play it by ear, you don't plan ahead but you do whatever seems
best at the time depending on the situation.
playing with fire
You're playing with fire if you're involved in an activity that could be
dangerous, or could lead to problems in the future.
pop the question Informal
You can say "pull your socks up" to someone if you think they should
improve the way they are behaving or the way they are doing
something.
put all your eggs in the one basket Informal
If you put all your eggs in the one basket, you put all your efforts or
resources into one person, one thing or one plan, and if things don't
work out, you lose everything.
put someone's nose out of joint Informal
If you put someone's nose out of joint, you upset them by not treating
them with as much respect or consideration as they think they
deserve.
put the brakes on
If you put the brakes on something, you stop it or slow it down.
put your foot in it
If you put your foot in it you say or do the wrong thing and usually
make matters worse.
put your foot in your mouth
If you put your foot in your mouth you say or do the wrong thing and
usually make matters worse.
put your own house in order | get your own house in order
If you say to someone "put your own house in order", or "get your
own house in order", you think they should solve their own problems
before telling someone else how to solve theirs.
the pros and cons
The pros and cons of something are its good points and bad points.
a quantum leap
A quantum leap is a major step in the development of something, or in
the improvement of something.
a queer fish
If someone's a queer fish, they are a bit strange and can sometimes
behave in an unusual way.
a question mark over someone | something
If there's a question mark over someone, there's some doubt about
their future or their ability to do something. If there's a question mark
over something, there's some doubt about its quality or its
authenticity.
a question of time
You can say "it's only a question of time" before saying what you think
will happen in the future.
a quick fix Informal
If something is a quick fix, it's a quick and easy, but usually short-
term, solution to a problem.
a quick study
If you're a quick study, you can learn new things quickly.
quaking in your boots
If you're quaking in your boots, you are very frightened.
quality time
If you spend quality time with someone, you spend time doing things
that enrich your lives and improve your relationship.
quick as a flash | quick as a wink | quick as lightning
If you're as quick as a flash, or quick as a wink, or quick as lightning,
you're very quick.
quick off the mark
If you are quick off the mark, you are quick to react to an event or an
opportunity.
quick on the trigger | quick on the draw
If you are quick on the trigger, or quick on the draw, you act quickly
when solving problems or answering questions.
quick on the uptake
If you are quick on the uptake, you're smart and you can understand
things quickly.
quid pro quo Formal
Your raison d'être is your reason for living, or the most important thing
in your life.
raring to go
If you're raring to go, you're full of energy and you can't wait to get
started on whatever it is you're doing.
reach for the moon | reach for the stars
If you reach for the moon, or reach for the stars, you are aiming to
achieve something great, or do something very challenging.
read between the lines
When you read between the lines you try to understand what someone
implies, but doesn't openly state, when they say or write something.
recharge your batteries
You recharge your batteries if you do something to regain your energy
after a period of hard work.
red light district
A red light district is the area of a town or city in which prostitutes
work.
red tape
Strict adherence to rules and regulations so that a procedure seems to
take longer than necessary.
right down your alley | right up your alley
If something is right down your alley, or right up your alley, it would
be perfect for you or ideal for your skills and interests.
right up your street
If something is right up your street, it would be perfect for you or ideal
for your skills and interests.
ring a bell Informal
If you rock the boat, you do or say something that will upset people by
changing a situation that they don't want changed.
rub it in Informal
If you rub it in, you keep talking about something that embarrasses or
upsets someone.
ruffle someone's feathers
If you ruffle someone's feathers, you do something to upset or annoy
them.
run out of steam
If someone runs out of steam, they run out of energy or enthusiasm.
If something runs out of steam, it loses momentum and slows down.
run rings around | run circles around
If you run rings around someone, or run circles around them, you do
something much better than they do.
run-of-the-mill
Something is run-of-the-mill if it is ordinary and nothing special.
the rat race
The rat race is the highly competitive and stressful world of work and
business.
the real McCoy
You can say something is the real McCoy if it's genuine, and not a fake
or a copy.
If something or someone is a sight for sore eyes, you are glad to see
them.
a skeleton in the cupboard | closet
If you have a skeleton in the cupboard, or in the closet, you have a
secret in your past which could damage you if it became known.
a slap on the wrist
If someone gives you a slap on the wrist, they give you a mild
punishment for making a mistake or doing something wrong.
a slip of the tongue
If you make a slip of the tongue, you make a small mistake when
speaking.
safe and sound
If you are safe and sound, nothing has harmed you even though you
could have been in danger.
save the day
If you save the day, you do something to ensure success or to solve a
serious problem.
see eye to eye
If you see eye to eye with someone, you totally agree with them about
something.
see red
If you see red, you become extremely angry.
see through rose-coloured glasses | rose-colored glasses
If someone sees things through rose-coloured glasses, they see things
as being better than they really are.
