Idioms Beginning With C

Idioms Beginning With C

English idioms, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because idioms don’t always make sense literally, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare English idioms to the idioms in your own language.

List of Idioms Beginning With C

Idioms Beginning With C with Meaning and Example

Here’s a list of “Idioms Beginning With C” in English:

Call it a day

• Meaning: To decide to stop working or trying; to end something.
• Example: “We’ve been working for hours, let’s call it a day and continue tomorrow.”

Calm before the storm

• Meaning: A peaceful period before a period of difficulty or trouble.
• Example: “The tension in the meeting room felt like the calm before the storm.”

Catch-22

• Meaning: A situation where a desired outcome is impossible to achieve because of a set of inherently illogical rules or conditions.
• Example: “I can’t get a job without experience, but I can’t gain experience without a job—it’s a real Catch-22.”

Caught between a rock and a hard place

• Meaning: To be in a difficult situation where one has to choose between two equally undesirable options.
• Example: “She was caught between a rock and a hard place, having to decide whether to stay in a job she hated or risk unemployment.”

Costs an arm and a leg

• Meaning: Something is very expensive.
• Example: “Buying a new car these days can cost an arm and a leg.”

Cut corners

• Meaning: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way possible, often sacrificing quality.
• Example: “They cut corners on construction, and now the building is falling apart.”

Cut the mustard

• Meaning: To succeed; to meet expectations.
• Example: “Her performance in the audition really cut the mustard with the judges.”

Cut to the chase

• Meaning: To get to the main point without wasting time.
• Example: “Let’s cut to the chase—do you want to go to the concert with me or not?”

Chew the fat

• Meaning: To chat in a relaxed and leisurely manner.
• Example: “We spent the evening chewing the fat over old times.”

Close but no cigar

• Meaning: Coming very close to achieving success, but falling short.
• Example: “He finished second in the race, so close but no cigar.”

Cold turkey

• Meaning: To suddenly stop doing something harmful or addictive.
• Example: “He quit smoking cold turkey and hasn’t touched a cigarette since.”

Come hell or high water

• Meaning: Determined to overcome obstacles; regardless of the difficulties.
• Example: “She was going to finish the project come hell or high water.”

Curiosity killed the cat

• Meaning: Being too curious or inquisitive can lead to trouble.
• Example: “I know you’re curious, but remember, curiosity killed the cat.”

Cut a long story short

• Meaning: To get to the point quickly and without unnecessary details.
• Example: “To cut a long story short, we decided to go ahead with the plan.”

Cry over spilled milk

• Meaning: To be upset over something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
• Example: “There’s no point crying over spilled milk; we need to focus on fixing the problem now.”

Call a Spade a Spade

• Meaning: To speak plainly and truthfully, even if it’s uncomfortable.
• Example: “She always calls a spade a spade, which sometimes offends people.”

Call It a Day

• Meaning: To decide to stop working or trying.
• Example: “We’ve been working for hours; let’s call it a day and go home.”

Call It a Night

• Meaning: To decide to stop what one is doing for the evening and go to bed.
• Example: “It’s getting late; let’s call it a night and get some rest.”

Call the Shots

• Meaning: To be in charge; to make decisions.
• Example: “As the CEO, she calls the shots around here.”

Call the Tune

• Meaning: To be in control; to be the one who makes decisions or dictates how things will go.
• Example: “In this company, the investors call the tune.”

Can’t See the Forest for the Trees

• Meaning: To be too focused on small details and not understand the larger situation.
• Example: “He’s so obsessed with individual words that he can’t see the forest for the trees.”

Can’t Swing A Dead Cat In

• Meaning: To be in a very tight or confined space.
• Example: “The closet was so small you couldn’t swing a dead cat in it.”

Carrot-and-Stick

• Meaning: A policy of offering a combination of rewards and punishment to induce behavior.
• Example: “The manager uses a carrot-and-stick approach to motivate the team.”

Carry a Torch

• Meaning: To have strong romantic feelings for someone, especially if they are not reciprocated.
• Example: “He’s been carrying a torch for her ever since they met.”

