Idioms
An idiom is a commonly used expression whose meaning does not relate to the literal meaning of its words.
On Tenterhooks
In a state of suspense or agitation (nervous excitement) because of uncertainty about a future event.
Usage
He is on tenterhooks waiting for his manager’s decision.
Working spouses of immigrants remain on tenterhooks.
Know the ropes
Have experience of the appropriate procedures.
Usage
Work slowly and cautiously until you have learned the ropes.
Piece of cake
Something easily achieved.
Usage
The exam was a piece of cake.
Training him would be a piece of cake.
It takes two to tango
A situation or argument involves two people and they are both therefore responsible for it.
Usage
This is a situation where it takes more than two to tango.
She may want to argue, but it takes two to tango and I won’t stoop to her level.
At loggerheads
In violent dispute or disagreement or quarreling or clashing.
Usage
He was at loggerheads with other members of the committee.
People are at loggerheads with the government over the land allocation.
On the line
In a state of jeopardy or uncertainty or there is a risk.
Usage
Their relationship is on the line now.
I’m afraid that my scholarship is on the line now.
My job is be on the line.
Water under the bridge (Water over the dam)
Problems that someone had in the past and no longer to be regarded as important.
Usage
I don’t want to talk about that it’s all water under the bridge now.
That argument we had is just water under the bridge now and we don’t even worry about it.
Drop a dime
- Originally it meant to make a phone call to the police to report a crime.
- To snitch inform on someone to a person of higher authority.
Usage
Tommy always ready to drop a dime on any of the other students he thinks are misbehaving.
With WhatsApp anybody can drop a dime these days.
Behind someone’s back
Without a person’s knowledge and in an unfair way.
Usage
Carla made fun of him behind his back.
She sold the car behind his back.
Get wind of
1. Get to know or become aware of, usually accidentally.
Usage
- I got wind that she has two grown-up children.
If Mom gets wind of this prank we’re planning, we’ll be grounded for the rest of the summer.
2. Begin to suspect that something is happening; Hear a rumor of.
Usage
The police got wind of the illegal drug deal.
John caught wind of the gossip being spread about him.
What you up to?
- What you’re plotting against somebody. Are you going to cause trouble?
- What do you intend/willing to do?; Casually, it’s the same as “What’s up”?
Piece of the puzzle
A piece of information that helps you to understand part of a difficult question or mystery.
Usage
Researchers are yet to find the final pieces of the puzzle.
Under the weather (Informal)
Slightly unwell or in low spirits
Usage
He’s been under the weather since he’s been on his own.
At the drop of a hat (Informal)
If we say that we are ready to do something at the drop of a hat, it mean that we are willing to do it immediately, without hesitating.
Usage
We are ready to go at the drop of a hat.
John was always ready to go fishing at the drop of a hat.
Give the benefit of the doubt
Lean toward a favorable view of someone until the full information about the subject is available.
Usage
Let’s give her the benefit of the doubt and assume that she’s right.
I’ll give John the benefit of the doubt that he simply forgot paying me back.
I’ll give you the benefit of the doubt since i have no idea what happened.
Your guess is as good as mine (Spoken)
Used to tell someone that we do not know any more than they do about something; no idea.
Usage
How far do you think this place is? Your guess is as good as mine.
Back-of-the-envelope calculation
A back-of-the-envelope calculation is a rough calculation, typically jotted down on any available scrap of paper such as an envelope — It’s more than a guess but less than an accurate calculation.
A similar phrase in the U.S. is “back of a napkin” and “back of a fag packet” in British English.
Usage
We’re leaving a lot of factors out of the back-of-the-envelope calculation.
Watch your back
To be careful of the people around you because other may try to harm you.
Usage
You can always rely on your parents to watch your back.
A glutton for punishment
Someone who is willing to do something in spite of harmful or unpleasant results.
Usage
I should have quit this job long ago, but I guess I’m just a glutton for punishment.
Even a glutton for punishment has to draw the line somewhere.
Step up to the plate
Take action when something needs to be done, even it’s difficult to do that.
Usage
United States President Donald Trump called on Apple to “step up to the plate” and “help our great country” by unlocking the iPhones used by Florida shooter.
If you want this promotion, you’re going to have to step up to the plate and improve your work performance.
Give me the time of day
To acknowledge somebody; to give somebody any respect or attention.
Usage
You don’t give me the time of day.
I wouldn’t give him the time of day if I could help it.
Sweep under the rug
To conceal or hide something in the hopes it won’t be discovered by others.
Usage
You need to stop sweeping your problems under the rug.
The senator has been accused of trying to sweep his former drug use under the rug.
Ducks in a row
To be well organized and well prepared for something that is going to happen.
Usage
We need to get our ducks in a row to ensure that there are no problems at home while we’re gone on our trip.
You can’t hope to go into a company and sell something until you get your ducks in a row.
Throw under the bus
To blame somebody or something for self-benefits or selfish reasons. Physically throwing a person under a big, smelly city bus is the perfect metaphor for the act of positioning someone to be ground up under the wheels of the ever rolling omnibus of society in your stead. The bus carries people. The people’s weight is what crushes the victim.
Usage
I am sure that my boss will throw me under the bus for the failed project.
John only wants the admiration and when things go wrong, he always find for someone to throw under the bus.
I think that I am always the one that people throw under the bus first.
Long story short
An expression indicating that one is skipping extraneous or unnecessary details and getting to the point.
Usage
Long story short: she sold the painting.
We started going out and, to make a long story short, we ended up getting serious about one another.
A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush
It’s better to hold onto something we have rather than take the risk of getting something better which may come to nothing.
Usage
You may not like your job, but don’t quit merely on the hope of finding a better one. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
Do not put your life’s savings into risky investments in the hope of higher returns. You may lose everything. Don’t you know, a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush.
