Learn English Idioms ( List 'Z' )

zero hour
the time when something is planned to begin (military)
"This is the zero hour for the attack," said the sergeant. 


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http://www.idiomsite.com

Learn English Idioms ( List 'Y' )

yellow journalism
Journalism which is sensationalistic and of questionable accuracy and taste.
This paper is practising yellow journalism with its reports on sex scandals. 


yoke around someone's neck
a burden.
They decided to buy the car on credit. This became a yoke around their neck.  


you can't please everyone
making everyone happy is impossible no matter what you do.
When the boss chose Mary as the chief executive of the project, everybody complained. But you can't please everyone! 


you got me there
I can't answer your question.
I don't kow what to say. You got me there! 


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http://www.idiomsite.com
  

Learn English Idioms ( List 'X' )

X marks the spot.
said to show the exact spot.
Would you mind moving that armchair here - X marks the spot. 


X-rated
not suitable for children.
Children ae not allowed to watch this film. It's X-rated.  


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http://www.idiomsite.com
 

Learn English Idioms ( List 'W' )

wag one's chin
to talk.
Stop wagging your chin and do something. 


wait and see
to wait to see what will occur after.
The new manager hasn't announced his new plan yet. We'll have to wait and see.  


 wait for the ball to drop
To wait in expectation of an occurrence.
When the scandal was publicly revealed, he waited for the ball to drop as he was involved. 


wait for the other shoe to drop
To await a seemingly inevitable event, especially one which is not desirable.
He was waiting for the other shoe to drop once some of his companions had been captured by the official authorities, 


wait on someone hand and foot
to serve someone well, satisfying all personal needs.
She can't take care of herself. She always needs someone to wait on her hand and foot. 


wake up on the wrong side of bed
To feel grumpy, irritable; to be easily annoyed.
She must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed this morning. She didn't stop shouting all day long. 


walk of life
an occupation, role, social class, or lifestyle.
People in this neighbourhood come from different walks of life. 


walk on air
very excited or happy.
He was walking on air after he passed the exam. 


walk on eggs
(also walk on thin ice and walk on eggshells) be very carefully.
I was walking on eggs when I told her about the truth. 


walk on eggshells
To be overly careful in dealing with a person or situation; to be careful and sensitive, in handling very sensitive matters.
He was walking on eggshells when he was talking to him about his wife. 


walk the talk
To do what one said one could do, or would do, not just making empty promises.
If we advise people to take care of the environment, we have to walk the talk. 


war of words
An argument between two people or groups.
The war of words between the two tcountries hasn't ceased to for a long time. 


waste breath
To speak in a manner which is needless or futile; in discussion or argument to make points which are not appreciated or heeded.
Please don't waste your breath asking me ridiculous questions. 


watch one's mouth
to be careful about what one says, especially with regard to disrespectful or profane language.
Watch your mouth when you speak to him. He's the boss. 


watch the clock
To keep noticing the clock because you are eager to stop what you are doing.
If you are someone who watches the clock, then this job is not for you. 


watch this space
an indication that a development will follow.
He has ambitious plans. Watch this space! 


wax and wane
to increase and decrease.
His love for politics has waxed and waned over the years. 


wear the pants
(also wear the trousers)especially of a woman - to exercise authority or to be the person in charge in a relationship.
He may seem authoritative, but the truth is that it's his wife who really wears the pants in that relationship. 


wear your heart on your sleeve
to display one's feelings openly.
Alan always has his heart on his sleeve. Everybody knows how he feels. 


weather permitting
If the weather is fine.
Weather permitting, we will be able to go to picnic tomorrow. 


weather the storm
To experience a very difficult situation and survive it.
They lost everything they had, but somehow they weathered the storm. 


weekend warrior
A person who indulges in a sport or pastime on an infrequent basis, usually on weekends when work commitments are not present.
The most common foot related injury I see for the weekend warrior is heel pain 


weep buckets
(also cry buckets) to cry a lot.
She cried buckets, because that was such a sad event. 


what beats me
said when you do not understand a situation or someone's behaviour.
What beats me is how he passed the exam. 


wheels fall off
Said about something that has failed, often after a laborious, tiring process.
Our team was doing well for a while, but they got tired and then the wheels fell off. 


when it rains, it pours
(Also, it never rains but it pours) said when bad things occur in large numbers.
First, he had a terrible accident. Then, his wife had a heart attack. Really when it rains, it pours. 


