5wJP3jPX

1$name : Somebody Write This Random Plot Generator
2$author : Hannah
3$description : Generates a random story plot.
4$amount : 1
5$button : Another!
6
7$storyname
8[adjective]
9[adjective] [noun]
10[character]
11[character] and [character]
12[character]'s [noun]
13[dialogue]
14[first name]
15[first name] and the [noun]
16[first name]'s [noun]
17[idiom]
18[noun]
19[noun] and [noun] [setting]
20[noun]: The [adjective]
21[setting]
22The [adjective] [noun]
23
24$bigplot
25[setting], [passive]. The story is told from the perspective of [character].
26[character] is set free and returns to [setting], where [character] [plot]
27[setting], [character] winds up [plot]ing in a quest to vanquish [character]
28Drama about the lives of two [character]s who lived [setting].
29Centers on the real-life story of [character].
30[character] [plot], but [character] [plot]
31[character] who [plot] faces off against [character] who [plot]
32[setting], [character] [plot], and in doing so [plot]
33[setting], [character] [plot]
34[character] is forced to [plot] when [passive]
35[passive] for/to [character]
36[character] [plot]
37[character] is transformed into [character] when he [plot]
38a group of [character] [plot]
39[character] and [character] [plot]
40[character] encounters a [noun] that changes their life
41[character] is about to [plot] but [plot]
42when [character] [plot], [character] [plot]
43[character] and [character] travel to [setting] for [noun]
44
45$setting
46during the first few months after the deadly First World War
47his ancestral home
48in a twist to the classic fairy tale
49in a house in Manchester
50in 1931
51in 2011
52a place somewhere in time and space
53in their collective memory
54on a barren farm in rural England
55in 1942
56in North Africa
57on a deadly mission behind enemy lines
58in London
59in an all-female cult
60in Las Vegas
61during a bachelor party
62in Hollywood
63in a portal
64Paris in the 1970s
65in the swamp of a grumpy ogre
66at a Karaoke party
67in the future
68in 1862
69in the honeymoon suite of a hotel
70at a family dinner
71in a haunted castle
72on the doorstep of a married couple
73in a dark alternate timeline
74
75$character
76a baby
77a bank clerk
78a bank robber
79a beast
80a bumbling crook
81a business tycoon
82a Canadian intelligence officer
83a charismatic surgeon
84a dead body
85a desperate guy
86a detective with a mysterious boss
87a disgraced spy
88a fading grandfather
89a female French Resistance fighter
90a film director
91a former boy-genius inventor
92a foster kid
93a ghost
94a giant
95a girl
96a girl born into a cult
97a group of dysfunctional descendants
98a grumpy ogre
99a headstrong young girl
100a lawyer
101a lazy son
102a lazy, incompetent middle school teacher
103a man
104a manic superhero
105a married couple
106a masked crime fighting team
107a mean foster mom
108a mean lord
109a modern-day gladiator
110a movie star
111a New York City mayoral candidate
112a pop star
113a princess
114a prominent judge
115a psychopathic lawyer
116a puppeteer
117a resentful lover
118a rightwing pundit
119a self-indulgent and vain publishing magnate
120a stranger
121a teen bursting with scientific curiosity
122a teenage boy
123a teenage girl
124a violent drug dealer/blackmailer
125a wealthy fiancé
126a wealthy woman
127a woman
128a young actor
129a young woman
130an abusive boss
131an angel
132an arrogant father
133an art curator
134an eccentric and unpredictable Texas rodeo queen
135an ex-convict
136an idealistic but frustrated liberal
137an imprisoned vampire
138an oddball journalist
139an officer from a special police unit
140an orphan
141an underachieving voice coach
142fairytale creatures
143her party girl sister
144his father's killer
145Mr. Right
146newlyweds
147Rumpelstiltskin
148Shrek and his friends
149the attendees of a bachelor party
150the college's most popular girl
151the comedy group Monty Python
152the daughter of his former boss
153the dead sister's boyfriend
154the Evil Queen
155the flamboyant and visionary American founder of a London department store
156the grandmother neither sister knew existed
157the heir to a large company
158the Huntsman ordered to take Snow White into the woods to be killed
159the jilted Prince Charming
160the new king
161the youngest child
162their leukemia-stricken daughter
163two brothers
164two generations of a family
165two women troubled with guy-problems
166
167$plot
168is in need of protection
169becomes a protector and mentor
170is captivated by a romantic myth
171is closer than she realized
172faces off against a bank robber
173practices hypnosis
174wants a book
175unearth secrets
176becomes a giant
177fights to keep her fading grandfather alive
178makes an unthinkable sacrifice
179starts to fall apart
180takes a teenage boy under his wing
181turns sinister
182is born into a cult
183leads a cult
184questions her own reality
185questions the teachings of her cult
186is transformed into a superhero
187wears a mask
188murders someone
189cheats on his wife
190impulsively marries a stranger
191fights for a woman
192encounters a dead body
193has put up with too much
194is about to lose his local newspaper job
195owes money to a drug dealer
196reveals he's engaged
197realizes she loves him
198kidnaps someone
199meets up with his dream girl from high school
200is killed
201decides to chart the course of a young actor
202tries to make it in Hollywood
203discovers a portal
204travels
205tries to find out about her sister's suicide
206falls in love with her dead sister's boyfriend
207exiles fairytale creatures
208goes on a quest
209rescues a princess
210gets his land back
211enjoy themselves with some Karaoke partying
212finds his privileged life upended
213scams the examination system
214blackmails the cheaters
215wins over the college's most popular girl
216finally meets Mr. Right
217arrests murderers before they commit their crimes
218is accused of a murder
219seeks revenge
220encounters a ghost
221investigates a series of murders
222celebrates her marriage
223gets mixed up with a disgraced spy
224tries to clear his name
225teams up with his late dad's assistant
226become a masked crime fighting team
227buys a fake Monet
228earns medical emancipation from her parents
229has relied on their youngest child
230helps their leukemia-stricken daughter
231remains alive
232finds himself in over his head
233gets involved in drug trafficking
234gets in the Halloween spirit
235challenges his fairytale friends
236comes up with scary stories for a contest
237spends the night in a haunted castle
238kills someone they don't know
239puts their own spin on holiday traditions
240wakes up
241sees her life change
242makes a thinly-veiled campaign move
243takes her in
244is compelled to live life as a couple
245experiences the thrills and surprises of having a baby
246discovers her boyfriend is married
247meets the wife he's been betraying
248allows himself to be erased from existence
249rules supreme
250breaks off relations with her party girl sister
251sings the night away
252battles it out in a singer's showdown
253fends off a coup d'etat
254meets a local guy
255falls in love
256sings Christmas carols
257hates her job
258is forced to return to teaching
259dumps her
260competes in the movie trailer voice-over profession
261
262$noun
263Spanish flu
264shadow
265book of hypnotism
266a book on the art form of hypnosis
267rust
268letter
269the pressures of war
270an unthinkable sacrifice
271unexpected success
272lamb
273a cult
274wedding
275life
276fear
277loathing
278a mysterious mask
279a dead body
280a death wish
281his job
282money
283love
284a series of psychedelic escapades
285a portal
286life-and-death struggles
287stolen voice-ID software
288martial arts
289tech skills
290sex appeal
291her sister's suicide
292a vehicular accident
293etiquette
294a witness protection profile database
295a fake Monet
296a contest
297a small wooden box
298holiday traditions
299a sex tape
300a large amount of money
301a baby
302a mid-life crisis
303breast implants
304
305$adjective
306forgotten
307dark
308allied
309sinister
310ordinary
311mysterious
312idealistic
313frustrated
314bumbling
315prominent
316lazy
317violent
318desperate
319young
320mysterious
321mean
322self-indulgent
323vain
324privileged
325resentful
326geeky
327abusive
328eccentric
329unpredictable
330scary
331frantic
332chilly
333hilarious
334rebellious
335lazy
336incompetent
337underachieving
338arrogant
339
340$first name
341Molly
342Miranda
343Steven
344Stanley
345Mickey
346Francis
347Richter
348John
349Shrek
350Ethan
351Amsterdam
352Bill
353Fiona
354Britt
355Kato
356Anna
357Will
358Carly
359Graham
360Rumpelstiltskin
361Rose
362Maggie
363Ella
364Harold
365Artie
366
367$passive
368a virulent, dreadful flu breaks out
369their relationship is tested by the pressures of war
370his life starts to fall apart
371his behavior turns sinister
372an unusual set of circumstances brings unexpected success
373their love lives interconnect
374his date was a complete disaster
375the wedding approaches
376a small wooden box arrives on the doorstep
377it will grant them a million dollars
378their sex tape has gone missing
379life does not always deliver what is expected
380another love affair is discovered
381
382$descriptor
383bound by a shared destiny
384born into an all-female cult
385after a vehicular accident with a resentful lover
386who is trying to clear his name
387who lives with her mean foster mom
388for legal reasons
389a mid-life crisis burdened
390troubled with guy-problems
391who hates her job, her students, and her co-workers
392
393$phrase
394fifty people read
395I....I feel pretty
396never really have,
397this is Ashburn,
398Corporal Anthony
399don’t know if this
400I don’t know her as
401today. Scott: No
402bar opened, SHIT, I
403nowhere near…WINTER
404and she touches HIS,
405(Motions to her
406curlers, wrist deep
407at a pay phone. BETH
408It’s six-thirty-five
409picture of him, I
410muerto" over and
411too. Mike/Jackie:
412off her shoes and
413the Road,” Nat King
414millions of people,
415checked the Army had
416feeling from this as
417it, tosses a pack of
418(Not looking) Yeah,
419tell my wife that, I
420“Interested,” FUCK
421CIVILIANS are
422who smelled like Axe
423Garelick Steel in
424the street the car
425dinner in the
426MISERY and HOWLING
427called a hat trick.
428face, smeared with
429(Red-faced now, she
430way. Smitty: It’s
431HIS birthday today,
432sort of...thing. I
433was…it was pretty
434Smitty: (Writing it
435just…anyway, she was
436but will you not
437Ford Ranger, the one
438it just, like…a
439she loves me.
440Beth: No. Mike: You
441Beth: Don't call me
442were physical. Are,
443with you within
444buddies. Smitty: Do
445be home. They listen
446and looks at BETH.
447what it meant, like
448listen to Nat King
449sniper fire in
450SCOTT can’t let
451phone rings, BETH
452(SMITTY answers and
453That SOUNDS right— 9
454know...that's what
455JACKIE’S being
456them, I can’t…I
457be better off
458small LETTER.
459checks to make sure
460car you drive? Mike:
461nights to play his
462doing another tour
463when I forget…I want
464Cole. Misty: Last
465me be alone when I
466Minnesota darkness
467(Pause) This one was
468do-- (SMITTY smiles,
469a party for Gator,
470television on with
471I…YEAH, it
472have to KILL people
473roads are closed in
474I’m not supposed to
475Smitty: How can a
476today? Mike: I…sure.
477“panic attacks”
478sounds like you're
479shit.” Anthony: See,
480see what happens in
481a real…for THAT?
482we’ll always have
483her LADDER and waits
484ANTHONY CIPRIANI-
485family
486his deepest sympathy
487even letting you
488great story— Smitty:
489not a sign of it
490mouth, aching with
491sending the pictures
492leave me alone for a
493thought you’d never
494Beth: Whoa, hold it,
495Polite and
496had them…they’re at
497(Beat) I don’t know
498other end. SCOTT
499violating
500even have central
501arms out toward him,
502This is for
503the floor like an
504person. Anyway, I
505to his music…JACKIE
506left my fucking
507this—“ (RENEE
508his deepest sympathy
509see that one.
510DAMN, don’t tell me
511Captain Beth
512loved it, Cole,
513“routine.” 33
514girl band, we rocked
515have to meet some
516exactly because I
517it's--- Smitty: Your
518it. So I brought the
519bones about it, I’m
520stupid, you said he
521Yeah…AMERICANS. Tell
522glasses dropped into
523She dropped out of
524evolving animal,
525our first danceMike:
526today. Had to help a
527fine, it just HELPS
528share a look: RENEE
529You see, someone
530of hours drive,
531dragons and unicorns
532because...I don't
533picture, MISTY
534my pale blue-eyed
535this, right? Renee:
536putting in the
537will come
538thought of him every
539elsewhere) Wait,
540mirror, and with a
541There are a lot of
542Beth: I like it too.
543with something that
544(Beat) This IS going
545drive, nobody but a
546a goddamn jean
547like this came up
548enough…enough for
549benefit of the
550Captain… (MISTY
551explosions flood the
552every DAY…would you
553fuck any girls who
554BETH’S cracking
555got me doing a story
556mean, if you want to
557HILARIOUS…Marishka,
558night at the DRAFT
559would...that would
560even an overstuffed
561watching TV, reading
562room with their
563(MUSIC: Floyd
564it done? With all
565cries in the other
566MIKE’S trembling
567it was TV because
568Draft Horse last
569you, PLEASE, just—
570MIKE stumbles out
571name. That your
572SMITTY’S iPod, shows
573one who looks away.
574red-headed bitch,
575mean, sometimes…but
576even be TENDING bar,
577you does to tell
578corporate shithead
579Please…don’t let
580sorry I bothered
581iPod, giving a
582letting the
583“Ernie’s Tune.” Both
584can’t quite reach.
585uh...been in love
586HAPPY BIRTHDAY, YOU
587sure she’s…CHRIST,
588Mike: You said
589the words. SCOTT, in
590not very punk rock
591staring, making a
592This music is going
593an AP photographer
594morning, we’re
595Jewish parochial
596American Flags.”
597musically expressed.
598don't know if I'm
599Communion)
600out so it doesn’t
601call asking if I’m
602(Beat) E-mail?
603that great, but he
604this is not a place
605Unforgiven. I think
606It's cold here too.
607the only one who’s
608every…I’m sorry, I
609up, I SAID…no, I
610Yes it does
611forces for some
612meet up with the
613I know…tough to get
614wanted to talk
615it’s over now and
616Sixty-Eighth Armored
617could stay in a
618even write
619knowing the right
620that you're in love
621Council-crackers
622resources of the
623knowing what to say
624sir, Lieutenant
625can you take away
626fly. If you were
627seriously, that was
628worked the checkout
629come home from Iraq
630kids in my classes,
631dressed like that.
632(Unable to contain a
633Iraqi village with
634off.(Beat) It's
635MISTY play with her
636calls, I don’t want
637Sorry…okay, SORRY. I
638Renee: A FAX? What
639DARKNESS: RENEE and
640better at the
641tshirt, takes her
642Yeah, me and Kurt,
643a guy at the airport
644maybe a hundred and
645after he gets his,
646(RENEE looks through
647“-can work together
648we go here, it's a
649notification.
650chair. BETH, in her
651White Citizens
652think we can— Scott:
653Web. House at Pooh
654(EVERYONE downs
655calendar? Put your
656awesome. See, this
657anything I can do?
658What’s that?
659Inquiring Camera
660rough danger, late
661friend Nicholas
662drawing of a cow.
