Idiom Dictionary
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2009 Idiom Dictionary Laura Jeffcoat Languagelab.com 1/11/2009 Table of Contents ~ A ~ ...................................................................................................................................................... 3 ~ B ~ .................................................................................................................................................... 13 ~ C ~ .................................................................................................................................................... 30 ~ D ~ .................................................................................................................................................... 43 ~ E ~ .................................................................................................................................................... 53 ~ F ~ .................................................................................................................................................... 57 ~ G ~ .................................................................................................................................................... 65 ~ H ~ .................................................................................................................................................... 75 ~ I ~ ..................................................................................................................................................... 85 ~ J ~..................................................................................................................................................... 93 ~ K ~ .................................................................................................................................................... 96 ~ L ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 101 ~ M ~ ................................................................................................................................................. 109 ~ N ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 118 ~ O ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 124 ~ P ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 132 ~ Q ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 142 ~ R ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 144 ~ S ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 152 ~ T ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 169 ~ U ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 183 ~ V ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 186 ~ W ~ ................................................................................................................................................. 187 ~ X ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 196 ~ Y ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 197 ~ Z ~ .................................................................................................................................................. 200 2 ~ A ~ A bit much If something is excessive or annoying, it is a bit much. A chain is no stronger than its weakest link This means that processes, organisations, etc, are vulnerable because the weakest person or part can always damage or break them. A day late and a dollar short (USA) If something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late. A fool and his money are soon parted This idiom means that people who aren't careful with their money spend it quickly. 'A fool and his money are easily parted' is an alternative form of the idiom. A fool at 40 is a fool forever If someone hasn't matured by the time they reach forty, they never will. A hitch in your giddy-up If you have a hitch in your giddy-up, you're not feeling well. ('A hitch in your gittie-up' is also used.) A lick and a promise If you give something a lick and a promise, you do it hurriedly, most often incompletely, intending to return to it later. A little bird told me If someone doesn't want to say where they got some information from, they can say that a little bird told them. A little learning is a dangerous thing A small amount of knowledge can cause people to think they are more expert than they really are.eg. he said he'd done a course on home electrics, but when he tried to mend my table lamp, he fused all the lights! I think a little learning is a dangerous thing A long row to hoe Something that is a long row to hoe is a difficult task that takes a long time. A lost ball in the high weeds A lost ball in the high weeds is someone who does not know what they are doing, where they are or how to do something. A OK If things are A OK, they are absolutely fine. A penny for your thoughts This idiom is used as a way of asking someone what they are thinking about. A penny saved is a penny earned This means that we shouldn't spend or waste money, but try to save it. A picture is worth a thousand words A picture can often get a message across much better than the best verbal description. A poor man's something 3 Something or someone that can be compared to something or someone else, but is not as good is a poor man's version; a writer who uses lots of puns but isn't very funny would be a poor man's Oscar Wilde. A pretty penny If something costs a pretty penny, it is very expensive. A problem shared is a problem halved If you talk about your problems, it will make you feel better. A rising tide lifts all boats This idiom, coined by John F Kennedy, describes the idea that when an economy is performing well, all people will benefit from it. A rolling stone gathers no moss People say this to mean that that an ambitious person is more successful than a person not trying to achieve anything. Originally it meant the opposite and was critical of people trying to get ahead. A slice off a cut loaf is never missed Used colloquially to describe having sexual intercourse with someone who is not a virgin, especially when they are in a relationship. The analogy refers to a loaf of bread; it is not readily apparent, once the end has been removed, exactly how many slices have been taken.('You never miss a slice from a cut loaf' is also used.) A steal If something is a steal, it costs much less than it is really worth. A still tongue keeps a wise head Wise people don't talk much. A watched pot never boils Some things work out in their own time, so being impatient and constantly checking will just make things seem longer. A1 If something is A1, it is the very best or finest. Abide by a decision If you abide by a decision, you accept it and comply with it, even though you might disagree with it. Abject lesson (India) An abject lesson serves as a warning to others. (In some varieties of English 'object lesson' is used.) About as useful as a chocolate teapot Someone or something that is of no practical use is about as useful as a chocolate teapot. About face If someone changes their mind completely, this is an about face. It can be used when companies, governments, etc, change their position on an issue. Above board If things are done above board, they are carried out in a legal and proper manner. Above par Better than average or normal Absence makes the heart grow fonder This idiom means that when people are apart, their love grows stronger. 4 Accident waiting to happen If something is an accident waiting to happen, there's definitely going to be an accident or it's bound to go wrong. ('Disaster waiting to happen' is also used.) Ace in the hole An ace in the hole is something other people are not aware of that can be used to your advantage when the time is right. Ace up your sleeve If you have an ace up your sleeve, you have something that will give you an advantage that other people don't know about. Achilles' heel A person's weak spot is their Achilles' heel. Acid test An acid test is something that proves whether something is good, effective, etc, or not. Across the board If something applies to everybody, it applies across the board. Across the ditch (NZ) This idiom means on the other side of the Tasman Sea, used to refer to Australia or New Zealand depending on the speaker's location. Across the pond (UK) This idiom means on the other side of the Atlantic Ocean, used to refer to the US or the UK depending on the speaker's location. Act of God An act of God is something like an earthquake or floods that human beings cannot prevent or control. Act of war An act of war