when pigs fly
never
Sure she'll help us clean the house — when pigs fly. 


white as a sheet
(also as white as a sheet) said about someone whose face is very pale because of illness, shock or fear.
Joe looks as white as sheet. He must be very ill. 


whiter than white
said about someone who is totally fair and honest.
That little boy is whiter than white. He never does anything wrong. 


who pays the piper calls the tune
one who pays for something controls it.
If he pays for everything, he will have power over us all. You know, who pays the piper calls the tune 


work your fingers to the bone
to work extremely hard.
He works his fingers to the bone to help his five children grow up in a healthy environment. 


wouldn't be caught dead
(Also wouldn't be seen dead)Said about something that you would not like to do, or would rather die than do it.
I would not be caught dead in such a miniskirt. 


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See also
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http://www.idiomsite.com
                              

Learn English Idioms ( List 'V' )

vale of tears
the world considered as sad and harsh.
His grandfather left this vale of tears yesterday. 


vanish into the air
to disappear.
The money just vanished into the air. I can't find it anywhere.  


variety is the spice of life
frequent changes in one's life makes life interesting.
They frequently change the furniture of the house because they think that variety is the spice of life. 


virgin territory
a territory that hasn't been touched orexplored.
There is no sign of humans in that island. It's a virgin territory. 


_________________________________________
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http://www.idiomsite.com
  

Learn English Idioms ( List 'U' )

under a cloud
to be suspected of something.
After the murder of the kid, all the relatives were under a cloud of suspicion. 


under construction
said about something which is being built or fixed.
The house has been under construction since last month.  


under one's nose
1. directly in front of one; clearly visible
2. obvious or apparent.
3. in someone's presence.
1. I searched for my glasses for twenty minutes, and finally found them right under my nose.
2. If we had paid more attention, we would have found that the answer was under our noses the whole time.
3. They were stealing his money just under his nose. 


under one’s thumb
completely controlled by someone; at someone’s command.
She has her husband under her thumb. He would do anything for her. 


under pressure
to be facing something in a stressful environment due to a pressure or a deadline.
They have been under a lot of pressure recently becaues of the huge work they have been doing. 


under the influence
Intoxicated, inebriated, or otherwise stupefied by an ingested mind-altering substance, commonly speaking of alcohol : drunk.
He was arrested for driving under the influence. 


under the sun
In existance.
If you want to spend your summer holiday, this is the most beautiful place under the sun. 


under the weather
Somewhat ill or gloomy.
A: How have you been?
B: I've been under the weather. But it's OK now. 


under the wire
At the last minute; before the deadline; barely on time; nearly late.
He turned his report just under the wire. 


until one is blue in the face
(talk/say something/shout until one is blue in the face) pointless efforts while trying to convince someone or change his mind.
His parents tell him to do his homework until they are blue in the face. In fact, he never does his homework. 


up in the air
uncertain, unsettled.
The future of the company is still up in the air. 


up to the minute
the most modern
The internet is an excellent source of up to the minute news. 


up-to-date
current; recent; the latest
He uses an up-to-date theory to expalin his views. 


 _________________________________________
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See also
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http://www.idiomsite.com 
            

Learn English Idioms ( List 'T' )

take a dim view of
to disapprove of something.
My grandfather takes a dim view of the new law. 


take for a ride
To deceive or cheat.
It was only when he discovered that his wallet was gone that he realized they had taken him for a ride.  


take it on the lam
to run away.
The criminal had to take it on the lam. 


take it or leave it
said about an offer when you either accept it or reject it completely.
This is my offer; take it or leave it. 


take one's hat off to someone
said when you admire someone for an achievement.
If she manages to deal with three small children and a full-time job, I'll take my hat off to her. 


take the bit between one's teeth
to take charge.
The company needed a new manager for the project. So he took the bit between his teeth. 


take the bull by the horns
to deal with a matter in a direct manner, especially to confront a difficulty rather than avoid it.
He was ready to take the bull by the horns and settle the problem he had with his partners. 


take to something like a duck to water
to have a natural ability to do something.
She took to motherhood like a duck to water. 


talk nineteen to the dozen
to speak very quickly.
I couldn't understand what he was saying because he was talking nineteen to the dozen. 


talk through one's hat
to talk nonesense
He was talking through his hat. I couldn't understand what he was saying. 


tear your hair out
said when you are feeling a lot of anxiety over a problem.
He's been tearing his hair out over his deteriorated relationship with his wife. 