serve someone right
If you say "it serves you right", you're telling someone that their
problem is the result of their own bad behaviour, and they deserve it.
set the world on fire
If you set the world on fire, you do something that creates a lot of
excitment and makes you famous.
set your sights on
If you set your sights on something, or set your sights on doing
something, it becomes the target of your ambition or the object of
your attention.
settle a score
If you settle a score with someone who has hurt you or insulted you in
the past, you do something to hurt or insult them in return.
shoot yourself in the foot
If you shoot yourself in the foot, you harm yourself in some way by
doing something stupid or making a silly mistake.
show your true colours | show your true colors
You show your true colours if you show what you're really like, or you
reveal your true character.
sick as a dog
If you're as sick as a dog, you're very sick.
skate on thin ice
If you're skating on thin ice, you're doing something risky, or you're in
a situation that could quickly become dangerous.
snowed under
If you are snowed under you have so much to do that you're having
trouble doing it all.
so far, so good Informal
You can say "so far, so good" when you're in the middle of doing
something, and everything has been going well.
speak your mind
If you speak your mind, you say what you really feel about something,
or what you really think.
start from scratch
If you start from scratch, you begin something from the very
beginning without using anything else as a starting point.
state-of-the-art
If something is state-of-the-art, it's the latest and best example of
something, or it shows the most recent developments in its field.
steer clear of
If you steer clear of something, you don't go near it because it could
harm you or cause you a problem.
stick out like a sore thumb | stand out like a sore thumb
If someone sticks out like a sore thumb, or stands out like a sore
thumb, everyone notices them because they're not the same as the
people around them.
a tall order
If you say something's a tall order, you mean that it'll be hard to do or
difficult to achieve.
take a break
If you take a break, you have a short rest while doing something like
working or playing sport.
take for granted
We can say somebody takes something for granted if they assume it'll
always be there for them, and they don't seem thankful for it.
take into account
If you take something or someone into account, you consider them
when making a decision or making plans.
take part
If you take part in something, you join in or play a role in it.
take something the wrong way
If you take something the wrong way, you misunderstand what
someone says and think they're being critical when they aren't.
take the bull by the horns
If you take the bull by the horns, you deal with a problem or a
challenge in a direct and fearless way.
take the mickey | mick out of someone Informal
If you're taking the mickey out of someone, or taking the mick out of
them, you're making fun of them or copying their behaviour for a
laugh.
take the plunge
If you take the plunge, you decide to do something you really want to
do even though it's risky and possibly dangerous.
take with a grain of salt | take with a pinch of salt
If you take what someone says with a grain of salt, or with a pinch of
salt, you have doubts about the truth or accuracy of what they say.
talk through your hat
If you're talking through your hat, you're talking about something
without knowing much about it, or you claim something is true when it
isn't.
talk turkey
If you talk turkey, you discuss something seriously, usually to do with
business or money.
teething problems | teething troubles
If someone or something is having teething problems, or teething
troubles, they're having problems during the early stages of
something.
tell (things) apart
If you can tell things apart, you can see they're not the same by
spotting the differences between them.
test the waters
If you test the waters, you try something first before deciding whether
to get involved in it.
the tip of the iceberg
You can say something is the tip of the iceberg when it's just a small
part of something much bigger.
Things are looking up.
You can say "things are looking up" if things are improving.
think better of something
If you think better of something, you decide not to do it even though
you'd made plans to do it.
think outside the box
If you think outside the box, you think creatively and without being
restricted by common ideas or ways of thinking.
think the world of
If you think the world of someone, you admire and respect them very
much.
throw someone in at the deep end
If you throw someone in at the deep end, you give them a difficult job
to do, or a serious problem to deal with, before they have the
knowledge or experience for it.
tie the knot
If you tie the knot, you get married.
tighten your belt
If you tighten your belt, you try to spend less money.
time after time
If you do something time after time, you do it again and again, or
repeatedly.
time and time again
If you've done something time and time again, you've done it many
times, or you've done it repeatedly.
an unknown quantity
If a thing or a person is an unknown quantity, not much is known
about them.
an uphill battle | struggle | task
If doing something is an uphill battle, an uphill struggle or an uphill
task, it is difficult to do because of obstacles such as opposition from
other people.
the upper crust
If you are one of the upper crust, you are a member of society's
highest class.
the upper hand
If you have the upper hand, you have the advantage or you're in the
stronger position in a contest or a conflict.
the ups and downs
If you talk about "the ups and downs" in someone's life, or during a
period of time, you talk about both the good times and the bad times.
um and ah
If you "um and ah" you're having trouble deciding what to say, or
you're having trouble telling somebody something.
under a cloud
If someone is under a cloud, they are suspected of having done
something wrong.
under fire
You're under fire if you're being attacked by the media or cricitised by
many people.
under lock and key
If something is under lock and key, it is kept in a very secure place.
