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Mad as a badger
If someone is as mad as a badger, they are crazy.
Mad as a bag of hammers
Someone who is as mad as a bag of hammers is crazy or stupid. (‘Daft as a bag of hammers’ is also used.)
Mad as a cut snake
(USA) One who is mad as a cut snake has lost all sense of reason, is crazy, out of control.
Mad as a hornet
(USA) If someone is as mad as a hornet, they are very angry indeed.
Mad as a March hare
Someone who is excitable and unpredictable is as mad as a March hare.
Made in the shade
One has an easy time in life or in a given situation. Finding things working to one’s benefit.
Made of money
If you are made of money, you have a lot of money.
Mailed fist
Someone who rules or controls something with a mailed fist is in absolute control and tolerates no dissent. A mailed fist in a velvet glove is used to describe someone who appears soft on the outside, but underneath is very hard. ‘Iron fist’ is an alternative form.
Major league
Something major league is very important.
Make a better fist
If someone makes a better fist of doing something, they do a better job.
Make a clean breast
If someone makes a clean breast, they confess in full to something they have done.
Make a killing
If you make a killing, you do something that makes you a lot of money.
Make a meal
If someone makes a meal of something, they spend too long doing it or make it look more difficult than it really is.
Make a mint
If someone is making a mint, they are making a lot of money.
Make a monkey of someone
If you make a monkey of someone, you make them look foolish.
Make a mountain out of a molehill
If somebody makes a mountain out of a molehill, they exaggerate the importance or seriousness of a problem.
Make a pig’s ear
If you make a pig’s ear of something, you make a mess of it.
Make a pitch
If you make a pitch for something, you make a bid, offer or other attempt to get it.
Make a request
If you request something, or make a request, you are asking for something you want or need.
Make a song and dance
(UK) If someone makes a song and dance, they make an unecessary fuss about something unimportant.
Make a virtue out of necessity
If you make a virtue out of necessity, you make the best of a difficult or unsatisfactory situation.
Make an enquiry
If you make an enquiry, you ask for general information about something.
Make bets in a burning house
(USA) If people are making bets in a burning house, they are engaged in futile activity while serious problems around them are getting worse.
Make ends meet
If somebody finds it hard to make ends meet, they have problems living on the money they earn.
Make hay
If you make hay, or may hay while the sun shines, you take advantage of an opportunity as soon as it arises and do not waste time.
Make headway
If you make headway, you make progress.
Make money hand over fist
If you make money hand over fist, you make a lot of money without any difficulty.
Make my day
If something makes your day, it satisfies you or makes you happy.
Make no bones about it
If somebody make no bones about a scandal in their past, they are open and honest about it and show no shame or embarrassment.
Make or break
A make or break decision, stage, etc, is a crucial one that will determine the success or failure of the whole venture.
Make out like a bandit
(USA) If someone is extremely successful in a venture, they make out like a bandit.
Make waves
If someone makes waves, they cause a lot of trouble.
Make your blood boil
If something makes your blood boil, it makes you very angry.
Make your flesh crawl
If something makes your flesh crawl, it really scares or revolts you. (‘Make your flesh creep’ is an alternative. ‘Make your skin crawl’ is also used.)
Make your hair stand on end
If something makes your hair stand on end, it terrifies you.
Make your toes curl
If something makes your toes curl, it makes you feel very uncomfortable, shocked or embarrassed.
Make yourself scarce
If someone makes themselves scarce, they go away from a place, especially to avoid trouble or so that they can’t be found.
Man Friday
From ‘Robinson Crusoe’, a ‘Man Friday’ refers to an assistant or companion, usually a capable one. The common feminine equivalent is ‘Girl Friday’. (Also, ‘right-hand man’. )
Man in the street
The man in the street is an idiom to describe ordinary people, especially when talking about their opinions and ideas.
Man of his word
A man of his word is a person who does what he says and keeps his promises.
Man of letters
A man of letters is someone who is an expert in the arts and literature, and often a writer too.
Man of means
A man, or woman, of means is wealthy.
Man of parts
A man of parts is a person who is talented in a number of different areas or ways.
Man of straw
A weak person that can easily be beaten of changed is a man of straw.
Man of the cloth
A man of the cloth is a priest.
Man on the Clapham omnibus
(UK) The man on the Clapham omnibus is the ordinary person in the street.
Man proposes, God disposes
Your fate lies in the hands of God.
Man upstairs
When people refer to the man upstairs, they are referring to God.
Man’s best friend
This is an idiomatic term for dogs.
Man’s man
A man’s man is a man who does things enjoyed by men and is respected by other men.
Many a slip twixt cup and lip
There’s many a slip twixt cup and lip means that many things can go wrong before something is achieved.
Many hands make light work
This idiom means that when everyone gets involved in something, the work gets done quickly.
Many happy returns
This expression is used to wish someone a happy birthday.
Many moons ago
A very long time ago.
March to the beat of your own drum
If people march to the beat of their own drum, they do things the way they want without taking other people into consideration.
Mark my words
Mark my words is an expression used to lend an air of seriousness to what the speaker is about to say when talking about the future. You often hear drunks say it before they deliver some particularly spurious nonsense.
Mark someone’s card
If you mark someone’s card, you correct them in a forceful and prompt manner when they say something wrong.
Marked man
A marked man is a person who is being targeted by people who want to do them harm or cause them trouble.
Matter of life and death
If something is a matter of life and death, it is extremely important.
Mealy-mouthed
A mealy-mouthed person doesn’t say what they mean clearly.
Meat and drink
If something is meat and drink to you, you enjoy it and are naturally good at it, though many find it difficult.
Meat and potatoes
The meat and potatoes is the most important part of something. A meat and potatoes person is someone who prefers plain things to fancy ones.
Meet someone halfway
If you meet someone halfway, you accept some of their ideas and make concessions.
Meet your expectations
If something doesn’t meet your expectations, it means that it wasn’t as good as you had thought it was going to be; a disappointment.
Meet your Maker
If someone has gone to meet their Maker, they have died.
Meet your match
If you meet your match, you meet a person who is at least as good if not better than you are at something.
Megaphone diplomacy
If negotiations between countries or parties are held through press releases and announcements, this is megaphone diplomacy, aiming to force the other party into adopting a desired position.
Melt your heart
If something melts your heart, it affects you emotionally and you cannot control the feeling.
Melting pot
A melting pot is a place where people from many ethnicities and nationalities live together.