that beats everything
(or that beats all) expressions of surprise.
You mean he came very late again last night? Well, that beats everything! 


that's the way the cookie crumbles
(also that's the way the ball bounces) said to show that things don't always turn out the way we hope.
In spite of her kindness she is the least popular in her class. But, that's the way the cookie crumbles. 


the ball is in someone's court
When the ball is in someone's court they have to take action.
The ball is in your court now. You should decide what you want to do. 


the boot is on the other foot
(also the shoe is on the other foot) said about a change of positions when someone whon was in a weaker situation is now in strong position.
Don't expect him to make any more changes in the manageement of the company, especially after his appointment as the new manager of the project. The boot is on the other foot. 


the chill wind of something
problems, trouble.
World economies are facing the chill wind of the recession. 


the customer is always right.
In order to make profit, it is necessary for a business to satisfy customers' wishes and make them happy.
Look at that waiter! He always argues with customers. He doesn't know that the customer is always right. 


the home straight
The last part of a difficult work.
It was just suc a difficult project to work on, but we are on the home the straight. 


the home stretch
The last part of a difficult work.
We are in the home stretch after a year of hard work. 


the jury is out
an outcome or decision is still unknown and awaited.
The jury is out as to whether there is life anywhere else in the universe. 


the minute (that)
at the moment when
The minute he saw her, he fell in love. 


the mother of all
an extreme example which is the biggest, most impressive, or most important of its kind.
Failure is the mother of all success. 


the straw that broke the camel’s back
A small and seemingly insignificant addition to a burden that renders it too much to bear; the small thing which causes failure, or causes inability or unwillingness to endure any more of something
When the boss saw him coming late to work. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back. He fired her immediately. 


them and us
used when describing disagreements or differences especially between different social groups
There is a them and us situation in the company after the disagreement between the boss and his workers about the working conditions. 

thick as thieves
intimate, close-knit.
Alan and John attended a boarding school together and were thick as thieves. 


throw in the towel
(also throw in the sponge) to admit defeat.
After a long fight agaisnt his enemies, he finally threw the towel. 


throw your hat into the ring
(also toss your hat into the ring) to show your intention to enter a competition.
Nearly a year before the elections, he threw his hat into the ring. 


time is money
a proverb which means that one should not waste time, because one could be using it to earn money.
I have to wake up and go to work - time is money 


to cost an arm and a leg
(also cost a bomb,the earth,a packeta, a small fortune) extremely expensive.
I'd love to buy a Rolls-Royce, but it costs an arm and a leg. 


to pull the trigger
1. To fire a gun.
2. To commit to a course of action.
Some traders are too afraid to pull the trigger and just watch the market without ever getting involved.


to sell wolf tickets
to make empty threats or promises; to bluff
You're selling wolf tickets. 


to the hilt
completely, fully, to one's limit
John has borrowed money from the bank to the hilt. 


to the last
until the completion of something or until death.
1. Don't worry I'll support to the last.
2. She was a great lady to the last. 


to this day
until now.
He disappeared and to this day nobody knows what happened to him. 


to wash one's hands of
to absolve oneself of responsibility or future blame for.
I wash my hands of this whole affair. 


toot one's own horn
(also blow one's own horn) to boast; to brag
She really likes to toot her own horn. 


tough love
A way of helping someone with compassionate use of stringent disciplinary measures. The aim is to attempt to improve their behavior.
The only way help him get rid of his drug-addiction is to adhere to the principle of tough love. 


traffic jam
a lot of vehicles causing slow traffic.
We got stuck in a traffic jam for more than an hour. 


trick of the trade
a clever skill related to a profession.
He is so skillful. He learned te trick of the trade from his father. 


trip the light fantastic
To dance.
We were tripping the light fantastic all night. 


turn up like a bad penny
A person or thing which is unpleasant, disreputable, or otherwise unwanted, especially one which repeatedly appears at inopportune times.
He always turns up like a bad penny. 


turn back the clock
(also wind back the clock or roll back the clock) figuratively to return in time to an earlier period of history.
When their relationship had started deteriorating, he told her that they should turn back the clock and just go back to when things were simpler. 