663It was over in a
664stay on for awhile?
665bait. (ANOTHER
666here in the
667were recalling
668and Gentlemen.
669chance, maybe
670them hanging on
671bother you. Beth: I
672HAS a wife. (Beat)
673on the couch while
67416 Renee: Problem?
675better-- Smitty:
676thing, Battle Creek
677of speaking. Mike:
678Charles.(Beat) Yeah?
679family in your
680tune, but there it
681before going back to
682it secondhand, heard
683addresses the e-mail
684starts writing. BETH
685it. (SMITTY plugs it
686that, it's really
687close to her, they
688SPOTLIGHT DIES.) 57
689actually, I was kind
690ROOM, wind at the
691back she barely
692Misty Cipriani's
693changes songs,
694“happened,” I KILLED
695not important— Beth:
696sound of it, it's a
697huh? Bacardi?
698snowmobiles outside,
699songs like "Autumn
700Anthony: I’d get the
701Smitty:
702away, touching his
703mortar attack on the
704neither has ever
705wretched place, None
706city of Mosul. The
707grapevine about
708better if it’s on
709The Bellrays with
710to touch SCOTT’S
711bereaved…usually buy
712KNOCKS at the door.
713not your “commanding
714Another officer?
715Division, shellfire,
716along, but this
717as he raises his
718can’t fight, right?
719to it, away from
720now, a lot of major
721wrong places, early
722me to smile? Renee:
723(Beat) The
724of a sense of what’s
725“Why Can’t I Touch
726saying, a procedure
727gotta say is—
728I was not…what was
729he’s gone asshole on
730because she says
731shut the fuck up, I
732here? Anthony: Come
733league hockey
734back…I’m yours
735picture and looks
736deal, but GUESS
737duty...I have not
738tell you, and I LOVE
739they went to tell
740didn’t think so…
741ROUTINE. Renee:
742you stupid
743(Pause) So, you…you
744doesn't LOVE me, I
745Beth: (Keeping it
746over there...saying
747DIETERS- careless
748(Almost drifting
749Fuckin’ A. (Pause)
750two cheap shots.
751by him) It’s funny
752high school. Smitty:
753shoulder as she
754if all we have is
755Home Depot or the
756messing up the way
757(Laughing)
758sounds FUN. (Beat) I
759his mother in Texas,
760traditional drumming
761school, I dunno…but
762the address. No
763floor, starts
764TRANSFOMED now, a
765mean, YOU come on—
766smile. MISTY puts
767“Amanda?” FUCK
768will call you
769idly at the menu.)
770watchfulness of a
771request? Vinyl or
772got out then Shirley
773Okay… Misty: Thanks
774statue, love,
775sorry. Is there
776old as the planet,
777high: Percy Faith,
778doubt, but they
779SPECIALIST JACKIE
780woman gets out, a
781second floor,
782to read these to her
783Beth: I was supposed
784looks up into his
785dance to me. 87
786and smart, first
787available to visit
788her. Renee: Well,
789her breath, putting
790a bad year. I have
791Sorry. (RENEE
792night? 43 Beth:
793dunno. Sure. Smitty:
794Honeymooners, sways
795that’s going to hurt
796phone, remembers
797control.) Beth: Hey,
798a first KISS before
799daughter playing in
800celebration of the
801This. Beth: It’s
802it was Taxi, The
803
804$idiom
805A Bit Much: More than is reasonable; a bit too much
806A Bite at The Cherry: A good opportunity that isn’t available to everyone
807A Busy Bee: A busy, active person who moves quickly from task to task.
808A Cat Has Nine Lives: Cats seem to get away with dangerous things
809A Cat in Gloves Catches No Mice: You can’t get what you need if you’re too careful.
810A Cat Nap: A short sleep during the day
811A Cold Day In July: (Something that) will never happen
812A Cold Fish: Someone who is not often moved by emotions, who is regarded as being hard and unfeeling.
813A Cut Above: Slightly better than
814A Cut Below: Inferior to; somewhat lower in quality than
815A Day Late And A Dollar Short: Too delayed and insignificant to have much effect
816A Dog in The Manger: A person who selfishly prevent others from using, enjoying or profiting from something even though he/ she cannot use or enjoy it himself.
817A Few Sandwiches Short Of A Picnic: Abnormally stupid, not really sane
818A Good Deal: To a large extent, a lot
819A Great Deal: To a very large extent
820A Guinea Pig: Someone who is part of an experiment or trial
821A Hair’s Breadth: A very small distance or amount
822A Home Bird: Somebody who prefers to spend his social and free time at home.
823A Hundred And Ten Percent: More than what seems to be the maximum
824A Lame Duck: A person or enterprise (often a business) that is not a success and that has to be helped.
825A Leg Up: An advantage, a boost
826A Lemon: A vehicle that does not work properly
827A Life Of Its Own: An indepdendent existence
828A Little Bird Told Me: I don’t wish to divulge where I got the information
829A Little Bird Told Me: I got this information from a source I cannot reveal.
830A Little from Column A, a Little from Column B: A course of action drawing on several different ideas or possibilities
831A Lone Wolf: Someone who is not very social with other people
832A Lot on One’s Plate: A lot to do
833A Million and One: Very many
834A Notch Above: Superior to; higher in quality
835A Penny for Your Thoughts: What are you thinking?
836A Penny Saved is A Penny Earned: Every small amount helps to build one’s savings
837A Picture Is Worth a Thousand Words: A visual presentation can communicate something very effectively
838A Plum Job: An easy and pleasant job that also pays well
839A Rare Bird: Somebody or something of a kind that one seldom sees.
840A Scaredy-Cat: Someone who is excessively scared or afraid.
841A Second Bite At The Cherry: A Second chance to do something
842A Sight for Sore Eyes: Someone that you’re pleased to see
843A Sitting Duck: A person or object in a vulnerable position that is easy to attack or injure.
844A Snowball’s Chance in Hell: Little to no likelihood of occurrence or success
845A Stitch in Time Saves Nine: Fix something quickly, because if you don’t, it will just get more difficult to fix
846A Stone’s Throw: A very short distance
847A Storm in a Teacup: Unnecessary anger or worry about an unimportant or trivial matter
848A Tall Order: A difficult task
849A Week Is A Long Time In _____: In the field mentioned, the situation may change rapidly
850About Time: Far past the desired time
851About To: On the point of, occurring imminently
852Above And Beyond: More than is expected or required
853Above Board: Openly, without deceit. Honestly, reputably.
854Above The Law: Exempt from the laws that apply to everyone else.
855Above The Salt: Of high standing or honor
856Above Water: Not in extreme difficulty. Especially said of finances
857Accident Of Birth: Luck in something due to family good fortune
858Accident Waiting To Happen: A dangerous way of setting up or organizing something
859According To Hoyle: Properly, in accordance with established procedures
860Ace In The Hole: A hidden advantage
861Ace Up One’s Sleeve: A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.
862Achilles’ Heel: The weak point of an otherwise powerful person or organization
863Acid Test: A crucial event that determines the worth of something
864Acknowledge The Corn: Admit to a mistake, especially a small one; point out one’s own shortcomings, or another’s
865Acquired Taste: Something one learns to appreciate only after trying it repeatedly
866Across The Board: In relation to all categories, for everyone
867Across The Pond: On or to the other side of the Atlantic Ocean.
868Act High and Mighty: Be arrogant, presume that one is better than others
869Act Of Congress: Hard to get, said of authorization
870Act One’s Age: To be mature, not childish
871Actions Speak Louder Than Words: One’s character and intentions are shown more accurately by one’s actions than by one’s words.
872Add Fuel To The Fire: Worsen already existing tension
873Add Insult To Injury: Compound a defeat with humiliation or mockery
874Add Insult to Injury: Humiliate someone in addition to doing damage to him or her
875After One’s Own Heart: Similar in a pleasing way
876After The Fact: Too late; after something is completed or finalized
877After The Lord Mayor’s Show (UK): Anticlimactic; occurring after something impressive
878Against The Clock: Forced to hurry to meet a deadline
879Against the Clock: In a very limited amount of time; with a shortage of time being the main problem
880Against The Grain: Contrary to one’s natural inclinations
881Against The Run Of Play: A typical of the way a game has been going
882Age Before Beauty: Something said by a younger woman to an older one, for instance allowing her to pass through a doorway
883Agree To Disagree: Accept or set aside a disagreement
884Agreement In Principle: In a negotiation, an agreement in which not all details have been worked out
885Aha Moment: Sudden realization, the point at which one suddenly understands something
886Ahead Of One’s Time: Offering ideas not yet in general circulation; highly creative
887Ahead Of The Curve: Innovative, devising new ideas in advance of others
888Ahead Of The Curve: Offering ideas not yet in general circulation; highly creative
889Ahead Of The Game: Making faster progress than anticipated; ahead of schedule
890Air Rage: Angry behavior inside an airplane
891Airy Fairy: whimsical, nonsensical, impractical
892Albatross Around One’s Neck: Something from one’s past that acts as a hindrance
893Alive and Kicking: In good health despite health problems
894All Along: For the entire time something has been happening
895All And Sundry: Everyone(separately) Each one.
896All Bark And No Bite: Tending to make verbal threats but not deliver on them
897All Bets Are Off: What seemed certain is now unclear
898All Dressed Up And Nowhere To Go: Prepared (with clothing or otherwise) for an event that does not occur
899All Ears: Listening willingly, waiting for an explanation
900All Eyes And Ears: Attentive
901All Eyes Are On: Watching alertly or attentively. Having prominent eyes. Everyone is paying attention to
902All Fur Coat And No Knickers: Superficially attractive, physically or otherwise
903All Hands on Deck: Everyone must help.
904All Hat And No Cattle: Pretentious, full of bluster
905All Hell Breaks Loose: The situation becomes chaotic.
906All In A Day’s Work (Excl.): That’s what I’m here for; although I have accomplished something, it is part of what I’m expected to do
907All In Good Time: Eventually; at a more favorable time in the future. This phrase encourages one to be patient.
908All in One Piece: Safely
909All It’s Cracked Up To Be: As good as claims or reputation would suggest
910All Mouth And No Trousers: Superficial, engaging in empty, boastful talk, but not of real substance
911All Over But The Shouting: Certain to end in a specific way
912All Over Hell’S Half Acre: All over the place; everywhere.
913All Over The Board: Everywhere, in many different locations
914All Over The Map: Everywhere; in many different locations
915All Over The Place: Everywhere; in many different locations
916All Rights Reserved: Said of a published work; all reproduction rights are asserted by the copyright holder
917All Roads Lead to Rome: There is more than one effective way to do something; many different methods will produce the same result
918All Set: Ready, prepared, finished
919All Sizzle And No Steak: Failing to live up to advance promotion or reputation
920All Talk and No Trousers: Prone to empty boasts
921All That Jazz: Similar things, similar qualities, et cetera
922All The Marbles: The entire prize or reward
923All The Rage: Very fashionable
924All the Rage: Very much in fashion
925All The Same: Anyway; nevertheless; nonetheless.
926All The Tea In China: Great wealth, a large payment
927All Things Being Equal: In the event that all aspects of a situation remain the same
928All Things Considered: Taking all factors into consideration
929All Thumbs: Clumsy
930All Told: With everything taken into consideration
931All Very Well: True to a certain extent
932All Wet: Completely mistaken
933Along The Lines Of: In general accordance with, in the same general direction as
934Amateur Hour: A display of incompetence
935Amber Gambler: Someone who accelerates to try to cross an intersection before a traffic light turns red
936Amber Nectar: Beer
937American Dream (The): The belief among Americans that hard work leads to material success
938An Apple a Day Keeps the Doctor Away: Eating healthy foods will keep one from getting sick (and needing to see a doctor)
939An Axe: To Grind A grievance, a disagreement with someone that justifies confrontation.
940An Early Bird: A person who gets up early in the morning, or who starts work earlier than others.
941An Eye for an Eye: Justice in which reparation or vengeance exactly matches the harm caused to the victim
942An Offer One Can’t Refuse: An extremely attractive offer
943Ancient History: Something, such as a disagreement, that happened long ago and ought to be forgotten
944And All That: Et cetera, and so on.
945And Change: And an additional amount of money that’s less than the next round number
946And Counting: And the number just mentioned is increasing (or decreasing)
947And His Mother: An intensifier for an inclusive noun or phrase such as everyone, everybody
948And So Forth: Indicates that a list continues in a similar manner, etc.
949And So On: Indicates that a list continues in a similar manner, etc.
950And The Like: And other similar items, etc.
951And Then Some: And even more than what has just been mentioned
952Angel’s Advocate: Someone who takes a positive outlook on an idea or proposal
953Angle For: Aim toward something, try to obtain something, often indirectly or secretly
954Another Nail In One’s Coffin: Something that leads to someone’s death, literally or figuratively.
955Answer Back: Respond impertinently; to talk back.
956Ants In Your Pants: Restlessness
957Any Port in a Storm: If you’re in trouble, you’ll turn to anything that improves the situation.
958Any Tom, Dick or Harry: Any ordinary person
959Apple of One’s Eye: A favorite person or thing, a person especially valued by someone
960Apple of Someone’s Eye: The person that someone loves most of all and is very proud of
961Apples and Oranges: Of two different classes, not comparable
962Apples and Oranges: Of two different classes, not comparable
963Arm Candy: An attractive woman accompanying a powerful or famous man at a social event
964Armed to the Teeth: Carrying many weapons
965Around the Clock: At all times
966As American as Apple Pie: Very or typically American
967As Far as I Can Throw (someone): Only slightly
968As Fit as A Fiddle: To be healthy and physically fit
969As Pale as A Ghost: Extremely pale
970As Pale as Death: Extremely pale
971As Poor as a Church Mouse: Very poor
972As Red as A Cherry: Very red
973Asleep at the Wheel (Switch): not paying attention to one’s work; not doing one’s job diligently.
974At Death’s Door: Very near death
975At Each Other’s Throats: Constantly and strongly arguing
976At Loggerheads: In a state of persistent disagreement
977At Loggerheads: In a state of persistent disagreement.
978At Sixes and Sevens: Someone is in a state of confusion or not very well organized.
979At the Drop of a Hat: Spontaneously, suddenly
980At the Eleventh Hour: It happens when it is almost too late.
981At the End of One’s Rope (Tether): Running out of endurance or patience
982At the End of the Day: In the final analysis; when all is said and done
983At Wit’s End: Frustrated because all measures to deal with something have failed
984Babe In Arms: A baby being carried
985Babe In The Woods: An innocent, naive person
986Babe Magnet: A man to whom women are attracted
987Baby Blues: Blue eyes.
988Baby Boomer: A person born in the years following World War II, when there was a temporary marked increase in the birth rate
989Babysitter Test: An evaluation of the ease of use of household appliances, especially remote control devices
990Back And Forth: Dialogue, negotiations
991Back At You: Same to you (used to return a greeting or insult)
992Back Burner (On The): Not urgent; set aside until later
993Back Forty: Remote, inaccessible land
994Back in the Day: Formerly, when I was younger, in earlier times
995Back Of Beyond: A remote location
996Back Office: Support services for a business
997Back on One’s Feet: Physically healthy again
998Back the Wrong Horse: To support the losing side
999Back to Square One: Back to the start
1000Back to Square One: Forced to begin something again
1001Back to the Drawing Board: Forced to begin something again
1002Back to the Salt Mine(s): We have to go back to work.
