A bundle of nerves is a very anxious, nervous, anxious, tense, fearful, or jittery person.
“I’m always a bundle of nerves before a competition.”
To burn your bridges means to take an irrevocable step that makes it impossible to go back to a previous position, situation, etc. Specifically, it means to behave in such a way as to ruin your relationship with someone, making it very difficult to have a productive relationship with them in the future. A common example is to act negatively when leaving a job so that you will never be able to return.
“I know you’re leaving the firm,” said Russel, “but take my advice and don’t burn your bridges on the way out.”
To burn the midnight oil means to work very late, past the end of the regular workday, and late into the night, especially to study; to work very hard.
“Sorry I haven’t been able to visit you lately. I’ve been burning the midnight oil trying to get the new business going.”
To bury (your, his, her) head in the sand means to ignore obvious problems or dangers; to refuse to face unpleasant realities by pretending not to see them or know about them. “There is obviously something wrong with you, said Joseph’s father.
“You need to stop burying your head in the sand and go see a doctor.”
To bury the hatchet means to make peace; to settle one’s difference; to stop arguing or fighting; to put an end to old resentments.
“It’s time we bury the hatchet,” said Tom. “I don’t even remember what we were fighting about.”
To have butterflies in your stomach means to feel nervous or anxious and have a queasy or ‘fluttering’ feeling in your gut. This idiom may describe nervous anticipation, such as felt before going on stage to perform. In fact, it is often used to describe ‘stagefright.’
“The first time I went on stage I had butterflies in my stomach. The last time I went on stage, same thing.”
By all accounts means based on the opinion of most people; according to what everyone is saying; according to all available reports or information.
“By all accounts, George is a trustworthy fellow.”
By and large means generally; usually; everything considered; speaking broadly.
“By and large, the fundraiser was successful.”
When something is done by the book it is done strictly according to the existing rules, regulations, or laws.
“The detective had always done things by the book, but for this case, he had to throw the book away.”
When something is done by the numbers it is done in a precise and orderly sequence that is already determined. The idiom alludes to doing things by rote, or mechanically, according to a laid-out plan, without any thought or creativity; following exact rules. To paint by numbers is to do something in an uninspired and unoriginal way.
“Tom doesn’t like doing things by the numbers so he quickly grew bored in his assembly job.”
By the same token means in the same way, following the same argument, or for the same reason.
“I understand that you want Mike to apologize but, by the same token, you said some pretty nasty things to him.”
By the Skin of My (or one’s) Teeth
By the skin of one’s teeth means barely, narrowly; by the thinnest of margins.
“I barely managed to graduate from college. I got through by the skin of my teeth.”
To the bitter end means to the very end, however unpleasant or ruinous; all the way to death or ruin.
“The last few soldiers kept fighting until the bitter end.”
When something is referred to as a cakewalk, it is something that is easy. Often refers to an easy victory. Cakewalk is a synonym for piece of cake.
“Wow, that game was a cakewalk, we really beat the pants off ’em.”
To call it a day means to decide to stop working on something; to end the day’s work and go home; to end something.
“We can’t finish until we get the new parts, so let’s call it a day.”
To call it quits means to stop doing something; to give up on trying to accomplish something; to abandon a goal in order to not risk further loss; to agree that a debt is settled or terms are equal.
“He bought out his partner and the two decided to call it quits.”
To call someone’s bluff is to make someone do something they threaten to do, in the hopes or assurance that they do not dare, or have the means, to carry out the threat.
“The customer threatened to sue if he didn’t get his money back. The manager called his bluff.”
To call the shots means to be in charge or in control; to make the important decisions; or to have authority.
“Everybody can’t be in charge,” said Frank.”Someone has to call the shots.”
To call (someone) to account means to demand that someone explain the reason for their (usually wrong) actions and to take responsibility for them; to hold someone responsible and answerable for their actions.
“It is time Morrison was called to account for his shady financial dealings.”
To open a can of worms means to do something that will uncover more problems and make things more complicated and unsolvable than they already were; to create an unpleasant or troubling situation.
“Refinishing the basement in my house opened up a can of worms. Now I have to hire a waterproofer and deal with mold!”
Can’t (or don’t) Judge a Book by Its Cover
You can’t judge a book by its cover means you should not make decisions or form opinions based solely on outward appearance without knowing more about someone or something. Both variants, using can’t and don’t are common.
“I know your first impression of Jonothan was not good, but don’t judge a book by its cover.”
Can’t See the Forest for the Trees
If you can’t see the forest for the trees, you are too focused on small details or parts and so you are missing something more important; you fail to understand the situation as a whole: You are missing the big picture.
