Idioms Beginning with A

Here you will find a list of idioms that start with A.

A B C D E F G H I
J K L M N O P Q R
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Examples of Idioms Starting with A

Above and Beyond: More than is required or expected. When “above and beyond” is used in this sense, it is often followed by “the call of duty” meaning “above and beyond what duty requires.”

Above the Law: not to have to obey the laws or the rules; to be exempt from the laws or standards; to be immune to or not subject to the law. This idiom is usually applied to persons or organizations who behave as if they believe the laws do not apply to them.

Ace Up Your Sleeve, an: to have an ace up your sleeve or for someone else to have an ace up his sleeve means that they have a secret advantage, resource, or piece of knowledge which is unknown to others and held in reserve to be used when most needed.


meaning of idiom "all hell breaks loose"

All Hell Breaks Loose

Meaning of Idiom ‘All Hell Breaks Lose’ When all hell breaks lose, there is sudden chaos, confusion, uproar, arguing, fighting, violence, etc; things get out of control. Examples Of Use “When the police fired tear...
meaning of "ad nauseum"

Ad Nauseam

Meaning of Idiom ‘Ad Nauseam’ Ad nauseam means continuing for an excessive period of time until people are tired of it; to ridiculous excess or a sickening degree. 1,2 Want to see more videos from...
meaning of idiom accidentally on purpose

Accidentally On Purpose

Meaning of Idiom ‘Accidentally On Purpose’ Something that is done accidentally on purpose seems to be an accident but is actually done intentionally; pretending something is an accident that one actually does deliberately. 1,2,3 See...
meaning of idiom above suspicion

Above Suspicion

Meaning of Idiom ‘Above Suspicion’ To be above suspicion means to be so trustworthy as to never be suspected of wrongdoing; not believed to have done anything wrong; too respected to be thought to be...

Achilles Heel: An Achilles heel is a person’s (organization, country, etc.) weakness or vulnerability. Although it can refer to a physical weakness or limitation, this idiom can refer to any perceived weakness.

Acquired Taste: something that you do not like at first but that you begin to like after trying it a few times; something that a lot of people do not like when they first experience it but that they often start liking after they have experienced it more times; something you don’t appreciate immediately but that you ‘learn’ to like.

Act Up: usually in regards to children, means to behave badly or cause trouble; in regards to machinery or electronics, to malfunction or to not operate abnormally; in regards to medical conditions and their symptoms, to act up means to become active. Often used in regard to allergies.

Add Insult To Injury: o make a bad situation become worse by saying or doing something; to upset someone once, with some remark or action, and then to do something else which compounds the original insult; to add to the injury of something that occurs by saying or doing something.

After All: despite everything that occurred; despite what happened; regardless of the situation before; nevertheless; ultimately, everything considered; for the reason given.

Agree to Disagree: When two people or parties agree to disagree, they both decide not to argue anymore; for two people to calmly agree that they are not going to reach an agreement or share the same views, and thus they should stop arguing and move on.

All Ears (to be): to be all ears means to be listening closely; to be eager to hear something; to pay close attention when being told something or to be willing to pay close attention.

All of a Sudden: abruptly, without any warning; unexpectedly. All of a sudden is simply a more idiomatic and poetic way to say ‘suddenly.’

All Thumbs: to be physically awkward and clumsy, especially with one’s hands.

An Accident Waiting To Happen: a dangerous situation that is certain to cause an accident or cause something to go wrong.

Ancient History: saying something is ancient history is often an exaggerated way of saying it is in the past; someone or something from the past that is no longer important or that is forgotten; also used in a similar way to the idiom ‘water under the bridge” as a way of saying that a disagreement, argument, etc. is in the past and should be put behind us as there is no way to change it.