Idioms in English Language

 

Idioms

A

A big cheese- an important or a powerful person in a group or family

A bird’s eye view- a view from a very high place which allows you to see a large area

A bone of contention- something that people argue for a long time

A cock and a bull story- a story or an explanation which is obviously not true.

At the crack of the dawn- very early in morning

A cuckoo in the nest- someone in a group of people but not liked by them.

A litmus test- a method which clearly proves something

As the crow flies- measuring distance between two places in a straight line.

A dead letter- an argument or law not followed by anyone.

At the drop of the hat- do something easily, without any preparation, without any hesitation; instantly

An early bird- someone who gets early in the morning

An educated guess- a guess which was likely to get corrected

At the eleventh hour- be too late.

A queer fish- a strange person

A hot potato: Speak of an issue (mostly current) which many people are talking about (usually disputed).

As busy as a bee:             To be extremely busy

A penny for your thoughts: A way of asking what someone is thinking

Add insult to injury: To further a loss with mockery or indignity; to worsen an unfavourable situation.

A wakeup call- an event done to warn someone

A worm’s eye view- having very little knowledge about something

A witch hunt- an attempt to find and punish those who have options that are believed to be dangerous

At the heels of- to follow someone

A dish fit for Gods- something of very high quality

A game of two equal halves- a sudden change in circumstances

Afraid of one’s own shadow- to become easily frightened

Against the clock- to be in a hurry to do something before a particular time

Air one’s dirty laundry- to make public something embarrassing that should be kept secret.

All systems go- everything is ready.

An arm and a leg- a large amount of money. (when something is very expensive.)

Appear out of now here- to appear suddenly without warning.

Apple of someone’s eye- someone loved very much.

Ask for the moon: to ask for too much.

Asleep at the switch- not to be alert on opportunity

At sixes and sevens- to be lost and bewildered, in disorder

At someone’s beck and call- to be always ready to serve

At the bottom of the ladder- at the lowest level

A house of cards- a poor plan

At an arm’s length- to keep at a distance

A boon in disguise- a benefit in loss

A bull in a China shop- an awkward person

A red letter day- an important day

A nine days wonder- pleasure for a short time

A bit under the weather- falling ill

B

Bad blood- feelings of hate between two families

Bend your ears- to talk to someone for a very long time about something boring

Bite your tongue- to stop yourself from saying something because it would be better not to

Black and blue- full of bruises

Blue blood- belonging to high social class

Be above board- to be honest and legal

Be bouncing off the walls- excited and full of nervous energy

Bow and scrap- try too hard to please someone in a position of authority

Brass monkey weather- extremely cold weather

Be tailor made- to be completely suitable for someone.

Break the ice- to make more comfort with a person whom you have not met earlier, to break the silence

Be as clear as mud- to be impossible to understand

Be on cloud nine- be very happy

Between the devil and deep blue sea- to choose between two equally unpleasant situations

Be in the doldrums- not very successful or nothing new is taking place

Beat the drum- to speak eagerly about something you support

Be on the edge- to be nervous or worried about something

Be in seventh heaven- extremely happy

Be at each other’s throat- two persons arguing angrily

Batten down the hatches- to prepare for trouble

Back the wrong horse- to support someone weak

Back to the salt mines- back to something that you don’t want to do

Ball of fire- active and energetic

Beat one’s head against the wall- to try to do something that is hopeless

Batten down the hatches- prepare for difficult times

Beat one’s brain out- to work hard

Begin to see the light- to begin to understand

Behind closed doors- done in secret

Bet on the wrong horse- to misread the future

Bent on doing- to be determined to do something

Bite the bullet- to face a difficult situation bravely

Bitter pill to swallow- an unpleasant fact that must be accepted

Black sheep of the family- worst member

Blind leading the blind- someone who does not understand something but tries to explain it to other

Blow one’s own horn- to praise one

Blow someone’s mind- excite someone

Bone of contention- subject matter of the fight

Bring home the bacon- to earn money to live Blue in the face- exhausted and speechless

Break the back of- reduce the power of something

Burn a hole in one’s pocket- to spend money quickly

Bushman’s holiday- a holiday where you spend doing same thing as you did at working days

Button’s one lip- to keep quite

Break a leg- to wish good luck

Back to the drawing board: When an attempt fails and it's time to start all over.

