Idioms
Under the weather
Feeling ill / Getting a cold
My mom was feeling a bit under the weather.
Bite the bullet
Finish something no matter how unsatisfying or unpleasant it is / Get something over with
Danny had been putting off discussing the financial management of the company but decided to bite the bullet and talk to Sid today.
Cut corners
Purchase something in the least expensive way or do something easily / reduce expenses
I often cut corners in order to buy something for my brother.
or faster way by not doing everything.
Don't cut corners on this project or you will have to do it again.
Call it a day
To stop doing something
After the movie, we had planned to go to the beach, but we decided to call it a day as everyone was tired.
Elephant in the room
A controversial problem or a major issue
We had to identify the elephant in the room before we made a decision.
Cold feet
Becoming nervous
It was her chance to speak and she was getting cold feet.
Make ends meet
To have just enough money for all your needs
Harry and Hani are finding it really difficult to make ends meet.
Steal someone’s thunder
Directing the attention and doing something to gain praise and preventing another person from gaining praise
Monica claimed that Rachel tried to steal her thunder.
Cup of tea
Not something that a person would do
Cooking has never been Rachel’s cup of tea.
Get out of hand
Not in one’s control anymore
The situation has gotten out of hand and there is nothing anyone here can do to help.
Apple of my eye
Used to refer to someone whom you are very fond of or like
My younger brother is the apple of my eye.
Pretty penny
Expensive
The dress she wants for her birthday will cost a pretty penny.
Stick to your guns
Stay morally strong or be firm in decisions especially when being opposed
The lawyer asked Robert to stick to his guns if he wants to win the case.
Beating a dead horse
Overdoing something or an action that is pointless
She was just beating a dead horse in thinking she could change his mind.
Hit the nail on the head
To do something the exact way in which it should be done / Also refers to giving a direct answer
Alice hit the nail on the head with her decision to buy this piece of land.
Snowed under
To be busy
My father seems to have been snowed under for the last few weeks.
Break a leg
Used instead of good luck
The teacher asked us to break a leg at the annual day dance.
Clouds on the horizon
Problems/ Trouble
Vickie sensed that there were multiple clouds on the horizon.
Speak of the devil
A phrase used to refer to a person who appears as soon as they are being mentioned
Speak of the devil! Here he comes.
the last straw
The final point in a series of unfortunate events when you feel you cannot take it anymore
After the oven and refrigerator broke, the flooded dishwasher was the last straw.
Walk on eggshells
To be very careful with your actions and words
Talking to my mom about my grades made me feel like I was walking on eggshells.
Beat around the bush
Not saying directly
Jason’s neighbour kept beating around the bush and did not give a direct answer.
Blue in the face
To be exhausted due to strain or anger
Usha looked blue in the face after the marathon.
Let the cat out of the bag
Reveal a secret carelessly
Allen just let the cat out of the bag by revealing the gender of the baby.
That ship has sailed
It is too late to do something
Norah said that she won’t be performing live anymore as she announced to the press, “That ship has sailed”.