Memory like a sieve
If somebody can’t retain things for long in his or her memory and quickly forgets, he or she has a memory like a sieve. A sieve has lots of tiny holes in it to let liquids out while keeping the solids inside.
Memory like an elephant
‘An elephant never forgets’ is a saying, so if a person has a memory like an elephant, he or she has a very good memory indeed.
Mend fences
When people mend fences, they try to improve or restore relations that have been damaged by disputes or arguments.
Mess with a bull, you get the horns
If you do something stupid or dangerous, you can get hurt.
Method in his madness
If there’s method in someone’s madness, they do things in a strange and unorthodox way, but manage to get results.
Mexican standoff
When there is a deadlock in strategy and neither side can do anything that will ensure victory, it’s a Mexican standoff.
Mickey Mouse
If something is Mickey Mouse, it is intellectually trivial or not of a very high standard.
Midas touch
If someone has the Midas touch, they make a lot of money out of any scheme they try.
Middle of nowhere
If someone says that he/she is in the middle of nowhere, he/she means that he/she is not sure where he/she is.
Might and main
This means with all your effort and strength. As he failed in the previous exam, the student tried might and main to pass the next one.
Mighty oaks from little acorns grow
Big or great things start very small.
Millstone round your neck
A millstone around your neck is a problem that prevents you from doing what you want to do.
Mince words
If people mince words, or mince their words, they don’t say what they really mean clearly.
Mind over matter
This idiom is used when someone uses their willpower to rise above adversity.
Mind the gap
Mind the gap is an instruction used on the Underground in the UK to warn passengers to be careful when leaving the tube or train as there is quite a distance between the train and the platform.
Mind your own beeswax
(USA) This idiom means that people should mind their own business and not interfere in other people’s affairs.
Mind Your P’s and Q’s
If you are careful about the way you behave and are polite, you mind Your P’s and Q’s.
Mind your P’s and Q’s
This is used as a way of telling someone to be polite and behave well.
Mint condition
If something is in mint condition, it is in perfect condition.
Misery guts
A misery guts is a person who’s always unhappy and tries to make others feel negative.
Miss is as good as a mile
A miss is as good as a mile means that if you fail, even by the smallest margin, it is still a failure.
Miss the boat
If you miss the boat, you are too late to take advantage of an opportunity.
Mom and pop
(USA) A mom and pop business is a small business, especially if it is run by members of a family. It can used in a wider sense to mean that something is small scale.
Monday morning quarterback
(USA) A Monday morning quarterback is someone who, with the benefit of hindsight, knows what should have been done in a situation.
Money burns a hole in your pocket
If someone has money burning a hole in their pocket, they are eager to spend it, normally in a wasteful manner.
Money doesn`t grow on trees
This means that you have to work to earn money; it doesn’t come easily or without effort.
Money for jam
If something’s money for jam, it’s a very easy way of making money.
Money for old rope
(UK) If something’s money for old rope, it’s a very easy way of making money.
Money laundering
If people launder money, they get money made illegally into the mainstream so that it is believed to be legitimate and clean.
Money makes many things
This means that money is important.
Money talks
This means that people can convey many messages with money, and many things can be discovered about people by observing the way they use their money.
Money to burn
If someone is very rich, they have money to burn.
Monkey business
If children get up to monkey business, they are behaving naughtily or mischievously. This is the same as ‘monkeying around’.
Monkey see, monkey do
This idiom means that children will learn their behavior by copying what they see happening around them.
Moot point
If something’s a moot point, there’s some disagreement about it: a debatable point. In the U.S., this expression usually means that there is no point in debating something, because it just doesn’t matter. An example: If you are arguing over whether to go the beach or to the park, but you find out the car won’t start and you can’t go anywhere, then the destination is said to be a moot point.
Moral fibre
Moral fibre is the inner strength to do what you believe to be right in difficult situations Example: He lacked the moral fibre to be leader (In American English the correct spelling is ‘fiber’.)
Moral high ground
If people have/take/claim/seize, etc, the moral high ground, they claim that their arguments, beliefs, etc, are morally superior to those being put forward by other people.
More front than Brighton
(UK) If you have more front than Brighton, you are very self-confident, possibly excessively so.
More haste, less speed
The faster you try to do something, the more likely you are to make mistakes that make you take longer than it would had you planned it.
More heat than light
If a discussion generates more heat than light, it doesn’t provide answers, but does make people angry.
More holes than Swiss cheese
If something has more holes than a Swiss cheese, it is incomplete, and lacks many parts.
More than meets the eye
If there is more than meets the eye to something, it is more complex or difficult than it appears.
More than one string to their bow
A person who has more than one string to their bow has different talents or skills to fall back on.
More than one way to skin a cat
When people say that there is more than one way to skin a cat, they mean that there are different ways of achieving the same thing.
More than you can shake a stick at
If you have more of something than you can shake a stick at, then you have a lot.
Mountain to climb
If you have a mountain to climb, you have to work hard or make a lot of progress to achieve something.
Move heaven and earth
This expression indicates a person’s determined intention of getting a work done in spite of all odds he may face. He will use all and every means to accomplish the target. Example: He moved heaven and earth to get his literary work recognized by the committee of experts.
Move mountains
If you would move mountains to do something, you would make any effort to achieve your aim. When people say that faith can move mountains, they mean that it can achieve a lot.
Move the goalposts
When people move the goalposts, they change the standards required for something to their advantage.
Mover and shaker
A person who is a mover and shaker is a highly respected, key figure in their particular area with a lot of influence and importance.
Much ado about nothing
If there’s a lot of fuss about something trivial, there’s much ado about nothing.
Muck or nettles
‘Muck or nettles’ means ‘all or nothing’.
Mud in the fire
The things that cannot be changed in the past that we usually forget about are mud in the fire.
Mud in your eye
This is a way of saying ‘cheers’ when you are about to drink something, normally alcohol.
Mud-slinging
If someone is mud-slinging, they are insulting someone and trying to damage that person’s reputation.
Muddy the waters
If somebody muddies the waters, he or she makes the situation more complex or less clear.
Mum’s the word
When people use this idiom, they mean that you should keep quiet about something and not tell other people.
Mummy’s boy
A man who is still very dependent on his mother is a mummy’s boy.
Murder will out
This idiom means that bad deeds can’t be kept secret forever.
Murky waters
Where people are behaving in morally and ethically questionable ways, they are in murky waters.
Music to my ears
If something someone says is music to your ears, it is exactly what you had wanted to hear.