 _________________________________________
View the original article here                
  
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom
http://www.idiomsite.com                                          

Learn English Idioms ( List 'S' )

sacred cow
anything someone believes in without ever being able to question or criticize.
He didn't like to discuss the sacred cow of his new religious beliefs. 


safe and sound
safe and without injury or damage.
The kids returned from the excursion safe and sound.  


safety in numbers
safety in numbers is the hypothesis that, by being part of a large physical group or mass, an individual is proportionally less likely to be the victim of a mishap, accident, attack, or other bad event.
Nobody went sightseeing alone, knowing that there was safety in numbers. 


sail against the wind
to work to achieve something that is difficult because most people would oppose it.
The journalist is sailing against the wind in his attempt to change people's negative attitude towards that politician. 


sail close to the wind
when you sail close to the wind you act just within the limits of what is legal or acceptable.
His business is doing well although he sometimes sail close to the wind. 


sail through something
To pass or progress quickly and easily.
He sailed right through his homework. 


salt of the earth
said about somone who is honest and good.
He is the salt of the earth. He always helps the poor. 


save face
To take an action or make a gesture intended to preserve one's reputation or honor.
They tried to win their last match in the championship just to save face. 


say uncle
to admit failure.
I'll show them how I can be a superstar. I'm not going to say uncle. 


say your piece
Tell what you have to say
Stop annoying us. Say your piece and go. 


scaredy cat
someone who is easily frightened.
Come on, scaredy cat. The dog won't bite you! 


scream blue murder
(also shout blue murder or scream bloody murder) to shout or complain loudly because you are annoyed about something.
Because he didn't get what he wanted, he screamed blue murder. 


see a man about a dog
used as an excuse for leaving without giving the real reason (especially if the reason is to go to the toilet, or to have a drink)
Please, wait for me here. I won't be long. I'm just going to see a man about a dog. 


see someone's point
To understand the meaning that someone is trying to convey.
Yes, I see your point and I think you are absolutley right. 


sell ice to Eskimos
To persuade people to go against their best interests or to accept something unnecessary or preposterous.
He's such a smooth talker, he could sell ice to Eskimos. 


send shivers down one's spine
To terrify; to make someone feel extremely nervous.
Hearing that her rapers escaped prison sent shivers down her spine. 


send shivers down someone's spine
to terrify; to make someone feel extremely nervous.
Hearing that the killer escaped prison sent shivers down my spine. 


send up a trial balloon
to test public opinion and response to something.
They had an excellent idea for the project. They sent up a trial balloon but the response was very negative. 


separate the wheat from the chaff
to separate things of value from things of no value.
We got a lot of applicants for the job. But we are trying to separate the wheat from the chaff. 


set a thief to catch a thief
The best person to catch a thief is another thief, because he or she knows how thieves think.
The government set a thief to catch a thief. They hired a hacker to entrap other hackers who tried to break into the Pentagon's databases. 


set the ball rolling
(also start or get the ball rolling) start something, especially a conversation or a social event.
There was a quiet atmosphere in the party so I decided to set the ball rolling and got up to dance. 


set the wheels in motion
to initiate a chain of events necessary to help one achieve a goal (more quickly)
His contribution to the project will surely set the wheels in motion. 


shake a leg
used to tell someone to rouse themselves from sleep and get out of bed.
Shake a leg or we'll miss the party! 


shape up or ship out
To either improve one's behavior or else be required to leave; to either improve one's performance in an activity or else withdraw from that activity completely.
After his many serious mistakes, the boss warned him that he had to shape up or ship out. 


she'll be apples
everything will be all right.
'What about our trip to the mountain. They say it will snow all night long'
'Don't worry. She'll be apples.' 


shelf life
The length of time something will last.
This medicine has a short shelf life. 


shift gears
To change what you are doing in a sudden way.
I'd like to shift gears and start a new job. 


shoot the works
to spend all the money you have or to try as much as you can to do something.
We shot the works on our son's education. 


shotgun marriage
(also shotgun wedding) when the bridegroom is forced to marry the bride he made her pregnant.
It was a shotgun marriage. Nancy was three months pregnant when she married John. 


shoulder to cry on
said about a person someone to whom you can tell your problems to and then ask for sympathy, emotional support and advice.
Lacy needs a shoulder to cry on. Her father died yesterday. 


sitting duck
Said about someone or something vulnerable to attack.
Because of his unpopular opinions about foreign policy, he made of himself a sitting duck. 


skin and bones
to be underweight and look bad, to be extremely thin.
Because of her illness she was nothing but skin and bones. 


skin someone alive
to punish someone severely.
My parents will skin me alive if they see my grades


spill the beans
to reveal a secret.
Why did you spill the beans about our new project? It was supposed to be top secret. 


