English Idioms and Phrases
at any rate
at any rate [1]
(1) whatever happens.
- Well, I’m not going home on foot, at any rate.
(2) something you say to show that you are going to say something more exactly (or more clearly).
- I don’t think they liked my idea. At any rate, they weren’t very enthusiastic about it.
against (all) the odds/against all odds
against (all) the odds/against all odds [1]
If you do or achieve something against (all) the odds/against all odds, you do or achieve it although there were a lot of problems and you were not likely to succeed.
- Against all the odds, he recovered.
all in all
(1) considering all the different parts of the situation together.
- All in all, I think you’ve done very well.
- The cruise wasn’t perfect, but all in all it was pretty good.
- Taken all in all, I believe that Nelson was the greatest ever British naval commander.
- All in all, we’ll probably need around 100 hotel rooms at around $100 a night.
- I think this proposal is, all in all, quite reasonable.
(2) You use all in all to introduce a summary or general statement.
- We both thought that all in all it might not be a bad idea.
- All in all, getting insufficient sleep is bad news.
be bound to
be bound to [1]
to be very likely to do or feel a particular thing.
- Don’t lie to her. She’s bound to find out.
- ‘It’s hot!’ ‘Well, it was bound to be — I just took it out of the oven.’ (it is bound to be (=used to say that something should have been expected))
- When you are dealing with so many patients, mistakes are bound to happen.
better late than never
better late than never [1] [2]
used to say that it is better for someone or something to be late than never to arrive or happen at all.
- “The pictures have finally arrived.’’ “Well, better late than never.’’
- While ongoing self-monitoring is urged, it is always better late than never.
- “Dan finally paid me the money he owed me.” “Well, better late than never.”
blend into/in
blend into/in [1]
(1) If something blends into the background, it is so similar to the background that it is difficult to see or hear it separately.
- The toad had changed its colour to blend in with its new environment.
- …a continuous pale neutral grey, almost blending into the sky.
- You can blend in so that the voice becomes just another instrument in the band.
(2) If someone blends into a particular group or situation, they seem to belong there, because their appearance or behaviour is similar to that of the other people involved.
- It must have reinforced my determination to blend into my surroundings.
- She felt she would blend in nicely.
- He blended in with the crowd at the art sale.
cross the line
to start to behave in a way that is not socially acceptable; to go beyond what is proper or acceptable.
- This time, you’ve really crossed the line.
- Her criticism crossed the line from helpful to just plain hurtful.
- The magazine crossed the line when they printed the nude photos.
déjà vu
déjà vu [1]
the strange feeling that in some way you have already experienced what is happening now.
- (feeling of déjà vu) When I met her, I had a strange feeling of déjà vu.
- (sense of déjà vu) She had a nagging sense of déjà vu.
- Memories seem to float up like fragments of a dream remembered or déjà vu.
dive into
to start doing something suddenly and energetically, often without stopping to think; to start doing (something) with enthusiasm.
- When I start a new project, I like to dive right in and see how it works.
- They dove into their work.
- I’m just not ready to dive (right) into another romantic relationship.
each to his/their own
each to his/their own [1]
used to say that everyone likes different things.
- You actually like modern jazz, do you? Each to their own.
- I try not to judge people who like different things from me - each to their own.
- I’m not personally a fan of model trains, but each to their own.
- He’s obsessed with cars, which I don’t understand at all. But then, each to their own.
- A lot of people enjoy shows like that. Each to his own.
either way
either way [1]
used to say that whether one or the other of usually two possible decisions, actions, or results is chosen the result will be the same.
- I’m not sure if I will take the bus or train, but either way I will be there tonight.
enough is enough
enough is enough [1]
something you say when you want something to stop.
- Enough is enough - I don’t want to argue with you any more.
- Our business has been absorbing the price rises, but enough is enough. We can’t go on like this.
- Nurses have frequently extended their shifts, but now they are saying enough is enough.
- We have lived with quarries causing pollution and dust for years, but enough is enough.
- Okay, Janice. Enough is enough. No more lying.
Excuse/Pardon my French.
Excuse/Pardon my French. [1] [2]
said when you are pretending to be sorry for using a word that may be considered offensive.