Ball is in your court: It is up to you to make the next decision or step

Barking up the wrong tree:  Looking in the wrong place/ wrong assumption. Accusing the wrong person

Back to basics:   Simplifying things

Back to square one: Go back to the beginning

Be glad to see the back of: Be happy when a person leaves.

Beat around the bush: Avoiding the main topic. Not speaking directly about the issue.

Best of both worlds: Meaning: All the advantages.

Best thing since sliced bread: A good invention or innovation. A good idea or plan.

Bite off more than you can chew: To take on a task that is too big. To do more.

Blessing in disguise: Something good that isn't recognized at first.

Burn the midnight oil: To work late into the night, alluding to the time before electric lighting.

C

Carrot and sticks- You use both awards as well as punishments to make someone do something.

Cloak and dragger- when people behave in a very secret manner

Cards are stacked against- luck is against you

Crack a book- to open book to study

Cross a bridge before one comes to it:  worry about the future in advance, to deal with a problem ,  if and when it becomes necessary, not before

Carry coals to new castle- to take something to a place or a person that has a lot of that thing already

Cast in the same mould- to be very similar

Change horses in midstream- to change plans

Cap it all- to finish

Cried with eyes out- cried a lot

Carry the can- you take the blame for something, even though you didn't do it or are only partly at fault.

Cast a long shadow- considerable influence on other people or events.

Cat and dog life- If people lead a cat and dog life, they are always arguing.

Can't judge a book by its cover: Cannot judge something primarily on appearance.

Caught between two stools: When someone finds it difficult to choose between two alternatives.

Cry over spilt milk: When you complain about a loss from the past.

Curiosity killed the cat: Being Inquisitive can lead you into an unpleasant situation.

Cut corners: When something is done badly to save money.

Cut the mustard ["cut the muster"]: To succeed; to come up to expectations;

Chip on his shoulder: Carry a grudge

Close but no cigar: Coming close to achieving success, but reaching a disappointment due to failure

Cut to the chase: Get to the point

D

Drive a wedge between- to break relationship between the two

Dances to the tune- to always do what someone tells you to do

Dressed up to the nines- wearing fancy clothes

Dragging its feet- delaying in decision, not showing enthusiasm

Davey Jones' locker- Davey Jones' locker is the bottom of the sea or resting place of drowned sailors.

Dancing on someone's grave- you will outlive or Outlast them and will celebrate their demise

Dog in the manger- don't want other people to have or enjoy things that are useless to them

Don't cry over spilt milk- When something bad happens and nothing can be done to help it

Don't wash your dirty laundry in public- People, especially couples, who argue in front of others; making public things that are best left private.

Donkey work- Donkey work is any hard, boring work or task.

Don't throw bricks when you live in a glass house- Don't call others out on actions that you, yourself do. Don't be a hypocrite.

Devil's Advocate: To present a counter argument

Don't count your chickens before they hatched: Don't make plans for something that might not happen".

Don't give up the day job: You are not very good at something. You could definitely not do it professionally.

Don't put all your eggs in one basket: Do not put all your resources in one possibility.

Drastic times call for drastic measures: When you are extremely desperate you need to take drastic actions.

Dead Ringer:      Identical to something or someone

Dog eat dog:      situation in which people act ruthlessly in order to be successful

Don't look a gift horse in the mouth: When you are given something, you shouldn’t be ungrateful

Double whammy: A double setback from being able to do something

 

E

Entering the 80th orbit- celebrating the 80th birthday

Eleventh hour decision- decision that is made at the last possible minute

End in smoke- to bear no result

Earth shattering- not at all surprising

Eat humble pie- to apologize humbly

Elephant in the room- a problem that everyone knows very well but no one talks about because it is taboo, embarrassing, etc.