spring chicken
To be old; not young anymore.
She is not a spring chicken. She wouldn't like to go partying with us. 


step into somebody's shoes
to take over someone's place or job.
Who do you think will step into Leila's shoes when she leaves? 


stiff upper lip
One who has a stiff upper lip displays fortitude in the face of adversity, or exercises self-restraint in the expression of emotion.
He always has a stiff upper lip. He never complains. 


stool pigeon
A decoy or an informer, especially one who is a spy for the police.
He was killed by a gangster because he was thought to be a stool pigeon. 


stop the music
stop everything.
A: (Entering a room full of people doing various things) Stop the music!
B: What?
A: I have an important announcement! 


sweat blood
to work very hard.
She sweats blood every day just to bring home the bacon. 


sweep something under the rug
To hide something because it's embarassing.
Because many famous people were involved in the affair, everything was swept under the rug. 



 _________________________________________
View the original article here                
  
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom
http://www.idiomsite.com                                         

Learn English Idioms ( List 'R' )

rabbit hole
(From Alice in Wonderland) A way into a bizarre world.
School's starting up again, time to "Go Down the Rabbit Hole" once more. 


rack one's brain
(also rack one's brains) to think very hard about something.
I've racked my brain all day long, but I still can't remember where I put the keys.  


rain cats and dogs
to rain heavily. It's raining cats and dogs.
How come that you are going out in that storm? It's raining cats and dogs. 


rain or shine
(also come rain or shine) whatever happens; no matter whether it is rainy or sunny.
I'll be on time, rain or shine.


raise eyebrows
To cause surprise or mild disapproval.
The way the children behaved raised a few eyebrows the hosts. 


raw deal
said when someones is ill treated.
Mary got a raw deal. She was innocent, but she had to pay a big fine. 


read the riot act
if you read the riot act to someone, you warn or reprimand them energetically or forcefully
The principal read the riot act to the trouble makers 


red flag
A sign or signal that something is wrong cue, it is a warning, or alert.
She considered that playing with her feelings was a red flag. She wouldn't tolerate anyone to do so. 


red handed
be discovered in or just after the act of doing something wrong or illegal
She was caught red-handed, stealing a ring. 


red ink
a euphemism for financial loss.
There is too much red ink in the company's financial statement. 


red-letter day
a particularly significant day (personal or sectarian), usually very positive, sometimes very negative.
Monday was a red letter day for her. She accomplished a lot and had fun doing it. 


reinvent the wheel
to waste one's time doing something that has already been done satisfactorily.
Just use our guide book to and don't try to reinvent the wheel. 


right down to
considering even minor things or people.
We are all concerned with obeying the law, from the minister down to the common man. 


right on the button
to be exactly right.
Her remarks were right on the button. 


ripe old age
Very old age.
After living to a ripe old age, she died yesterday. 


road rage
Aggressive behavior exhibited by drivers in traffic, often as a result of stress.
Many road accidents are the result of road rage. 


Rome wasn't built in a day
said to emphasize that great work takes time to do. Nothing of importance can be done in a short period of time.
Don't expect immediate outstanding earnings fom your new buisiness. Rome wasn't built in a day. 


roof something over
to build a roof over something.
After the earthquake they had to roof the shed over. 


root and branch
completely.
They have reorganized their business root and branch. 



 _________________________________________
View the original article here                
  
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom
http://www.idiomsite.com                   

Learn English Idioms ( List 'Q' )

quake in one's boots
To be frightened, scared, or nervous.
The thought of climbing that high had him quaking in his boots. 


question of time
(also a matter of time) said about something that will surely happen.
The criminal will be arrested. It's just a question of time.  


quick one
to have a drink before going somewhere.
Let's have a quick one before we go to work. 


quote a price
state in advance the price for...
The mason quoted a price of 500$ to fix the roof of my house. 