Carry Coals To Newcastle

• Meaning: To do something unnecessary or redundant.
• Example: “Selling umbrellas in London is like carrying coals to Newcastle.”

Carry the Can

• Meaning: To take responsibility or blame for something.
• Example: “When the project failed, the manager had to carry the can.”

Cash In One’s Chips

• Meaning: To die.
• Example: “He lived a full life and then cashed in his chips peacefully.”

Cash-Strapped

• Meaning: To lack enough money to pay one’s bills or debts.
• Example: “The company is cash-strapped and needs to find new investors.”

Cast the First Stone

• Meaning: To be the first to criticize or blame someone.
• Example: “Before you cast the first stone, consider your own mistakes.”

Castle in the Air

• Meaning: A hope or plan that is unlikely to happen.
• Example: “His dream of becoming a rock star was just a castle in the air.”

Cat Fight

• Meaning: A heated argument or fight between women.
• Example: “There was a cat fight between the two actresses over the leading role.”

Cat Got Your Tongue?

• Meaning: Used to ask someone why they are not saying anything.
• Example: “You’ve been quiet; cat got your tongue?”

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

• Meaning: Anxious or jumpy, like a cat on a hot surface.
• Example: “He was pacing back and forth like a cat on a hot tin roof before the interview.”

Cat-and-Mouse

• Meaning: A game where one person or group pursues another, often with deceptive strategies.
• Example: “The detective played a cat-and-mouse game with the suspect.”

Catch One’s Death of Cold

• Meaning: To get very sick from being cold.
• Example: “If you go outside without a coat, you’ll catch your death of cold.”

Catch Some Rays

• Meaning: To expose oneself to sunlight.
• Example: “After months of rain, I finally got a chance to catch some rays at the beach.”

Catch Someone’s Eye

• Meaning: To attract someone’s attention.
• Example: “Her colorful outfit caught everyone’s eye at the party.”

Cat’s Paw

• Meaning: Someone who is used by another to accomplish their own purposes.
• Example: “He felt like a cat’s paw in their political maneuverings.”

Caught Red-Handed

• Meaning: To be caught in the act of doing something wrong or illegal.
• Example: “The thief was caught red-handed stealing from the store.”

Circle the Wagons

• Meaning: To unite in defense against a common enemy or threat.
• Example: “When the company faced criticism, they circled the wagons and defended their actions.”

Claim to Fame

• Meaning: Something that makes someone or something famous or well-known.
• Example: “His claim to fame was winning the Olympic gold medal.”

Clean Up Nicely

• Meaning: To look much better after dressing up or cleaning oneself.
• Example: “He cleaned up nicely for the wedding and looked very handsome.”

Clear the Air

• Meaning: To resolve misunderstandings or disputes.
• Example: “They had a heated argument but finally cleared the air and apologized to each other.”

Clip Someone’s Wings

• Meaning: To restrict someone’s freedom or power.
• Example: “After the scandal, the CEO clipped the wings of the department heads.”

Close, But No Cigar

• Meaning: Almost successful but not quite.
• Example: “He came close to winning the competition, but it was close, but no cigar.”

Cock and Bull Story

• Meaning: A far-fetched or unbelievable story.
• Example: “He gave me a cock and bull story about how he lost his wallet for the fifth time.”

Cock-A-Hoop

• Meaning: To be very pleased or triumphant about something.
• Example: “She was cock-a-hoop about her promotion and celebrated with her friends.”

Cold Day in Hell

• Meaning: Something that will never happen.
• Example: “He said he would apologize when pigs fly—a cold day in hell.”

Come By Something Honestly

• Meaning: To acquire something through honest means.
• Example: “She came by her wealth honestly through hard work and perseverance.”

Come Clean

• Meaning: To admit the truth about something that one has been hiding.
• Example: “After years of lying, he finally came clean about his past.”

Come Hell or High Water

• Meaning: Determined to do something no matter what difficulties arise.
• Example: “She was determined to finish her degree, come hell or high water.”

Come Out in the Wash

• Meaning: To become clear or resolved over time.
• Example: “The truth about the scandal will come out in the wash eventually.”

