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- Break a leg:
- Meaning: A theatrical expression wishing someone good luck, especially before a performance.
- Example: “Break a leg, John! I’m sure your play will be fantastic.”
- Hit the hay:
- Meaning: To go to bed or go to sleep.
- Example: “I’m exhausted after a long day; I think I’ll hit the hay early tonight.”
- Piece of cake:
- Meaning: Something very easy to do.
- Example: “The exam was a piece of cake; I finished it in half the time.”
- Biting off more than you can chew:
- Meaning: Taking on a task that is way too challenging or more than one can handle.
- Example: “I volunteered to organize the event, but I might have been biting off more than I can chew.”
- A dime a dozen:
- Meaning: Something common or easily obtained; not unique.
- Example: “In this city, coffee shops are a dime a dozen; you can find one on every corner.”
- Cat’s out of the bag:
- Meaning: The secret has been revealed or exposed.
- Example: “I accidentally mentioned the surprise party, so now the cat’s out of the bag.”
- It’s raining cats and dogs:
- Meaning: Heavy rain or a very intense downpour.
- Example: “We can’t go out for a picnic today; it’s raining cats and dogs.”
- Kick the bucket:
- Meaning: A euphemism for dying.
- Example: “When I’m old, I hope to have lived a fulfilling life before I kick the bucket.”
- Burn the midnight oil:
- Meaning: To work late into the night or early morning hours.
- Example: “I have a deadline tomorrow, so I’ll be burning the midnight oil to finish this project.”
- A piece of the pie:
- Meaning: A share in something, often referring to a portion of success, wealth, or benefits.
- Example: “Everyone in the team contributed, so each member deserves a piece of the pie.”
- Bite the bullet:
- Meaning: To endure a difficult or unpleasant situation with courage and resilience.
- Example: “I have to bite the bullet and tell my boss about the mistake I made on the project.”
- Cut to the chase:
- Meaning: To get to the main point or important part of a conversation or situation without unnecessary details.
- Example: “Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the key issues we need to address in the meeting.”
- Costs an arm and a leg:
- Meaning: Something is very expensive.
- Example: “Getting my car repaired is going to cost an arm and a leg; I wasn’t expecting it to be so expensive.”
- Cry over spilled milk:
- Meaning: To lament or worry about something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
- Example: “I made a mistake, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk; I’ll learn from it and move on.”
- Don’t count your chickens before they hatch:
- Meaning: Do not rely on something that hasn’t happened yet; don’t make plans based on uncertain outcomes.
- Example: “I haven’t received the job offer yet, so I won’t count my chickens before they hatch.”
- Don’t put all your eggs in one basket:
- Meaning: Do not risk everything on a single venture; diversify to reduce risk.
- Example: “Investing in different stocks is a good strategy; don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
- Down to earth:
- Meaning: Practical, realistic, and sensible; not pretentious or idealistic.
- Example: “Despite his success, the famous actor remains down to earth and approachable.”
- Get cold feet:
- Meaning: To become nervous or apprehensive, especially before taking an important step.
- Example: “I was excited about the skydiving adventure, but as the plane took off, I started to get cold feet.”
- Give the benefit of the doubt:
- Meaning: To believe someone’s statement without being skeptical; to presume innocence rather than guilt.
- Example: “Even though the evidence was circumstantial, I decided to give him the benefit of the doubt.”
- Graveyard shift:
- Meaning: The late-night work shift, typically from midnight to 8 a.m.
- Example: “Working the graveyard shift at the hospital means dealing with emergencies during the quietest hours.”
- Hitting the nail on the head:
- Meaning: To describe precisely or identify the core of an issue accurately.
- Example: “You really hit the nail on the head with your analysis of the company’s financial problems.”
- Jump on the bandwagon:
- Meaning: To join others in supporting a popular activity or trend.
- Example: “After the team’s success, many fans decided to jump on the bandwagon and support them.”
- Let the cat out of the bag:
- Meaning: To reveal a secret or disclose information that was supposed to be kept confidential.
- Example: “I accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party, ruining the secret.”
- Throw in the towel:
- Meaning: To give up or surrender; to admit defeat.
- Example: “After struggling with the project for weeks, she decided to throw in the towel and ask for help.”
- See eye to eye:
- Meaning: To agree or have the same opinion about something.
- Example: “Although they had different approaches, they eventually found common ground and began to see eye to eye.”
- Spill the beans:
- Meaning: To disclose a secret or reveal information that was supposed to be kept confidential.