 _________________________________________
View the original article here                
  
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom
http://www.idiomsite.com    

Learn English Idioms ( List 'P' )

pack a wallop
(also pack a punch) to provide energy, power, or excitement.
This drink really packs a wallop. 


paddle one's own buisiness
To act independently and decide your own fate; to do something by oneself.
He's been left to paddle his own canoe when he started his business.  


pain in the neck
an annoyance.
The teacher's last assignment is really a pain in the neck.  


pass the buck
to blame others for something you shoud accept reponsibilty for.
It's not my fault. Don't try to pass the buck! 


pass the hat around
(also pass the hat round) to collect money by asking people or organizations.
They passed the hat round as they needed money to rebuild the poor neighbors' house. 


pay dearly
to suffer because of a particlar action.
If you don't work hard, you will pay dearly for it. 


pay lip service
an insincere loyalty, respect, or support for something
He says he supports the idea of voluntary work, but in fact he's just paying lip service. 


pick of the bunch
(also the best of the bunch) the best.
The dress she's wearing is the pick of the bunch. 


picture of (good) health
in a very healthy condition.
The doctor told him that he is a picture of good health. 


picture paints a thousand words
(also a picture is worth a thousand words) a picture will be far more descriptive of something than words can ever be.
Just show him the photos and he will understand. You know a picture paints a thousand words. 


play a joke
(also play trick) to deceive someone for fun.
On April fool's day some people play practical jokes on their friends. 


play away from home
to be unfaithful; to have sex with someone who is not your usual partner.
She stuck on her decision to divorce because she discoverd her husband playing away from home. 


play ball
to cooperate and agree to work with others.
The manager asked him to play ball if he wants things to go well. 


play cat and mouse
to tease, confuse or fool someone by trying to trick them into making a mistake so that you have an advantage over them.
The famous businessman spent his time playing cat and mouse with the judge. 


play second fiddle
to take a subordinate or weaker position than someone else.
Bill doesn't want to play second fiddle to his colleague any more. He feels he is more trained and more experienced. 


play the field
to have many sexual relationships.
He's not the kind of person to think of getting married. He's quite happy to play the field. 


public enemy number one
said about someone or something that people hate or approve of.
That terrorist is considered public enemy number one. 


pull in one's horns
(also draw in one's horn) To become less impassioned, aggressive, or argumentative; to back down from a fight; to yield or capitulate.
They stopped making investments. They pulled in their horns. 


pull somebody's leg
to tease or fool someone when trying to convince them to believe something which is not true as a joke.
Are you pulling my leg? Is it really your house? 


Pull the other leg
used when you do not believe what someone has just said.
Sue, writing poems? Pull the other leg - she can't even write a correct sentence! 


Pull the other one
used to tell someone that you don't believe what they have just said.
Sue, writing poems? Pull the other one - she can't even write a correct sentence! 


puppy love
A childish or youthful infatuation with another person.
As they were still very young nobody took their puppy love seriously. 


push someone's buttons
(also press someone's buttons) draw a strong emotional reaction from someone, especially anger or sexual arousal.
Don't push my buttons with your silly comments. 


put the cart before the horse
To put things in the wrong order
To attempt to remove the armaments before removing these substantive conflicts of interest is to put the cart before the horse. 


put money on somebody or something
to bet money or to believe that someone will accomplish something or that something will happen.
He will pass the exam - I'd put money on it. 


put on a brave face
to pretend that a problem doesn't bother you.
He looks calm, but I suspect he's just putting on a brave face.


put one's mind to it
To apply oneself; to exert a directed effort.
You can do anything, if you put your mind to it. 


put one's shoulder to the wheel
to start hard work; to begin to toil.
Just put your shoulder to the wheel. If you keep working hard, you’ll be successful one day! 


put the cat among the pigeons
To create a disturbance and cause trouble.
The principal put the cat among the pigeons when he informed the students that the excursion was cancelled. 


put the pedal to the metal
To press the gas pedal to the maximum extent; to exert maximum effort.
You have to put the pedal to the metal if you want to get there on time. 


put words in somebody's mouth
To attribute to somebody something he or she did not say; to claim inaccurately that somebody said or intended something.
I hope I'm not putting words in your mouth. Did you just tell me to go home early?                             


put yourself in someone's shoes
to see how it feels when you put yourself in smoeone's place.
What could I have done to solve the problem? Just put yourself in my shoes. 