Egg on your face- If someone has egg on their face; they are made to look foolish or embarrassed

Eye for an eye- the punishment equals the crime.

Eyes are bigger than one's stomach- greedy and take on more than they can consume or manage.

Every Tom, Dick, and Harry:         This refers to everybody and excludes no one.

Excuse My French:           An apology before or after swearing

Elvis has left the building: The show has come to an end. It's all over.

Every cloud has a silver lining: Be optimistic, even difficult times will lead to better days.

 

F

From cradle to grave- during the whole span of your life.

Face the music-to accept punishment for something you have done.

Feel the pinch- to have problems with money.

Feel a bit under the weather: Meaning: Feeling slightly ill.

Fall on your own sword- to be cheated by someone you trust.

Feather in one’s cap- something that you achieve and proud of.

Firing on all cylinders- work every possible way to succeed.

French leave- absent without permission, to leave a gathering without saying goodbye

Fall on our feet- succeed in doing something where there was a risk of failure.

Fall on your sword- resign or accept the consequences of what they have done wrong.

Fingers and thumbs- you are being clumsy and not very skilled with your hands.

Finger in the pie- If you have a finger in the pie, you have an interest in something.

Flash in the pan- very noticeable but doesn't last long; who are very successful for a while, then forgotten.

Follow your nose- When giving directions, telling someone that they should go straight ahead.

Fool's paradise- A fool's paradise is a false sense of happiness or success

Foot in mouth- someone who says something Embarrassing, inappropriate, wrong or stupid

For a song- If you buy or sell something for a song, it is very cheap

For donkey's years- If people have done something, usually without much if any change, for an awfully long time, they can be said to have done it for donkey's years

Fly on the wall:  someone who over sees something without the watched noticing him/her.

From top to bottom:       Completely, thoroughly, totally

Far cry from: Very different from.

 

G

Get off the hook- free from all obligations

Give-up the ghost- to die

Got the slap on the wrist- got light punishment

Give someone a bird- make fun

Got the wind up- to be scared

Get a raw deal- not treated equally

Gift of the gab- talent of speaking, speak in a persuasive and interesting way

Gives cold shoulder- to ignore

Get your wires crossed- misunderstand each other, especially when making arrangements

Give me five- to hit your open hand against theirs as a Way of congratulation or greeting

Give me a hand- If someone gives you a hand, they help you

Give someone a piece of your mind- criticize them strongly and angrily.

Go bananas- If you go bananas, you are wild with excitement, anxiety, or worry

Go tell it to birds- This is used when someone says something that is not credible or is a lie

Go under the hammer- If something goes under the hammer, it is sold in an auction

Graveyard shift- If you have to work very late at night, it is the graveyard shift

Grease monkey- A grease monkey is an idiomatic term for a mechanic

Get cold feet:     Become frightened or nervous about something that you have to do

Get out of the wrong side of the bed:       In a bad mood

Get the run-around:         Receive a series of excuses, delays, etc.

Get the short end of the stick:     the smallest share or worst position

Graveyard Shift: Working the night-shift, working at night

Give the benefit of the doubt: Believe someone's statement, without proof.

 

H

Have ants in your pants- not be able to keep still because you are very excited or worried about something.

Having a whole of a time- to enjoy very much

Hold one’s horse- be patient

Have a big mouth- one who gossips more or tells secret

Himalayan blunder- a serious mistake

Have a one track mind- think only of one thing

Have clean hands- be guiltless

Have an egg on the face- be embarrassed

Have eyes bigger than stomach- desiring more food than one can eat

Heart missed a beat- very excited

Heart in the right place- good natured

Hit the nail on the head: done the thing correctly

Hand to mouth- Someone is very poor and needs the little money they have coming in to cover their expenses

Have no truck with- refuse to get involved with it or them

Hit the bull's-eye- to say exactly right about something or achieve the best result possible.