“They’re asking if we have any suggestions for improvement when the program doesn’t work well at all. They really can’t see the forest for the trees.”
Can’t Stand Someone or Something
When you can’t stand someone or something, you strongly dislike them or it; be unable to tolerate being around someone or something.
“I can’t stand Jackie. He is the most obnoxious person I’ve ever met.”
A cardinal sin is a major sin or offense of some kind; a major breaking of established rules or procedures; or a significant violation of a principle or doctrine, especially in a profession.
“Long respected in his field, it was recently revealed that in his most important work, he had committed the cardinal sin of plagiarism.”
A cash cow is something, such as a product or business, that is a reliable source or profit; a dependable money-maker that contributes the most overall profits to a business.
“I was hesitant to invest in my brother-in-law’s business venture but it turned out to be a cash cow.”
This is usually expressed as a question to someone who is being unusually quiet or refusing to speak, as in “Has the cat got your tongue?”
“Well, aren’t you quiet today, Jane. What’s the matter? Cat got your tongue?”
To catch fire means to be ignited; to start burning; to ignite and burn with flames; also, if an event, performance, artist, movement, idea, etc. catches fire, it becomes a subject of great interest and generates widespread enthusiasm and passion; to become very enthusiastic or passionate about something.
“This wood is just too wet to catch fire.”
To catch some rays means to go outside in the sun for some period of time, usually to sunbathe, or lay outside under the sun for the purposes of getting a suntan.
“I’m going to skip lunch today,” said John. “I think I’ll just take a walk to catch some rays and stretch my legs.”
To catch one’s breath is to resume normal breathing, or to struggle to resume normal breathing after becoming out of breath due to physical effort or vigorous exercise; to stop for a short time to rest or relax, especially to think about something or in order to be able to continue an activity; sometimes, to catch your breath is similar to ‘hold one’s breath,’ meaning to stop breathing momentarily, especially due to fear or a sudden shock or surprise.
“I have to catch my breath. I haven’t run this far in ages.”
To catch your death is an exaggerated way of saying to catch a severe cold. The idiom can be extended to any similar illness associated with cold weather, such as flu.
“It’s freezing out there. Don’t go out in short sleeves. You’ll catch your death.”
A cat nap is a short, light sleep during the day; a refreshing nap in the middle of the day. Also spelled cat nap.
“I was up way too late last night. I’m going to have to have a cat nap to get through the day.”
To be caught in the crossfire means to suffer harm because of a dispute between two other individuals or entities even though you yourself are not a part of the dispute.
“The union was fighting with management and the workers were caught in the crossfire.”
To be caught red-handed means to be caught while doing something wrong or illegal; to be caught committing a crime with all the evidence available.
“She was caught red-handed while shoplifting.”
Caught with Your Hand In The Cookie Jar
To be caught with one’s hand in the cookie jar means to be caught in the act of doing something wrong or forbidden, especially stealing money from one’s employer.
“I had to get rid of my assistant manager,” said Mr. Roberts, “he had his hand in the cookie jar.”
To be caught with your pants down means to be caught unawares in a situation to which you are completely unable to respond, react, etc. This expression means much the same as being a “deer in the headlights” except that the situation of the person caught with their pants down is highly embarrassing or potentially damaging, etc. This often involves a sexually compromising situation or something else one should not be doing. As well, it can simply mean that someone is unprepared to act and this lack of preparation is bad for their reputation, career, etc.
After spending years shouting about morality and family values, the governor was caught with his pants down when a reporter asked him about his own affair.”
To chicken out means to refuse to do something because of fear or cowardice.
“We were both going to get tattoos last night but Mack chickened out.”
To chime in means to enter into a conversation other people are having, especially by interrupting to agree or repeat; to inject a comment or opinion into a conversation; to join a conversation to express agreement. In regards to music, to chime in means to join in by adding a harmony or in unison.
“Everybody in the room was chiming in to defend him.”
To chip in means to contribute some money to a cause, a business, or any other effort requiring money. It can also mean to contribute to an effort in any way, such as with physical help. This usually has the connotation of being a small amount of help or money, where each of a group of people are contributing something. Occasionally, the expression is used to mean the same as chime in such as with a remark during a discussion.
“I know it’s late, but if we all chip in we can get this place cleaned up in no time.”
To be a chip off the old block means to be similar to one of your parents, whether in traits, mannerisms, etc. This is similar to the idiom “the splitting image [of]” except that to be a chip off the old block does not have to mean physical appearance only. It is also similar to the expression, the apple does not fall far from the tree or like father, like son.