1003Back to the Salt Mines: It’s time for me (us) to go back to work
1004Backing and Filling: Delaying a decision by making small changes or arguing about small details
1005Backseat Driver: A passenger in a car who gives unwanted advice to the driver is called a backseat driver.
1006Backseat Driver: Someone who likes to give (often annoying) advice to the driver of a car, or the leader of some other enterprise
1007Bad Apple: A discontented, trouble making, or dishonest person
1008Bad Blood: Enmity or hatred that stems from something in the past
1009Bad Egg: Someone who is not to be trusted
1010Bad Taste In One’s Mouth: Unease, a feeling that something unspecified is wrong in a situation
1011Bag of Tricks: A set of methods or resources
1012Bail Out: To rescue someone from a bad situation, to shield someone from the consequences of his or her actions
1013Ball and Chain: 1. One’s spouse (derogatory but often affectionate); 2. an ongoing burden
1014Ballpark Figure: A rough estimate
1015Bang for Your Buck: Value for money
1016Bang for Your Buck: Value for your money
1017Bang One’s Head Against the Wall (Against a Brick Wall):Try repeatedly to do something without making progress
1018Banner Year: A year marked by strong successes
1019Baptism by Fire: A difficult task given right after one has assumed new responsibilities
1020Bar Fly (or Barfly): Someone who spends much of his or her time in bars
1021Bare One’s Heart (Soul): To confess one’s deepest secrets
1022Bark Up the Wrong Tree: Pursue a mistaken approach or belief; be wrong in a course of action
1023Basket Case: So upset or stunned that one is unable to function; in a hopeless condition
1024Bat/Play for Both Teams: To be bisexual.
1025Bat/Play for the Other Team: To be homosexual.
1026Batten Down the Hatches: Prepare for a storm
1027Batten Down the Hatches: Prepare for a storm
1028Be A Barrel of Laughs: To be fun, funny, and pleasant.
1029Be A Cold Day In Hell: (Something that) will never happen
1030Be An Item: Two people are an item when they are having a romantic relationship
1031Be Footloose and Fancy-Free: To be free of responsibilities, including romantic commitments
1032Be Head Over Heels (In love): Be in love with somebody very much
1033Be in Seventh Heaven: Extremely happy
1034Be in Two Minds (about something): To not be certain about something, or to have difficulty in making a decision
1035Be Like Chalk and Cheese: Things or people who are very different and have nothing in common
1036Be Lovey – Dovey: Expressing your love in public by constantly kissing and hugging
1037Be on the Mend: Be improving after an illness
1038Be Snowed Under: Be extremely busy with work or things to do
1039Bean Counters: Accountants, finance professionals in an organization
1040Bean Counters: Accountants, finance professionals in an organization
1041Beat Around the Bush: To speak in a roundabout way in order to avoid confronting an unpleasant topic
1042Beat Someone To The Draw: To accomplish or obtain something more quickly than someone else
1043Beat Someone to the Punch: Do something before or faster than someone else
1044Beat the Drum for (Something): Speak in favor of something to try to generate support
1045Beauty Is Only Skin Deep: External appearance is a superficial basis for judging someone
1046Bed of Roses: A comfortable situation
1047Bedroom Eyes: An expression of the eyes that seems to invite sex
1048Bee in One’s Bonnet: Someone who has a bee in their bonnet has an idea which constantly occupies their thoughts.
1049Beggar Thy Neighbor: To do something beneficial for oneself without worrying about how it affects others
1050Behind the Eight (or 8) Ball: At a serious disadvantage
1051Behind the Scenes: In a way not apparent to the public
1052Behind the Times: Old-fashioned
1053Bell the Cat: Take on a difficult or impossible task
1054Bells And Whistles: Attractive but unnecessary features of a product
1055Belly Laugh: Loud, hearty laughter
1056Bend an Elbow: Drink alcoholic beverages at a tavern
1057Best (Greatest) Thing Since Sliced Bread: An innovative development
1058Best of Both Worlds: Combining two qualities that are usually separate
1059Bet One’s Bottom Dollar (On Something): Be certain that something will happen
1060Bet the Farm: Risk everything; spend all one’s money on something in hopes of success
1061Better late Than Never: It implies that a belated achievement is better than not reaching a goal at all.
1062Between a Rock and a Hard Place: Caught between two undesirable options
1063Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea: In a difficult position
1064Beyond the Pale: Too morally or socially extreme to accept
1065Beyond the Shadow of a Doubt: Absolutely certain
1066Big Apple: An informal name for New York City
1067Big Brother: Government, viewed as an intrusive force in the lives of citizens; government spying
1068Big Cheese: An important person in a company or organization
1069Big Deal: An important event or accomplishment
1070Big Fish: An important person
1071Big Picture: A wide perspective; a broad view of something
1072Big time: If you do something big time, you do it to a great degree.
1073Bird’s-Eye View: A view from above; a broad perspective on something
1074Birds of a Feather: People having similar characters, backgrounds, interests, or beliefs.
1075Bite Off More Than You Can Chew: Try to do more than one is capable of doing
1076Bite the Bullet: To do something even though it involves pain, discomfort, or difficulty
1077Bite the Hand That Feeds You: Act badly toward someone who has helped you
1078Bitter Pill to Swallow: An unpleasant fact that one must accept
1079Black and White: A clear distinction between good and bad, positive and negative
1080Black Eye: A mark of shame
1081Black Sheep: A person who does not fit into a group, especially a family
1082Black-and-Blue: Bruised, showing signs of having been physically harmed
1083Blank Check: Permission to spend or do whatever one wishes; carte blanche
1084Blind Date: When two people who have never seen each other before go on a date
1085Blinded by Love: When a person is so madly in love with somebody that they can’t see the person’s faults or negative characteristics
1086Blood and Thunder: A dramatic, spectacular performance
1087Blow Away the Cobwebs: If something blows away the cobwebs, it makes you feel more lively and refreshes your ideas.
1088Blow Hot and Cold: Shift one’s level of enthusiasm repeatedly
1089Blow Off Steam: To express anger and frustration in a way that does no damage
1090Blow One’s Stack: To lose one’s temper and explode in anger
1091Blow One’s Top: Lose one’s temper
1092Blow the Cobwebs Away (or Out of Something): Make space for fresh ideas, encourage something new
1093Blow the Whistle: Reporting an illegal or unacceptable activity to the authorities
1094Blow Up: Explode
1095Blow Your Own Trumpet: Brag; emphasize one’s own contributions
1096Blue Blood (adj. blue-blooded): Person of aristocratic background
1097Blue Eyed Boy: A person who is a favorite of those in authority; someone whose mistakes are forgiven
1098Blue Light Special: 1. a temporary sale at a discount store. 2. a traffic stop by the police.
1099Bob’s Your Uncle: The rest is easy; you’re almost finished
1100Bolt From the Blue: Something completely unexpected
1101Bone Dry: Completely dry, totally without moisture
1102Born on The Wrong Side of the Blanket: Born to parents who were not married
1103Borrow Trouble: Take needless risks, invite problems
1104Bottom of the Barrel: Low-quality choices
1105Boy Toy: A young man who is the lover of an older, often wealthier woman (see toyboy)
1106Boys will be Boys: A phrase of resignation used when boys get into trouble or are stereotypically reckless or rowdy
1107Brainstorm: To generate many ideas quickly
1108Break a Leg: Good luck! This is used for a stage performer-or for anyone else who is about to give some kind of a performance, such as an important speech
1109Break Out in A Cold Sweat: To perspire from fever or anxiety
1110Break the Bank: Exhaust one’s financial resources
1111Break The Ice: To get something started, particularly by means of a social introduction or conversation
1112Break up/ Split up (With Somebody): End the relationship
1113Bring Home the Bacon: Earn money for one’s family
1114Bringing a Knife to a Gunfight: Underequipped or unprepared
1115Brush Under the Carpet: Attempt to temporarily conceal a problem or error
1116Bucket List: Things you want to see or do before you die
1117Bull in a China Shop: A clumsy or tactless person
1118Bump in the Road: A temporary problem, a small setback
1119Bundle Up: Put on lots of warm clothing
1120Burn One’s Bridges: Leave a job or a relationship on such bad terms that one does not stay in contact
1121Burn the Candle at Both Ends: To work too hard, with possible bad consequences for one’s health
1122Burn the Candle at Both Ends: Work very long hours
1123Burn the Midnight Oil: To work late into the night
1124Burn the Midnight Oil: Working late into the night
1125Bury (Hide) One’s Head In the Sand: Ignoring something that’s obviously wrong, not facing reality
1126Bury the Hatchet: Make peace, agree to end a dispute
1127Business as Usual: A normal situation (whether related to business or not), typically restored after some change
1128Busman’s Holiday (UK): A working vacation
1129Busman’s Holiday: A vacation where you do the same thing you do at work, a working vacation
1130Busted Flush: A failure, someone or something that seemed promising but did not develop well
1131Butter Wouldn’t Melt in (Someone’s): Mouth This person is cool in manner, prim and proper
1132Buy a Pig in a Poke: To buy something with no prior inspection
1133Buy Time: Cause a delay in something with the aim of improving one’s position
1134By a Whisker: By a very short distance
1135By All Means: Of course, certainly
1136By Hook or by Crook: By some possibly dishonest means
1137By the Skin of One’s Teeth: Barely escaping disaster
1138By Word of Mouth: Via personal communications rather than written media
1139Call a Spade a Spade: To speak frankly and directly about a problem
1140Call It a Day: Decide that one has worked enough on something for the day
1141Call It a Night: End an evening’s activities and go home
1142Call the Shots: Make the important decisions in an organization
1143Call the Tune: Making important decisions and controlling a situation.
1144Can’t See the Forest for the Trees: Is unable to maintain a wider perspective
1145Can’t Swing A Dead Cat In (Place): Without Hitting A (Thing) There are many examples of [thing] in this [place].
1146Carrot-and-Stick (Approach): A tactic in which rewards are offered, but there is also the threat of punishment
1147Carry a Torch (for): To continue to be in love with someone even after a relationship has ended
1148Carry Coals To Newcastle: Supply something that is unneeded; engage in useless labor
1149Carry the Can: To take the blame for something one did not do
1150Cash In One’s Chips: 1. To take advantage of a quick profit 2. To die
1151Cash-Strapped: In need of money
1152Cast the First Stone: To be the first to criticize or attack someone
1153Castle in the Air: An impractical plan
1154Cat Fight: A fight between two women
1155Cat Got Your Tongue?: Don’t you have anything to say?
1156Cat on a hot tin roof: Be extremely nervous
1157Cat-and-Mouse (adj.): In a toying way; playful in an unpleasant way
1158Cat’s Paw: A person being used by someone else, a tool
1159Catch One’s Death of Cold: To become very ill (with a cold/flu etc.)
1160Catch Some Rays: To sit or lie outside in the sun
1161Catch Someone’s Eye: Attract someone’s attention
1162Catch-22: A difficult situation from which there is no escape because options for avoiding it involve contradictions
1163Caught Red-Handed: Apprehended while committing a crime
1164Champagne taste on a beer budget: Expensive or extravagant tastes or preferences that are beyond one’s economic means.
1165Change Horses in Midstream: Change plans or leaders in the middle of a process
1166Change of Heart: A change in one’s opinion or outlook
1167Change One’s Tune: To alter one’s opinion about something.
1168Changing of the Guard: A change in leadership at an organization
1169Chase Rainbows: To pursue unrealistic goals
1170Cheap Shot: An unfair attack; a statement that unfairly attacks someone’s weakness
1171Cherry-Pick: To present evidence selectively to one’s own advantage
1172Cherry-Pick: To select the best or most desirable
1173Chew the Fat: Chat for a considerable length of time
1174Chickens Come Home To Roost: The negative consequences of previous actions reveal themselves
1175Child’s Play: A very easy task
1176Chill Out: Do something that helps them to calm down and relax for a while.
1177Chin Music: Meaningless talk
1178Chin Up/ Keep Your Chin Up: Cheer up; try to be cheerful and strong
1179Chip off the Old Block: Someone who resembles a direct ancestor, usually the father
1180Chomp (Champ) at the Bit: Be eager to do something
1181Chomp at the Bit: To be eager to do something
1182Chop Chop: Quickly, without delay
1183Chop Shop: A shop where stolen cars are disassembled for parts
1184Chuck a Wobbly: To act in an emotional way
1185Circle the Wagons: To prepare as a group to defend against attack, adopt a defensive posture
1186Claim to Fame: Unusual feature or offering
1187Clean Up Nicely: Look good when one is dressed up. Usually said of women
1188Clear the Air: Defuse tension, be honest about conflict so as to reduce it
1189Clip Someone’s Wings: Reduce someone’s privileges or freedom
1190Close, But No Cigar: You are very close but not quite correct.
1191Cock and Bull Story: A far-fetched story, probably untrue
1192Cock-A-Hoop: Elated, excited
1193Cold Day in Hell: A condition for something that would be extremely unlikely to occur
1194Come By Something Honestly: Acquire something honestly, or inherit it
1195Come Clean: To confess; to admit to wrongdoing
1196Come Hell or High Water: No matter what happens
1197Come Out in the Wash: To be resolved with no lasting negative effect
1198Come Out of the Closet: Reveal a secret about oneself, usually that one is gay (homosexual)
1199Come Out Swinging: Respond to something very aggressively
1200Come Rain and Shine: Do regularly, whatever the circumstances
1201Come to Grips With: To acknowledge a problem as a prelude to dealing with it
1202Come to Terms With (Something): Feel acceptance toward something bad that has happened
1203Coming Down the Pike: Likely to occur in the near future
1204Common English idioms and sayings - Image
1205Cook Someone’s Goose: To insure someone’s defeat, to frustrate someone’s plans
1206Cook Up a Storm: Cook a great deal of food
1207Cooking Up a Storm: Cooking a great deal of food
1208Cool as A Cucumber: Calm and composed even in difficult or frustrating situations; self-possessed
1209Cool Cat: Someone who has the respect of their peers in a young, casual way.