Hold water- it means that the point of view or argument put forward is or is not sound, strong or logical.

Hornets' nest- A hornets' nest is a violent situation or one with a lot of dispute.

Hear it on the grapevine: This idiom means 'to hear rumors' about something or someone.

Hit the nail on the head: Do or say something exactly right

Hit the sack / sheets / hay: To go to bed.

 

I

In dribs and drabs- in small amounts at a time

In black and white- to give in writing

In the blues- low spirited

In cahoots with- in a partnership usually for a dishonest reason

If the shoe fits, wear it- This is used to suggest that something that has been said might apply to a person

In droves- When things happen in droves, a lot happen at the same time or very quickly .

In the doghouse- in disgrace and very Unpopular at the moment. Being in trouble with someone

In full swing:       Currently happening at full speed

In nothing flat: Immediately, straight away

In the bag:          Secured / guaranteed outcome

In the long run:  Eventually          

In the heat of the moment: Overwhelmed by what is happening in the moment.

It takes two to tango: Actions or communications need more than one person

J

Jack Frost - If everything has frozen in winter, then Jack Frost has visited.

Jack the Lad - A confident and not very serious young man who behaves as he wants to without thinking about other people is a Jack the Lad.

Jack-of-all-trades- A jack-of-all-trades is someone that can do many different jobs.

Jam on your face - appear to be caught, embarrassed or found guilty.

Jam tomorrow - This idiom is used when people promise good things for the future that will never come.

Jane Doe - Jane Doe is a name given to an unidentified female who may be party to legal proceedings, or to an unidentified person in hospital, or dead. John Doe is the male equivalent.

Jekyll and Hyde - a personality which has a pleasant and a very unpleasant side to the character.

Jersey justice - Jersey justice is very severe justice.

Jet set - Very wealthy people who travel around the world to attend parties or functions are the jet set.

Jet-black - To emphasize just how black something is, such as someone's hair, we can call it jet- black.

Job's comforter - Someone who says they want to comfort, but actually discomforts people

Jobs for the boys - Where people give jobs, contracts, etc, to their friends and associates.

Jockey for position - a number of people struggling for the same opportunity

Jog my memory- to say words that will help someone to remember a thought, word, experience, etc.

John Doe- John Doe is a name given to an unidentified male who may be party to legal proceedings, or to an unidentified person in hospital, or dead. Jane Doe is the female equivalent.

Joe Public - Joe Public is the typical, average person.

Johnny on the spot – one who is always available; ready, willing, and able to do what needs to be done.

Johnny-come-lately - a newcomer to or late starter,

Join the club - two or more people are sharing the same

Joined at the hip - very closely connected and think the same way.

Judge, jury and executioner - in charge of every decision made, and they have the power to anything.

Juggle frogs - If you are juggling frogs, you are trying to do something very difficult.

Jump down someone's throat - criticize or chastise them severely.

Jump ship - To leave a company or institution for another because it is doing badly.

Jump the broom - To marry. (Jump over the broom, jump over the broomstick, are also used.)

Jump the gun - If you jump the gun, you start doing something before the appropriate time.

Jump the track - Jumping the track is suddenly changing from one plan, activity, idea, etc, to another.

Jump through hoops - prepared to make great efforts and sacrifices for them.

Jump to a conclusion - evaluate or judge something without a sufficient examination of the facts.

Jumping Judas! - An expression of surprise or shock.

Jungle out there - the situation is dangerous and there are no rules.

Jury's out - there is no general agreement or consensus on it.

Just around the corner- expected to happen very soon.

Just coming up to nine o'clock- it means that it will be nine o'clock in a very few seconds.

Just deserts - get the punishment or suffer the misfortune that it is felt they deserve.

Just for the heck of it - do it without a good reason.