- Pardon my French, but that’s a damned shame!
for whatever reason
(skip over)
get … off the ground
If a plan or activity gets off the ground or you get it off the ground, it starts or succeeds; to start to be successful.
- A lot more money will be required to get this project off the ground.
- Her show never really got off the ground in the UK.
get the idea
If someone gets the idea, they understand how to do something or they understand what you are telling them.
- It isn’t too difficult once you get the idea.
- You’re beginning to get the idea.
- “Yes we’re late, but it was raining, then we got a flat tire …” “All right, I get the idea.”
get the wrong end of the stick
get the wrong end of the stick [1] [2]
to not understand a situation correctly.
- Her friend saw us arrive at the party together and got the wrong end of the stick.
get your mind around sth.
get your mind around sth. (also “get your head around sth”; US also “wrap your mind around sth.”) [1]
to succeed in understanding something difficult or strange.
- I find it hard to get my mind around such complex issues.
- I just couldn’t wrap my mind around what had happened.
go further/take something further
go further/take something further; take something a stage/step further; take the matter further [1] [2] [3]
If you go or take something further, you take it to a more advanced stage; to take action at a more serious or higher level, especially in order to get the result you want; If you go or get further with something, or take something further, you make some progress.
- Before we go any further with the project, I think we should make sure that there’s enough money to fund it.
- If you wish to take the matter further, you can file charges against him.
- A lot of eateries now buy some local produce, but this restaurant goes much further by serving seasonal dishes and local produce at every meal.
- They’re demanding legislation that goes further than the administration proposal.
- I’d really enjoyed my work experience and wanted to take it further.
- The police do not propose to take the matter further.
- Critics want the government to take this a stage further and ban the film altogether.
- They lacked the scientific personnel to develop the technical apparatus much further.
in a way & to some extent
in a way [1]
If you say that something is true ‘in a way’, you mean that although it is not completely true, it is true to a limited extent or in certain respects. You use in a way to reduce the force of a statement.
- In a way, I suppose I’m frightened of failing.
- It made things very unpleasant in a way.
to a large extent/to some extent/to a certain extent [2]
You use expressions such as ‘to a large extent’, ‘to some extent’, or ‘to a certain extent’ in order to indicate that something is partly true, but not entirely true.
- It was and, to a large extent, still is a good show.
- To some extent this was the truth.
- This also endangers American interests in other regions, although to a lesser extent.
- To an extent, that is the reason for the meeting.
It takes two to tango.
said when you want to emphasize that both people involved in a difficult situation must accept the blame, or that an activity needs two people who are willing to take part for it to happen.
- She may want to argue, but it takes two to tango and I won’t stoop to her level.
it never hurt to do something
it never hurt to do something (it doesn’t hurt to do something) [1]
it is useful or helpful to do or have something.
- It never hurts to check the flight departure time before you leave for the airport.
- It doesn’t hurt to have money when you want to run for office.
keep a straight face
to manage to stop yourself from smiling or laughing.
- She tried to keep a straight face but, unable to contain herself, burst into laughter.
(keep your) fingers crossed
(keep your) fingers crossed [1] [2]
to hope that things will happen in the way that you want them to.
- Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it doesn’t rain.
know your onions
know your onions [1]
to know a great deal about a particular subject.
- It shows she really knows her onions in the historical field too.
leave/put/set something aside
leave/put/set something aside [1] [2]
If you leave, put, or set something aside, you do not talk about or deal with it at the present time
- Let’s leave that matter aside for now and talk about the more urgent problem facing us.
- Leaving aside the ethics of this type of genetic engineering, we must recognise that it is still only a theoretical possibility.
- Let’s leave aside the question of ticket pricing for now and focus on making the exhibition the best it can be.
- Thankfully, the team was able to put its problems aside to record its first home victory of the season.
- My boss simply set the request aside and waited for someone else to take responsibility.
more of the same
more of the same [1]
another person, thing etc like the one just mentioned.
- He has produced a string of thrillers, and this movie is just more of the same.
move the needle
move the needle [1]
To cause a noticeable change in something. The imagery refers to the pointer (“needle”) on a measuring instrument, which moves to indicate the level that has been reached.