Mutton dressed as lamb
Mutton dressed as lamb is term for middle-aged or elderly people trying to look younger.
My dogs are barking
(USA) When someone says this, they mean that their feet are hurting.
My eye
This idiom is added to an adjective to show that you disagree with it: ‘He’s shy.’ ‘Shy my eye- he’s just planning something secret.’
My foot!
This idiom is used to show that you do not believe what someone has just said.
My hands are full
If your hands are full, you have so much to do that you cannot take on any more work, responsibilities and so on.
My hands are tied
If your hands are tied, you are unable to act for some reason.
My heart bleeds
If your heart bleeds for someone, you feel genuine sympathy and sadness for them.
My heart goes out to someone
If your heart goes out to someone, you feel genuine sympathy for them.
My way or the highway
This idiom is used to say that if people don’t do what you say, they will have to leave or quit the project, etc.
N
Nail in the coffin
A nail in someone or something’s coffin is a problem or event that is a clear step towards an inevitable failure.
Nail-biter
If a game, election, contest, etc, is a nail-biter, it is exciting because the competitors are so close that it is impossible to predict the result.
Nature abhors a vacuum
This idiom is used to express the idea that empty or unfilled spaces are unnatural as they go against the laws of nature and physics.
Nature of the beast
The basic characteristics of something is the nature of the beast; often used when there’s an aspect of something that cannot be changed or that is unpleasant or difficult.
Neck and neck
If two competitors or candidates, etc, are neck and neck, then they are very close and neither is clearly winning.
Neck of the woods
If someone talks about their neck of the woods, they mean the area where they live.
Need no introduction
Someone who is very famous and known to everyone needs no introduction.
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.
Neither fish nor fowl
Something or someone that is neither fish nor fowl doesn’t really fit into any one group.
Neither here nor there
If something is neither here nor there, it is of very little importance.
Neither use nor ornament
Something that serves no purpose and is not aesthetically pleasing is neither use nor ornament.
Nerves of steel
If someone has nerves of steel, they don’t get frightened when other people do.
Nervous Nellie
Someone excessively worried or apprehensive is a nervous Nellie (or Nelly).
Nest egg
If you have some money saved for the future, it is a nest egg.
Never a rose without the prick
This means that good things always have something bad as well; like the thorns on the stem of a rose.
Never darken my door again
This is a way of telling someone never to visit you again.
New blood
If something needs new blood, it has become stale and needs new ideas or people to invigorate it.
New brush sweeps clean
‘A new brush sweeps clean’ means that 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. Sometimes ‘broom’ is used instead of ‘brush’.
New kid on the block
A new kid on the block is a person who has recently joined a company, organization, team, etc, and does not know how things work yet.
New lease of life
If someone finds new enthusiasm and energy for something, they have a new lease of life.
New man
(UK) A New man is a man who believes in complete equality of the sexes and shares domestic work equally.
New sheriff in town
This is used when a new authority figure takes charge.
New York minute
(USA) If something happens in a New York minute, it happens very fast.
Newfangled
People who don’t like new methods, technologies, etc, describe them as newfangled, which means new but not as good or nice as the old ones.
Nice as pie
If a person is nice as pie, they are surprisingly very kind and friendly. “After our argument, she was nice as pie!”
Nick of time
If you do something in the nick of time, you do it at the very last minute or second.
Nickel tour
(USA) If someone gives you a nickel tour, they show you around a place. (‘Fifty-cent tour’ is also used.)
Night owl
A night owl is someone who goes to bed very late.
Ninth circle of hell
In Dante’s Inferno, the ninth circle of hell is the centre where the worst punishments are found, so it is used idiomatically for something that couldn’t get worse.
Nip and tuck
A close contest where neither opponent seems to be gaining the advantage.
Nip at the bit
If someone is nipping at the bit, they are anxious to get something done and don’t want to wait.
Nip it in the bud
If you nip something in the bud, you deal with a problem when it is still small, before it can grow into something serious.
Nitty gritty
If people get down to the nitty gritty, they concentrate on the most important and serious issues.
No bed of roses
If something isn’t a bed of roses, it is difficult.
No can do
No can do means that the speaker can’t do whatever it is that has been asked of him or her.
No go
Something that will not work. ‘A square peg in a round hole is a no go.’
No good deed goes unpunished
This means that life is unfair and people can do or try to do good things and still end up in a lot of trouble.
No great shakes
If someone is no great shakes at something, they are not very good at it.
No harm, no foul
There’s no problem when no harm or damage is done, such as the time my sister-in-law stole the name we’d chosen for a boy and we both ended up having girls.
No holds barred
If there are no holds barred, there are no rules of conduct; you can do anything.
No ifs or buts
Ifs and Buts is a term used to describe the reasons people give for not wanting to do something. To show that you don’t wish to accept any excuses, you can tell somebody that you wish to hear no ifs or buts Here IF & BUT have become nouns
No laughing matter
Something that is no laughing matter is very serious.
No love lost
If there is no love lost between two people they have a strong enmity towards or hate for the other and make no effort to conceal it.
No pain, no gain
Achievements require some sort of sacrifice.
No quarter
This means without mercy. We can say no quarter given or asked.
No question
This idiom means that something is certain or definite.
No questions asked
If something is to be done and no questions asked, then it doesn’t matter what methods are used or what rules are broken to ensure that it gets done.
No skin off my nose
If something’s no skin off your nose, it doesn’t affect or bother you at all.
No smoke without fire
This idiom means that 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.)
No spine
If someone has no spine, they lack courage or are cowardly.
No spring chicken
If someone is no spring chicken, they are not young.
No strings attached
If something has no strings attached, there are no obligations or requirements involved.
No time for
If you have no time for an activity, you have absolutely no desire to spend or waste any time doing it. You can have no time for people, too.
No time like the present
If people say that there’s no time like the present , they believe that it is far better to do something now than to leave it for later, in which case it might never get done.
No time to lose
If there’s no time to lose, then it’s time to get started otherwise it won’t be finished on time.
No two ways about it
If there are no two ways about something, there is no other possible interpretation.
No use to man or beast
If something or someone is no use to man or beast, they it or they are utterly useless.
Nod’s as good as a wink
(UK) ‘A nod’s as good as a wink’ is a way of saying you have understood something that someone has said, even though it was not said directly. The full phrase (sometimes used in the UK ) is ‘a nod’s as good as a wink to a blind horse’.
Noddy work
(UK) Unimportant or very simple tasks are noddy work.