“It was strange meeting you after knowing your mother for so long. You’re such a chip off the old block.”
To have a chip on your shoulder is to blame someone else (or other people in general) for something that has happened to you or things that have gone wrong and to be continuously angry about it, resulting in negative behavior. Also, to be generally angry because you feel you have been treated unfairly, that you are not as good as other people, or haven’t had the same advantages as other people.
“That new guy at work sure has a chip on his shoulder.”
Clean as a whistle means extremely clean, squeaky clean, clear, spotless. There are other possible meanings that are less common in modern use.
“He wasn’t the greatest cook in the world, but he kept his kitchen as clean as a whistle.”
To clean up your (his/her) act means to improve your behavior and begin acting in a more acceptable way.
“You’ll have to clean up your act if you expect to keep living here,” said the landlady.
To clear the air is to talk openly and frankly about a situation, misunderstanding, disagreement, etc. in order to alleviate suspicion, tension, fear, confusion, worry, etc.
“When Frank found out that Warren was angry with him, he invited him to lunch to try to clear the air.”
To clock in is to record your time of arrival at work, usually by punching a time clock; to begin work. To clock out is to record your time of departure from work; to end work.
“I always clock in at nine o’clock on the dot. The one time I punched in five minutes late, my boss threw a fit.”
Close but no cigar is an interjection used to refer to an effort that comes very close to succeeding but does not succeed; a success that is narrowly missed.
“I almost broke the pool record for holding my breath today – close but no cigar.”
When something is said to be cold comfort, it is little or no consolation at all.
“The severance package was cold comfort after having worked for the company for twenty years.”
Cold, hard cash means actual money in the form of bills and coins as opposed to checks, credit, or any other form of payment; money that is readily available for payment.
“I deal only in cold, hard cash. You want to do business with me, don’t bring a checkbook!”
When referring to an object, to come apart at the seams means to fall apart; disintegrate. The expression does not require an object to actually be coming apart at the seams, but only to be falling apart in general.
“When Susan broke up with him, Mike seemed to come apart at the seams.”
The idiom ‘come full circle’ is similar to the idiom “what goes around comes around.” The expression describes a situation in which although a whole series of changes or events have taken place, conditions have returned to the original circumstances or position. There is usually a sense of inevitability implied, as if a cycle has been completed.
“Just when I thought we had agreed on a solution, we come full circle and end up back at the same old objections.”
Come hell or high water is an alliterative dyad which means “no matter what happens or how difficult it is.” This idiom is used to refer to a goal or intention that will be achieved at whatever cost.
“I’m going to pass this exam come hell or high water.”
To come in handy is to be useful or convenient.
“I know you don’t think you need to bring a heavy coat with you but trust me, it will come in handy where you’re going.”
To come to a head means to reach a point of crisis or climax so that it becomes absolutely necessary that a decision must be made or something must be done.
“The food company’s quality issues came to a head when two people died from food poisoning.”
Apples and oranges metaphorically refer to objects or persons that are not alike; things that are quite different even though they may fall into the same category.
When we say two things are apples and oranges or that is comparing apples and oranges, we are saying that two things are completely different and it makes no sense to compare them.
“You’re considering a BMW and a Honda? That’s comparing apples to oranges.”
To conk out means to suddenly stop functioning or to fail, as a mechanical or electronic device; to fall asleep; faint or collapse suddenly; to die.
“My TV conked out in the last quarter of the game last night. Who won?”
To be cool as a cucumber means to be very calm; in control of your emotions; to have great self-control; to be self-possessed.
“Bruce is the guy you want around during a crisis. He’s as cool as a cucumber.”
A couch potato is a physically inactive person who spends much of their time sitting and watching television and eating junk food. A couch potato does not exercise or engage in regular physical activity.
“You’ve turned into a real couch potato,” said Ella. “Remember when we used to go hiking every weekend?”
Couldn’t Agree More (I, somebody)
When someone says ‘I couldn’t agree more’ it means they agree very strongly; to completely agree; to share someone’s opinion.
“I couldn’t agree more. That was a really silly movie.”
To count your blessings means to be grateful for what you have in life and not to dwell on what you do not have.
“Stop complaining about your job and count your blessings. In this economy, you’re lucky to be working.”
To crack up means to go insane or have an emotional or mental breakdown; cause damage to or wreck a vehicle; to be in a vehicular crash; to laugh heartily or cause someone to laugh.
“Mitchell is hysterical. He cracks me up every time I see him.”