- Example: “I can’t believe you spilled the beans about the surprise party; now everyone knows!”
- Take the bull by the horns:
- Meaning: To confront a difficult or challenging situation directly and with determination.
- Example: “Instead of avoiding the issue, he decided to take the bull by the horns and address the problem head-on.”
- Taste of your own medicine:
- Meaning: Experiencing the same negative treatment or situation that one has imposed on others.
- Example: “After constantly criticizing his colleagues, he got a taste of his own medicine when his work was criticized by others.”
- The ball is in your court:
- Meaning: It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.
- Example: “I’ve done my part of the project; now the ball is in your court to review and provide feedback.”
- Under the weather:
- Meaning: Feeling ill or not in good health.
- Example: “I won’t be able to come to work today; I’m feeling a bit under the weather.”
- A penny for your thoughts:
- Meaning: A polite way of asking someone what they are thinking or feeling.
- Example: “You seem lost in thought. A penny for your thoughts?”
- Actions speak louder than words:
- Meaning: What someone does is more significant and revealing than what they say.
- Example: “Don’t just tell me you’re sorry; show it through your actions. Actions speak louder than words.”
- All ears:
- Meaning: Ready and eager to listen or hear what someone has to say.
- Example: “I’m all ears; go ahead and tell me your exciting news.”
- Back to the drawing board:
- Meaning: To start over, especially when a plan or idea has failed.
- Example: “Our first attempt didn’t work out, so it’s back to the drawing board to come up with a new strategy.”
- Barking up the wrong tree:
- Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action; making a wrong assumption.
- Example: “If you think I took your pen, you’re barking up the wrong tree; I haven’t seen it.”
- Better late than never:
- Meaning: It is better for something to happen late than not to happen at all.
- Example: “I know I’m late to the meeting, but better late than never, right?”
- Between a rock and a hard place:
- Meaning: Facing a difficult decision or caught in a dilemma with no easy solution.
- Example: “I’m between a rock and a hard place; both options have significant drawbacks.”
- Birds of a feather flock together:
- Meaning: People with similar interests, characteristics, or backgrounds tend to associate with one another.
- Example: “It’s no surprise that they became close friends; birds of a feather flock together.”
- Blessing in disguise:
- Meaning: Something that initially seems negative but turns out to be beneficial in the long run.
- Example: “Losing my job was a blessing in disguise; it pushed me to pursue a career I’m truly passionate about.”
- Burn bridges:
- Meaning: To damage or destroy relationships, often irreparably.
- Example: “Quitting without notice may burn bridges with your colleagues, making it difficult to collaborate in the future.”
- By the skin of your teeth:
- Meaning: Narrowly avoiding a difficult or dangerous situation.
- Example: “I passed the exam by the skin of my teeth; I thought I was going to fail.”
- Catch someone’s eye:
- Meaning: Attracting someone’s attention or making a strong impression.
- Example: “Her artistic talent really caught the director’s eye, and she was offered a leading role in the play.”
- Cold shoulder:
- Meaning: A deliberate display of indifference or unfriendliness.
- Example: “I tried to start a conversation, but she gave me the cold shoulder and walked away.”
- Don’t judge a book by its cover:
- Meaning: Do not form an opinion about someone or something based solely on appearance.
- Example: “Although he may seem quiet and reserved, don’t judge a book by its cover; he’s actually quite outgoing.”
- Drop in the bucket:
- Meaning: A very small amount in comparison to what is needed or expected.
- Example: “The donation I made was just a drop in the bucket compared to the overall fundraising goal.”
- Eat your heart out:
- Meaning: A phrase expressing one’s satisfaction or superiority over someone else.
- Example: “I just got a promotion! Eat your heart out, critics who doubted my abilities.”
- Every cloud has a silver lining:
- Meaning: In every negative situation, there is something positive to be found.
- Example: “Losing my job was tough, but I found a new opportunity shortly afterward. Every cloud has a silver lining.”
- A picture is worth a thousand words:
- Meaning: Visual images can convey complex ideas or emotions more effectively than words.
- Example: “The powerful photograph of the protest became a symbol of the movement; truly, a picture is worth a thousand words.”
- Fit as a fiddle:
- Meaning: In excellent health and physical condition.
- Example: “Despite his age, my grandfather is fit as a fiddle and still enjoys playing tennis regularly.”
- Go the extra mile:
- Meaning: Put in additional effort or go beyond what is required.
- Example: “If you want to succeed in this competitive industry, you need to go the extra mile and consistently exceed expectations.”