Just for the record - people know but does not necessarily agree with or support it.

Just in the nick of time - just manage to do it just in time, with seconds to spare.

Just off the boat - If someone is just off the boat, they are naive and inexperienced.

Just what the doctor ordered - If something's just what the doctor ordered, it is precisely what is needed.

Justice is blind - Justice is blind means that justice is impartial and objective.

Jump on the bandwagon: Join a popular trend or activity.

Jinx:       Bad luck

 

K

Kick up a row- to start a fight, to create disturbance

Keep ones eye on the ball- be ready for something

Kangaroo court- When people take the law into their own hands and form courts that are not legal.

Keep body and soul together- To earn enough to cover your basic expenses, but nothing more than that.

Keep your eye on the ball- stay alert and pay Close attention to what is happening

Know which way the wind blows- To know how things are Developing and be prepared for the future.

Keep a straight face: You should try not to laugh even though you find something really funny. You should use this when you are trying not to laugh at someone directly, usually from fear of being rude.

Kick the Bucket: : To die

Keep something at bay: Keep something away.

Kill two birds with one stone: to accomplish two different things at the same time.

 

L

Loaves and fishes- done for material benefits

Like a shag on a rock- completely alone.

Let someone slide- neglect something

Let the cat out of the bag- reveal the secret

Let nature take its course- to allow someone to live or die naturally.

Like a sitting duck- totally unaware

Lion’s share- a major share

Left to your own devices- someone who is not controlled and can do whatever they want

Last straw: The final problem in a series of problems.

Let sleeping dogs lie: do not disturb a situation as it is - since it would result in trouble or complications.

Late in the day: Something that has happened at a very late stage

Level playing field: an equal and fair competition

Like a headless chicken: In a frenzied and uncontrollable manner

 

 

M

Make castles in the air- plans or hopes that have very little chances of happening.

Make a bee line for- to go directly towards something.

Make ones bed and lie on it- to be responsible for what you have done and accept the results

Meet ones waterloo- meet ones final end

Monkey around- to waste time here and there

My hands are full- I am busy

Make a dry face- show disappointment

Make a monkey of someone- If you make a monkey of someone, you make them look foolish

Man of his word- A man of his word is a person who does what he says and keeps his Promises

Many moons ago- A very long time ago

Make a mountain out of a molehill:  something minor into a major issue

Mum's the word: Keep a secret and don't say anything

Make a long story short: Come to the point - leave out details

Method to my madness: despite one's approach seeming random, there actually is structure to it.

Miss the boat: someone missed his or her chance

 

N

Nobody’s fool- one who can take care of himself

not having a leg to stand for- not having proof

Never-never land- ideal best place.

No love lost between- dislike

Needle in a haystack- If trying to find something, is like looking for a needle in a haystack, it means that it is very difficult, if not impossible to find among everything around it

New brush sweeps clean- someone with a new perspective can make great changes. However, the full version is 'a new brush sweeps clean, but an old brush knows the corners', which warns that experience is also a valuable thing

No smoke without fire- when people suspect something, there is Normally a good reason for the suspicion, even if there is no concrete evidence. ('Where's there's smoke, there's fire' is also used.)

Not a spark of decency:  No manners

Not playing with a full deck: Someone who lacks intelligence, ither stupid or crazy

 

O

Once in a blue moon- very rarely

On the bandwagon- doing something because others are also doing it

Open Pandora’s box- to discover more problems

Over the moon- being too happy

On its last legs- in a bad condition and will not last long

Old flames die hard- It's very difficult to forget old things

On pins and needles- If you are on pins and needles, you are very worried about something

On the carpet- When you are called to the boss’s office (since supposedly, they are the only ones who have carpet) and its definitely not for a good reason, i.e., you are in trouble, something has not gone according to plan and either maybe you are responsible and/or have some explaining to do

On the hook- If someone is on the hook, they are responsible for something.