1210Cool Your Heels: Wait
1211Couch Potato: A lazy person who watches a great deal of television
1212Crash a Party: To attend a party without being invited
1213Crickets: Silence
1214Cross to Bear: A problem one must deal with over a long time, a heavy burden
1215Crunch the Numbers: Do calculations before making a decision or prediction
1216Crunch Time: A period of high pressure when one has to work hard to finish something
1217Cry Over Spilt (USA: Spilled): Milk To waste energy moaning about something that has already happened
1218Cry Wolf (verb): To issue a false alarm, to ask for help when none is needed
1219Cry Your Eyes Out: Cry hard for a very long time
1220Cry Your Eyes Out: Cry hard for a very long time
1221Curiosity Killed The Cat: Stop asking questions, don’t be too curious
1222Cut (Someone) To the Quick: To deeply hurt someone emotionally
1223Cut Corners: Economize by reducing quality; take shortcuts
1224Cut It Fine: To do something at the last moment
1225Cut Off Your Nose to Spite Your Face: To act in a proud way that ultimately damages your own cause
1226Cut Someone Some Slack: Avoid treating someone strictly or severely
1227Cut the Gordian Knot: To solve a complex problem in a simple way
1228Cut the Mustard: Do something adequately
1229Cut to the Chase: Get to the point; explain the most important part of something quickly; skip the preliminaries
1230Cut Your Teeth on Something: To learn basic skills in a field
1231Cutting-Edge: Very novel, innovative
1232Da Man (Slang): An accomplished or skillful person. Generally used in the compliment “”You da man!””
1233Dance to Someone’s Tune: Consistently follow someone’s directions or influence
1234Dance with the Devil: Knowingly do something immoral
1235Dark Horse: A surprise candidate or competitor, especially one who comes from behind to make a strong showing
1236Darken Someone’s Door (Step): Make an unwanted visit to someone’s home
1237Dead Ahead: Directly ahead, either in a literal or a figurative sense
1238Dead as the Dodo: Completely extinct; totally gone
1239Dead Eye: A good shooter, a good marksman
1240Dead Heat: An exact tie in a race or competition
1241Dead of Winter: The coldest, darkest part of winter
1242Dead ringer: Very similar in appearance
1243Dead Run: Running as fast as possible
1244Dead Shot: A good shooter, a good marksman
1245Deep Pockets: The new owner has deep pockets, so fans are hoping the football team will improve next year with new players
1246Deliver the Goods: Provide what is expected
1247Devil’s Advocate: Someone who argues a point not out of conviction, but in order to air various points of view
1248Dirty Look: A facial manner that signifies disapproval
1249Do 12-Ounce Curls: Drink beer
1250Dodge a Bullet: To narrowly escape disaster
1251Doesn’t Amount to a Hill of Beans: Is unimportant, is negligible
1252Dog Days of the Summer: The hottest day of summer
1253Dog in the Manger: A person who prevents others from using something, even though the person himself or herself does not want it
1254Dog-and-Pony Show: A flashy presentation, often in a marketing context
1255Dog-Eat-Dog: Intensely competitive
1256Don’t Cry Over Spilled Milk: Don’t worry about minor things.
1257Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover: Don’t be deceived by looks; don’t rely on looks when judging someone or something
1258Don’t Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth: Do not question the value of a gift. The expression comes from the practice of determining the age and health of a horse by looking at its teeth.
1259Double-Dip: Improperly get income from two different sources
1260Double-Edged Sword: Something that can be helpful or harmful; something beneficial that also has a downside
1261Down in the Dumps: Depressed, sad
1262Down the Road: In the future (in your lifetime)
1263Drag One’s Feet (or Heels): To do something reluctantly and slowly
1264Drag Your Feet: Do something very reluctantly; delay doing something
1265Drain the Lizard: Urinate
1266Draw a Blank: Be unable to remember something
1267Draw a Line in the Sand: Issue an ultimatum; specify an absolute limit in a conflict
1268Draw a Line Under (Something): To conclude something and move on to something else
1269Draw a Long Bow: Exaggerate, lie
1270Draw the Line: To set a limit to what one will accept
1271Dressed Up to the Nines: Someone is wearing very smart or glamorous clothes
1272Drink the Kool-Aid: Accept a set of ideas uncritically, often dangerous ones
1273Drive a Hard Bargain: To arrange a transaction so that it benefits oneself.
1274Drive a Hard Bargain: To negotiate effectively
1275Drive a Wedge Between: Try to split factions of a united group by introducing an issue on which they disagree
1276Drive Someone Up the Wall: Deeply irritate someone
1277Drop a Line: To write a letter or send an email
1278Drop the Ball: Fail to fulfill one’s responsibilities; make a mistake
1279Dry Run: A practice execution of a procedure
1280Dutch Courage: Alcohol drunk with the intention of working up the nerve to do something
1281Dutch Uncle: A highly critical person
1282Dyed-In-The-Wool (adj.): Consistent in an affiliation or opinion over a long period; inveterate
1283Eager beaver: The term eager beaver refers to a person who is hardworking and enthusiastic, sometimes considered overzealous.
1284Eagle-Eyed: Having sharp vision
1285Early Bird [noun or adjective]: Someone who does something prior to the usual time, or someone who gets up early.
1286Eat Crow: To admit one was wrong, and accept humiliation
1287Eat Humble Pie: To admit defeat or error, to accept humiliation
1288Eat Someone’s Lunch: Defeat someone thoroughly
1289Eat Your Heart Out!: (excl.) Go ahead, be jealous.
1290Eighty-Six (v.): 1) Discard, eliminate. 2) Throw someone out of a bar or store.
1291Elephant in the Room: A major problem that no one is talking about
1292Elevator Music: Pleasant but boring recorded music that is played in public places.
1293Elevator Pitch: A brief presentation of an idea, one short enough to be delivered in an elevator
1294Eleventh Hour: The last minute
1295English Idioms (C)
1296English Idioms (G)
1297English Idioms (H)
1298English Idioms (M)
1299English Idioms (N)
1300English Idioms (R)
1301English Idioms (S)
1302English Idioms (T)
1303English Idioms (U)
1304English Idioms (Y)
1305English Idioms (Z)
1306English Idioms Examples with Idiom Meaning | Image 2
1307English Idioms Examples with Idiom Meaning | Image 2English Idioms (D)
1308English Idioms Examples with Idiom Meaning | Image 3
1309English Idioms Examples with Idiom Meaning | Image 3
1310English Idioms Examples with Idiom Meaning | Image 4
1311English Idioms Examples with Idiom Meaning | Image 4
1312English Idioms Examples with Idiom Meaning | Image 5English Idioms Examples with Idiom Meaning | Image 5
1313English Idioms Examples with Idiom Meaning | Image 6
1314English Idioms Examples with Idiom Meaning | Image 6
1315Even Steven: Owing nothing; tied (in a game)
1316Every Dog Has His (Its): Day Everyone has a moment of fame, power, or influence
1317Every Man and His Dog: Many people
1318Every Man for Himself: Pursue your own interests; don’t expect help from others.
1319Excused Boots: Allowed to avoid mandatory tasks
1320Face the Music: Dealing with consequences of one’s actions
1321Face the Music: To accept judgment or punishment
1322Fall for Something: Hook, Line, and Sinker To be completely deceived
1323Fall in Love with Somebody: Start feeling love towards somebody
1324Fall Off the Wagon: To begin using alcohol (or another problem substance) after quitting
1325Fall on One’s Sword: To accept blame; to sacrifice oneself
1326Fall Prey to: Be victimized by; be harmed by; be vulnerable to
1327Fancy Someone (British English): To find someone very attractive
1328Farther (On) Down the Road: Later, at some unspecified time
1329Farther (On) Down the Road: Later, at some unspecified time
1330Fashion-Forward: Tending to adopt new styles quickly
1331Fat Cat: A highly placed, well-paid executive
1332Father Figure: A mentor, a person who offers guidance
1333Feast Your Eyes On: To take great pleasure in looking at someone or something
1334Feather in One’s Cap: An achievement for which one is recognized; a noteworthy achievement
1335Feather One’s (Own) Nest: Use one’s influence or power improperly for financial gain
1336Feather One’s Nest: To take advantage of one’s position to benefit oneself
1337Fed Up With: Refusing to tolerate something any further; out of patience
1338Feel Like a Million Dollars: To feel great, to feel well and healthy.
1339Feel On Top of The World: To feel very healthy
1340Fell off a Truck: Probably stolen or illicitly obtained; said of something offered for sale to avoid discussing its origins
1341Fell off the Back of a Lorry: Probably stolen or illicitly obtained; said of something offered for sale to avoid discussing its origins
1342Fifteen Minutes of Fame: Temporary renown
1343Fifth Wheel: A superfluous person
1344Fight Fire with Fire: Use the same measures that are being used against you, even if they’re stronger than you would usually use
1345Fight Like Cat and Dog: Continually arguing with each other
1346Find One’s Voice: Become more confident in expressing oneself
1347Find Your Feet: To adjust to a new place or situation
1348Finger-Pointing: Blame; a situation within a group where each member attempts to blame others
1349Finger-Pointing: Blame; a situation within a group where each member attempts to blame others
1350Fire in the Belly: strong ambition
1351First In, Best Dressed: The first people to do something will have an advantage
1352Fish for Compliments: Try to manipulate people into praising you
1353Fish or Cut Bait (usually an exclamation): Make a decision or give someone else a chance
1354Fish Out of Water: A person who is in unfamiliar, confusing surroundings
1355Five-Finger Discount: Shoplifting
1356Flash in the Pan: A one-time occurrence, not a permanent phenomenon
1357Flat Broke: Having no money at all
1358Flat Out Like a Lizard: Drinking Very busy
1359Flesh and Blood: Blood relatives, close relatives
1360Flew the Coop: Left, escaped
1361Flip-Flop (v. or n.): To vacillate between two choices, to be indecisive
1362Fly by the Seat of One’s Pants: To improvise, to make decisions without planning or preparation
1363Fly High: Be very successful, especially temporarily
1364Fly Off The Handle: Lose one’s temper suddenly and unexpectedly
1365Fly off the Handle: To become suddenly enraged
1366Follow In Someone’s Footsteps (Tracks): Follow the example laid down by someone else; supplant
1367Follow Your Heart: Rely on one’s deeper feelings and instincts when making a decision
1368Food for Thought: Something that makes you think carefully
1369For a Song: At very low cost
1370For a Song: At very low cost
1371For Crying Out Loud (excl.): An expression of extreme annoyance
1372For Xyz Reasons: For multiple reasons, not worth specifying individually
1373Foul Play: Crime, typically murder
1374Fourth Estate: The media and newspapers
1375Fox in the Henhouse (Chickenhouse): Someone who causes trouble
1376Freak Out: A wildly irrational reaction or spell of behavior
1377French Leave: Absence without permission
1378Freudian Slip: Accidental use of an incorrect word; a revealing slip of the tongue
1379From Pillar to Post: From one place to another, in a forced, random way
1380From Scratch: From individual ingredients, not using a prepared mix
1381From Soup to Nuts: Everything; from beginning to end
1382From the Bottom of One’s Heart: Sincerely and with deep feeling
1383FUBAR: Hopelessly ruined, not working, messed up.
1384Fuck (Or Screw) The Dog (Pooch): To make an embarrassing error
1385Full Fathom Five: Lost deep in the sea
1386Full of the Joys of Spring: Very happy, enthusiastic and full of energy
1387Game of Chicken: A conflict situation in which neither side will back down for fear of seeming cowardly (chicken)
1388Get A Charley Horse: To develop a cramp in the arm or the leg
1389Get A Word In Edgewise: Be able to say something while someone else is talking a lot
1390Get Along (with Someone): To have a satisfactory relationship
1391Get Bent Out of Shape: Become angry, upset
1392Get Carried Away: Become overly enthusiastic
1393Get In on the Ground Floor: Invest in or join something while it is still small
1394Get in Shape: Undertake a program of physical conditioning; exercise regularly
1395Get Off Scot Free: Be accused of wrongdoing but pay no penalty at all
1396Get Off Scot Free: Be accused of wrongdoing but pay no penalty at all
1397Get One’s Ducks in a Row: Have everything organized; get oneself organized
1398Get One’s Hands Dirty: To do the unpleasant parts of a job
1399Get Someone’s Goat: To irritate someone deeply
1400Get the Ball Rolling: Do something to begin a process
1401Get the Picture: Understand what’s happening
1402Get the Runaround: Be given an unclear or evasive answer to a question
1403Get the Sack, Be Sacked: To be fired
1404Get the Third Degree: To be questioned in great detail about something
1405Get To Grips With: To begin to understand and deal with something
1406Get Wind of: Hear about
1407Get With the Program: Figure out what everyone else already knows. Often used sarcastically, as a command
1408Give ’em Hell (often excl.): Express something passionately to a group
1409Give and Take: Negotiations, the process of compromise
1410Give Lip Service to: Talk about supporting something without taking any concrete action
1411Give Lip Service: to Talk about supporting something without taking any concrete action
1412Give One’s Two Cents (That’s My Two Cents): Offer an opinion, suggest something
1413Give Someone a Holler: Contact someone
1414Give Someone a Piece of Your Mind: Angrily tell someone what you think
1415Give Someone a Run for Their Money: Compete effectively with the leader in a particular field
1416Give Someone an Earful: angrily express an opinion to someone
1417Give Someone the Cold Shoulder: act hostile toward someone; to ignore, snub
1418Give Someone The Old Heave-Ho: Fire someone, remove someone from a group or team
1419Give Something a Whirl: Attempt something without being totally familiar with it
1420Give the Green Light: Approve something; allow something to proceed
1421Go Along (With): Agree to something, often provisionally
1422Go Ape: Express wild excitement or anger
1423Go Ballistic: Fly into a rage
1424Go Bananas: To become irrational or crazy
1425Go Bananas: To become irrational or crazy
1426Go Belly Up: To go bankrupt
1427Go Berserk: To go crazy
1428Go Bonkers: To be or become wild, restless, irrational, or crazy; to act in such a way
1429Go Cold Turkey: Stop using an addictive substance suddenly, without tapering off
1430Go Down in Flames: Fail in a spectacular way
1431Go Mental: To suddenly become extremely angry
1432Go Nuclear: Use an extreme measure; because extremely angry
1433Go Nuts: To become crazy
1434Go Off Half-Cocked: To say or something prematurely, with a negative effect
1435Go Off the Deep End: To unexpectedly become very angry, especially without a good reason
1436Go Off The Rails: To go wrong, to begin acting strangely or badly
1437Go Out on a Limb: Assert something that may not be true; put oneself in a vulnerable position
1438Go Pear-Shaped: To fail; to go wrong
1439Go See a Man About a Dog: Go to the bathroom (said as a euphemism)
1440Go the Extra Mile: Put forth greater-than-expected effort
1441Go to the Dogs: To become disordered, to decay
1442Go to the Mattresses: To go to into battle
1443Go Under the Knife: Undergo surgery
1444Go Viral: Begin To spread rapidly on the Internet
1445Go with the Flow: To accept the way things naturally seem to be going
1446Grab (Take) the Bull by the Horns: To begin forthrightly to deal with a problem
1447Grasp (Grab) at Straws: To take desperate actions with little hope of success
1448Grease Monkey: A mechanic, especially an auto mechanic
1449Grease the Wheels: Do something to make an operation run smoothly
1450Greasy Spoon: An inexpensive restaurant that fries foods on a grill
1451Green Around the Gills: To look sick
1452Green as Grass: Lacking training, naive; often said of young people in new jobs
1453Grind One’s Teeth: Be very annoyed or angry about something without being able to say anything about it.