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View the original article here                
  
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom
http://www.idiomsite.com   

Learn English Idioms ( List 'O' )

oceans of
A large amount of something.
Oceans of guests were at the party. 


odd duck
An unusual person, especially an individual with an idiosyncratic personality or peculiar behavioral characteristics.
This boy is an odd duck in many ways. Unlike his peers, he has no hobbies.  


odds and ends
various often worthless small items.
I have to get rid of a few odds and ends before moving to the new house. 


of age
Old enough to be considered an adult.
He's of age now, he can buy his own car. 


of the first water
of the best.
She is of the first water, a fine lady indeed. 


off the beaten track
To a place or places not commonly visited.
His trip was altogether off the beaten track which had never been traversed any European. 


old wives' tale
a wrong traditional theory or belief, often about health.
The idea of drinking alcohol to relieve you from flu is an old wives' tale. 


on in years
Old; advanced in age.
My wife is dead and I am getting on in years. 


on the face of it
on the surface.
On the face of it, she seems innocent. But when the police investigated her case, they discovered that she was guilty. 


on the horns of a dilemma
To face a choice between two equally undesirable alternatives.
I found myself on the horns of dilemma and I didn't know which direction to choose. 


on the same wavelength
thinking in the same pattern or in agreement.
They've done a good job because they were on the same wavelength. 


on the wagon
To abstain from drinking any alcoholic drink, usually in the sense of having given it up
No, thank you! No alcohol for me I am on the wagon. 


out of the blue
something which is totally unexpected.
She sent him a letter, out of the blue, telling him that she was in love with another guy. 


over my dead body
If you say something will happen over your dead body, you mean that you will not allow it to happen.
He says he will become our boss. Over my dead body! 


over my dead body
Under no circumstances; absolutely not.
He wants to get all the money for himself. Well, it will be over my dead body! 


over the hill
too old to perform as well as before.
You say you are over the hill, but see how you run as fast as your son! 


_________________________________________
View the original article here                
  
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom
http://www.idiomsite.com                

Learn English Idioms ( List 'N' )

name the day
fix the date of an important event, especially marriage.
Sarah and John are going to name the day soon. 


necessity is the mother of invention
This proverb means that when people really need to do something, they will find a way to do it.
When her pen had run out of ink, she used her lipstick to write a short note to her husband who was at work.  


neither fish nor fowl
said of something not easily categorized or not fitting neatly into any established group.
I can't see what you want to say. Your proposal is neither fish nor fowl. 


never mind
1. it's not important;
2. do not be concerned (about someone or something, or about doing something)
1. I’m soory I’ve lost your book. — Never mind, I don't need it anymore.
2. Go and I’ll join you later. Never mind about me.


next to nothing
almost; hardly.
Although they paid him next to nothing, he liked the job. 


nine times out of ten
almost always.
In this country, nine times out of ten trains come late. 


nine to five
said about a job with normal daytime hours, a job that begins at nine o'clock in the morning and finishes at five.
She's tired of working nine to five. 


no comment
an "official" refusal to relay any further information, as a response to a newspaper reporter's question.
The district attorney said, "No comment," when the reporter asked if he knew the identity of the criminal. 


no spring chicken
said of a person who is no longer particularly young.
Although he's no spring chicken, he runs fast. 


no use to man or beast
said about something or someone that is completely useless.
That old car is no use to man or beast. 


not come cheap
said about something that is of good quality and is therefore expensive.
Fast cars don't come cheap. 


not enough room to swing a cat
not very much space. Said abut a small place.
Their house was very small. There wasn't enough room to swing a cat. 


not for a minute
not at all.
I don't want you to fail in your project. Not for a minute. 


not half bad
Pretty good; okay; decent.
It was my first attempt at cooking, but I tried it and it was not half bad. 


not have a cat in hell's chance
(also not have a snowball's chance in hell) not to be able to achieve something.
He hasn't a cat in hell's chance of getting the money he needs for the project. 


not have a leg to stand on
not have a sound justification, a firm foundation of facts to prove something.
After the police caught him, he didn't have a leg to stand on to prove his innocence. 


not have a snowball's chance in hell
(also not have a cat in hell's chance) not to be able to achieve something.
He hasn't a snowball's chance of getting the money he needs for the project. 


not hold water
said when an explanation, a reason or an argument is not sound, strong or logical.
Her reasons just didn't hold water. 


not miss a trick
said about someone who is extremely alert.
He was attentive to what the teacher was explaining. He didn't miss a trick. 


nothing to sneeze at
not bad; decent; acceptable; worthwhile.
Their music may not be worthy of radio time, but it's nothing to sneeze at. 


now or never
said when you have to do something right now because you may not get another chance to do it later.
This is your chance. It's now or never! 


nurse someone back to health
to look after a sick person until he recovers.
He is fortunate to have such a caring wife.She was glad to nurse him back to health. 