under no circumstances
If you are told that under no circumstances should you do something,
you must never do it, no matter what happens.
under the table
If something is done under the table, it's done secretly, usually
because it's illegal or unethical.
under the weather
If you are under the weather, you're not feeling well.
under wraps
If something is under wraps, it's being kept secret.
under your own steam
If you do something under your own steam, you do it without
anybody's help.
up a gum tree
If you're up a gum tree, you're in trouble or have a serious problem.
up and running
You can say something like a system or an organisation is up and
running if it has started to operate.
up for grabs Informal
If something is up for grabs, it's available for anyone who wants to try
to get it.
up in arms
If you are up in arms, you are angry about something that you think is
unfair or wrong.
up in the air
If something such as a plan to do something, or details of an
agreement, are up in the air, they still haven't been decided or settled
yet.
up to no good Informal
a vested interest
If you have a vested interest in something, you have a strong personal
interest in it because you stand to gain from it.
a vicious circle
If you're in a vicious circle you're in a situation in which the solution to
one problem becomes the cause of another one, and the solution to
that one causes the first problem to occur again.
a voice (crying) in the wilderness
You're a voice in the wilderness, or a voice crying in the wilderness, if
you're expressing an unpopular opinion or insight.
a volte-face Formal
If someone is wet behind the ears, they don't have much experience of
life.
wheeling and dealing
If you're wheeling and dealing, you're involved in the complex world of
making deals and exchanging favours in business or politics, or both.
whet your appetite
If something whets your appetite, it makes you want something, or it
stimulates your desire for something.
wide of the mark
If something is wide of the mark, it isn't true or accurate, or it misses
the target.
with flying colours | colors
If you pass a test with flying colours, you pass it easily and get high
marks.
work like a charm
If something works like a charm, it works very well.
work your socks off | work your tail off
If you work your socks off, or work your tail off, you work very hard.
worth its weight in gold
If something is worth its weight in gold, it's extremely valuable or
extremely useful.
worth your while
If something is worth your while, the benefits to you of doing it are
greater than the value of the time or effort that it requires.
the x-factor
If someone has the x-factor, they have a certain charismatic appeal
and magnetic quality.
x-rated
If something is x-rated, it is classified as pornographic and therefore
not suitable for young people.
a yellow streak
If someone has a yellow streak, they can sometimes act in a cowardly
way and not be very brave.
a yes-man
If someone's a yes-man, they'll say they agree with someone, or say
"yes" to them, in order to please them.
the year dot | the year one
You can say "the year dot", or "the year one", when you're talking
about a very, very long time ago.
year in, year out
If something has happened year in, year out, it's happened every year
for many years in a row.
yellow journalism
Journalism in which sensational stories are used to boost sales, or
biased reporting is used to change the reader's views on an issue.
Both of these are unethical.
yellow-bellied
If someone is yellow-bellied, they are not brave, or they are cowardly.
You are what you eat.
You can say "you are what you eat" when you want to point out the
connection between food and health.
You asked for it! Informal
You can say "You asked for it!" when you think someone deserves the
punishment they're getting or the trouble they're in.
you bet | you bet your boots | you bet your life Informal
You can say "you bet", "you bet your boots" or "you bet your life"
when you strongly agree with a statement or a suggestion, or to
emphasise what you're saying.
You can say that again! Informal
If someone says "You can say that again!", it shows they strongly
agree with what was just said.
You can't win them all.
Something you can say after you, or someone else, loses a contest or
fails to achieve something (said to make losing seem not so bad).
You could have knocked me over with a feather.
You can say "you could have knocked me over with a feather" to show
how surprised you were when something happened, or when you
heard about something.
You're on!
You can say "You're on!" if you want to accept a challenge, a bet or an
invitation.
You're only young once.
You can say "you're only young once" when you're trying to persuade
someone, or yourself, to do something while you're still young enough
to do it.
You're telling me!
You can say "You're telling me!" when you strongly agree with what
someone has said.
young at heart
Someone is young at heart if they still feel young even though they're
getting old.
young blood
If you say "young blood", you mean young people who have fresh,
new ideas and lots of energy.
Your guess is as good as mine. Informal
You can say "your guess is as good as mine" when you don't know the
answer to a question.
a zebra crossing
A zebra crossing is a pedestrian crossing that is marked on the road
with painted black and white stripes.
a zero-sum game
A zero-sum game is a situation in which any gain by one side or
person is at the expense of a loss to another side or person involved in
the situation.
zero in on
If you zero in on something, you focus your attention on it.
zero tolerance
If something is given zero tolerance, it won't be accepted even once.
Zip it! Informal
If someone says "Zip it!", they're telling you to shut up or stop talking
about something.
You have egg on your face if you've said or done something wrong,
and it's made you feel embarrassed or stupid.
