Sports
Hit below the belt
When you hit below the belt, you are performing an action that showcases unfair or unsportsmanlike conduct.
Example: His comments about her personal life really hit below the belt.
Spill the beans
To spill the beans is to disclose a secret or reveal confidential information.
Example: Don't spill the beans about the surprise party!
Bite off more than you can chew
To bite off more than you can chew is to take on more responsibilities or challenges than you can handle.
Example: After accepting two major projects simultaneously, Sarah felt overwhelmed and realized she had bitten off more than she could chew.
Don't count your chickens before they hatch
This means that you shouldn’t assume success or victory before it happens.
Example: We still have a lot of classes to pass before we graduate college; don't count your chickens before they hatch.
Throw caution to the wind
To throw caution to the wind is to act recklessly or without concern for the consequences.
Example: She decided to throw caution to the wind and quit her job, despite not having enough savings or another job lined up.
Jump on the bandwagon
When you jump on the bandwagon, you join others in supporting a popular activity or trend.
Example: Everyone is buying the latest smartphone; I might as well jump on the bandwagon and get one too.
Piece of cake
Something that is a piece of cake is very easy to do.
Example: The exam was a piece of cake; I finished it in 20 minutes.
Bring home the bacon
To bring home the bacon is to earn a living or provide financial support for a family.
Example: As the sole breadwinner, she works hard to bring home the bacon and support her family.
Kill two birds with one stone
To kill two birds with one stone is to accomplish two tasks with a single action.
Example: When I study with my friends, we kill two birds with one stone because we help each other understand the material better and get to spend quality time together.
Caught between a rock and a hard place
To be caught between a rock and a hard place means you are facing a difficult decision with no easy solution.
Example: I can't please both my mom and my sister; I'm caught between a rock and a hard place.
The whole nine yards
The whole nine yards refers to everything – the complete extent.
Example: When planning the wedding, they went the whole nine yards with decorations, catering, and entertainment.
Break the ice
When you break the ice, you initiate a conversation or social interaction in a friendly manner.
Example: The joke he told really helped break the ice at the company holiday party and got everyone chatting with each other.
In a nutshell
This expression is used to sum up or express something in a concise manner.
Example: In a nutshell, the new policy aims to streamline our workflow and improve efficiency.
Straight from the horse's mouth
Anything that is straight from the horse’s mouth is information from a reliable source.
Example: I talked to our boss and heard straight from the horse's mouth that the project is due next week.
Hit the hay
Hit the hay means to go to bed and head to sleep.
Example: It’s been a long day at work, I’m ready to hit the hay.
Throw in the towel
To throw in the towel is to give up or surrender.
Example: After hours of trying to fix the issue on his computer, he decided to throw in the towel and call for technical support.
In hot water
Someone in hot water is in trouble or facing difficulties.
Example: He found himself in hot water after missing the important deadline at work.
Spice things up
To spice things up is to add excitement or variety to a situation.
Example: Let's spice things up at the party by introducing some fun games and activities.
bull in a china shop
someone who is clumsy or careless, especially in a delicate situation. The phrase is a negative description that implies the person is insensitive to others' feelings and doesn't stop to think
"As a politician, he was a bull in a china shop and often had to apologize for his rude speech.
A breath of fresh air
A breath of fresh air is something that is new and refreshing.
Example: The new employee is like a breath of fresh air; he brings new ideas and enthusiasm to the team.
Drop the ball
To drop the ball is to make a mistake or fail to do something.
Example: I really dropped the ball on that project; I forgot to include some crucial information in the report.
A piece of the pie
To get a piece of the pie is to get a share or portion of something, usually referring to profits or benefits.
Example: Everyone in the company deserves a piece of the pie for their hard work.
Go bananas
To go bananas is to become extremely excited, agitated, or crazy.
Example: The crowd went bananas when Taylor Swift walked onto the stage. They were clapping and cheering nonstop for over 10 minutes.
can of worms
you are warning someone that they are planning to do or talk about something that is much more complicated, unpleasant, or difficult than they realize and that might be better left alone.
She is afraid that she will open a can of worms if she speaks out about the election.
Bite the dust
To bite the dust is to fail or suffer a defeat.
Example: After weeks of intense competition, the other team won and ours bit the dust.