Idioms: All ears
By Di, August 22 2020
Prick up your ears for these 10 idioms using the word "ear"!
Idioms
(Look) on the bright side
By Pamela, May 24 2020
If you are faced with a difficult or unfortunate situation, you can either focus on the negative aspects or you can be optimistic and look on the bright side. If you look on the bright side, you try to find positive or advantageous points about an otherwise negative scenario. We use this expression to refer to something that might offer hope or encouragement during a difficult time.
Go off the rails
By Pamela, May 10 2020
If someone loses complete control of their behavior or emotions, then you can say that they have gone off the rails. We use the expression go off the rails to refer to someone who has started to behave in a strange or abnormal way. In many cases, their actions are considered to be inappropriate or unacceptable compared to their usual standards. As a result, they are likely to cause damage either to themselves or others.
The tables have turned
By Pamela, April 26 2020
If someone used to be in a better position than you in terms of wealth, power or overall advantage, but now you are in a better position than them, then the tables have turned. We say that the tables have turned when the roles between two people (or groups of people) have reversed and are now the opposite of what they used to be. It means that the person who once had the advantage in a situation now has the disadvantage, and vice versa.
Take a rain check on something
By Pamela, April 12 2020
If you need to postpone or cancel plans with someone then you can take a rain check. We use this expression when we want to politely decline an invitation or reschedule a plan, but also imply that we would be interested in accepting another one in the future. When you take a rain check on something it lets the other person know that although you are unable to accept their offer or participate in an activity now, you are hopeful that it will work out next time. It shows a willingness to reschedule for a later date.
Off the top of my head
By Pamela, March 30 2020
If you say something off the top of your head, you speak without giving too much thought to the accuracy or quality of your ideas. We use this expression when we want to say something on the spot, but when we are not certain that the information is entirely correct.
Six of one, half dozen of the other
By Pamela, March 15 2020
If you’re faced with two choices that are equal in value or appeal, then you can say it’s six of one, half dozen of the other. We use this idiom when we cannot decide between two options because there is not one that is noticeably better than the other.
Humour me
By Ilia, March 01 2020
When you say humour me, you are asking someone to simplify what they are saying. It implies that you know that the other person might find it silly or pointless. It is an expression that shows humility.
This expression is appropriate for use in personal and professional settings as it asks others to explain their ideas in a way that you can understand. It is especially appropriate when someone is using specialized language.
Pull an all-nighter
By Pamela, February 17 2020
If you’ve stayed up all night, from dusk until dawn, then you’ve pulled an all-nighter. We use the term "all-nighter" to refer to an event that lasts through the night into the morning. This term is often associated with school and work, and it is used to say that a person stayed up all night to study for a test or complete a task.
Beat around the bush
By Pamela, February 03 2020
If someone beats around the bush, they do not talk about a subject in an open or direct way. Instead, they may talk about a lot of irrelevant or unimportant details to avoid getting to the main point. People usually beat around the bush, either consciously or subconsciously, when they are trying to avoid a subject that is sensitive, controversial, or uncomfortable. As a result, the person may approach the topic cautiously by discussing it in a vague or roundabout way.
Elephant in the room
By Pamela, January 20 2020
If there’s an obvious truth that no one wants to talk about, then there’s an elephant in the room. This idiom refers to an issue or situation that everyone is aware of, but chooses not to publicly acknowledge.
Idioms: 10 ways to use your "nose"
By Di, December 14 2019
There are a lot of idioms in English that use the word "nose". Apparently, we like to talk about our noses a lot! Here are just 10 to add to your phrasebook (plus a bonus one to amaze your friends and colleagues with).
Race against time/Race against the clock
By Pamela, December 13 2019
If you have a project or task to do, and you have a very limited amount of time to finish it, then you can say that you're in a race against time.
Under the weather
By Pamela, December 09 2019
If you’re not feeling well, physically or emotionally, then you can say that you feel under the weather. We use this expression when we want to imply that our health is slightly below its normal state.
Once in a blue moon
By Pamela, November 25 2019
If you don’t do an activity very often, then you can say that you only do it once in a blue moon. We use this expression to emphasize how rare or infrequent an activity is. The activity could be infrequent due to cost, convenience, preference, etc.
This expression is somewhat casual, so it is best suited for informal contexts. For example:
In the nick of time
By Pamela, November 19 2019
If you completed a task at the last acceptable moment, then you completed it in the nick of time.
In the bag
By Pamela, November 11 2019
If you have something in the bag, it means that you are sure that you will achieve it or acquire it. We usually use this expression to predict a future success that seems certain or, at least, highly probable.
This expression can be used in a variety of situations, although it is better suited to informal contexts. For example:
Blow something out of proportion
By Pamela, October 28 2019
If you blow something out of proportion, then you make it seem more important than it actually is. We use this expression when someone overreacts or exaggerates the seriousness of a situation. As a result, the situation is given more attention than it deserves.
This expression can be used to refer to unfavorable behavior that occurs in both personal and professional contexts. For example:
Think outside the box
By Pamela, October 15 2019
If you’re faced with a unique and complicated issue at work, you may need to think outside the box to find a solution.
When you think outside the box, you try to use your imagination to come up with new and unusual ideas. The purpose of thinking outside the box is to challenge yourself to think differently about a subject, so that you can approach it from a new perspective and ideally, produce original ideas and solutions.
Learn the ropes
By Pamela, October 14 2019
When you learn the ropes, you learn how to do a particular task or activity. We use the expression learn the ropes when we are in the process of gathering basic knowledge and experience about how to perform a task or job.