Only the wearer knows where the shoe pinches- it's hard to know how much someone else is suffering.

Off the Cuff: An unprepared/adlib action

Open secret: Something that is supposedly a secret, but that everyone knows

Over the top: Exaggerated or excessive

Off one's rocker: Crazy, demented, out of one's mind, in a confused or befuddled state of mind, senile.

On the ball: When someone understands the situation well.

Once in a blue moon:  Happens very rarely.

 

P

Pass muster- to be approved

Pick someone to pieces- to criticize sharply

Paper over the cracks- to try to hide something

Put the cart before the horse- doing things in a wrong manner

Pull up the shocks- do things in the right manner and correctly

Parrot fashion- If you learn something parrots fashion; you learn it word for word

Pay on the nail- If you pay on the nail, you pay promptly in cash

Pen is mightier than the sword- words and communication are more powerful than wars and fighting

Pick someone’s brains- ask for advice, Suggestions and information about.

Pieces of the same cake things that have the same Characteristics or qualities

Piece of cake: A job, task or other activity that is easy or simple.

Play fast and loose- To behave in an irresponsible way and don't respect rules, etc.

Poker face- doesn't show any emotion or reaction so that People don't know what they are feeling

Picture paints a thousand words: A visual presentation is far more descriptive than words.

Put wool over other people's eyes: This means to deceive someone into thinking well of them.

Put a sock in it: Be quiet!

Put on airs: To act superior

 

Q

Quarrel with bread and butter- Bread and butter, here, indicate the means of one’s living. If a sub- ordinate in an organization is quarrelsome or if he is not patient enough to bear the reprimand he deserves, gets angry and retorts or provokes the higher-up, the boss dismisses him from the job. So, he loses the job that gave him bread and butter.

Quiet as a cat- make as little noise as possible and try to be unnoticeable

Quiet as a mouse- If someone's as quiet as a mouse, they make absolutely no noise

Queer fish- A strange person is a queer fish

Quality Time: Important time a parent spends with a child

 

R

Round the twist- go crazy

Read between the lines- read hidden meanings

Rack and ruin- If something or someone goes to rack and ruin, they are utterly destroyed or wrecked

Rain on your parade- If someone rains on your parade, they ruin your pleasure or your plans

Rake someone over the coals- If you rake someone over the coals, you criticize or scold them severely

Recipe for disaster- a mixture of people and events that could only possibly result in trouble

Red carpet- give them a special Welcome to show that you think they are important

Red herring- If something is a distraction from the real issues, it is a red herring

Red letter day- A red letter day is a one of good luck, when something special happens to you

Reduce to ashes- destroyed or made useless. Ex: His infidelities reduced their relationship to ashes

Round the houses- do something in an inefficient way when there is a quicker, more convenient way

Rub shoulders- meet and spend time with people, Especially when they are powerful or famous

Run into the sand- If something runs into the sand, it fails to achieve a result

Raining Cats and Dogs: A heavy rain

Red-handed: You are guilty of doing something and people know it

Rule of thumb: A rule of thumb is a basic rule that is usually but not always correct

 

S

Salt on the earth- fundamental good people

Sands of time- tiny amounts of time

Shake a leg- to go fast, hurry

Spill the beans- to expose a secret

Snake in the grass- a hidden army

Salt on the earth- fundamental good people

Sands of time- tiny amounts of time

Shake a leg- to go fast, hurry

Spill the beans- to expose a secret

Snake in the grass- a hidden army

Snake in the shoes- to be in a state of fear

Stood to his guns- maintained to his opinion

showing the door- asking someone to leave Song and a dance- an excuse

Salad days- Your salad days are an especially happy period of your life

Sail under false colors- Someone who pretends to be something they aren't in order to deceive people

Send someone packing: Send someone away, get rid of someone

Shake a leg: To get you active in the morning and out of bed.

Small potatoes: An insignificant amount of money, not worth doing something for

Smooth sailing:  Easy to be in control of

Spill the beans:  Reveal a secret you have know

See eye to eye: This idiom is used to say that two (or more people) agree on something.