(your) hands are tied
You can say your hands are tied if you're prevented from doing
something that you'd normally have the power or the authority to do.
(your) heart goes out to (someone)
If your heart goes out to someone, you feel great sympathy for them.
(your) heart is in the right place
If your heart is in the right place, you try to do the right thing, even if
things don't always work out for the best.
(your) heart isn't in it
If your heart isn't in something you're doing, you don't really want to
do it.
a bad hair day Informal
You can say someone is a pain in the neck if they annoy you, or
something is a pain in the neck if you don't like doing it.
a pat on the back
You've given someone a pat on the back if you've told them they've
done something well, or done a good job.
a shot in the arm Informal
If something or someone is a sight for sore eyes, you are glad to see
them.
a skeleton in the cupboard | closet
If you have a skeleton in the cupboard, or in the closet, you have a
secret in your past which could damage you if it became known.
a slap on the wrist
If someone gives you a slap on the wrist, they give you a mild
punishment for making a mistake or doing something wrong.
a slip of the tongue
If you make a slip of the tongue, you make a small mistake when
speaking.
a weight off your shoulders
You can say a weight is off your shoulders if you no longer have to
worry about something or deal with something difficult.
Achilles' heel
An Achilles' heel is a weakness that could result in failure.
an eye-opener
You can say something's an eye-opener if it's made you realize
something you hadn't been aware of before.
behind someone's back
If you do something behind someone's back, you do it without letting
them know about it.
bite your tongue | hold your tongue
If you bite your tongue, or hold your tongue, you force yourself not to
say something you really want to to say.
break your heart
If someone breaks your heart, they cause you a lot of emotional pain
by ending a romantic relationship, or by deeply hurting you in some
other way.
by word of mouth
If something becomes well-known by word of mouth, it becomes well-
known because people are telling each other about it, and not because
of advertising or other marketing tools.
caught red-handed
If someone is caught red-handed, they are caught in the act of doing
something wrong such as cheating or stealing.
come to your senses
If you come to your senses, you see things clearly and begin to act
sensibly after a period of confusion and unwise behaviour.
dig your heels in
If you dig your heels in, you stubbornly resist something or refuse to
change.
drag your feet | drag your heels
If you drag your feet, or drag your heels, you do something slowly
because you don't really want to do it.
ear to the ground Informal
If you have your ear to the ground, you know what's really going on in
a situation.
easy on the eye
If something is easy on the eye, it is pleasant to look at.
elbow grease
If something needs elbow grease, it needs a lot of hard physical work.
eyes like a hawk
If someone has eyes like a hawk, they have very good eyesight and
they notice everything.
face to face
If people meet face to face, they meet in person in the real world.
feel the pinch
If you are feeling the pinch, you're finding it harder to survive on your
income.
find your feet
If you're still finding your feet, you're still adjusting to a new place or a
new situation.
get it off your chest
If you get it off your chest, you tell somebody about something that's
been bothering you and you've been thinking about a lot.
get off on the wrong foot
If you get off on the wrong foot, you start something poorly, or begin
with a mistake.
go over your head
If someone goes over your head, they go to someone with more
authority than you in order to get something that you would normally
grant, possibly because they think you won't give it to them.
grease someone's palm Informal
If you have itchy feet, you feel the need to go somewhere different or
do something different.
joined at the hip
If two people or things are joined at the hip, they're so closely linked
as to be almost inseparable.
jump down your throat | jump all over you
If someone jumps down your throat, or jumps all over you, they
strongly criticise you or scold you.
jump out of your skin Informal
You jump out of your skin when something suddenly shocks you and
your whole body jumps.
keep an eye on
If you keep an eye on someone, you make sure you know what they're
doing.
keep your nose clean
If you keep your nose clean, you stay out of trouble by making sure
you don't do anything wrong.
lend someone a hand
If you lend someone a hand, you help them.
let your hair down
If you let your hair down, you enjoy yourself by doing whatever you
feel like doing and not worrying about what other people might think.
lose face
If you lose face, your status falls and you aren't respected as much as
you were.
lose your head
If you lose your head, you become very angry about something.
more than meets the eye
You can say there's more to something than meets the eye if it's more
complex, more important or more interesting than it seems at first.
music to your ears
If something is music to your ears, it's just what you want to hear.
neck and neck
If two competitors are running neck and neck in a race, they are
almost level.
nerves of steel
If you have nerves of steel, you are very brave and not many things
make you scared or nervous.
off the top of your head Informal
If you give someone information off the top of your head, you do so
from memory, without checking beforehand.
on the one hand | on the other hand
You can say "on the one hand" before describing one of two
contrasting ideas, options, or opinions, and then say "on the other
hand" before describing the other one.
on your last legs | on its last legs Informal
If you say you're on your last legs, it can mean you're close to
exhaustion, or it can mean you're close to death. If a thing is on its
last legs, it's close to breaking or wearing out.