Come Out of the Closet

• Meaning: To reveal one’s true identity, especially one’s sexual orientation.
• Example: “He came out of the closet and told his family that he was gay.”

Come Out Swinging

• Meaning: To react aggressively or forcefully in a challenging situation.
• Example: “After losing the first round, the boxer came out swinging in the second.”

Come Rain and Shine

• Meaning: No matter what happens; in all circumstances.
• Example: “She promised to be there for him come rain or shine.”

Come to Grips With

• Meaning: To accept or deal with a difficult or challenging situation.
• Example: “After the diagnosis, it took him some time to come to grips with his illness.”

Come to Terms With

• Meaning: To accept and deal with a situation, usually after a period of difficulty or negotiation.
• Example: “She finally came to terms with the fact that they would never be together.”

Coming Down the Pike

• Meaning: Something that is upcoming or expected in the near future.
• Example: “New technologies are coming down the pike that could revolutionize our industry.”

Cook Someone’s Goose

• Meaning: To ruin someone’s plans or chances of success.
• Example: “Her mistake in the presentation cooked her goose with the clients.”

Cook Up a Storm

• Meaning: To cook a large quantity of food energetically or with great skill.
• Example: “She cooked up a storm for the family reunion, preparing all their favorite dishes.”

Cooking Up a Storm

• Meaning: Creating a lot of excitement or commotion.
• Example: “The band was cooking up a storm at the concert, playing their hit songs.”

Cool as A Cucumber

• Meaning: To be calm and composed, especially in stressful situations.
• Example: “Even during the crisis, he remained as cool as a cucumber and made rational decisions.”

Cool Cat

• Meaning: A person who is stylish, calm, and sophisticated.
• Example: “He’s such a cool cat with his smooth demeanor and sharp dressing.”

Cool Your Heels

• Meaning: To wait impatiently or be kept waiting.
• Example: “She had to cool her heels in the waiting room until the doctor was ready to see her.”

Couch Potato

• Meaning: A person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching television.
• Example: “During weekends, he turns into a couch potato, binge-watching his favorite series.”

Crash a Party

• Meaning: To attend a party without an invitation or welcome.
• Example: “They decided to crash the party next door to see what all the noise was about.”

Crickets

• Meaning: Silence or a lack of response, especially in reaction to a joke or statement.
• Example: “After his bad joke, all he heard was crickets from the audience.”

Cross to Bear

• Meaning: A burden or responsibility that one must carry.
• Example: “His addiction was a cross to bear for the entire family.”

Crunch Time

• Meaning: The period when pressure or demands are greatest, especially near a deadline.
• Example: “It’s crunch time for the team as they prepare for the championship match.”

Crunch the Numbers

• Meaning: To perform calculations or analyze data, especially financial.
• Example: “Before making a decision, they need to crunch the numbers and see if it’s feasible.”

Cry Over Spilt

• Meaning: To lament or regret something that has already happened and cannot be changed.
• Example: “There’s no use crying over spilt milk; we need to focus on fixing the problem.”

Cry Wolf

• Meaning: To raise a false alarm or give a false warning.
• Example: “He’s always crying wolf about the deadline, but we know he’ll finish on time.”

Cry Your Eyes Out

• Meaning: To cry intensely or for a long period.
• Example: “After the breakup, she cried her eyes out for days.”

Curiosity Killed The Cat

• Meaning: Being too curious can lead to trouble or danger.
• Example: “I wouldn’t ask too many questions if I were you—remember, curiosity killed the cat.”

Cut (Someone) To the Quick

• Meaning: To deeply hurt someone’s feelings.
• Example: “His harsh criticism cut her to the quick and left her feeling devastated.”

Cut Corners

• Meaning: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way, often sacrificing quality.
• Example: “They cut corners on the construction project, and now the building has structural issues.”

Cut It Fine

• Meaning: To finish something just in time or very close to the deadline.
• Example: “She cut it fine, arriving at the airport just minutes before the flight departed.”

Cut Off Your Nose to Spite Your Face

• Meaning: To take action that harms oneself in order to harm someone else.
• Example: “By quitting her job in anger, she cut off her nose to spite her face because she needed the income.”