Sit on the fence: This is used when someone does not want to choose or make a decision.

Speak of the devil!: This expression is used when the person you have just been talking about arrives.

Steal someone's thunder: To take the credit for something someone else did.

 

T

Threaded his way out- walked carefully through.

Take the cloth- to become a priest.

Talk turkey- to discuss a problem with a real intension to solve it.

Tit for tat- an action done to revenge against a person who has done some wrong to you

To crow over- to triumph over someone

To blow a fuse- to turn someone angry

to bell the cat- to take great risks

To look through coloured glasses- to look the things not as they are

Taking to a brick wall- taking with a no response

Turned a deaf ear- disregarded

Take a back seat- choose to decrease involvement

Tables are turned- the situation has changed giving the advantage to the party who is at a disadvantage

Take someone under your wing- look after them while they are learning something

Take your medicine- accept the consequences of something you have done wrong

Talking to a brick wall- If you talk to someone and they do not listen to you, it is like talking to a brick wall

The apple does not fall far from the tree- Offspring grow up to be like their parents

Through thick and thin-  support during good times and bad

Take with a grain of salt: This means not to take what someone says too seriously.

Taste of your own medicine: something happens to you, that you have done to someone else

To hear something straight from the horse's mouth: To hear something from the authoritative source.

The penny dropped: To finally understand something

Tickle someone's fancy: To interest someone in something

Tie the knot:       To get married

Three strikes and you are out:     You have only three chances to do something

To be with it:      be up-to-date

Touchwood:       Looking for good luck

Turn A Blind Eye: To look the other way, to pretend not to notice something

 

U

Upset the apple cart- to create difficulty

Under a cloud- If someone is suspected of having done something wrong, they are under a cloud

Under fire- If someone is being attacked and criticized heavily, they are under fire

Under your nose- If something happens right in front of you, especially if it is surprising or audacious.

Up for grabs- If something is up for grabs, it is available and whoever is first or is successful will get it

Up to the neck- If someone's in up to the neck, they are very involved in it, especially when it's wrong

Up a river without a paddle- in an unfortunate situation, unprepared and with no remedy the matter

Uncharted waters- you are in a situation that is unfamiliar to you, that you have no experience of.

Under lock and key- If something is under lock and key, it is stored very securely

Under the Weather:  To feel ill

Use your loaf: To think, to figure something out

 

V

Vale of tears- This vale of tears is the world and the suffering that life brings.

Velvet glove - This idiom is used to describe a person who appears gentle, but is determined and inflexible underneath. ('Iron fist in a velvet glove' is the full form.)

Vent your spleen - If someone vents their spleen, they release all their anger about something.

Vicar of Bray - A person who changes their beliefs and principles to stay popular with people above them.

Vicious circle - sequence of events that make each other worse- Ex: He drinks because he was unhappy at work, then loses his job.

Vinegar tits - A mean spirited women lacking in love or compassion.

Virgin territory - If something is virgin territory, it hasn't been explored before.

Voice in the wilderness - Someone who expresses an opinion that no one believes or listens to.

Volte-face - make a sudden and complete change in your stance or position over an issue.

Vultures are circling - something is in danger and its enemies are getting ready for the kill.

W

Weight one’s word- be careful to what one says

Wait for a raindrop in the drought- When someone is waiting for a raindrop in the drought, they are waiting or hoping for something that is extremely unlikely to happen

Walking on broken glass- When a person is punished for something

Wet behind the ears- Someone who is wet behind the ears is either very young or inexperienced

Whale of a time- If you have a whale of a time, you really enjoy yourself

Work your fingers to the bone- work extremely hard on something

Wrench in the works- If someone puts or throws a wrench, in the works, they ruin a plan

Whole nine yards: Everything. All of it.