pay through the nose Informal
If you pay through the nose for something, you pay more than the
usual price for it.
pick somebody's brains
If you pick somebody's brains, you ask them for detailed information
or ideas about something.
play it by ear
If you play it by ear, you don't plan ahead but you do whatever seems
best at the time depending on the situation.
pull someone's leg Informal
If you put someone's nose out of joint, you upset them by not treating
them with as much respect or consideration as they think they
deserve.
put your foot in it
If you put your foot in it you say or do the wrong thing and usually
make matters worse.
put your foot in your mouth
If you put your foot in your mouth you say or do the wrong thing and
usually make matters worse.
rack your brains | rack you brain
If you rack your brains, or rack you brain, you try hard to remember
something or think of a solution to a problem or a puzzle.
see eye to eye
If you see eye to eye with someone, you totally agree with them about
something.
shoot yourself in the foot
If you shoot yourself in the foot, you harm yourself in some way by
doing something stupid or making a silly mistake.
stick out like a sore thumb | stand out like a sore thumb
If someone sticks out like a sore thumb, or stands out like a sore
thumb, everyone notices them because they're not the same as the
people around them.
teething problems | teething troubles
If someone or something is having teething problems, or teething
troubles, they're having problems during the early stages of
something.
the gift of the gab | the gift of gab
If you've got the gift of the gab, or the gift of gab, you have the
natural ability to talk in a way that people find entertaining or
persuasive.
the upper hand
If you have the upper hand, you have the advantage or you're in the
stronger position in a contest or a conflict.
up in arms
If you are up in arms, you are angry about something that you think is
unfair or wrong.
up to your neck | up to your eyeballs
If you're up to your neck in something, or up to your eyeballs in
something, you've got too much of it and it's become a problem.
vent your spleen
If you vent your spleen, you express your anger.
vote with your feet
If you vote with your feet, you show your opinion of something by
acting in a certain way, such as by buying something if you like it, or
by not buying it if you don't like it.
warts and all
If you show something warts and all, you show it exactly as it is
without trying to hide any of its faults or weaknesses.
wash your hands of something
If you wash your hands of something that you were involved in, you
decide to stop being involved in it after losing your interest or belief in
it.
weak at the knees
If you go weak at the knees, you feel an emotion so strongly that it
makes you feel unstable on your feet.
wear your heart on your sleeve
If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you show your emotions openly
and you don't try to hide your feelings.
wet behind the ears Informal
If someone is wet behind the ears, they don't have much experience of
life.
work your socks off | work your tail off
If you work your socks off, or work your tail off, you work very hard.
yellow-bellied
If someone is yellow-bellied, they are not brave, or they are cowardly.
young at heart
Someone is young at heart if they still feel young even though they're
getting old.
young blood
If you say "young blood", you mean young people who have fresh,
new ideas and lots of energy.
an ivory tower
You can say someone's in an ivory tower if they're in a place that
separates them from everyday life, such as a university.
chickens come home to roost
If chickens are coming home to roost, someone is suffering the
unpleasant consequences of their bad actions in the past.
hit the roof
You can say someone hits the roof if they lose their temper and show
their anger.
hold the fort
If you hold the fort, you look after a place or a business while the
person who is normally in charge is away.
make yourself at home
If you make yourself at home, you relax and feel comfortable in
someone else's home.
nothing to write home about
If you say something is nothing to write home about, you mean it isn't
very important or it isn't very good.
put your own house in order | get your own house in order
If you say to someone "put your own house in order", or "get your
own house in order", you think they should solve their own problems
before telling someone else how to solve theirs.
run-of-the-mill
Something is run-of-the-mill if it is ordinary and nothing special.
the writing | handwriting is on the wall
If the writing is on the wall, or the handwriting is on the wall, there are
signs that a person or organization is in trouble and might soon fail.
waiting in the wings
If you're waiting in the wings, you're ready to take over a role or a
position when you have the chance to do so.
If you are dressed to the nines, or dressed up to the nines, you are
wearing very smart clothes for a special occasion.
earn your stripes
If you earn your stripes, you do something to prove that you have the
skills or ability for a particular job or rank.
fill somebody's shoes
If you can fill somebody's shoes, you can replace them and do what
they do.
hot under the collar
If you are hot under the collar, you feel angry or annoyed about
something.
keep it under your hat
If someone tells you a secret and you keep it under your hat, you
don't tell anyone.
knock your socks off
If something knocks your socks off, it amazes you and surprises you.
off the cuff
If you speak off the cuff, you speak without planning what you will say
beforehand.
old hat
If something is old hat, it's old-fashioned and no longer seen as being
modern and new.
pull your socks up Informal
You can say "pull your socks up" to someone if you think they should
improve the way they are behaving or the way they are doing
something.
quaking in your boots
If you're quaking in your boots, you are very frightened.