Cross my heart is an emphatic pledge that one is telling the truth, sometimes said while using one hand to make an imaginary X over the heart. The full version of this idiom is ‘Cross my heart and hope to die.’
“I won’t tell the teacher I helped do your homework,” said Sally. “Cross your heart?” said Billy. “Cross my heart and hope to die,” replied Sally.
A crying shame is a very unfortunate situation; a more emphatic way of saying ‘a real shame.’
“It’s a crying shame Suan’s father died just before her wedding.”
To curry favor means to try to gain an advantage or to seek someone’s approval flattery and sycophantic and servile behavior.
“Some students try to curry favor with the professor by feigning excessive interest or passion for the subject.”
When something is cut and dried it is simple, clear, and unambiguous; fixed, and definite; already decided; predictable and usual.
“The law is cut and dried,” said the lawyer, “but that doesn’t mean we don’t have a case.”
To cut and run means to depart suddenly or quickly to avoid an awkward or dangerous situation; to run away as quickly as possible.
“When faced with the certainty of criminal charges, the wealthy businessman decided to cut and run rather than face the music.”
To cut corners is to do something in the quickest, cheapest, or easiest way, using less effort, money, time, or resources than necessary so that the end result is low quality or perhaps, illegal.
“If you cut corners on the buildings you will endanger people’s lives.”
To be cut from the same cloth means to be very similar; of the same kind; of a similar nature; to have similar characteristics, viewpoints, values, opinions, attitudes etc.
“My brother and I are definitely cut from the same cloth. We even have the same job.”
When something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too late and too little; delayed too long and ineffective; waiting too long to do something and being unprepared to do it effectively.
“Mike’s apology was a day late and a dollar short. There is just too much water under the bridge for me to ever forgive him.”
The daily grind is the boring, monotonous routine of each day, most often referring to a person’s job.
“Tired of the daily grind, he decided to move to the country and become a farmer.”
A dark horse is a person, in regards to a certain field, sport, political race etc., whose experience and abilities are unknown but who could unexpectedly win or achieve success over others; an unknown and unexpected winner of a race or other contest.
“Having never won a race, she was a dark horse to win the Gold Medal in the 100 meters.”
When something is day in and day out, it is happening repeatedly over time; occurring every day; continuously.
“I’m tired of the same routine day in and day out. I need a long vacation.”
Something that is dead and buried is completely ended; gone and forever in the past; no longer in use.
“Many people think slavery is dead and buried but it still goes on in some parts of the world.”
To be as dead as a doornail means to be completely and truly dead, never to live again or able to be used again; finished.
“The cops found a guy in the alley nearby. He was dead as a doornail.”
When something is dead easy it is extremely easy.
“That exam is dead easy. You’ll pass it with no problem.”
A road or other passage that is blocked at one end and thus does not lead anywhere; a situation, job, etc. which does not allow one to make progress; an impasse.
“Turn right to get to the main road. Just don’t use the first right because that’s a dead-end street.”
To be dead on your feet means to be very tired. Exhausted. Synonyms are dead tired, dog tired, and worn out.
“I have to get some sleep, I worked two shifts and I’m dead on my feet.”
A dead ringer is a person or thing that resembles another person or thing perfectly or almost perfectly; someone who looks very similar to another person; an exact or near-exact likeness or duplicate.
“That lawyer is a dead ringer for Robert Redford, right down to his hair color.”
To be dead set against something means completely or utterly opposed.
“My parents were dead set against my becoming an artist. So, that is exactly what I did.”
To be dead wrong means to be completely wrong.
“I thought he was the right choice for the job but I was dead wrong.”
Someone who plays devil’s advocate (or the devil’s advocate) is arguing against a popular or familiar view or is simply arguing for the sake of arguing.
“I like red as much as the next guy, but, just to play devil’s advocate, let’s say we choose a neutral color, instead.”
When we call someone or something ‘a diamond in the rough’ we mean that their good qualities are hidden. The idiom describes a person who is good but is perhaps uncouth, unkempt, rude, socially awkward, etc. With a little work, this person’s good qualities could shine through.
“The new player seemed hopeless at first, but the coach could tell right away that he was a diamond in the rough.”
When something is dirt cheap it is very inexpensive.
“Fifteen dollars a month for such a great service is dirt cheap.”
To dish out something is to give out something (advice, praise, favors, insults, criticism, information, etc.) in large amounts. The idiom is normally used in a critical sense and it is often negative things that are “dished out.” To dish it out is to dispense insults or abuse.
Although the idioms dish out and dish it out have similar meanings, the meaning and use of the latter is more specific.
“He’s one of those investors who will dish out advice for hours but will never write a check.”