_________________________________________
View the original article here                
  
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom
http://www.idiomsite.com
                    

Learn English Idioms ( List 'M' )

made of money
be rich.
She can't have another car.Her husband is not made of money! 


magic touch
a special skill to do something very well.
Her magic touch is so obvious in the decoration of her house.  


magic wand
a quick and an easy way to solve a problem
The manager warned that he had no magic wand to solve the problem. 


make a clean breast of
to tell the truth; to confess.
After he had lied about the stolen money, he was urged to make a clean breast of it. 


make a fast buck
(also make quick buck) to earn money without much effort.
If you have got any idea of how to make a fast buck, please tell me! 



make a man of someone
(also make a man out of someone) to make a young person become more experienced or act like an adult and take responsibility.
A couple of years in a foreign country will make a man of him. 


make a monkey out of
(also make a fool out of someone) to cause a person, group, or action to appear foolish or inferior; to subject someone or something to ridicule.
Don't make a monkey out of me. You'll regret it. 


make a mountain out of a molehill
To exagerate the severity of a situation; to make a lot of fuss about nothing.
You're making a mountain out of a molehill. You didn't mean to hurt her. 


make a pig of oneself
said about someone who eats too much or too fast.
He made a pig of himself at lunch. 


make chin music
talk or chatter.
The boss was furious because he found them sitting there making chin music instead of doing the job. 


make love, not war
A hippie anti-war slogan encouraging love and peace.
Why don't you stop fighting! Make love not war! 


make one's way
To move in a particular direction; advance in life by one's own efforts.
1. He made his way to the police station and told all about the murder.
2. He had to make his own way in the world as his family was very poor. 


make somebody's mouth water
When the smell or sight of food is extremely good it makes your mouth water.
The smell of that roast chicken is making my mouth water. 


make waves
to cause trouble.
Please don't make waves. We're trying to settle all our problems. 


man cannot live by bread alone
used to mean that things like poetry, art, music, etc are necassary for people just as food.
People need to read some poetry! Man cannot live by bread alone. 


man's home is his castle
This idiom suggest tha people are free to do whatever they want to in their own home
He was furious when they told him not to listen to his favorite music in his own home. He told them that a man's home is his castle. 


mark my words
Listen to me; used before a statement one wishes to emphasize.
Mark my words, this boy is going to become a great poet. 


marry money
to marry a rich person.
She married money and got rich. 


meat and two veg
The male genitals.
Everybody could see his meat and two veg because his trousers were so tight. 


meet one's death
(Also meet one's end) To die.
A friend of mine met his death when he got hit by a car. 


men make houses, women make homes
It's often the men who build or acquire houses for their families, but it's usually women who provide the things that make a house into a home.
When her husband bought the house, she took charge of decorating and tidying it up. It's true that men make houses, women make homes. 


middle of the road
having a centrist attitude or philosophy; not extreme, especially politically.
A typical middle of the road compromise is to leave the problem as it is. 


minting it
(also minting money) earning a lot of money quickly.
The restaurant is minting it thanks to the new manager. 


minting money
(also minting money) Earning a lot of money quickly.
Since the arrival of the new manager, the restaurant is minting money. 


miss the boat
To fail to take advantage of an opportunity.
The price discount ended yesterday and I just missed the boat on a great deal. 


Mister Right
A perfect, ideal or suitable mate or husband.
She waited for years and years, hoping someday to find Mister Right. 


moment in the sun
A brief instance in which an otherwise obscure, unremarkable, or humble person draws attention.
That band got their moment in the sun during the 70s. 


moment of truth
A deciding instant; the time when a test determines or makes it apparent whether something will succeed.
This is the moment of truth, answer the questions of the test. 


money for jam
(also be money for old rope) said about a job when it is an easy way of earning money.
Selling ice-cream is money for jam when it is very hot.


money for old rope
(also be money for jam) Said about a job when it is an easy way of earning money.
Selling ice-cream is money for old rope when it is very hot. 


money spinner
a business or product that makes a lot of money for someone.
Internet commerce is becoming a real money-spinner. 


money talks
money talks suggest that with money people can get whatever they want.
She got what she wanted. Well you know money talks! 


music to someone's ears
Some good news; a spoken expression or a sound which is pleasing; a welcome remark or information.
The kind flattering way he used to talk to her was music to her ears. 


my way or the highway
This expression is used to say that people have to do what you say; otherwise, they will have to leave or quit the project.
He has a "My way or the highway" approach to leading his government and his party.
 


_________________________________________
View the original article here                
  
See also
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Idiom
http://www.idiomsite.com