- Green with envy:
- Meaning: Extremely jealous or envious of someone’s success or possessions.
- Example: “When she saw her colleague receive the promotion, she turned green with envy.”
- Hang in the balance:
- Meaning: In a state of uncertainty or suspense, with an outcome yet to be determined.
- Example: “The fate of the project hangs in the balance as we await the client’s decision.”
- In the blink of an eye:
- Meaning: Happening very quickly; in an extremely short amount of time.
- Example: “The car accident occurred in the blink of an eye, and everything changed.”
- It takes two to tango:
- Meaning: Both parties involved are responsible for a situation or argument; cooperation is necessary.
- Example: “The success of a partnership depends on collaboration; it takes two to tango.”
- Jumping on the bandwagon:
- Meaning: Adopting a popular activity or trend; joining others in doing something trendy.
- Example: “After the team’s success, many people started jumping on the bandwagon and supporting them.”
- Keep your chin up:
- Meaning: To stay optimistic or positive in difficult situations.
- Example: “Even though things are tough right now, keep your chin up; it will get better.”
- Let the cat out of the bag:
- Meaning: To reveal a secret or disclose information that was supposed to be kept confidential.
- Example: “She accidentally let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party, spoiling the secret.”
- Make a long story short:
- Meaning: To summarize or provide a concise version of a lengthy story or explanation.
- Example: “Make a long story short, we missed the train and had to take a taxi to the airport.”
- Not playing with a full deck:
- Meaning: Someone who is not thinking or acting rationally; lacking intelligence or common sense.
- Example: “He seems a bit off lately; it’s like he’s not playing with a full deck.”
- On the ball:
- Meaning: Being alert, attentive, and quick to understand or respond.
- Example: “The new employee is on the ball; she learns quickly and always completes tasks efficiently.”
- Out of the blue:
- Meaning: Something unexpected or occurring without any warning.
- Example: “I received a job offer out of the blue; I wasn’t expecting it at all.”
- Over the moon:
- Meaning: Extremely happy or delighted.
- Example: “She was over the moon when she found out she passed the exam with flying colors.”
- Pay through the nose:
- Meaning: To pay an exorbitant or excessively high amount for something.
- Example: “I had to pay through the nose for the emergency car repairs; it was much more than I expected.”
- Play it by ear:
- Meaning: To handle a situation without a fixed plan; make decisions as events unfold.
- Example: “I don’t have a specific itinerary for our road trip; let’s play it by ear and see where we end up.”
- Pull someone’s leg:
- Meaning: To tease or joke with someone, often by providing false information in a light-hearted manner.
- Example: “I was just pulling your leg about the surprise party; it’s actually next week.”
- Put all your eggs in one basket:
- Meaning: To risk everything on a single venture or investment.
- Example: “Diversify your investments; don’t put all your eggs in one basket to minimize risks.”
- Put your best foot forward:
- Meaning: To make a good impression by displaying one’s best qualities or efforts.
- Example: “During the job interview, it’s essential to put your best foot forward and showcase your skills.”
- Raining cats and dogs:
- Meaning: Heavy rain or a very intense downpour.
- Example: “We had to cancel the outdoor event because it started raining cats and dogs.”
- Red as a beet:
- Meaning: Extremely embarrassed or blushing intensely.
- Example: “When she realized everyone was looking at her, she turned red as a beet.”
- Rome wasn’t built in a day:
- Meaning: Complex or significant achievements take time and cannot be rushed.
- Example: “Learning a new language is a gradual process; remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day.”
- Rub salt in the wound:
- Meaning: To make a bad situation even worse; to exacerbate someone’s distress.
- Example: “After losing the game, his friend rubbed salt in the wound by teasing him about it.”
- Saved by the bell:
- Meaning: Rescued from a difficult or embarrassing situation by a timely interruption.
- Example: “I was about to answer the tough question when the bell rang, and I was saved by the bell.”
- Sick as a dog:
- Meaning: Very ill or unwell.
- Example: “After eating the spoiled food, he felt sick as a dog for the rest of the day.”
- Sit on the fence:
- Meaning: To avoid taking a side or making a decision in a dispute or controversy.
- Example: “Don’t sit on the fence; you need to choose a position on the issue.”
- Spill the beans:
- Meaning: To disclose a secret or reveal information that was supposed to be kept confidential.
- Example: “I can’t believe you spilled the beans about the surprise party; now everyone knows!”