1454Guilty Pleasure: Enjoying something which is not generally held in high regard, while at the same time feeling a bit guilty about it, is called a guilty pleasure.
1455Guinea Pig: A test subject, a person who is used as a test to see if something will work
1456Hail Mary (n. or adj.): A desperate, last-ditch attempt
1457Hair of the Dog (That Bit You): A small amount of the alcoholic beverage that caused your hangover
1458Hands are Tied: You are prevented from doing something. It is not within your power
1459Hands Down: Undoubtedly
1460Hang It Up: To retire, to end an activity one has pursued for a long time
1461Hang Tough: Maintain one’s resolve
1462Hanging by a Thread: In great danger of elimination or failure
1463Happy-Go-Lucky: If you are a happy-go-lucky person, you are cheerful and carefree all the time.
1464Hard Nut to Crack: A difficult problem or a difficult person
1465Has the Cat Got Your Tongue?: Why are you not saying anything?
1466Hat Trick: Scoring three goals in hockey or soccer (football), or accomplishing three of anything.
1467Hatchet Job: A strong attack on someone’s reputation; intentionally destructive criticism; calumny
1468Haul Over the Coals: To scold someone severely
1469Have (one’s) head in the clouds: Not know what is happening around you or out of touch with reality
1470Have A Ball: To have a very enjoyable time
1471Have a Bone to Pick (with Someone): To want to discuss something someone has done that has angered or annoyed you.
1472Have a Bone to Pick (with Someone): To want to discuss something someone has done that has angered or annoyed you.
1473Have a Chip on One’s Shoulder: To harbor resentment; to have an angry attitude
1474Have a Dog in the Hunt (Fight, Race): To support a certain person in a competition
1475Have a Lead Foot: A tendency to drive very fast
1476Have a Lot on One’s Plate: Be busy, be in the middle of many ongoing tasks
1477Have a Lot Riding On (Something): Be depending on the successful outcome or development of something
1478Have a Nose for (Something): To have natural ability at something, a talent for finding something
1479Have a Screw Loose: Be slightly unbalanced or crazy
1480Have a Tough Row to Hoe: Be faced with a task that is difficult because of unfavorable conditions
1481Have A Whale of A Time: To enjoy yourself very much
1482Have an Ace Up One’s Sleeve: To have a hidden advantage
1483Have Bigger Fish to Fry: Have more important things to do
1484Have Egg on Your Face: They are made to look foolish or embarrassed
1485Have Foot-in-Mouth Disease: To embarrass oneself through a silly mistake
1486Have Hand of Aces/Hold All the Aces: To be in a very strong position in a competition
1487Have It Out with Someone: To have an argument with someone in order to settle a dispute
1488Have One Foot in The Grave: To be near death (usually because of old age or illness)
1489Have One Over the Eight: A person is slightly drunk.
1490Have One Too Many: Drink too much alcohol
1491Have One’s Cake and Eat It, Too: To want two incompatible things (usually used in the negative)
1492Have Skin in the Game: Be risking something in an undertaking
1493Have Something in the Bag: Be certain to win
1494Have the Hots for (Somebody): To be (sexually) attracted to somebody
1495Have the Hots for Somebody: Finding somebody extremely attractive
1496Have The Time of Your Life: If you have the time of our life, you enjoy yourself very much.
1497Have the Time of Your Life: To have a very fun, exciting, or enjoyable time
1498Have Your Nose in the Air: Have a snobbish or disdainful attitude
1499Have Your Say: Express your opinion on something
1500Have Your Thumb Up Your Ass: Have nothing to do
1501He Who Laughs Last Laughs Best: Being victorious is often a matter of simply surviving a conflict
1502He Would Put Legs Under A Chicken: He will talk your head off; he is very talkative
1503Head (Go) South: Decline, get worse
1504Head and Shoulders Above: Far superior to
1505Head and Shoulders: Above Far superior to
1506Head Start: An advantage over everyone else
1507Heads Up (excl.): Get ready! Be prepared
1508Heads Up!: Be careful!
1509Heads Will Roll (Are Going to Roll): People will be fired
1510Heads Will Roll (Are Going to Roll): People will be fired
1511Hear (Something) Through the Grapevine: To learn something via gossip
1512Heart and Soul: With all one’s energy or affection
1513Heavens Open: Start to rain heavily
1514Heavy Hitter: A powerful, influential person
1515Helicopter Parenting: Overattentive child-raising
1516Hell for Leather: Very fast, as fast as possible
1517High as a Kite: Strongly under the influence of drugs or intoxcants
1518High as a Kite: Strongly under the influence of drugs or intoxcants
1519High as a Kite: Strongly under the influence of drugs or intoxcants
1520Hightail It (Out of There): Flee
1521Highways and Byways: You take large and small roads to visit every part of the country.
1522Hit a Wall: suddenly stop making forward progress
1523Hit It Out of the Park: Succeed brilliantly
1524Hit the Books: To study (generally said of students
1525Hit the Ground Running: To begin a job or project with no learning or training period needed
1526Hit the Hay: To go to bed
1527Hit the Jackpot: Do something that brings great success
1528Hit the Nail on the Head: To be absolutely correct (said of an utterance)
1529Hit the Road: To leave
1530Hit the Roof: Explode in rage; become extremely angry
1531Hit the Roof: To become very angry
1532Hit the Sack: To go to bed
1533Hit the Spot: Be very satisfying (said of something eaten)
1534Hive Mind: The knowledge of humans as a group
1535Hobson’s Choice: A choice among bad options
1536Hold One’s Liquor: Be able to drink a large amount without being affected
1537Hold One’s Peace: Be silent
1538Hold the Phone: Wait a moment (whether you’re on the phone or not)
1539Hold the Phone: Wait a moment (whether you’re on the phone or not)
1540Hold Your Horses (generally excl.): Stop; restrain yourself; don’t be so excited
1541Home Away from Home: A habitual hangout; a place one frequents often and where one feels welcome
1542Home Truths: Honest, often painful criticism
1543Honor System: A system of payments that relies on the honesty of those paying
1544Hot Mess: Something or someone in a state of extreme disorder
1545Hot on the Heels (of): In close pursuit
1546Hot on the Heels (of): In close pursuit
1547Hot Potato: A controversial subject or difficult project that is best avoided
1548I Wouldn’t Put It Past (Someone): I think it’s quite possible that [this person] would do this.
1549I’m All Ears: You have my attention, so you should talk
1550I’ve Had It Up to Here: My patience is almost exhausted.
1551Idioms (E)
1552Idioms (F)
1553Idioms (I)
1554Idioms (J)
1555Idioms (K)
1556Idioms (L)
1557Idioms (O)
1558Idioms (P)
1559Idioms (Q)
1560Idioms (V)
1561Idioms (W)
1562If It Had Been a Snake, It Would Have Bitten Me: It was very obvious, but I missed it.
1563If the Shoe Fits, Wear It: If this description of you is accurate, accept it.
1564In a Fog: Confused, not mentally alert
1565In a Heartbeat: Immediately. This is especially used in hypothetical situations
1566In a Jam: In need of help, in a difficult spot
1567In a New York Minute: Very quickly
1568In a Nutshell: Expressed in a few words
1569In a Pickle: In need of help, in a difficult spot
1570In a Rut: Confined by routine, bored and seeking new experiences
1571In Broad Daylight: When something occurs in broad daylight, it means the event is clearly visible
1572In Clover: Benefiting from a positive financial situation
1573In For a Penny, In for a Pound: Committed to something even though the risks are increasing
1574In Full Swing: When something, such as an event, gets into full swing, it is at its busiest or liveliest time.
1575In His Cups: Drunk
1576In Hot Water: In need of help; in trouble
1577In One Fell Swoop: All at once, in a single action
1578In One’s Element: In a situation which is entirely suitable, familiar, or enjoyable.
1579In Someone’s Wheelhouse: In someone’s strongest area of competence or enthusiasm
1580In the Blink of an Eye: Quickly, seemingly instantaneously
1581In the Cards: Likely; likely to occur
1582In the Crosshairs (Cross Hairs): Targeted for blame or criticism
1583In the Dark: Not informed
1584In the Dark: Unaware of something
1585In the Driver’s Seat: In a dominant position, in control
1586In the Hot Seat: Undergoing criticism or scrutiny; under pressure publicly
1587In the Interim: It denotes a period of time between something that ended and something that happened afterwards
1588In the Limelight, In the Spotlight: Receiving large amounts of publicity or attention
1589In the Long Run: Over an extended period of time
1590In the Nick of Time: Just in time; with no time to spare
1591In the opinion of the speaker, a person has just spent money unnecessarily and is, therefore, a fool.
1592In the Pipeline: Being prepared for the marketplace, being worked on
1593In the Red: Losing money; (of a market index) below a specified starting point
1594In the Same Boat: In a similar situation; similarly vulnerable
1595In the Toilet: In disastrous condition
1596In the Works: Under development; coming soon
1597In Touch: In contact
1598Iron Out (Problems, Difficulties): To resolve
1599Is the Pope Catholic?: Isn’t the answer obvious?
1600It Never Rains but It Pours: Bad luck and bad things tend to happen at the same time
1601It Takes Two to Tango: When something goes wrong involving two people, it’s likely that they share the blame; cooperation is necessary
1602It Takes Two to Tango: You say this when you think that a difficult situation or argument cannot be the fault of one person alone.
1603It Won’t Fly: It won’t work; it won’t be approved.
1604It’s a Wash: A positive and a negative development cancel each other out, so the situation has neither improved nor gotten worse
1605It’s All Greek to Me: It is unintelligible, impossible to understand
1606It’s No Skin off My (Your) Nose (Back): The outcome will not affect me personally
1607It’s Not Over Till the Fat Lady Sings: Do not give up too soon; things may improve.
1608It’s Not Rocket Science: It’s not difficult to understand.
1609Itchy Feet: A person who has itchy feet is someone who finds it difficult to stay in one place and likes to travel and discover new places.
1610Jack of All Trades: A person with a wide variety of skills
1611Jam Session: Playing improvised music in an informal setting
1612Jim Crow: The system of racial segregation in the American South prior to the American civil rights movement.
1613Join the Club (excl.): I feel sympathy for you because I have experienced something similar.
1614Jump in with Both Feet: Begin a new experience wholeheartedly
1615Jump on the Bandwagon: To follow a trend or craze
1616Jump on the Bandwagon: To follow a trend; follow the crowd
1617Jump the Gun: Start doing something too soon
1618Jump the Shark: To pass peak quality and begin to decline. Often used to describe television programs or movie series.
1619Jump the Track: To shift suddenly from one activity or line of thought to another
1620Jump Through Hoops: Complete a series of tasks in order to satisfy someone
1621Just Around the Corner: Occurring soon
1622Just for the Record: I would like to make it clear that …
1623Just What the Doctor Ordered: Exactly the thing that is or was needed to help improve something or make one feel better
1624Kangaroo Court: A court of law where proper procedures are not followed at all; a sham judicial proceeding
1625Keep (Something) at Bay: Maintain a distance from something or someone
1626Keep a Stiff Upper Lip: Control one’s emotions; not give in to fear or grief
1627Keep an Eye On: To keep an eye on something or someone is to watch it periodically, to keep it under surveillance.
1628Keep an Eye Peeled: Be observant; watch out for something
1629Keep It Under Your Hat: Don’t tell anyone; don’t reveal this secret
1630Keep Someone at Arm’s Length: Avoid close interaction or cooperation
1631Keep Your Nose Clean: Avoid trouble or situations that compromise one’e honesty
1632Keep Your Powder Dry: Do not attack until you are ready.
1633Keeping One’s Nose to the Grindstone: Working hard on something repetitive or tedious
1634Kick Ass, Kick Butt: 1) Defeat badly; 2) be excellent or highly effective (only kick ass would be used for 2)
1635Kick the Bucket: To die
1636Kick the Can Down the Road: Postpone an important decision
1637Kill a Fly With an Elephant Gun: Approach a problem with excessive measures
1638Kill the Goose That Laid the Golden Egg: To destroy a source of ongoing profits or benefits
1639Kill Two Birds with One Stone: Act in such a way as to produce two desirable effects
1640Kill Two Birds with One Stone: Solve two problems with one move
1641King of the Hill: At the top of one’s field; the most influential person in a given field or area
1642Kink in One’s Neck: A cramp in one’s neck that causes pain
1643Kiss and Make Up: Make peace after an argument
1644Kith and Kin: Family (collectively)
1645Knock on Wood; Touch Wood: Let’s hope I have good luck or continue to have good luck.
1646Knock Some Sense Into: To beat someone in order to teach him/her a lesson. May be used figuratively.
1647Knock Someone’s Socks Off: Amaze someone
1648Knock Up: To impregnate a woman. Often used in the form knocked up.
1649Knockout: An extremely beautiful woman
1650Know (Something) Like the Back of One’s Hand: To be very familiar with something, especially an area
1651Larger Than Life: Conveying a sense of greatness, imposing
1652Last But Not Least: What I have just said does not reflect a ranking in importance.
1653Laughter is the Best Medicine: Laughing a lot is a very effective means of recovering from physical or mental injury
1654Learn the Ropes: Become more familiar with a job or field of endeavor; be trained
1655Leave Someone in the Lurch: Abandon someone in a difficult situation
1656Lend an Ear: Listen
1657Let Bygones Be Bygones: Agree to forget about a past conflict
1658Let Bygones Be Bygones: Agree to forget about a past conflict
1659Let Off Steam: To express anger and frustration in a way that does no damage
1660Let One’s Hair Down: To relax and enjoy themselves.
1661Let Sleeping Dogs Lie: To avoid stirring up a problem; to leave things alone
1662Let the Cat Out of the Bag: Reveal a secret, usually a secret you or others are trying to keep
1663Let the Genie Out of the Bottle: Reveal something hitherto suppressed
1664Letter of the Law: The explicit meaning of a law, as opposed to the spirit of the law, the law’s general intention
1665Lick One’s Wounds: Rest after a bad defeat
1666Life is A Bowl of Cherries: Life is wonderful or very pleasant
1667Light a Fire Under Someone: Inspire someone to work very hard
1668Light at the End of the Tunnel: A sign of hope after a long period of difficulties
1669Like a Kid in a Candy Store: To be so excited about one’s surroundings that one acts in a childlike or silly way
1670Like a Moth to a Flame: Drawn to something or someone despite the dangers
1671Like Father, Like Son: Sons inherit their fathers’ traits and preferences, often even without realizing it.
1672Like Shooting: Fish in a Barrel Very easy
1673Like Taking Candy from a Baby: Very easy
1674Like The Cat That Got The Cream: Looking particularly self-satisfied, often to the annoyance of others
1675Like Two Peas in a Pod: Bearing a strong resemblance
1676Lion’s Den: Any dangerous or frightening place.
1677Lion’s Share: The largest part of something
1678Live Large: Have a luxurious lifestyle
1679Living in Cloud Cuckooland: Having unrealistic or foolish beliefs or plans.