- It seems all my efforts to get in good with the CEO have done little to move the needle in my favor.
- Is any other department working as hard as we are to move the needle on environmental conservation?
- No matter how hard you try at investing you won’t do well if you miss the two or three things that move the needle in your strategy. (From Morgan Housel’s book The Psychology of Money)
not even close
and it’s not even close [1]
Said to highlight a large disparity between someone or something and the other people or things concerned.
- “But we did something which cannot match what happened, not even close.”
not have the stomach for something
not have the stomach for something [1]
to not feel brave or determined enough to do something unpleasant.
- I didn’t have the stomach for another fight.
one and the same
When two or more people or things are thought to be separate and you say that they are ‘one and the same’, you mean that they are in fact one single person or thing.
- I was amazed to discover that Mary’s husband and Jane’s son are one and the same (person).
- Luckily, Nancy’s father and her attorney were one and the same person.
- I’m willing to work for the party because its interests and my interests are one and the same.
out of thin air
(1) used to say that someone or something appears in a sudden and unexpected way.
- He appeared out of thin air.
(2) from nowhere or from nothing.
- I can’t come up with €10,000 out of thin air.
- They built the cell phone industry out of thin air in the mid-1980s.
over the top (O.T.T, OTT)
over the top (O.T.T, OTT) [1] [2]
a bit too much, extremely; too extreme and not suitable, or demanding to much attention or effort, especially in an uncontrolled way.
- way over the top: I thought the decorations were way (=very) over the top.
- The speech was a bit OTT.
- He realized he’d gone over the top with the seating arrangements.
paint/draw a picture (of something)
paint/draw a picture (of something) [1] [2]
to describe or show something in a particular way.
- The statistics do not paint an optimistic picture.
to create an idea or understanding of (something or someone) through words, facts, etc. The author paints a disturbing picture of life in the camp.
- These statistics draw a clear picture of how the population is aging.
rack one’s brains
rack one’s brains [1]
to think very hard.
- I’ve been racking my brains all day but I can’t remember her name.
set (one’s) hair on fire
set (one’s) hair on fire [1]
(1) To fill one with intense or overwhelming passion, often causing them to behave erratically or wildly.
- John and I have very different political leanings, so hearing him rant about these issues always sets my hair on fire.
- I don’t want to settle for a lukewarm, casual fling — I want to be with a man who really sets my hair on fire, someone I connect with deeply and passionately.
(2) By extension, to behave erratically or wildly.
- Sure, I used to party and really set my hair on fire as a teenager. But those days are long gone now that I’m a mom.
- Leiningen, for automating Clojure projects without setting your hair on fire. (From Leiningen)
shift gears
shift gears [1]
to suddenly change what you are doing.
- The first half is a comedy, but then the movie shifts gears.
show your hand
show your hand [1]
to allow people to know about intentions that you had previously kept secret.
- Keep the names of the team secret - don’t show your hand until the day of the game.
so much so
You use ‘so much so’ to indicate that your previous statement is true to a very great extent, and therefore it has the result mentioned; to such a great degree.
- He himself believed in freedom, so much so that he would rather die than live without it.
- It was a great project, so much so that it won first prize.
status quo
The ‘status quo’ is the state of affairs that exists at a particular time, especially in contrast to a different possible state of affairs;
- By 492 votes to 391, the federation voted to maintain the status quo.
- They have no wish for any change in the status quo.
- We must not return to the status quo.
the present situation.
- Certain people always want to maintain the status quo.
stay tuned
stay tuned [1]
a) to continue watching or listening to the same television channel or radio station; b) used to say that you should look or listen for more information about a particular subject at a later time.
- The project is still under discussion, so stay tuned.
take a rain check (on something).
take a rain check (on something) [1] [2]
used to say that you will do something in the future but not now; used to tell someone that you cannot accept an invitation now, but would like to do so at a later time.
- I’m sorry but I’m busy on Saturday - can I take a rain check?
- The warning voice could go take a rain check, she thought.
- Mind if I take a rain check on that drink? I have to work late tonight.
take it or leave it
take it or leave it [1]
If you say to someone ‘ take it or leave it’, you are telling them that they can accept something or not accept it, but that you are not prepared to discuss any other alternatives.