rags to riches
If you go from rags to riches, you start out very poor and you become
very rich.
talk through your hat
If you're talking through your hat, you're talking about something
without knowing much about it, or you claim something is true when it
isn't.
the jewel in the crown
If something is the jewel in the crown, it's part of a group or set of
similar things, and it's the best of them all.
tighten your belt
If you tighten your belt, you try to spend less money.
wear your heart on your sleeve
If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you show your emotions openly
and you don't try to hide your feelings.
work your socks off | work your tail off
If you work your socks off, or work your tail off, you work very hard.
a red-letter day
A red-letter day is a day that is very important for some reason.
a white lie
If you tell a white lie, you say something that isn't true in order to be
polite or so as not to hurt someone's feelings.
a yellow streak
If someone has a yellow streak, they can sometimes act in a cowardly
way and not be very brave.
caught red-handed
If someone is caught red-handed, they are caught in the act of doing
something wrong such as cheating or stealing.
give the green light
If you give something the green light, you give permission for it to be
done, or allow it to happen.
in the black
If a person or a company is in the black, their assets are greater than
their debts.
in the dark
If you're in the dark about something, you don't know about it.
in the red
If a person or a company is in the red, their debts are greater than
their assets.
kill the goose that lays the golden egg
If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg, you destroy something
that has made you a lot of money.
once in a blue moon
If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely.
out of the blue
If something happens out of the blue, you're not expecting it to
happen and you're surprised when it does.
paint the town red
If you paint the town red, you visit bars, nightclubs and other
nightspots to have a good time.
red light district
A red light district is the area of a town or city in which prostitutes
work.
red tape
Strict adherence to rules and regulations so that a procedure seems to
take longer than necessary.
see red
If you see red, you become extremely angry.
see through rose-coloured glasses | rose-colored glasses
If someone sees things through rose-coloured glasses, they see things
as being better than they really are.
show your true colours | show your true colors
You show your true colours if you show what you're really like, or you
reveal your true character.
with flying colours | colors
If you pass a test with flying colours, you pass it easily and get high
marks.
yellow journalism
Journalism in which sensational stories are used to boost sales, or
biased reporting is used to change the reader's views on an issue.
Both of these are unethical.
yellow-bellied
If someone is yellow-bellied, they are not brave, or they are cowardly.
You have egg on your face if you've said or done something wrong,
and it's made you feel embarrassed or stupid.
(your) bread and butter
Your bread and butter is your livelihood or the source of your income.
a couch potato
You can say someone's a couch potato if they're very lazy and they
spend a lot of time sitting around watching TV and eating junk food.
a flash in the pan
You can say something or someone is a flash in the pan if they're
popular or effective for a short time only.
a knuckle sandwich Informal
If you put all your eggs in the one basket, you put all your efforts or
resources into one person, one thing or one plan, and if things don't
work out, you lose everything.
take with a grain of salt | take with a pinch of salt
If you take what someone says with a grain of salt, or with a pinch of
salt, you have doubts about the truth or accuracy of what they say.
talk turkey
If you talk turkey, you discuss something seriously, usually to do with
business or money.
the cream of the crop
If something or someone is in the cream of the crop, they are among
the best of a class of things or people.
the icing on the cake | the frosting on the cake
If something is the icing on the cake, or the frosting on the cake, it
makes a good situation or a good result even better.
the upper crust
If you are one of the upper crust, you are a member of society's
highest class.
upset the applecart
If you upset the applecart, you do something that causes trouble or
upsets someone's plans.
whet your appetite
If something whets your appetite, it makes you want something, or it
stimulates your desire for something.
You are what you eat.
You can say "you are what you eat" when you want to point out the
connection between food and health.
You can say someone is a pain in the neck if they annoy you, or
something is a pain in the neck if you don't like doing it.
a shot in the arm Informal
You can say something was just what the doctor ordered when it was
exactly what was needed.
kick the habit
If you kick the habit, you manage to stop doing something that has
become a bad habit.
on your last legs | on its last legs Informal
If you say you're on your last legs, it can mean you're close to
exhaustion, or it can mean you're close to death. If a thing is on its
last legs, it's close to breaking or wearing out.
recharge your batteries
You recharge your batteries if you do something to regain your energy
after a period of hard work.
sick as a dog
If you're as sick as a dog, you're very sick.
stick out like a sore thumb | stand out like a sore thumb
If someone sticks out like a sore thumb, or stands out like a sore
thumb, everyone notices them because they're not the same as the
people around them.
teething problems | teething troubles
If someone or something is having teething problems, or teething
troubles, they're having problems during the early stages of
something.
under the weather
If you are under the weather, you're not feeling well.
verbal diarrhoea Informal
If someone beats the rap, they avoid being found guilty of a crime.
by the book
If you do something by the book, you do it strictly according to the
rules or the official procedures.