None so blind as those who will not see
This idiom is used when people refuse to accept facts presented to them. (‘None so deaf as those who will not hear’ is an alternative.)
Nose in the air
If someone has their nose in the air, they behave in a way that is meant to show that they are superior to others.
Nosy parker
(UK) A nosy parker is someone who is excessively interested in other people’s lives. (‘Nosey parker’ is an alternative spelling.)
Not a snowball’s chance in hell
There is absolutely no possibility of something happening if there’s not a snowball’s chance in hell.
Not all there
If someone isn’t all there, they are a little bit stupid or crazy.
Not bat an eye
If someone doesn’t bat an eye, they do not react when other people normally would.
Not born yesterday
When someone says that they weren’t born yesterday, they mean that they are not naive or easily fooled.
Not cricket
(UK) If something is not cricket, it is unfair.
Not enough room to swing a cat
If a room is very small, you can say that there isn’t enough room to swing a cat in it.
Not give a fig
If you don’t give a fig about something, you don’t care about it at all, especially used to express how little one cares about another’s opinions or actions.
Not give a monkey’s
(UK) If you couldn’t give a monkey’s about something, you don’t care at all about it.
Not have the heart
If you don’t have the heart to do something, you don’t have the strength or courage to do something. (Usually used in the negative)
Not have two pennies to rub together
If someone hasn’t got two pennies to rub together, they are very poor indeed.
Not hurt a fly
Somebody who would not hurt a fly is not aggressive.
Not know beans about
(USA) If someone doesn’t know beans about something, they know nothing about it.
Not know you are born
This indicates that the person described is unaware of his or her good fortune or is unaware of how difficult day to day life was before he/she was born. Typical usage: ‘Kids today don’t know they are born’.
Not much cop
Describing a film or something as not much cop is a way of saying that you didn’t think much of it.
Not my cup of tea
If something is not your cup of tea, you don’t like it very much.
Not on my watch
Someone distancing themselves from a situation could say that it is not on their watch.
Not our bag
If something is not your bag, it is not really suitable for your needs or you don’t like it much.
Not the only pebble on the beach
If something is not the only pebble on the beach, there are other possibilities or alternatives.
Not to be sneezed at
If something is not to be sneezed at, it should be taken seriously.
Not wash
If a story or explanation will not wash, it is not credible.
Not worth a red cent
(USA) If something is not worth a red cent, it has no value.
Not worth a tinker’s dam
This means that something is worthless and dates back to when someone would travel around the countryside repairing things such as a kitchen pot with a hole in it. He was called a ‘tinker’. His dam was used to stop the flow of soldering material being used to close the hole. Of course his ‘trade’ is passé, thus his dam is worth nothing.
Notch on your belt
A success or achievement that might help you in the future is a notch on your belt.
Nothing to crow about
If something’s nothing to crow about, it’s not particularly good or special.
Nothing to write home about
Something that is not special or good is nothing to write home about.
Nothing ventured, nothing gained
You can’t win if you don’t join in the game; if you don’t participate in something, you will not achieve anything.
Now and then
This idiom means ‘occasionally’.
Null and void
If something’s null and void, it is invalid or is no longer applicable.
Number cruncher
A number cruncher is an accountant or someone who is very good at dealing with numbers and calculations.
Nuts and bolts
The nuts and bolts are the most essential components of something.
Nutty as a fruitcake
Someone who’s nutty as a fruitcake is irrational or crazy. (This can be shortened to ‘a fruitcake’.)
O
Object lesson
An object lesson serves as a warning to others. (In some varieties of English ‘abject lesson’ is used.)
Odds and ends
Odds and ends are small, remnant articles and things- the same as ‘bits and bobs’.
Off colour
If someone looks off colour/color, they look ill.
Off the beaten track
Somewhere that’s off the beaten track is in a remote location.
Off the chart
If something goes off the chart, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or bad, for something.
Off the cuff
If you do something off the cuff, you do it without any preparation.
Off the grid
Someone who is off the grid lives outside society and chooses not to follow its rules and conventions.
Off the hook
If someone is off the hook, they have avoided punishment or criticism for something they have done.
Off the mark
If something is off the mark, it is inaccurate or incorrect.
Off the rails
If someone has gone off the rails, they have lost track of reality.
Off the record
Something off the record is said in confidence because the speaker doesn’t want it attributed to them, especially when talking to the media.
Off the scale
If something goes off the scale, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or bad, for something.
Off the shelf
If a product is off the shelf, it can be used straightaway without any setting-up.
Off the top of your head
If you say something off the top of your head, you don’t think about it beforehand.
Off the track
If something puts or throws you off your track, it distracts you or keeps you from achieving what you want.
Off the wall
Something that is off the wall is unconventional.
Off your chump
(UK) If someone is off their chump, they are crazy or irrational.
Off your rocker
(UK) Someone who is off their rocker is crazy.
Off-hand
Off-hand means without preparation. People say that they don’t know the answer off-hand, meaning that they don’t know it at that time.
Oh, my goodness!
An expression of surprise.
Old chestnut
An old chestnut is something that has been repeated so many times that it has lost its impact.
Old flames die hard
It’s very difficult to forget old things, especially the first love.
Old friends and old wine are best
This idiom means that the things and people that we know well are better than the unfamiliar.
Old hat
If something’s old hat, it seems rather old fashioned and dated.
Old wive’s tale
A proverb or piece of advice that is commonly accepted as truth and is handed down the generations, but is normally false.
Oldest trick in the book
The oldest trick in the book is a well-known way of deceiving someone, though still effective.
Olive branch
If you hold out or offer an olive branch, you make a gesture to indicate that you want peace.
On a fishing expedition
If someone is on a fishing expedition, they are trying to get information, often using incorrect or improper ways to find things out.
On a roll
If you’re on a roll, you’re moving from success to success.
On a silver platter
If you hand or give something on a silver platter to someone, you let them have it too easily.
On all fours
If someone is on all fours, they crawl.
On Carey Street
(UK) If someone is on Carey Street, they are heavily in debt or have gone bankrupt.
On good terms
If people are on good terms, they have a good relationship.
On hold
If something is on hold, no action is being taken.
On ice
If plans are put on ice, they are delayed and no action will be taken for the foreseeable future.
On pins and needles
If you are on pins and needles, you are very worried about something.
On tenterhooks
This means that she is waiting impatiently and excitedly for something.
On the ball
If someone’s on the ball, they are well-informed and know what’s going on in their area of responsibility or interest.
On the blink
(UK) Is a machine is on the blink, it isn’t working properly or is out of order.