1680Living on Borrowed Time: Following an illness or near-death experience, may people believe they have cheated death
1681Living Under a Rock: Ignorant of important events. Usually used as a question: Have you been living under a rock?
1682Loaded for Bear: Prepared for problems, well prepared for a challenge
1683Loan Shark: A predatory lender; one who makes high-interest loans to desperate people
1684Lock Horns: To lock horns is to argue, to come into conflict.
1685Long Shot: Something with little chance of success
1686Look the Other Way: Take no notice of violations of laws or rules, unofficially condone something
1687Look What the Cat Dragged In: Someone unwelcome has arrived.
1688Loose Cannon: Someone out of control; someone who speaks or acts recklessly
1689Lose It: To suddenly become unable to behave or think in a sensible way
1690Lose One’s Touch: Suffer a decline in one’s skill at doing something
1691Lose the Thread: Be unable to follow someone’s reasoning
1692Lose Touch: To fall out of contact
1693Love at First Sight: Falling in love with somebody the first time you see them
1694Love Rat: Somebody who cheats on his/her partner
1695Love Someone With All of One’s Heart And Soul: To love someone completely
1696Low-Hanging Fruit: Easy parts of a task; solutions easy to obtain
1697Lower the Boom: Implement a punishment; reprimand severely
1698Mad As A Box Of (Soapy) Frogs: extremely mentally unstable; psychotic; detached from reality.
1699Mad as A Hatter: Mentally ill, psychotic
1700Main Squeeze: Committed romantic partner
1701Make a Break for It: Try to escape, run off
1702Make a Mountain out of a Molehill: To take something too seriously; to make too much of something
1703Make a Silk Purse out of a Sow’s Ear: Turn something ordinary or inferior into something refined and beautiful
1704Make Ends Meet: Have enough money to cover basic expenses
1705Make Hay (While the Sun Shines): To take advantage of an opportunity at the right time.
1706Make Love: To have sexual intercourse
1707Make Nice: Act cordial despite conflict
1708Make One’s Mark: Attain influence or recognition
1709Make Someone’s Day: Do something pleasing that puts someone in a good mood
1710Make Waves: Cause controversy, disturb a calm group dynamic
1711Man Cave: A part of the house, often the basement, that is left to the man of the household, perhaps with a workshop, a television for watching sports, etc.
1712March to the Beat of Your Own Drum: When someone does things the way they want to, without taking anybody else or anything else into consideration.
1713Match Made in Heaven: A relationship in which the two people are great together, because they complement each other so well
1714May-December (adj.): Significantly different in age. Said of couples where one member is much older. The most common usage is May-December romance.
1715May-December Marriage: A marriage between a younger and an older partner, typically a young woman and an old man.
1716Me Time: Activities undertaken for one’s own enjoyment, free from responsibilities to others.
1717Meeting of the Minds: Strong instinctive agreement on something
1718Mend Fences: Improve relations after a dispute
1719Mind One’s P’s and Q’s: Be attentive to details; be on one’s best behavior
1720Miss the Boat: Be too late for something; miss an opportunity
1721Monday Morning Quarterback: Someone who offers criticisms or comments after already knowing the outcome of something
1722Month of Sundays: A long time, many months
1723More Fun Than A Barrel of Monkeys: A very good time; a pleasant occasion
1724Mother Nature: The natural world
1725Move Heaven and Earth: Take all possible steps in trying to accomplish something
1726Move the Needle: Have a measurable effect on something
1727Move Up in the World: Become more successful
1728Movers and Shakers: Influential people, especially in a particular field
1729Much Of A Muchness: Essentially equal, not significantly different (said of a choice)
1730Mum’s the Word: This is secret; don’t talk about this. Often used as an answer to a request not to talk about something.
1731Music to My Ears: Good to hear; welcome news
1732Mutton Dressed Up as Lamb: A woman who dresses in a style appropriate to someone of a younger age
1733My Dogs Are Barking: My feet hurt.
1734My Old Man, My Old Lady: My spouse
1735My Way or the Highway: If you do not do things the way I want or require, then you can just leave or not participate.
1736Nail-Biter: A suspenseful event
1737Nailing Jelly/Jello/Pudding To A Wall/Tree: An impossible task
1738Neck and Neck: Very close in a competition, with neither of two entities clearly in the lead
1739Neck of the Woods: A region, especially one’s home region
1740Nest Egg: Retirement savings; wealth saved for a future purpose
1741Never in A Million Years: Absolutely never
1742Never Look a Gift Horse in the Mouth: It’s rude to examine a gift closely; accept gifts politely.
1743New Wrinkle: A novel aspect to a situation, a new development
1744Nice Chunk of Change: A large amount of money
1745Nickel and Dime: To negotiate over very small sums; to try to get a better financial deal, in a negative way
1746Nine Times Out of Ten: Almost always
1747Nine-to-Five Job: A routine job in an office that involves standard office hours
1748Nip (Something) In The Bud: Deal with a problem before it becomes large
1749No Holds Barred (usually adj., often hyphenated): Unrestricted, without rules
1750No Love Lost Between: There is a mutual animosity between two people
1751No Names, No Pack Drill: By not accusing anyone specifically, I may avoid trouble.
1752No Names, No Pack Drill: If no one can be identified, no one will be punished.
1753No Rhyme or Reason (to): Without logic or pattern
1754No Room to Swing A Cat: Very small, not big enough
1755No Shit, Sherlock: That’s very obvious!
1756No Tree Grows to the Sky: Growth cannot continue indefinitely.
1757Not Cut Out for (Something): Not naturally skillful enough to do something well
1758Not Enough Room to Swing a Cat: A very small space
1759Not Give A Fig: To not care at all about something
1760Not Have A Cat In Hell’s Chance: Have no possibility of succeeding, coming to pass, or achieving something
1761Not Have a Prayer: Have no chance of success
1762Not Know Jack: Not know anything
1763Not Lift a Finger: Do nothing to help
1764Not Mince Words: Moderate or weaken a statement
1765Not One’s Cup of Tea: Not something one is interested in
1766Not Playing with A Full Deck: Stupid, mentally deficient or impaired
1767Not Ready for Prime Time: Not yet perfected; inexperienced
1768Not Sit Well with (Someone): Be difficult to accept; make someone uncomfortable
1769Nothing to Write Home About: Unspectacular, ordinary
1770Nuts and Bolts: Everyday details of something
1771Nutty as a Fruitcake: Crazy; idiotic; wacky.
1772Off His Trolley: Crazy, insane
1773Off One’s Rocker: Crazy, nuts, insane
1774Off the Beaten Path: Remote; not a usual destination; not easily reached
1775Off the Hook: Free from blame or responsibility to do something
1776Off the Top of My Head: Guessing or estimating without full information
1777Off the Wall: Odd, strange, unexpected
1778Old Flame: A former boyfriend or girlfriend
1779Old Hat: Old-fashioned, predictable
1780Old Man Winter: Winter
1781Olive Branch: A peace offering, an attempt at reconciliation.
1782On a Hiding to Nothing: Engaged in a futile task; attempting something impossible
1783On a Lark: Spontaneously, on a whim, for fun
1784On a Roll: Having a consistent run of success
1785On a Roll: Succeeding consistently
1786On a Wing and a Prayer: Relying solely on hope and enthusiasm in a difficult situation
1787On All Fours: You are down on your hands and knees.
1788On Cloud Nine: Extremely happy
1789On Cloud Nine: Very happy
1790On Deck Next: having the next turn
1791On Life Support: Almost defunct
1792On Point: Good, well done, effective
1793On Steroids: In a very large form
1794On Tenterhooks: Tensely awaiting a decision or development
1795On the Back Foot: At a disadvantage
1796On the Ball: Prepared, alert, competent
1797On the Bubble: One of a group that may be selected for the last spot in a competition
1798On the Dot: Exactly; at an expected interval
1799On the Down Low (D.L.): Secretly
1800On the Fence: Undecided between two choices
1801On the Fly: While in motion, while traveling
1802On the Fritz: Not working properly
1803On the Home Stretch: You are approaching the end of a task, a project, a race or a journey.
1804On the Nose: Precisely, at an exact time
1805On the Q.T.: Secretly, in confidence
1806On the Radar: Evident as a possibility
1807On the Right Track: Pursuing a correct course in doing or learning something
1808On the Same Page: Understanding a situation in the same way
1809On the Spot: Immediately, with no intervening time
1810On the spur of the moment: This popular saying denotes a spontaneous or sudden undertaking.
1811On the Spur of the Moment: Without advance planning, spontaneously
1812On the Spur of the Moment: Without advance planning, spontaneously
1813On the Take: Regularly accepting bribes
1814On the Wagon: Not drinking alcoholic beverages; having given up drinking alcoholic beverages
1815On the Warpath: Very angry
1816On Thin Ice: In a risky situation, especially in an interpersonal relationship
1817Once Bitten, Twice Shy: Once one has had a bad experience with something, he or she will be reluctant to try it again.
1818Once in a Blue Moon: Very rarely
1819Once in a While: Occasionally
1820One for the Road: A final drink (or something else) before leaving
1821One For the Road: Have a drink before leaving
1822One-Trick Pony: Someone who has only a single talent
1823One-Two Punch: A powerful sequence of two events
1824Open Season: A time when someone can be criticized or attacked without restriction.
1825Open-and-Shut Case: A situation, especially a legal proceeding, with a clear, certain outcome
1826Or Else (by itself): Or I will do something terrible to you.
1827Out in the Sticks: In a remote location; far from a city
1828Out of Left Field: Unexpected, random and odd
1829Out of Line: Improper, behaving improperly
1830Out of Luck: Unlucky in a single instance; temporarily unfortunate
1831Out of Nowhere: Unexpectedly
1832Out of Order: Not working properly
1833Out of Sight, Out of Mind: When you don’t see something or someone, you tend to forget about that thing or person.
1834Out of Sorts: Slightly ill; not feeling well
1835Out of the Blue: Unexpectedly
1836Out of the Frying Pan, Into the Fire: One problem has been solved, but it’s been replaced by a worse one.
1837Out of the Loop: Not part of a group that’s kept informed about something
1838Out of the Picture: No longer under consideration; eliminated from a contest
1839Out of the Way: 1) Not obstructing, not in the way; 2) Finished, taken care of; 3) in a remote location
1840Out of the Woods: No longer in danger
1841Out of This World: Fantastic, extraordinary
1842Out of Work: Unemployed
1843Out the Door: With everything included (said of a price)
1844Over My Dead Body: Under no circumstances
1845Over One’s Head: In a situation where one is overwhelmed with tasks
1846Over the Hill: Past one’s prime
1847Over the Moon: Extremely happy
1848Pack Heat: Carry a gun
1849Paddle One’s Own Canoe: To be able to act independently.
1850Page-Turner: A page-turner is an exciting book that’s easy to read, a book that’s difficult to put down.
1851Pain in the Ass; Pain in the Butt;
1852Pain in the Neck: Someone or something making your life difficult
1853Paint the Town Red: Go out drinking and partying
1854Par for the Course: What would normally be expected. This has a negative connotation.
1855Pass the Buck: Transfer a problem to someone else
1856Pass With Flying Colors: To succeed brilliantly, as on an exam or other test
1857Passing Fancy: A temporary interest or attraction
1858Pay Through the Nose (For Something): Pay a large amount of money
1859Peaches and Cream: A situation, process, etc., that has no trouble or problems
1860Pecking Order: Hierarchy, rank of importance
1861Pencil Something In: Make tentative arrangements
1862Penny-Pinching: Frugal, avoiding expenses whenever possible
1863Pep Talk: An encouraging speech given to a person or group
1864Perfect Storm: A rare combination of disastrous occurrences
1865Pet Peeve: A small thing that you find particularly annoying
1866Pick a Fight: Intentionally provoke a conflict or fight with someone
1867Pick Up the Slack: Do something that someone else is not doing; assume someone else’s responsibilities
1868Pick Up the Tab: To pay a bill presented to a group, especially in a restaurant or bar
1869Pie in the Sky: Something that is unrealistic or that cannot be achieved
1870Piece of Cake: Very easily done
1871Pin Someone Down: Demand a decision or clear answer
1872Pinch Pennies: To be careful with money, to be thrify
1873Pink Slip: A layoff notice; loss of a job, typically because of layoffs
1874Pipe Dream: An unrealistic hope, a fantasy
1875Piping Hot: Very hot (generally said of food)
1876Pipped to the Post: Defeated by a narrow margin
1877Pissing Contest: A meaningless argument or competition, typically between males
1878Play Ball: Cooperate, agree to participate
1879Play Cat And Mouse: Trying to trick someone into making a mistake so you can defeat them.
1880Play Hardball: Adopt a tough negotiating position; act aggressively
1881Play it by Ear: To play a piece of music without referencing sheet music or a recording
1882Play It by Ear: To respond to circumstances instead of having a fixed plan
1883Play the Percentages: Bet on or rely on what is most likely to happen
1884Play the Ponies: Bet on horse racing.
1885Play With Fire: Do something very risky
1886Play Your Cards Right: Exploit a situation to your best advantage
1887Point of No Return: A place from which it is impossible to go back to the starting point
1888Point the Finger At: Blame (someone)
1889Point the Finger: At Blame (someone)
1890Poison Pill (n): A provision or feature added to a measure or an entity to make it less attractive, an undesirable add-on
1891Poison Pill: A provision or feature added to a measure or an entity to make it less attractive, an undesirable add-on
1892Pop One’s Clogs: To die
1893Pop One’s Cork: To release one’s anger; to blow one’s top
1894Pop the Question: Propose marriage
1895Pot Calling the Kettle Black: Accusing someone of something of which you are also guilty; being hypocritical
1896Pour (Rub) Salt into (on) the Wound (an open wound): Worsen an insult or injury; make a bad situation worse for someone
1897Powder Keg: An explosive situation, a situation in which people are angry and ready to be violent
1898Powder Keg: An explosive situation, a situation in which people are angry and ready to be violent
1899Powder One’s Nose: To use the restroom (lavatory). This is used by women
1900Preach to the Choir, Preach to the Converted: To make an argument with which your listeners already agree
1901Preaching to the Choir: Making arguments to those who already agree with you
1902Pretty Penny: A lot of money; too much money (when referring to the cost of something)
1903Price Yourself Out of the Market: Try to sell goods or services at such a high price that nobody buys them.
1904Puddle Jumper: A small airplane, used on short trips
1905Pull Out All the Stops: Do everything possible to accomplish something
1906Pull Strings: Use influence that’s based on personal connections
1907Pull the Plug On: Terminate (something)
1908Pull Yourself Together: Control your emotions; recover from a strong emptional upset
1909Puppies And Rainbows: Perfect, ideal (usually used slightly sarcastically, in contrast with a less ideal situation)
1910Puppy Dog Eyes: A begging look
1911Puppy Love: Adolescent love or infatuation, especially one that is not expected to last
1912Pure as the Driven Snow: To be innocent and chaste (frequently used ironically)
1913Push the Envelope: Go beyond common ways of doing something, be innovative
1914Pushing Up Daisies: Dead
1915Pushing Up Daisies: Dead and buried
1916Put a Thumb on the Scale: Try to influence a discussion in an unfair way, cheat
1917Put Down Roots: Establish oneself in a place; settle
1918Put in One’s Two Cents: Say your opinion
1919Put Lipstick on a Pig: Make cosmetic changes to something bad
1920Put one’s Face On: Apply cosmetics
1921Put Out Feelers: Make discreet, informal suggestions, ask around
1922Put Someone on the Spot: Force someone to answer a question or make a decision immediately
1923Put That in Your Pipe and Smoke It: Accept and consider what I’m saying, even if you don’t like it!