- A 72-hour week, 12 hours a day, six days a week, take it or leave it.
take it with a grain of salt
take something with a grain of salt [1]
to not completely believe something that you are told, because you think it is unlikely to be true.
- You have to take everything she says with a grain of salt, because she tends to exaggerate.
take … as it comes. / take it as it comes.
take … as it comes. / take it as it comes. [1] [2] [3]
to deal with something as it happens, without planning for it; to accept something as it happens, without trying to plan for it or change it.
- Just take each day as it comes and do what you feel is right.
- We just take each year as it comes.
- He takes life as it comes.
Cross that bridge when we come to it.; I’ll/we’ll cross that bridge when I/we come/get to it. [4]
relaxed about it, and deal with the problems when it happens; an expression that means you will not worry about a possible future problem but will deal with it if it happens.
that’s that
that’s that [1]
an expression that shows that something has ended.
- I won’t agree to it and that’s that (= I won’t discuss it any longer).
that said/having said that/that being said/that said
that said [1]; having said that [2];that being said/that said [3] [4]
despite what one just said.
- Much of the book was very dull. That said, I have to admit that the ending was extremely clever.
- He forgets most things, but having said that, he always remembers my birthday.
there’s always a bigger fish.
there’s always a bigger fish. [1]
No matter how large or intimidating a person or thing is, there is likely to be an even larger or more intimidating person or thing somewhere.
tie/tied the knot
means “I’m married.”; to get married.
- So when are you two going to tie the knot?
tighten your belt
to spend less money than you did before because you have less money; If you have to tighten your belt, you have to spend less money and manage without things because you have less money than you used to have.
- I’ve had to tighten my belt since I stopped working full-time.
- Clearly, if you are spending more than your income, you’ll need to tighten your belt.
time and (time) again
time and (time) again [1]
repeatedly; often.
- Time and time again I warned her to stop smoking.
- I’ve told time and time again, not to ring me at the office!
to add insult to injury vs. the icing on the cake
to add insult to injury [1] [2]
You say ‘to add insult to injury’ when mentioning an action or fact that makes an unfair or unacceptable situation even worse.
- They told me I was too old for the job, and then to add insult to injury, they refused to pay my expenses!
If you describe something as the icing on the cake, you mean that it makes a good thing even better, but it is not essential; an extra good thing that happens and makes a situation or activity even better. In American English, you can also talk about the frosting on the cake.
- The third goal was the icing on the cake.
- I was just content to see my daughter in such a stable relationship but a grandchild, that really was the icing on the cake.
- I love my job and getting public recognition is merely the icing on the cake.
to date
To date means up until the present time. (Synonyms: up to now, yet, so far, until now, thus far, up to this point, up to the present)
- ‘Dottie’ is by far his best novel to date.
- To date we have spent eight thousand pounds between us.
turn to dust
turn to dust [1]
to become worth nothing.
- Every promise they have made has turned to dust.
vice versa
vice versa [1]
used to say that what you have just said is also true in the opposite order.
- He doesn’t trust her, and vice versa (= she also doesn’t trust him).
wait for the other shoe to drop
wait for the other shoe to drop [1]
To wait for the next, seemingly unavoidable (and typically negative) thing to happen.
- Mom said that Dad would punish us when he got home from work, so now we’re just waiting for the other shoe to drop.
(your) mileage may vary (YMLV)
(your) mileage may vary (YMLV) [1] [2]
used for saying that someone might have a different experience in a particular situation.
- I actually love working from home, but your mileage may vary.
- I know mileage may vary but I did feel very tired and achy after my second shot.
YMMV, written abbreviation for your mileage may vary, used, for example on social media and in text messages and emails, to mean that you understand people may have a different opinion or experience to yours.
- Their first album is better, but of course YMMV.
- Remember, as they say, ymmv, and this is just what I personally happen to like.
You shouldn’t have.
You shouldn’t have. [1]
said when thanking someone who has unexpectedly done something generous, such as given you a present, to mean that they did not need to do it for you.
- Flowers! You shouldn’t have!