Cut Someone Some Slack

• Meaning: To be less critical of someone’s actions or behavior; to give someone a break.
• Example: “He’s going through a tough time, so let’s cut him some slack and not judge him too harshly.”

Cut to the Chase

• Meaning: To get to the main point without wasting time.
• Example: “Stop with the small talk and cut to the chase—tell me why you’re here.”

Cut the Gordian Knot

• Meaning: To solve a complex problem in a direct and effective way, often ignoring the complexities.
• Example: “Instead of debating endlessly, he cut the Gordian knot by proposing a simple solution.”

Cut the Mustard

• Meaning: To perform adequately or satisfactorily; to meet expectations.
• Example: “He’s a new recruit, but he really cuts the mustard in handling customer complaints.”

Cut Your Teeth on Something

• Meaning: To gain initial experience or learn the basics of something.
• Example: “She cut her teeth on journalism by writing for the local newspaper.”

Cutting-Edge

• Meaning: At the forefront of new developments or ideas.
• Example: “Their company is known for producing cutting-edge technology that changes industries.”

Champagne taste on a beer budget

• Meaning: Desiring expensive or luxurious things without having the money to afford them.
• Example: “She loves designer clothes but has a champagne taste on a beer budget.”

Change Horses in Midstream

• Meaning: To change plans or strategies in the middle of a process.
• Example: “The CEO decided to change horses in midstream and pursue a different marketing strategy.”

Change of Heart

• Meaning: To change one’s opinion or feelings about something.
• Example: “At first, he was against the project, but he had a change of heart after seeing its benefits.”

Change One’s Tune

• Meaning: To change one’s opinion, attitude, or behavior, often becoming more cooperative.
• Example: “She was initially opposed to the idea, but after hearing the details, she changed her tune.”

Changing of the Guard

• Meaning: The process of one group replacing another, especially in positions of leadership or authority.
• Example: “With the retirement of the old CEO, the company is preparing for a changing of the guard.”

Chase Rainbows

• Meaning: To pursue unrealistic or impractical goals.
• Example: “I know you want to be a rock star, but don’t spend your whole life chasing rainbows.”

Cheap Shot

• Meaning: An unfair or unkind remark or action, especially when unexpected.
• Example: “Bringing up his past mistakes during the argument was a cheap shot.”

Cherry-Pick

• Meaning: To select only the best or most desirable items, ignoring the rest.
• Example: “They cherry-picked the data to make their case look stronger than it actually is.”

Chew the Fat

• Meaning: To chat or have a casual conversation.
• Example: “We spent hours chewing the fat about our favorite TV shows.”

Chickens Come Home To Roost

• Meaning: Negative consequences resulting from past actions or decisions.
• Example: “His dishonesty finally caught up with him—now the chickens have come home to roost.”

Child’s Play

• Meaning: Something that is very easy to do.
• Example: “Fixing the leak was child’s play for the experienced plumber.”

Chill Out

• Meaning: To relax; to calm down.
• Example: “Take a deep breath and chill out—you’re getting too worked up.”

Chin Music

• Meaning: Idle chatter or meaningless talk.
• Example: “I don’t have time for your chin music; just tell me what you want.”

Chin Up/ Keep Your Chin Up

• Meaning: To stay positive and resilient in difficult circumstances.
• Example: “Things may seem tough now, but keep your chin up—it will get better.”

Chip off the Old Block

• Meaning: A person who resembles one or both of their parents in character or behavior.
• Example: “He’s a chip off the old block—he’s as stubborn as his father.”

Chomp (Champ) at the Bit

• Meaning: To be impatient or eager to do something.
• Example: “The students were chomping at the bit to start their summer vacation.”

Chop Chop

• Meaning: A command to do something quickly; without delay.
• Example: “We need those reports by noon, so chop chop!”

Chop Shop

• Meaning: A place where stolen vehicles are dismantled for parts or altered to hide their origins.
• Example: “The police raided the chop shop and recovered several stolen cars.”

Chuck a Wobbly

• Meaning: To suddenly become angry or lose one’s temper.
• Example: “He chucked a wobbly when he found out his flight was delayed for the third time.”

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