On the blower
(UK) If someone is on the blower, they are on the phone.
On the carpet
When you are called to the bosses 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 case
If someone is on the case, they are dealing with a problem.
On the cheap
If you do something on the cheap, you spend as little as possible to do it.
On the dot
If someone says that they’re leaving at seven on the dot, don’t be late; they mean at exactly seven o’clock.
On the factory floor
On the factory floor means the place where things are actually produced.
On the fiddle
(UK) Someone who is stealing money from work is on the fiddle, especially if they are doing it by fraud.
On the flip side
On the reverse or the other side
On the fly
If you do things on the fly, you do things without preparation, responding to events as they happen.
On the game
(UK) A person who is on the game works as a prostitute.
On the ground
Events on the ground are where things are actually happening, not at a distance.
On the hoof
If you decide something on the hoof, you do it without planning, responding to events as they happen.
On the house
If you get something for free that would normally have to be bought, especially in a bar or restaurant, it is on the house.
On the lam
If someone is on the lam, they are hiding from the police or authorities, especially to avoid arrest or prison.
On the level
If someone is honest and trustworthy, they are on the level.
On the line
If somebody’s job is on the line, they stand a very good chance of losing it.
On the make
If someone is on the make, they are trying to make a lot of money, usually illegally.
On the map
If a place becomes widely known, it is put on the map. A place that remains unknown is off the map.
On the never-never
(UK) If you buy something on the never-never, you buy it on long-term credit.
On the nod
(UK) If something is accepted by parliament or a committee majority, it is on the nod.
On the nod
(UK) Someone who’s on the nod is either asleep or falling asleep, especially when the shouldn’t or are are in a position unusual for sleep, like sitting or standing.
On the nod
(UK) When a horse runs, its head moves backwards and forwards alternately – in horse racing, if 2 horses cross the line together the one whose head happens to be going forward often wins and is said to win ‘on the nod’.
On the nose
This means right on time.
On the rebound
If someone is on the rebound, their relationship has recently ended and they are emotionally unstable.
On the right foot
If you start something or set off on the right foot, you get off to a good start.
On the ropes
When something or someone is on the ropes, it or they are doing badly and likely to fail.
On the run
If someone is on the run, they are avoiding arrest and hiding from the police.
On the same page
If people are on the same page, they have the same information and are thinking the same way.
On the same wavelength
If people are on the same wavelength, they have the same ideas and opinions about something.
On the shelf
If something like a project is on the shelf, nothing is being done about it at the moment.
On the skids
When things or people are on the skids, they are in serious decline and trouble.
On the sly
If someone does something on the sly, they do it furtively or secretly.
On the stump
When politicians are campaigning for support and votes, they are on the stump.
On the take
(UK) Someone who is stealing from work is on the take.
On the tip of your tongue
If a word is on the tip of your tongue, you know you know the word, but you just can’t quite remember it at the moment.
On the trot
(UK) This idiom means ‘consecutively’; I’d saw them three days on the trot, which means that I saw them on three consecutive days.
On the up and up
If you are on the up and up, you are making very good progress in life and doing well.
On the wagon
If someone is on the wagon, they have stopped drinking alcohol.
On the wallaby track
(AU) In Australian English, if you’re on the wallaby track, you are unemployed.
On top of the world
If you are on top of the world, everything is going well for you.
On your high horse
When someone is on their high horse, they are being inflexible, arrogant and will not make any compromises.
On your last legs
If someone’s on their last legs, they’re close to dying.
On your soapbox
If someone is up on their soapbox about something, they are very overtly and verbally passionate about the topic.
On your tod
If you are on your tod, you are alone.
On your toes
Someone on his or her toes is alert and ready to go.
Once bitten, twice shy
If somebody is said to be once bitten twice shy, it means that someone who has been hurt or who has had something go wrong will be far more careful the next time.
Once in a blue moon
If something happens once in a blue moon, it happens very rarely indeed.
One bad apple
The full form of this proverb is ‘one bad apple spoils the barrel’, meaning that a bad person, policy, etc, can ruin everything around it.
One fell swoop
If something is done at one fell swoop, it is done in a single period of activity, usually swiftly and ruthlessly.
One for the road
A last drink before leaving a pub or bar is one for the road.
One good turn deserves another
This means that when people do something good, something good will happen to them.
One hand washes the other
This idiom means that we need other people to get on as cooperation benefits us all.
One man’s loss is another man’s gain
This means thato ne person’s setback benefits someone else.
One man’s meat is another man’s poison
This idiom means that one person can like something very much, but another can hate it.
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure
What is useless to one person might be valuable to another.
One over the eight
(UK) Someone who is one over the eight is drunk.
One swallow does not make a summer
This means that one good or positive event does not mean that everything is all right.
One-man band
If one person does all the work or has all the responsibility somewhere, then they are a one-man band.
One-off
A one-off event only happens once and will not be repeated.
One-trick pony
A one-trick pony is someone who does one thing well, but has limited skills in other areas.
Oops a daisy
An expression used to indicate surprise.
Open all hours
If a shop or suchlike is open all hours, it only closes, if at all, terribly late.
Open book
If a person is an open book, it is easy to know what they think or how they feel about things.
Open old sores
When a sore is almost healed, and if a person rips or tears it open, it is way of preventing the healing process and further aggravating the pain. This phrase, metaphorically suggests, to revive or reopen a quarrel or enmity which was almost forgotten.
Open old wounds
If you open old wounds, you revive a quarrel or problem that caused a lot of trouble in the past.
Opening a can of worms
If you open a can of worms, you do something that will cause a lot of problems and is, on balance, probably going to cause more trouble than it’s worth.
Opportunity knocks but once
This idiom means that you only get one chance to achieve what you really want to do.
Other fish to fry
If you have other fish to fry, it doesn’t matter if one opportunity fails to materialize as you have plenty of others.
Other side of the coin
The other side of the coin is a different, usually opposing, view of a situation. (‘Flip side of the coin’ is an alternative.)
Out and about
If someone is out and about, they have left their home and are getting things done that they need to do.
Out in the sticks
(UK) If someone lives out in the sticks, they live out in the country, a long way from any metropolitan area.
Out like a light
If you are out like a light, you fall fast asleep.
Out of hand
If something gets out of hand, it gets out of control.
Out of my league
If someone or something is out of your league, you aren’t good enough or rich enough, etc, for it or them.
Out of pocket
If you are out of pocket on a deal, you have lost money.