- Take a rain check:
- Meaning: To decline an invitation or offer with the intention of accepting it at a later time.
- Example: “I’m busy tonight, but can I take a rain check and join you for dinner next week?”
- Take it with a grain of salt:
- Meaning: To be skeptical or not entirely believe something; to view information with caution.
- Example: “He tends to exaggerate, so you should take his stories with a grain of salt.”
- The ball is in your court:
- Meaning: It is now your turn to take action or make a decision.
- Example: “I’ve done my part of the project; now the ball is in your court to review and provide feedback.”
- The devil is in the details:
- Meaning: Important information or problems are often hidden in the specific details of a plan or situation.
- Example: “When signing a contract, remember that the devil is in the details; read it thoroughly.”
- The early bird catches the worm:
- Meaning: Acting promptly or arriving early provides an advantage.
- Example: “I always wake up early to start my day; after all, the early bird catches the worm.”
- The whole nine yards:
- Meaning: To give one’s maximum effort; to go all out or provide everything that is possible.
- Example: “She planned the party and went the whole nine yards, from decorations to catering.”
- Throw in the towel:
- Meaning: To give up or surrender; to admit defeat.
- Example: “After hours of trying to fix the computer, he decided to throw in the towel and call for professional help.”
- Time flies when you’re having fun:
- Meaning: Time seems to pass quickly when you are enjoying yourself.
- Example: “We didn’t realize it was midnight; time flies when you’re having fun.”
- Twist someone’s arm:
- Meaning: To persuade or convince someone to do something against their will.
- Example: “I didn’t want to go to the party, but my friends twisted my arm, and I ended up having a great time.”
- Under the weather:
- Meaning: Feeling ill or not in good health.
- Example: “I won’t be able to come to work today; I’m feeling a bit under the weather.”
- Up in the air:
- Meaning: Uncertain or undecided; with an unknown outcome.
- Example: “The date for the meeting is still up in the air; we haven’t finalized the details yet.”
- Wear your heart on your sleeve:
- Meaning: To show one’s emotions openly and honestly, without hiding feelings.
- Example: “She wears her heart on her sleeve, so you always know how she feels about things.”
- When pigs fly:
- Meaning: Something that is highly unlikely or improbable to happen.
- Example: “I’ll believe he’s sincere when pigs fly; he’s known for making empty promises.”
- Wild goose chase:
- Meaning: A futile or fruitless pursuit; chasing something unlikely or unattainable.
- Example: “Searching for the lost keys in the dark park turned out to be a wild goose chase.”
- You can’t judge a book by its cover:
- Meaning: One should not form opinions about someone or something based solely on appearance.
- Example: “At first, I thought he was unfriendly, but I learned that you can’t judge a book by its cover; he’s actually very kind.”
- Your guess is as good as mine:
- Meaning: I have no more knowledge or information about a situation than you do.
- Example: “I have no idea when the project will be completed; your guess is as good as mine.”
- A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush:
- Meaning: It’s better to have a small, certain advantage than to risk losing it for a potentially greater one.
- Example: “I decided to accept the job offer I had instead of waiting for a better one; a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.”
- A piece of cake:
- Meaning: Something very easy to do.
- Example: “The exam was a piece of cake; I finished it in half the time.”
- A stitch in time saves nine:
- Meaning: Addressing a problem early can prevent more significant issues in the future.
- Example: “Fixing a small leak in the roof now is like a stitch in time; it saves us from major repairs later.”
- A wolf in sheep’s clothing:
- Meaning: Someone who appears harmless or friendly but is actually deceitful or malicious.
- Example: “Be careful with him; he may seem nice, but he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.”
- All in the same boat:
- Meaning: In the same difficult or challenging situation.
- Example: “During the economic downturn, we’re all in the same boat; everyone is facing financial struggles.”
- All that glitters is not gold:
- Meaning: Things that appear attractive or valuable may not be what they seem.
- Example: “The new job offer may seem glamorous, but all that glitters is not gold; I need to consider the details.”
- As cool as a cucumber:
- Meaning: Calm and composed, especially in stressful situations.
- Example: “Even during the crisis, she remained as cool as a cucumber, making rational decisions.”
- At the drop of a hat:
- Meaning: Without any hesitation or delay; immediately.
- Example: “If you need help, I’ll be there at the drop of a hat.”
- Barking up the wrong tree:
- Meaning: Pursuing a mistaken or misguided course of action; making a wrong assumption.
- Example: “If you think I took your pen, you’re barking up the wrong tree; I haven’t seen it.”
