Idioms

Idioms

1

Under the weather

Feeling ill / Getting a cold

My mom was feeling a bit under the weather. 

1

Cold feet

Becoming nervous

It was her chance to speak and she was getting cold feet.

1

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.

1

Snowed under

To be busy

My father seems to have been snowed under for the last few weeks.

1

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.

More idioms

1

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.

1

Make ends meet

To have just enough money for all your needs

Harry and Hani are finding it really difficult to make ends meet.

1

Pretty penny

Expensive

The dress she wants for her birthday will cost a pretty penny.

1

Break a leg

Used instead of good luck

The teacher asked us to break a leg at the annual day dance.

1

Beat around the bush

Not saying directly

Jason’s neighbour kept beating around the bush and did not give a direct answer.

even more idioms

1

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.

1

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.

1

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.

1

Clouds on the horizon

Problems/ Trouble

Vickie sensed that there were multiple clouds on the horizon.

1

Blue in the face

To be exhausted due to strain or anger

Usha looked blue in the face after the marathon.

still more idioms

1

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.

1

Cup of tea

Not something that a person would do

Cooking has never been Rachel’s cup of tea.

1

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.

1

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.

1

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.

some more idioms

1

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.

1

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.

1

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.

1

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.

1

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”.