Out of sight, out of mind
Out of sight, out of mind is used to suggest that someone will not think or worry about something if it isn’t directly visible or available to them.
Out of sorts
If you are feeling a bit upset and depressed, you are out of sorts.
Out of the blue
If something happens out of the blue, it happens suddenly and unexpectedly.
Out of the box
Thinking out of the box is thinking in a creative way. However, it can also be used for a ready-made product that requires no specialist knowledge to set it up.
Out of the frying pan, into the fire
If you get out of one problem, but find yourself in a worse situation, you are out of the frying pan, into the fire.
Out of the gate running
If someone comes out of the gate running, they start something at a fast pace, without any build-up.
Out of the left field
(USA) If something comes out of the left field, it is beside the point and has nothing to do with the matter being discussed.
Out of the mouths of babes
People say this when children unexpectedly say something very intelligent or wise.
Out of the woods
If you are out of the woods, you have emerged safely from a dangerous situation, though the idiom is often used in the negative.
Out of this world
If something is out of this world, it is fantastic.
Out of your hair
If you get someone out of your hair, you get them to stop bothering or annoying you. (‘Stay/keep/get out of my hair!’ can be used as imperatives)
Out of your mind
If someone is out of the mind, they are so emotional about something that they are no longer rational.
Out of your own pocket
If someone does something out of their own pocket, they pay all the expenses involved.
Out on a limb
If somebody’s out on a limb, they are in a very exposed position and could get into difficulties.
Out to lunch
If someone’s out to lunch, they are crazy or out of touch.
Out-and-out
This means complete or total; an out-and-out lie is completely false.
Over a barrel
If someone has you over a barrel, they have you in a position where you have no choice but to accept what they want.
Over and over
If something happens over and over, it happens repeatedly.
Over my dead body
If you say that something will happen over your dead body, you will not let it happen.
Over the counter
Medicines and drugs that can be sold without a doctor’s prescription are sold over the counter.
Over the hill
If someone is over the hill they have reached an age at which they can longer perform as well as they used to.
Over the moon
If you are over the moon about something, you are overjoyed.
Over the top
If something is over the top, it is excessive or unnecessary. It refers to the moment a soldier leaves the trenches.
Over your head
If something is over your head, or goes over your head, it is too complex or difficult for you to understand.
Over-egg the pudding
(UK) If you over-egg the pudding, you spoil something by trying to improve it excessively. It is also used nowadays with the meaning of making something look bigger or more important than it really is. (‘Over-egg’ alone is often used in this sense.)
P
Packed like sardines
If a place is extremely crowded, people are packed like sardines, or packed in like sardines.
Paddle your own canoe
(USA) If you paddle your own canoe, you do things for yourself without outside help.
Pain in the neck
If someone is very annoying and always disturbing you, they are a pain in the neck. Pain in the butt, or pain in the ass (USA), and Pain in the arse (UK) are less polite alternative forms.
Paint the town red
If you go out for a night out with lots of fun and drinking, you paint the town red.
Paint yourself into a corner
(USA) If someone paints themselves into a corner, they get themselves into a mess.
Painted Jezebel
A painted Jezebel is a scheming woman.
Pandora’s box
If you open a Pandora’s box, something you do causes all sorts of trouble that you hadn’t anticipated.
Paper over the cracks
If you paper over the cracks, you try to make something look or work better but only deal with superficial issues, not the real underlying problems.
Paper tiger
A paper tiger is a person, country, institution, etc, that looks powerful, but is actually weak.
Par for the course
If something is par for the course, it is what you expected it would be. If it is above par, it is better, and if it is below par, it is worse.
Parrot fashion
If you learn something parrot fashion, you learn it word for word. A parrot is a bird from South America that can talk.
Part and parcel
If something is part and parcel of your job, say, it is an essential and unavoidable part that has to be accepted.
Pass muster
If something passes muster, it meets the required standard.
Pass the buck
If you pass the buck, you avoid taking responsibility by saying that someone else is responsible.
Pass the hat
If you pass the hat, you ask a people in a group to give money.
Pass the time of day
If you pass the time of day with somebody, you stop and say hello, enquire how they are and other such acts of social politeness.
Pastoral care
This is used in education to describe the aspect of care offered to pupils that cover things besides learning.
Patience of Job
If something requires the patience of Job, it requires great patience.
Pay on the nail
If you pay on the nail, you pay promptly in cash.
Pay the piper
When you pay the piper, you have to accept the consequences of something that you have done wrong or badly.
Pay through the nose
If you pay through the nose for something, you pay a very high price for it.
Pay your dues
If you have paid your dues, you have had your own struggles and earned your place or position.
Pecking order
The pecking order is the order of importance or rank.
Peeping Tom
A peeping Tom is someone who tries to look through other people’s windows without being seen in order to spy on people in their homes.
Pen is mightier than the sword
The idiom ‘the pen is mightier than the sword’ means that words and communication are more powerful than wars and fighting.
Penny ante
(USA) Something that is very unimportant is penny ante.
Penny pincher
A penny pincher is a mean person or who is very frugal.
Penny wise, pound foolish
Someone who is penny wise, pound foolish can be very careful or mean with small amounts of money, yet wasteful and extravagant with large sums.
People who live in glass houses should not throw stones
People should not criticize other people for faults that they have themselves.
Pep talk
When someone gives you a pep talk it is to build you up to help you accomplish something. In sports a coach might give a player a pep talk before the game to bolster his confidence. At work the boss might give you a pep talk to get you to do a better job.
Perfidious Albion
England is known to some as perfidious Albion, implying that it is not trustworthy in its dealings with foreigners.
Perish the thought
Perish the thought is an expression meaning that you really hope something will not happen.
Pet peeve
A pet peeve is something that irritates an individual greatly.
Photo finish
A photo finish is when two contestants (usually in a race) finish at almost exactly the same time, making it difficult to determine the winner. (The saying stems from the practice of taking a photograph when the winners cross the finish line to determine who was ahead at the time.)
Pick up the tab
A person who pays for everyone picks up the tab.
Pick-up game
(USA) A pick-up game is something unplanned where people respond to events as they happen.
Picture perfect
When something is exactly as it should be it is said to be picture perfect.
Pie in the sky
If an idea or scheme is pie in the sky, it is utterly impractical.
Piece of cake
If something is a piece of cake, it is really easy.
Pieces of the same cake
Pieces of the same cake are things that have the same characteristics or qualities.