Wouldn't be caught dead: Would never like to do something

Where there's muck there's brass:  There's money to be made with dirty jobs

X

X Marks the Spot: The exact location

X factor - The dangers for people in the military that civilians do not face, for which they receive payment, are known as the X factor.

X marks the spot - This is used to say where something is located or hidden.

X-rated - If something is x-rated, it is not suitable for children.

Y

Yah boo sucks- Yah boo & yah boo sucks can be used to show that you have no sympathy with someone.

(Stop) Yank my chain - to leave the person who said it alone and to stop bothering them.

Yell bloody murder - If someone yells bloody murder, they protest angrily and loudly, or scream in fear.

Yellow press - The yellow press is a term for the popular and sensationalist newspapers.

Yellow streak- If someone has a yellow streak, they are cowardly about something.

Yellow-bellied - A yellow-bellied person is a coward.

Yen - If you have a yen to do something, you have a desire to do it.

Yeoman's service - To do yeoman's service is to serve in an exemplary manner.

Yes-man - Someone who always agrees with people in authority is a yes-man.

Yesterday's man or woman – Someone whose career is over or on the decline (politician/celebrity)

You are what you eat - This is used to emphasize the importance of a good diet as a key to good health.

You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar - it is easier to persuade with polite arguments rather than confrontational.

You can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family - try to make the best of what you have where you have no choice.

You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink - you can offer something to someone, but you cannot make them take it.

You can say that again - If you want to agree strongly with what someone has said, you can say this.

You can't fight City Hall - This phrase is used when one is so cynical that one doesn't think one can change their Representatives. The phrase must have started with frustration towards a local body of government.

You can't have cake and the topping, too - you can't have everything the way you want it, especially if your desires are contradictory.

You can't have your cake and eat it - you can't have things both ways. For example, you can't have very low taxes and a high standard of state care.

You can't hide elephants in mouse holes - means that some issues/problems/challenges cannot be hidden/concealed but have to be faced and dealt with.

You can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear - If something isn't very good to start with, you can't do much to improve it.

You can't make an omelette without breaking eggs - in order to achieve something, take risk.

You can't take it with you - Enjoy life, enjoy what you have and don't worry about not having a lot.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks - difficult to make someone change the way they do something.

You can't un-ring a bell - once something has been done, you have to live with the consequences.

You could have knocked me down with a feather - very shocked or surprised.

You do not get a dog and bark yourself - If someone can do a task(lower rank), then you shouldn't do it.

You get what you pay for - Something that is very low in price is not usually of very good quality.

You reap what you sow - if you do bad or good things to people, the same will happen to you.

You said it!-  Used to say you agree completely with something just said.

You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours - if you do something for me, I'll return the favour.

You what? - This is a very colloquial way of asking someone to say something again.

You're toast - If someone tells you that you are toast, you are in a lot of trouble.

You've got rocks in your head - Someone who has acted with a lack of intelligence has rocks in their head.

You've made your bed- you'll have to lie in it - someone will face the consequences of your own actions.

Young blood - Young people with new ideas and fresh approaches are young blood.

Young Turk - a young person who is rebellious and difficult to control in a company, team or organisation.

Your belly button is bigger than your stomach - you take on more responsibilities than you can handle.

Your call - If something is your call, it is up to you to make a decision on the matter.

Your name is mud - If someone's name is mud, then they have a bad reputation.

Your sins will find you out - This idiom means that things you do wrong will become known.

Your guess is as good as mine: To have no idea, do not know the answer to a question

You can't take it with you: When you are dead, materials are worthless

Z

Zero hour- The time when something important is to begin is zero hour.(Q&A session in parliament)

Zero tolerance - in zero tolerance policy, we will not overlook any thing, no matter how small or trivial.

Zigged before you zagged - If you did things in the wrong order, you zigged before you zagged.

 Zip it - This is used to tell someone to be quiet.

Zip your lip - If someone tells you to zip your lip, they want to to shut up or keep quiet about something.