caught red-handed
If someone is caught red-handed, they are caught in the act of doing
something wrong such as cheating or stealing.
cook the books | cook the accounts
If someone cooks the books, or cooks the accounts, they keep
inaccurate accounts for a business, usually in order to pay less tax.
cover your tracks
If you cover your tracks, you make sure no-one can find evidence of
what you've done.
face the music
If someone has to face the music, they have to accept the
consequences of doing something wrong.
fall from grace
If you fall from grace, you do something that results in a loss of
respect and support, especially among those who influence your life or
career.
feather your own nest
If you feather your own nest, you use your position or your job
illegally for personal gain.
grease someone's palm Informal
You can say "easy come, easy go" to express the idea that if
something comes to someone easily, such as money they get without
working hard for it, they can lose it just as easily and it won't matter
to them much.
easy money
You can say "easy money" to describe money that someone gets
without having to make much effort.
feather your own nest
If you feather your own nest, you use your position or your job
illegally for personal gain.
feel the pinch
If you are feeling the pinch, you're finding it harder to survive on your
income.
for my money
You can say "for my money" to mean the same as "in my opinion".
go out of business
If a company goes out of business, it stops trading and closes down.
grease someone's palm Informal
If you pick up the tab, or pick up the bill, you pay for yourself and your
friends in a restaurant or a bar.
rags to riches
If you go from rags to riches, you start out very poor and you become
very rich.
talk turkey
If you talk turkey, you discuss something seriously, usually to do with
business or money.
tighten your belt
If you tighten your belt, you try to spend less money.
under the table
If something is done under the table, it's done secretly, usually
because it's illegal or unethical.
wheeling and dealing
If you're wheeling and dealing, you're involved in the complex world of
making deals and exchanging favours in business or politics, or both.
worth its weight in gold
If something is worth its weight in gold, it's extremely valuable or
extremely useful.
a jam session
If musicians play in a jam session, they play whatever they feel like
playing in an informal setting.
blow your own horn | blow your own trumpet
If you blow your own horn, or blow your own trumpet, you proudly
boast about your own talents and successes.
change your tune
If you change your tune, you change your opinion about something or
your attitude towards someone.
face the music
If someone has to face the music, they have to accept the
consequences of doing something wrong.
for a song
If you buy or sell something for a song, you buy or sell it at a very
cheap price.
make a song and dance about something
If you make a song and dance about something, you make a big deal
out of, or a fuss over, something that isn't very important.
music to your ears
If something is music to your ears, it's just what you want to hear.
play it by ear
If you play it by ear, you don't plan ahead but you do whatever seems
best at the time depending on the situation.
pull out all the stops
If you pull out all the stops, you do everything you can to make sure
something is successful.
ring a bell Informal
You can say "I owe you one!" when someone has done something for
you and you'd be happy to return the favour one day.
in two minds
If you're in two minds about something, you can't decide what to do,
or you can't decide which option is the best.
kill two birds with one stone
If you kill two birds with one stone, you achieve two things with the
one action.
once and for all
If you do something once and for all, you do it in a way that's final and
it means you'll never have to do it again.
once in a blue moon
If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely.
one in a million
If you say someone is "one in a million", you mean they're an
exceptionally good person.
par for the course Informal
If something is par for the course, it's what you'd expect it to be.
put all your eggs in the one basket Informal
If you put all your eggs in the one basket, you put all your efforts or
resources into one person, one thing or one plan, and if things don't
work out, you lose everything.
the year dot | the year one
You can say "the year dot", or "the year one", when you're talking
about a very, very long time ago.
zero in on
If you zero in on something, you focus your attention on it.
zero tolerance
If something is given zero tolerance, it won't be accepted even once.
If you're on the ball, you're alert and you know what's going on around
you.
par for the course Informal
If something is par for the course, it's what you'd expect it to be.
plain sailing
If something is plain sailing, it's very easy to do and there are no
problems to overcome.
quick off the mark
If you are quick off the mark, you are quick to react to an event or an
opportunity.
run rings around | run circles around
If you run rings around someone, or run circles around them, you do
something much better than they do.
skate on thin ice
If you're skating on thin ice, you're doing something risky, or you're in
a situation that could quickly become dangerous.
the ball's in your court
If someone you're negotiating with says "the ball's in your court", they
think it's your turn to make a move or make an offer.
the name of the game
You can say something is the name of the game if it's the most
important thing you need to know or to have in order to succeed at
something.
wide of the mark
If something is wide of the mark, it isn't true or accurate, or it misses
the target.
You can't win them all.
Something you can say after you, or someone else, loses a contest or
fails to achieve something (said to make losing seem not so bad).