Pig in a poke
If someone buys a pig in a poke, they buy something without checking the condition it was in, usually finding out later that it was defective.
Pigs might fly
If you think something will never happen or succeed, you can say that ‘pigs might fly’ (or ‘pigs can fly’ and ‘pigs will fly’- the idiom is used in many forms)
Pin down with a label
If you pin someone down with a label, you characterize them, often meant negatively as the label is restrictive.
Pin money
(UK) If you work for pin money, you work not because you need to but because it gives you money for extra little luxuries and treats.
Pinch of salt
If what someone says should be taken with a pinch of salt, then they exaggerate and distort things, so what they say shouldn’t be believed unquestioningly. (‘with a grain of salt’ is an alternative.)
Pink pound
(UK) In the UK, the pink pound is an idiom for the economic power of gay people.
Pink slip
If someone receives a pink slip, they receive a letter telling them they have lost their job.
Pipe dream
A pipe dream is an unrealistic, impractical idea or scheme.
Piping hot
If food is piping hot, it is very hot indeed.
Place in the sun
If you have your place in the sun, you find wealth, happiness or whatever you are looking for in life.
Plain as a pikestaff
(UK) If something is as plain as a pikestaff, it is very clear.
Plain as the nose on your face
If something is as plain as the nose on your face, it is very clear and obvious.
Plain Jane
A plain Jane is a woman who isn’t particularly attractive.
Plain sailing
If something is relatively easy and there are no problems doing it, it is plain sailing.
Plan B
Plan is an alternate or fall-back position or method when the initial attempt or plan goes wrong.
Plastic smile
When someone is wearing a plastic smile, they are appear to be happier with a situation or events than they actually are. This is actually a description of the forced smile you might see in many photographs.
Play by ear
If you play by ear, you deal with something in an impromptu manner, without guidelines or rules. It refers to playing music without using written notation.
Play fast and loose
If people play fast and loose, they behave in an irresponsible way and don’t respect rules, etc.
Play for keeps
If you are playing for keeps, you take things very seriously and the outcome is very important to you; it is not a mere game.
Play for time
If you play for time, you delay something because you are not ready or need more time to think about it. E.g. I knew I had to play for time until the police arrived.
Play hard to get
If someone plays hard to get, they pretend not to be interested or attracted by someone, usually to make the other person increase their efforts.
Play hardball
If someone plays hardball, they are very aggressive in trying to achieve their aim.
Play havoc
Playing havoc with something is creating disorder and confusion; computer viruses can play havoc with your programs.
Play hooky
If people play hooky, they don’t attend school when they should and don’t have a valid reason for their absence.
Play into someone’s hands
If you play into someone’s hands, you do what they were expecting you to do and take advantage of this.
Play it by ear
If you play it by ear, you don’t have a plan of action, but decide what to do as events take shape.
Play out of your skin
If someone plays out of their skin, they give an outstanding performance.
Play possum
To pretend to be dead or sleeping. His younger sister jumped on him because she knew he was just playing possum.
Play second fiddle
If you play second fiddle, you take a subordinate role behind someone more important.
Play the field
Someone who plays the field has sexual relationships with many people.
Play the fool
If someone plays the fool, they behave in a silly way to make people laugh. (‘Act the fool’ is an alternative form.)
Play with fire
If people take foolish risks, they are playing with fire.
Playing to the gallery
If someone plays to the gallery, they say or do things that will make them popular, but which are not the right things to do.
Please revert
(India) Please respond to me if the solution provided is incorrect or insufficient.
Pleased as punch
When someone is pleased as punch, they are very satisfied about something
Poacher turned gamekeeper
Someone who gets a legitimate job which is the opposite of their previous one. E.G a computer hacker who then helps to catch other hackers or an ex-bank robber who then advises banks on security.
Poetry in motion
Something that is poetry in motion is beautiful to watch.
Point the finger
When you point the finger at someone, you are accusing and blaming them for something.
Pointy-heads
Pointy-heads are supposed intellectuals or experts, but who don’t really know that much.
Poison pill
A poison pill is a strategy designed to prevent a company from being take over.
Poker face
Someone with a poker face doesn’t show any emotion or reaction so that people don’t know what they are feeling.
Polish the apples
(USA) Someone who polishes the apples with someone, tries to get into that person’s favor.
Polishing peanuts
To work very hard at something for little or no return. In other words, wasting time on work which will not yield reasonable value.
Politically correct
Things or people that are politically correct use language that will not cause offence.
Poor as a church mouse
If soemone is as poor as a church mouse, they are very poor indeed.
Pop the question
When someone pops the question, they ask someone to marry them.
Pop your clogs
When someone pops their clogs, they die.
Pork barrel
Pork barrel politics involves investing money in an area to get political support rather than using the money for the common good.
Pot calling the kettle black
If someone hypocritically criticizes a person for something that they themselves do, then it is a case of the pot calling the kettle black.
Pot-luck
If you take pot-luck, you take whatever happens to be available at the time.
Pound of flesh
If someone wants their pound of flesh, the force someone to pay or give back something owed, even though they don’t need it and it will cause the other person a lot of difficulty.
Pour oil on troubled waters
If someone pours oil on troubled waters, they try to calm things down.
Powder your nose
If somebody goes to powder your nose, it is a euphemism for going to the lavatory (toilet).
Powers that be
The powers that be are the people who are in charge of something.
Practical joke
A practical joke is a trick played on someone that is meant to be funny for people watching, though normally embarrassing for the person being tricked.
Practice what you preach
If you practice what you preach, you do what you say other people should do.
Preaching to the choir
If someone preaches to the choir, they talking about a subject or issue with which their audience already agrees. (‘Preaching to the converted’ is an alternative form.)
Presence of mind
If someone behaves calmly and rationally in difficult circumstances, they show presence of mind.
Press the flesh
When people, especially politicians, press the flesh, they meet members of the public and shake their hands, usually when trying to get support.
Pressed for time
If you are pressed for time, you are in a hurry or working against a very tight schedule.
Prick up your ears
If you prick up your ears, you listen very carefully. (‘Pick up your ears’ is also used.)
Prim and proper
Someone who is prim and proper always behaves in the correct way and never breaks the rules of etiquette.
Primrose path
The primrose path is an easy and pleasurable lifestyle, but one that ends in unpleasantness and problems.
Prince charming
A prince charming is the perfect man in a woman’s life.
Problem is thirty
If a problem is 30, the problem is the person who sits 30 cm from the computer screen. It is used to describe people that lack technical knowledge and can be used when you insult someone who’s having computer problems.