1924Put the Best Face On (Something): Emphasize the positive aspects of a bad situation
1925Put the Brakes On: Slow something down
1926Put the Cart Before The Horse: To do things in the wrong order
1927Put the Cart Before the Horse: To do things out of the proper order.
1928Put the Cat Among The Pigeons: Say or do something that causes trouble or controversy
1929Put the Genie Back in the Bottle: Try to suppress something that has already been revealed or done
1930Put the Pedal to the Metal: Drive as fast as possible
1931Put Up with (Something): Tolerate, accept
1932Put Words Into Someone’s Mouth: Attributing an opinion to someone who has never stated that opinion
1933Put Your Foot Down: Use your authority to stop negative behavior
1934Put Your Foot In Your Mouth: Say something that you immediately regret
1935Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is: Back up your opinions with a financial commitment
1936Quake In One’s Boots: To be very frightened
1937Quarter Past: Fifteen minutes after the hour
1938Quarter To/Of: Fifteen minutes before the hour
1939Queer the Pitch: Interfere with someone’s plans; make something more difficult
1940Quick as a Flash: Very fast
1941Quick-and-Dirty: Approximate, hastily done
1942Quote Unquote: Ironically speaking; suggesting that if a phrase were written out, it would be in quotation marks to convey sarcasm
1943Race Against Time: To rush to meet a deadline, to be forced to do something very quickly
1944Rain Cats And Dogs: Rain heavily
1945Rain Cats and Dogs: Rain very heavily
1946Rain on Someone’s Parade: Spoil someone’s plans
1947Raise (Someone’s) Hackles: Make someone angry and defensive
1948Raise One’s Voice: Talk loudly
1949Raise Red Flags: Warn of trouble ahead
1950Raise the Bar: Increase standards in a certain competition or area of endeavor
1951Raise the Roof: Make a great deal of noise (said of a crowd)
1952Rake (Someone) Over the Coals: To scold someone severely
1953Rake Over the Ashes: Restart a settled argument; examine a failure
1954Rake Someone Over the Coals: Scold severely
1955Rank and File: The ordinary members of an organization
1956Read Between the Lines: Perceive what is not explicitly stated
1957Read the Tea Leaves: Predict the future from small signs
1958Rear Its Ugly Head (said of a problem or something unpleasant): Appear, be revealed
1959Rearrange the Deck Chairs on the Titanic: Taking superficial actions while ignoring a much larger and perhaps fatal problem
1960Red Flag: A warning; a sign of trouble ahead
1961Red Herring: A misleading clue; something intended to mislead
1962Red Meat: Political appeals designed to excite one’s core supporters; demagoguery
1963Red Tape: Bureaucracy; difficult bureaucratic or governmental requirements
1964Red-Light District: A neighborhood with many houses of prostitution
1965Reinvent the Wheel: Devise a solution to a problem for which a solution already exists
1966Riding High: Enjoying success
1967Right as Rain: Absolutely correct
1968Right Under (One’s) Nose: In an obvious location, yet overlooked
1969Right-Hand Man: Chief assistant
1970Right-Hand Man: Chief assistant
1971Ring a Bell: Sound familiar
1972Ring a Bell: When something seems familiar
1973Rob Peter to Pay Paul: Pay off a debt with another loan; solve a problem in such a way that it leads to a new problem
1974Rob the Cradle: To be sexually or romantically involved with someone who is very young
1975Rob the Cradle: To be sexually or romantically involved with someone who is very young
1976Rock Bottom: An absolute low point
1977Rock the Boat: Cause a disruption in a group. Often used in the negative: don’t rock the boat.
1978Roll the Dice On: Take a risk
1979Roll With the Punches: Deal with problems by being flexible
1980Rome Wasn’t Built in a Day: Complex projects take time
1981Rookie Mistake: An error made by an inexperienced person
1982Rotten to the Core: Entirely evil
1983Rub (Something) in Someone’s Face: Humiliate someone by repeating and criticizing his or her mistake
1984Rub It In: Say something that makes someone feel even worse about a mistake
1985Rub Someone’s Nose in (Something): Humiliate someone by repeating and criticizing his or her mistake
1986Rubber-Stamp (v.): Approve something without consideration, as a formality
1987Rule of Thumb: A general principle or guideline, not a specific formula
1988Run a Tight Ship: Manage an organization in a strict, well-regulated way
1989Run in the Family: Be inherited (as a trait) by multiple members of a family
1990Run in the Family: To be a common family characteristic
1991Run into a Buzz: Saw Encounter severe and unexpected problems
1992Run into a Buzz: Saw Encounter severe and unexpected problems
1993Run off at the Mouth: Talk a lot about unimportant things, talk incoherently
1994Run on Fumes: To be in a situation where one’s energy or resources is almost exhausted
1995Run Out of Steam: Lose momentum, become tired
1996Run the Table: Win every game or contest
1997Sacred Cow: An indvidual or organization that one cannot criticize
1998Saving Grace: Something that redeems a bad situation
1999Scare the Living Daylights Out of Someone: Frighten someone severely
2000School Of Hard Knocks: Difficult real-life experiences from which one has learned
2001Scorched Earth (Tactics, Policy, etc.): Ruthless, extremely destructive
2002Screw The Pooch: To make a serious error
2003Second Banana: A person in a subservient position
2004Second Stringer: A substitute player in a sport; a substitute for a job who is not the most talented person
2005Second Wind: Renewed energy
2006See Eye to Eye: To concur, agree
2007See Something Out of the Corner of Your Eye: Use peripheral vision
2008Seize (Take) the Bull By the Horns: Attack a problem directly
2009Seize the Day: Take an opportunity
2010Sell (Someone) a Bill of Goods: Trick someone; be deceptive
2011Sell Like Hotcakes: Be sold very quickly
2012Selling Point: An attractive feature of something for sale
2013Set in Stone: Fixed; unchangeable
2014Set something to Music: To write a piece of music to accompany a set of words
2015Set the Bar (Too) High: To set a high standard for something
2016Set the Thames on Fire: Do something amazing. Usually used in the negative.
2017Set the World on Fire: Do something amazing; have a brilliant stretch in one’s career
2018Shake the Dust off Your Shoes (Feet): Make a clean break with a relationship or situation
2019Shape Up or Ship Out: Behave properly or leave the organization
2020Sharp as A Tack: Mentally agile
2021Shell Game: A method of deception in which you conceal your actions by moving something frequently
2022Shift Gears: Change the subject, or change what one is doing
2023Shipshape And Bristol Fashion: Tidy, clean
2024Shit a Brick: Be extremely fearful.
2025Shoot from the Hip: Talk or act without consideration
2026Shoot Off One’s Mouth: Talk without considering one’s words
2027Shoot Oneself In The Foot: Do something that damages oneself or one’s own cause
2028Short Fuse: A quick temper; a tendency to anger quickly
2029Shot Across the Bow: A warning of more serious actions to come
2030Shoulder A Weight Off Your Shoulders: You no longer worry about something or deal with something difficult
2031Show Me an X And I’ll Show You a Y: There is a consequence to X that you may not have thought of.
2032Show One’s True Colors: Reveal one’s true nature
2033Show Your Cards: Reveal your resources or plans
2034Sick and Tired of: Extremely annoyed by something that occurs repeatedly
2035Sick as a Dog: Extremely ill.
2036Sick as a Parrot: Very disappointed
2037Sight for Sore Eyes: A sight that makes you happy
2038Silver Bullet: Something simple that resolves a difficult problem
2039Simmer Down: Become less angry; regain one’s composure
2040Sing a Different Tune: Change your opinion
2041Sink or Swim: Fail or succeed
2042Sit On (Something): Delay revealing or acting on something
2043Sit Tight: Wait and do not go anywhere
2044Sitting Duck: Something or someone easily attacked or criticized
2045Sitting Pretty: In a favorable situation
2046Six Feet Under: Dead and buried
2047Six Feet Under: Dead and buried
2048Six of One, a Half Dozen of the Other: The two choices have no significant differences.
2049Six Ways to (from) Sunday: In every possible way
2050Slam Dunk: An effort that is certain to succeed
2051Sleep Like a Baby: To experience a very deep and restful sleep; to sleep soundly
2052Sleep with the Fishes: Dead, often by murder
2053Slip Someone a Mickey: Add a drug to an alcoholic drink in order to knock someone out
2054Slippery Slope: A series of undesirable effects that, one warns, could result from a certain action
2055Slower than Molasses: Exceptionally slow or sluggish; not fast at all.
2056Small Beer: Unimportant, insignificant
2057Small Fry: People or organizations with little influence; children
2058Small Potatoes: Unimportant, insignificant
2059Smell a Rat: Suspect deception
2060Smoking Gun: indisputable evidence of a crime
2061Snafu: A malfunction; a chaotic situation
2062Snake Oil: A useless medicine; a quack remedy; a product or measure promoted as a solution that really does nothing to help
2063Snake Oil: Medicine of unproven value; fraudulent medicine
2064Sneak Peek: A sneak peek is an opportunity to view something in advance of its official opening or debut
2065Soak Up the Sun: To enjoy the sun
2066Sold On (Something): Convinced of something
2067Some Eggs: Achieving a major goal requires the ability to tolerate some problems
2068Someone’s Fingerprints Are All Over (Something): Someone’s influence is evident
2069Something to Crow: About Something to be proud of, an accomplishment about which one is justified in bragging
2070Son of a Gun: 1) A rogue. 2) An exclamation of surprise.
2071Sore Point: A sensitive topic for a particular person
2072Sour Grapes: Disparagement of something that has proven unattainable
2073Sour Grapes: Spiteful disparagment of a goal one has failed to achieve
2074Spare The Rod And Spoil The Child: It is necessary to physically punish children in order to raise them right.
2075Speak of the Devil (and He Shall Appear): The person we have just been talking about has entered.
2076Speak with A Plum in (one’s) Mouth: To speak in a manner that is indicative of a high social class.
2077Spick and Span: Clean and neat
2078Spill the Beans: Reveal a secret
2079Spin A Yarn: Tell a story
2080Spin One’s Wheels: Engaging in activity that yields no progress; getting nowhere
2081Spit into The Wind: Wasting time on something futile
2082Spoiling for a Fight: Combative, wanting conflict, eager to argue or fight
2083Spoiling for a Fight: Combative, wanting conflict, eager to argue or fight
2084Square the Circle: Attempt an impossible task
2085Stab Someone in the Back: To betray (somebody)
2086Stalking Horse: Someone who tests a concept in advance of its application; a candidate who enters a political race in order to test the strength of the incumbent
2087Stand (Someone) In Good Stead: Be useful in the future
2088Stand On One’s Own Two Feet: To be independent and self-sufficient
2089Stand One’s Ground: Refuse to back down; insist on one’s position
2090Start with a Clean Slate: To start (something) again with a fresh beginning; to work on a problem without thinking about what has been done before
2091Steal Someone’s Thunder: Upstage someone
2092Stem the Tide: To stop or control the growth of something, usually something unpleasant.
2093Step Up One’s Game: Work to advance to a higher level of a competition
2094Step Up to the Plate: Prepare to take action, be the person in a group who takes action
2095Stick It to the Man: Do something that frustrates those in authority
2096Stick Your Nose into Something: Intrude into something that is not your affair
2097Stick-in-the-Mud: A person who dislikes or adapts slowly to new ideas
2098Sticker Shock: Surprise at the high price of something
2099Sticky Wicket: A difficult, tricky situation
2100Stiff-Necked: Stubborn; excessively formal
2101Storm in a Teacup: A commotion that dies down quickly, about something unimportant
2102Stormy Relationship: Relationship that has a lot arguments and disagreement
2103Straight Arrow: An honest, trustworthy person
2104Strain at a Gnat and Swallow a Camel: To make a fuss over something unimportant while ignoring larger issues
2105Strike A Chord: Used to describe something that is familiar to you, reminds you of something or is connected to you somehow.
2106Stumbling Block: An obstacle, physical or abstract
2107Sugar Daddy: A rich man who is generous with younger women in return for sexual favors
2108Sure-Fire: Certain to occur
2109Swan Song: A final appearance
2110Swan Song: This expression is used to describe a final act before dying or ending something.
2111Sweep Under the Carpet: Attempt to temporarily conceal a problem or error
2112Sweep Under the Rug: Attempt to temporarily conceal a problem or error
2113Sweet Dreams!: Sleep well!
2114Sweeten the Deal: Add something to an offer during a negotiation
2115Sweeten the Pot: Increase the amount of winnings potentially available in a game of chance, especially poker
2116Swim Against the Tide: Do something contrary to a trend or usual opinion
2117Swim with Sharks: To take a major risk
2118Swim with the Fishes: Have been killed, especially with involvement of organized crime
2119Swing for the Fences: Attempt to achieve the largest accomplishment possible
2120Swing for the Fences: Attempt to achieve the largest accomplishment possible
2121Sword of Damocles: Something that causes a feeling of constant threat.
2122Take (Someone) to the Cleaners: 1) Swindle; 2) defeat badly
2123Take a Deep Dive (Into): Explore something extensively
2124Take a Flyer: To take a rise; especially to make a speculative investment
2125Take a Gander: Go to take a look at something
2126Take a Hike: Go away
2127Take A Powder: To leave, especially in order to avoid a difficult situation
2128Take a Rain Check: Decline an invitation but suggest that you’ll accept it at a later time.
2129Take Five (Ten): Take a short break of five (ten) minutes
2130Take Five: To take one brief (about five minutes) rest period
2131Take It Easy: 1) Relax, rest; 2) (as a command) Calm down!
2132Take It Easy: Don’t hurry; relax; don’t get angry
2133Take It Easy: When you relax, or do things at a comfortable pace, you take it easy.
2134Take It on The Chin: Be attacked; suffer an attack
2135Take It or Leave It (command): You must decide now whether you will accept this proposal
2136Take Someone to Task: Reprimand someone strongly
2137Take Something with a Pinch (grain) of Salt: If you take what someone says with a pinch of salt, you do not completely believe it.