“All you have to do is stand up to Tom. He can dish it out but he can’t take it.”
A situation that is dog eat dog is one where people are in fierce and ruthless competition and willing to do anything to gain the advantage; anything goes.
“It’s a dog eat dog world, but that doesn’t mean you have to play the game.”
To be dog tired means to be extremely tired, exhausted, worn out; to be so tired you go right to sleep as soon as you get in bed.
“I’d love to play video games with you but it’s been a long day and I’m dog tired.”
Don’t Bite The Hand That Feeds You
To bite the hand that feeds you is to attack, harm, show ingratitude toward, or otherwise turn against someone who is helping you.
“I cannot stand this client, said Ed, I’m going to tell him to stop being such a pain!” “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you,” said Chris.
Don’t cry over spilt (or spilled) milk means don’t be upset about something that has happened and cannot be changed, undone, or rectified.
“I’m sorry you didn’t make the team but there’s no use crying over spilt milk. Just practice hard and try again next year.”
We say “don’t get me started” when someone brings up a topic about which we have a lot to say and are passionate about, usually in a negative way. Not to be taken literally, the idiom is more of an expression of strong feelings, whether negative or positive. More often, the intent is negative and the expression is used to express exasperation or strong dislike, etc. There may an element of warning in it: If I start talking about this, I’ll never stop!
“Jim hasn’t done any work all day,” said Seth. “Don’t get me started!” replied Charlie.
The idiom ‘Don’t give up your day job’ is used in a humorous way to tell someone you do not think they are very good at something.
“I’ve only been playing guitar for a few days! What do you think? asked Larry. “Don’t give up your day job,” replied Russell.
Don’t I know it is a response to someone telling you something that you already know quite well, or a way of expressing your awareness of a certain fact or situation. Often, it means “Unfortunately, I’m aware” or “I’m all too aware of it.” Other times, it is an expression of simple agreement or acknowledgment.
“It must be a hundred degrees out there,” said Vince. “Don’t I know it!” said Bobby.
The expression ‘don’t mind me‘ is used to tell another person in the same room with you to not pay any attention to you and to not let you interrupt them or distract them from what they are doing. The expression is a polite but informal one. However, it can sometimes be used sarcastically to indicate annoyance at being ignored or treated rudely.
“Don’t mind me, I just need to make a quick copy.”
Don’t start is an expression used to tell someone not to complain, lecture, or scold you. Usually, the idiom is reserved for those who often annoy you with criticisms or complaints.
“Don’t start, Mary! I know what you’re going to say.”
Saying “don’t you dare” is a way of telling someone not to do something, and if they do, you will be angry or annoyed at them.
“Don’t you dare track mud into this house,” said mom.
A doubting Thomas is a person who is almost always doubtful and refuses to believe anything without strong proof or evidence; a skeptic.
“Growing tired of Walter’s pessimism, Christina said to him, ‘Don’t you get tired of being a doubting Thomas all the time?’”
The idiom down the road has a literal meaning and a figurative one. Literally, down the road means farther along this same road. Up the road is a synonym accept up the road has no figurative meaning. Figuratively, down the road means in the future; at a certain point in the future.
“Don’t worry, there’s a gas station just down the road.”
(To be brought or to come) down to Earth means to be brought back to reality; to become realistic or alert to the actual events going on around one. (To be) down to Earth means to be realistic, practical, and straightforward; to not be pretentious or shallow.
Mr. Harold was so down to Earth during the interview, it made Sarah’s butterflies subside.”
Down to the wire means the very last possible moment or to the very end.
“I’m always down to the wire with my Thanksgiving cooking. I never even have time to freshen up before the family arrives.”
Draw a Blank: To try to find something, obtain something, accomplish something, etc. and fail; to try to think of something and fail; to get no result or response.
“I tried to get some friends to help me move but I drew a blank.”
To draw fire is to attract criticism or hostility, often from a more powerful person or organization or a large group.
“The President draws fire from conservatives for his social positions.”
To draw the line is to set a definite limit on what one is willing to do, accept, etc. and to state emphatically that one will stop short of this limit. The idiom can also mean to separate one thing from another or to accept, recognize, or admit the difference between two things.
“I’m willing to let my wife pick the movie, but a draw the line at romantic comedies.”
To draw the short straw, used metaphorically, means to get chosen to do some unpleasant or disagreeable task. The idiom does not mean that straws were actually drawn, only that someone who didn’t want to do it was chosen. This person could be said to have gotten the short end of the stick, another related idiom.
“I drew the short straw at the restaurant today and had to clean the bathroom.”