Proclaim it from the rooftops
If something is proclaimed from the rooftops, it is made as widely known and as public as possible.
Prodigal son
A prodigal son is a young man who wastes a lot on money on a lavish lifestyle. If the prodigal son returns, they return to a better way of living.
Proof of the pudding is in the eating
This means that something can only be judged when it is tested or by its results. (It is often shortened to ‘Proof of the pudding’.)
Pros and cons
Pros and cons are arguments for or against a particular issue. Pros are arguments which aim to promote the issue, while cons suggest points against it. The term has been in use since the 16th century and is a shortening of a Latin phrase, pro et contra, which means “for and against.” Considering the pros and cons of an issue is a very useful way to weigh the issue thoughtfully and reach an informed decision.
Proud as a peacock
Someone who is as proud as a peacock is excessively proud.
Pull a rabbit out of your hat
If you pull a rabbit out of a hat, you do something that no one was expecting.
Pull in the reins
When you pull in the reins, you slow down or stop something that has been a bit out of control.
Pull no punches
If you pull no punches, you hold nothing back.
Pull numbers out of your ass
(USA) If someone pulls numbers out of their ass, they give unreliable or unsubstantiated figures to back their argument.
Pull out all the stops
If you pull out all the stops, you do everything you possibly can to achieve the result you want.
Pull out of the fire
(USA) If you pull something out of the fire, you save or rescue it.
Pull rank
A person of higher position or in authority pulls rank, he or she exercises his/her authority, generally ending any discussion and ignoring other people’s views.
Pull someone’s leg
If you pull someone’s leg, you tease them, but not maliciously.
Pull strings
If you pull strings, you use contacts you have got to help you get what you want.
Pull the fat from the fire
If you pull the fat from the fire, you help someone in a difficult situation.
Pull the other one, it’s got brass bells on
This idiom is way of telling somebody that you don’t believe them. The word ‘brass’ is optional.
Pull the trigger
The person who pulls the trigger is the one who does the action that closes or finishes something.
Pull the wool over someone’s eyes
If you pull the wool over someone’s eyes, you deceive or cheat them.
Pull up your socks
If you aren’t satisfied with someone and want them to do better, you can tell them to pull up their socks.
Pull your chain
(USA) If someone pulls your chain, they take advantage of you in an unfair way or do something to annoy you.
Pull your finger out!
(UK) If someone tells you to do this, they want you to hurry up. (‘Get your finger out’ is also used.)
Pull your punches
If you pull your punches, you do not use all the power or authority at your disposal.
Pull your weight
If someone is not pulling their weight, they aren’t making enough effort, especially in group work.
Pull yourself up by your bootstraps
If you pull yourself up by your bootstraps, you make the effort to improve things for yourself.
Punching bag
A punching bag (or punch bag) is a person who gets a lot of unfair criticism.
Pup’s chance
A pup’s chance is no chance.
Puppy love
Puppy love is love between two very young people.
Push comes to shove
If or when push comes to shove, the situation has become some bad that you are forced to do something: If push comes to shove, we’ll just have to use our savings.
Push the envelope
This means to go to the limits, to do something to the maximum possible.
Pushing up the daisies
If someone is said to be pushing up the daisies, they are dead.
Put a bug in your ear
If you put a bug in someone’s ear, you give him or her a reminder or suggestion relating to a future event.
Put a cork in it!
This is a way of telling someone to be quiet.
Put a sock in it
If someone tells you to put a sock in it, they are telling you to shut up.
Put all your eggs in one basket
If you put all your eggs in one basket, you risk everything on a single opportunity which, like eggs breaking, could go wrong.
Put it on the cuff
If you put something on the cuff, you will take it now and pay for it later.
Put lipstick on a pig
If people put lipstick on a pig, they make superficial or cosmetic changes, hoping that it will make the product more attractive.
Put more green into something
(USA) To put more green into something is to spend more or to increase investment in it.
Put on airs
If someone puts on airs, they pretend to be grander and more important than they really are.
Put or get someone’s back up
If you put or get someone’s back up, you annoy them.
Put some dirt on it
This means that when you get hurt, you should rub it off or shake it off and you’ll be ok.
Put some mustard on it!
(USA) I think its used to encourage someone to throw a ball like a baseball hard or fast.
Put somebody’s nose out of joint
If you put someone’s nose out of joint, you irritate them or make them angry with you.
Put someone on a pedestal
If you put someone on a pedestal, you admire them greatly, idolize them.
Put someone out to pasture
If someone is put out to pasture, they are forced to resign or give up some responsibilities.
Put that in your pipe and smoke it
This is used as an unsympathetic way of telling someone to accept what you have just said.
Put the carriage before the horse
If you put the carriage before the horse, you try to do things in the wrong order.
Put the kybosh on
To put an end to something.
Put the pedal to the metal
If you put the pedal to the metal, you go faster.
Put to the sword
If someone is put to the sword, he or she is killed or executed.
Put two and two together
If someone puts two and two together, they reach a correct conclusion from the evidence.
Put up or shut up
‘Put up or shut up’ means you do something you are talking about or not to talk about it any more.
Put you in mind
If something suggests something to you, it puts you in mind of that thing.
Put you in the picture
If you put someone in the picture, you tell them the information they need to know about something.
Put your best foot forward
If you ut your best foot forward, you try your best to do something.
Put your cards on the table
If you put your cards on the table, you make your thoughts or ideas perfectly clear.
Put your foot down
When someone puts their foot down, they make a firm stand and establish their authority on an issue.
Put your foot in it
If you put your foot in it, you do or say something embarrassing and tactless or get yourself into trouble.
Put your foot in your mouth
If you put your foot in your mouth, you say something stupid or embarrassing.
Put your hand on your heart
If you can out your hand on your heart, then you can say something knowing it to be true.
Put your heads together
If people put their head together, they exchange ideas about something.
Put your money where your mouth is
If someone puts their money where their mouth is, they back up their words with action.
Put your shoulder to the wheel
When you put your shoulder to the wheel, you contribute to an effort.
Put your thumb on the scales
If you put your thumb on the scales, you try to influence the result of something in your favour.
Put yourself in someone’s shoes
If you put yourself in someone’s shoes, you imagine what it is like to be in their position.
Putting the cart before the horse
When you put the cart before the horse, you are doing something the wrong way round.
Pyrrhic victory
A Pyrrhic victory is one that causes the victor to suffer so much to achieve it that it isn’t worth winning.
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