2138Take the Cake: Be the most extreme instance
2139Take the Edge Off (of Something): To slightly improve something negative
2140Take the Fifth: Refuse to answer because answering might incriminate or cause problems for you
2141Take the Gloves Off: Negotiate in a more aggressive way
2142Take the High Road: Refuse to descend to immoral activities or personal attacks
2143Take The Mickey (Piss) (Out Of Someone): Make fun of or ridicule someone
2144Take the Shine Off (Something): To do something that diminishes a positive event
2145Take the Starch out of (Someone): Make someone less confident or less arrogant
2146Take The Wind Out of Someone’s Sails: To reduce someone’s confidence, ofte by doing something unexpected
2147Take Your Life in Your Hands: Undergo extreme risk
2148Take Your Medicine: Accept something unpleasant, for example, punishment, without protesting or complaining
2149Take Your Time: Don’t hurry, work at a relaxed pace
2150Taste of Your Own Medicine: The same unpleasant experience or treatment that one has given to others
2151Teach an Old Dog New Tricks: To change someone’s long-established habits. Usually used in the negative: You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.
2152Tear One’s Hair out: Be extremely worried or frustrated
2153Tear-Jerker: A film or book that makes you cry
2154Tee Many Martoonies: Too many martinis, scrambled to suggest drunkenness
2155Tell It to the Marines: I don’t believe you; you must think I’m gullible.
2156Tempest in a Teapot: A commotion about something unimportant
2157Ten a Penny: Ordinary, inexpensive
2158Ten to One: Something very likely
2159Test the Waters: Experiment with something cautiously
2160Test the Waters: Try something out in a preliminary way
2161Thank God It’s Friday (TGIF): Let’s be happy that the workweek is over!
2162That Ship Has Sailed: That opportunity has passed.
2163That’s a Stretch: What you are suggesting is very difficult to believe; I am very skeptical
2164That’s All She Wrote: That was the end of the story.
2165That’s Music to My Ears: I am very happy to hear this.
2166The Apple Never Falls Far From the Tree: Family characteristics are usually inherited
2167The Birds and the Bees: Human sexuality and reproduction
2168The Cat Is Out of the Bag: The secret has been revealed.
2169The Cherry On the Cake: The final thing that makes something perfect
2170The Coast Is Clear: We are unobserved; it is safe to proceed.
2171The Deck Is (The Cards Are): Stacked Against You Unfavorable conditions exist.
2172The Jig Is Up: A secret illicit activity has been exposed; your trickery is finished
2173The More Things Change, The More They Stay The Same: Although something may seem superficially new, it has not altered the basic situation.
2174The Only Game in Town: The sole option for a particular service.
2175The Powers That Be: People in charge, often used when the speaker does not want to identify them.
2176The Real McCoy: A genuine item
2177The Story Has Legs: People are continuing to pay attention to the story.
2178The Time is Ripe: If you say that the time is ripe, you mean that it is a suitable point for a particular activity
2179The Walls Have Ears We: may be overheard; be careful what you say
2180The Walls Have Ears: We may be overheard; be careful what you say
2181The Whole Enchilada: All of something.
2182The Whole Shebang: Everything, all the parts of something
2183The World Is Your Oyster: You have many opportunities and choices.
2184There But For The Grace Of God Go I: I could easily have done what that person did.
2185There’s More Than One Way to Skin a Cat: There’s more than one way of achieving a certain goal.
2186There’s No Such Thing as a Free Lunch: Nothing is given to you without some expectation of something in return.
2187Thin On The Ground: Rare, seldom encountered
2188Think Big: Consider ambitious plans; avoid becoming overly concerned with details
2189Think Outside the Box: Try to solve a problem in an original way; think creatively
2190Think Tank: A group of experts engaged in ongoing studies of a particular subject; a policy study group
2191Think Tank: A group of experts engaged in ongoing studies of a particular subject; a policy study group
2192Third Rail: A topic so sensitive that it is dangerous to raise. This is especially used in political contexts
2193Third Time’s a Charm: Even if you fail at something twice, you may well succeed the third time.
2194Thirty-Thousand-Foot View: A very broad or general perspective
2195This Has (Person X) Written All Over It: [Person X] would really like or be well suited to this.
2196This Is Not Your Father’s ____: This item has been much updated from its earlier versions.
2197Three Sheets to the Wind: Very drunk
2198Through the Grapevine: Via gossip
2199Through Thick and Thin: In good times and bad
2200Throw a Wet Blanket on (Something): Discourage plans for something
2201Throw a Wrench Into: To sabotage; to cause to fail
2202Throw Caution to the Wind: To act in a daring way, without forethough
2203Throw Down the Gauntlet: To issue a challenge
2204Throw Elbows: Be combative; be aggressive (physically or figuratively)
2205Throw in the Towel: To give up, admit defeat
2206Throw Someone for a Loop: Deeply surprise someone; catch someone off guard
2207Throw Someone Under the Bus: Sacrifice someone else’s interests for your own personal gain
2208Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water: Eliminate something good while discarding the bad parts of something
2209Throw the Baby Out with the Bath Water: To discard something valuable or important while disposing of something worthless
2210Throw The Book At: Prosecute legally as strongly as possible
2211Throw the Fight: Intentionally lose a contest, usually in collusion with gamblers
2212Throw the Game: Intentionally lose a contest, usually in collusion with gamblers
2213Throw the Match: Intentionally lose a contest, usually in collusion with gamblers
2214Thumbs-Up: Approval
2215Tie the Knot: Get married
2216Tight-Lipped: secretive, unwilling to explain something
2217Tighten the Screws: Increase pressure on someone
2218Til the Cows Come Home: For a very long time
2219Time is Money: time is valuable, so don’t waste it.
2220Tip of the Iceberg: A small, visible part of a much larger problem
2221Tip One’s Hand: Reveal one’s advantages; reveal useful information that one possesses
2222TLC: Tender Loving Care
2223To be A Peach: Someone or something that is extremely good, impressive, or attractive
2224To be Smitten With Someone: To be completely captivated by someone and feel immense joy
2225To be someone’s One and Only: To be unique to the other person
2226To be the Apple of Someone’s Eye: To be loved and treasured by someone
2227To Bear Fruit: To develop in a profitable or positive way
2228To Bear Fruit: To develop in a profitable or positive way
2229To Carpool: To travel to the same place with a group of people in one car. e.g. work/school
2230To Each His Own: People have different tastes.
2231To Get Cold Feet: To experience reluctance or fear
2232To Have a Chip on One’s Shoulder: To be combative, to be consistently argumentative
2233To Have Butterflies In Your Stomach: To be nervous
2234To Have One For the Road: To have one last (alcoholic) drink before you go home
2235To Pay an Arm and a Leg: A very high cost
2236To Pop (one’s) Cherry: To do something for the first time
2237To Pull Someone’s Leg: Lie playfully
2238To Run Hot and Cold: To be unable to make up one’s mind
2239To the Letter: Exactly (said of instructions or procedures)
2240Toe the Line: Accept authority, follow the rules
2241Tone-Deaf: Not good at perceiving the impact of one’s words, insensitive
2242Tongue-in-Cheek: Said ironically; not meant to be taken seriously
2243Too Busy Fighting Alligators to Drain the Swamp: So occupied with multiple challenges that one can’t keep the big picture in mind
2244Too Many Chiefs and Not Enough Indians: Everyone wants to be a leader, and no one wants to do the actual work
2245Too Many Cooks Spoil the Broth: A project works best if there is input from a limited number of people
2246Too Many To Shake A Stick At: A large number
2247Toot Your Own Horn: Brag; emphasize one’s own contributions
2248Top Banana: The boss, the leader
2249Toss a Wrench (Spanner) Into: Sabotage; cause a process to stop
2250Touch Base: Meet briefly with someone
2251Touch One’s Heart: Affect someone emotionally, be touching
2252Touch Water: Be launched. Said of a boat.
2253Tough Cookie: A very determined person
2254Tough Cookie: Someone who can endure hardship; especially: a strong negotiator
2255Tough Sledding: Difficult progress
2256Train Wreck: Anything that develops in a disastrous way
2257Trash Talk: Insults directed at one’s opponent in a sporting event or contest
2258Tread Water: Maintain a current situation without improvement or decline
2259Trial Balloon: A test of someone’s or the public’s reaction
2260Trip the Light Fantastic: Dance well; do ballroom dancing
2261Turn a Blind Eye: (to) Choose not to notice something
2262Turn on a Dime: Quickly reverse direction or position
2263Turn Someone Inside Out: To cause strong emotional turmoil; to completely change someone
2264Turn Something on Its Head: Reverse something, cause something to be done in a new way
2265Turn the Corner: To begin to improve after a problem
2266Turn the Tables: Reverse a situation
2267Turn Turtle: Capsize, turn over
2268Turnabout Is Fair Play: If you suffer from the same suffering you have inflicted on others, that’s only fair
2269Twenty-Four Seven: At any time
2270Twist the Knife (in Deeper): Make someone’s suffering worse
2271Twist the Knife (in Deeper): Make someone’s suffering worse
2272Two a Penny: Ordinary, inexpensive
2273Two Peas in A Pod: Two people who are very similar in appearance
2274U Turn: A complete change of opinion, direction, etc.
2275Ugly Duckling: An awkward child or young person who grows into a beautiful person
2276Under (Below) the Radar: Not generally perceived, below popular consciousness
2277Under Someone’s Spell: Fascinated, entranced by someone
2278Under the Impression: Believing something, perhaps mistakenly
2279Under the Table: Without being officially recorded
2280Under the Weather: Feeling ill
2281Under the Weather: Not feeling well
2282Under Wraps: Temporarily hidden, secret
2283University of Life: Difficult real-life experience, as opposed to formal education
2284Until the Cows Come Home: For a long time
2285Until You’re Blue in the Face: For a long time with no results
2286Up a Creek: In a very bad situation
2287Up for Grabs: Available
2288Up for Grabs: Available for anyone
2289Up in Arms: Angry, protesting (usually said of a group)
2290Up in the Air: Not yet decided
2291Up the Ante: Raise the stakes; increase the importance of something under discussion
2292Up the Duff: Pregnant
2293Up to One’s Neck: Nearly overwhelmed
2294Up to Scratch: Meeting a basic standard of competence or quality
2295Up to Snuff: Meeting a basic standard
2296Upset the Apple Cart: To disorganize or spoil something, especially an established arrangement or plan
2297Use One’s Head: To think, to have common sense
2298Vale of Tears: The world in general, envisioned as a sad place; the tribulations of life
2299Vicious Circle: A situation in which an attempt to solve a problem makes the original problem worse.
2300Victory Lap: Visible public appearances after a victory or accomplishment
2301Virgin Territory: Something that has never been explored, physically or intellectually
2302Vote with One’s Feet: To physically depart from something as a way of showing disapproval
2303Waiting in the Wings: Ready to assume responsibilities but not yet active, ready to become a successor
2304Waka-Jumping: Change political parties (said of politicians themselves)
2305Wake Up and Smell the Coffee: Stop deluding yourself
2306Wake Up on the Wrong Side of the Bed: Be grumpy or ill-humored. Generally used in past tense
2307Walk on Eggshells: To have to act very sensitively in order to avoid offending someone
2308Walk the Plank: Be forced to resign a position
2309Wandering Eye: A tendency to look at and desire women or men other than one’s committed romantic partner
2310Wandering Eye: A tendency to look at and desire women or men other than one’s committed romantic partner
2311Wash Your Hands of (Something): Decline to take further responsibility; refuse to be involved with something anymore
2312Water Under the Bridge: Something in the past that’s no longer worth worrying about
2313Watering Hole: A place where alcoholic beverages are served, a bar
2314We’ll Cross That Bridge: When We Come to It We’ll deal with that problem if and when it comes up
2315Weekend Warrior: Someone who has an office job but enjoys contact sports on weekends; a member of a military reserve force (whose exercises are typically on weekends)
2316Welsh (Welch) on a Deal: Not observe the terms of an agreement
2317Wet Behind the Ears: inexperienced, immature, new to something
2318Wet Behind the Ears: Inexperienced, immature, new to something
2319Wet Blanket: Someone who dampens a festive occasion
2320Wet Your Whistle: Drink something
2321What Do You Make of (Him)?: What is your evaluation of this person?
2322What Goes Around Comes Around: The kind of treatment you give to others will eventually return to you; things go in cycles
2323What’s Good for the Goose Is Good for the Gander: What’s OK for a man is OK for a woman, too
2324When Hell Freezes Over: Never
2325When In Doubt, Leave It Out: When unsure about something, omit it.
2326When in Rome, Do as the Romans Do: When you visit a new place, follow the customs of the people there
2327When It Rains, It Pours: Problems tend to come in groups.
2328When Pigs Fly: Never
2329When the Chips Are Down: When a situation becomes urgent or difficult
2330Where (When) the Rubber: Meets the Road In reality; where an idea meets a real-world test
2331Where There’s a Will, There’s a Way: If you have a strong desire to accomplish something, you will achieve it even in the face of considerable odds.
2332Where There’s Smoke, There’s Fire: If there is typical evidence of something, the most likely explanation is that it is actually occurring.
2333Whisper Sweet Nothings (in Someone’s Ear): Speak meaningless romantic utterances
2334Whistle in the Dark: To be unrealistically confident or brave; to talk about something of which one has little knowledge
2335Whistle Past the Graveyard: Remain optimistic despite dangers; be clueless
2336Whistling Dixie: Being unrealistically optimistic
2337White Elephant: An unwanted item that is difficult to sell or dispose of
2338Who’s She, the Cat’s Mother?: Why does she have such a high opinion of herself?
2339Wild Goose Chase: An impossible or futile search or task
2340Window Dressing: A misleading disguise intended to present a favorable impression
2341Window Shop: To look at merchandise in a store without intending to buy it
2342Witch Hunt: An organized attempt to persecute an unpopular group of people and blame them for a problem.
2343With Bells On: Eagerly, willingly, and on time.
2344Work One’s Fingers to the Bone: Work very hard over an extended period
2345Worn to a Frazzle: Exhausted, completely worn out
2346Wouldn’t Be Caught Dead: Would absolutely not allow myself to do this
2347Writing (Handwriting) on the Wall: Hints of coming disaster
2348Year In, Year Out: Annually without change
2349You Can Lead a Horse to Water, but You Can’t Make It Drink: It’s very hard to force someone to do something against his or her will.
2350You Can Say That Again!: I agree totally!
2351You Can Take It to the Bank: I absolutely guarantee this
2352You Can’t Judge a Book by Its Cover: You can’t know people (or things) well by their external appearances.
2353You Can’t Make an Omelet (Omelette): Without Breaking
2354You Can’t Make Fish of One and Fowl of the Other: People must be treated equally.
2355You Know the Drill: You are already familiar with the procedure.
2356You Snooze, You Lose: If you delay or are not alert, you will miss opportunities
2357You’re Driving Me Nuts: To make someone giddy or crazy
2358Young at Heart: Having a youthful outlook, regardless of age
2359Your Guess Is as Good as Mine: I don’t know; I have no idea
2360Your Mileage May Vary: You may get different results. This does not necessarily refer to a car, although it may.
2361Your Number Is Up: You are going to die (or suffer some bad misfortune or setback)
2362Yours Truly: Me
2363Zero In On: Focus closely on something; take aim at something
2364Zig When One Should Be Zagging: To make an error; to choose an incorrect course
2365Zip One’s Lip: Be quiet
2366
2367$output
2368[storyname,title]. [bigplot].