If you are the new kid on the block, you are the newest person in a
workplace or in an educational institute, or any other place or
organization.
under lock and key
If something is under lock and key, it is kept in a very secure place.
water under the bridge | water over the dam
You can say a problem or an experience is water under the bridge, or
water over the dam, if it happened in the past and it no longer affects
the present to a degree that is worth worrying about.
a question of time
You can say "it's only a question of time" before saying what you think
will happen in the future.
a whale of a time
If you have a whale of a time, you have a great time and really enjoy
yourself.
around the clock
If something occurs around the clock, it goes on all day and all night.
behind the times
If someone is behind the times, they are old-fashioned and their ideas
are out of date.
day to day
If something happens day to day, it's part of the usual daily routine.
for the time being
If something will be the way it is "for the time being", it will be that
way for a limited period of time only.
from now on
If you do something "from now on", you do it from now until some
unknown time in the future.
from time to time
If you do something from time to time, you do it occasionally, but not
very often.
in the long run
If you talk about something "in the long run", you mean over a long
period of time.
it's high time
If you say it's high time something was done, you think it should have
been done already, and is overdue.
just in time | just in the nick of time
If you do something just in time, or just in the nick of time, you do it
just before time runs out.
kill time
You kill time when you do something to amuse yourself while waiting
for something.
now and then | now and again
If you do something now and then, or now and again, you do it
occasionally.
now or never
If you say it's now or never, you mean that something has to be done
now or it can't be done at all.
once in a blue moon
If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely.
the moment of truth
The moment of truth is a time when the truth about something is
revealed, or when an important decision is made.
the year dot | the year one
You can say "the year dot", or "the year one", when you're talking
about a very, very long time ago.
time after time
If you do something time after time, you do it again and again, or
repeatedly.
time and time again
If you've done something time and time again, you've done it many
times, or you've done it repeatedly.
year in, year out
If something has happened year in, year out, it's happened every year
for many years in a row.
If you rock the boat, you do or say something that will upset people by
changing a situation that they don't want changed.
steer clear of
If you steer clear of something, you don't go near it because it could
harm you or cause you a problem.
upset the applecart
If you upset the applecart, you do something that causes trouble or
upsets someone's plans.
If someone beats the rap, they avoid being found guilty of a crime.
behind the eight ball Informal
You can say "No way!" when you want to strongly reject an offer, a
request, or a suggestion.
right down your alley | right up your alley
If something is right down your alley, or right up your alley, it would
be perfect for you or ideal for your skills and interests.
the new kid on the block Informal
If you are the new kid on the block, you are the newest person in a
workplace or in an educational institute, or any other place or
organization.
under the table
If something is done under the table, it's done secretly, usually
because it's illegal or unethical.
yellow journalism
Journalism in which sensational stories are used to boost sales, or
biased reporting is used to change the reader's views on an issue.
Both of these are unethical.
zero tolerance
If something is given zero tolerance, it won't be accepted even once.
up a gum tree
If you're up a gum tree, you're in trouble or have a serious problem.
a drop in the ocean
If an amount is a drop in the ocean, it's a very small portion of the
amount that's needed.
a new lease of life
If someone has a new lease of life, they have a new enthusiasm for
living.
a piece of cake
If you say that something is a piece of cake, you mean that it is
extremely easy.
a zebra crossing
A zebra crossing is a pedestrian crossing that is marked on the road
with painted black and white stripes.
an axe to grind (2)
If you have an axe to grind, you have a strong opinion about
something and you express this opinion whenever you can.
another string to your bow
If you have another string to your bow, you have another way of
making a living.
at a loose end
If you're at a loose end, you have nothing to do.
can't see the wood for the trees
If you can't see the wood for the trees, you can't see the whole
situation clearly because you're looking too closely at small details, or
because you're too closely involved.
come a cropper Informal
If you come a cropper, you fall over, or you make a mistake which has
serious consequences for you.
come up trumps
If you come up trumps, you succeed in something that you may not
have been expected to succeed in.
eat humble pie
If you eat humble pie, you admit that you are in the wrong and
behave apologetically.
go down a treat
If something goes down a treat, it's a great success and everyone
enjoys it.
itchy feet Informal
If you have itchy feet, you feel the need to go somewhere different or
do something different.
jobs for the boys
If you say "jobs for the boys" you're referring to the fact that people in
positions of power sometimes use their power to give jobs to their
friends or family members.
just the ticket
You can say something is just the ticket if it's the perfect thing or if it's
exactly what's needed.
make a song and dance about something
If you make a song and dance about something, you make a big deal
out of, or a fuss over, something that isn't very important.
off your own bat
If you do something off your own bat, you do it without being asked to
or told to.
right up your street
If something is right up your street, it would be perfect for you or ideal
for your skills and interests.
take the mickey | mick out of someone Informal
If you're taking the mickey out of someone, or taking the mick out of
them, you're making fun of them or copying their behaviour for a
laugh.
um and ah
If you "um and ah" you're having trouble deciding what to say, or
you're having trouble telling somebody something.