Idioms Beginning With U

Idioms Beginning With U

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 U

Idioms Beginning With U with Meaning and Example

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

Ugly duckling

• Meaning: Someone who starts out plain but becomes beautiful or successful later.
• Example: As a child, she was an ugly duckling, but now she’s a famous model.

Under a cloud

• Meaning: Under suspicion or in trouble.
• Example: After the scandal, he’s been under a cloud at work.

Under a false flag

• Meaning: Deceptively, under pretense.
• Example: The hackers operated under a false flag, pretending to be a legitimate company.

Under a lucky star

• Meaning: Fortunate, blessed.
• Example: She was born under a lucky star, always finding success in her endeavors.

Under the radar

• Meaning: Not attracting attention.
• Example: He’s been working under the radar to avoid unnecessary scrutiny.

Under the table

• Meaning: Secretly, often illegally.
• Example: He paid the workers under the table to avoid taxes.

Under the weather

• Meaning: Not feeling well.
• Example: She’s feeling under the weather today and won’t be coming to work.

Under the wire

• Meaning: At the last possible moment.
• Example: They submitted the project just under the wire.

Under wraps

• Meaning: Kept secret.
• Example: The new product details are being kept under wraps until the launch.

Underdog

• Meaning: Someone not expected to win.
• Example: The underdog team managed to win the championship against all odds.

Unicorn in the garden

• Meaning: A fanciful or unreal situation.
• Example: His dream of winning the lottery is like a unicorn in the garden.

Unpack one’s troubles

• Meaning: To reveal or discuss one’s problems.
• Example: She sat down with a friend to unpack her troubles.

Until the cows come home

• Meaning: For a very long time.
• Example: We could argue about this until the cows come home, but it won’t change my mind.

Up a blind alley

• Meaning: On a path that leads to no useful outcome.
• Example: Their investigation led them up a blind alley.

Up a creek without a paddle

• Meaning: In a difficult situation without a solution.
• Example: Without his keys, he was up a creek without a paddle.

Up and about

• Meaning: Out of bed and active.
• Example: After his surgery, he’s finally up and about.

Up and coming

• Meaning: Likely to become successful.
• Example: She’s an up and coming artist in the music industry.

Up for grabs

• Meaning: Available to anyone who wants it.
• Example: The last slice of pizza is up for grabs.

Up in arms

• Meaning: Angry and protesting.
• Example: The community is up in arms about the proposed tax increase.

Up in the air

• Meaning: Uncertain or unresolved.
• Example: Our vacation plans are still up in the air.

Up the ante

• Meaning: To increase the stakes or demands.
• Example: They decided to up the ante by doubling their offer.

Up the creek

• Meaning: In trouble or in a difficult situation.
• Example: He’s up the creek without his notes for the presentation.

Up the duff

• Meaning: Pregnant.
• Example: She’s up the duff and due in a few months.

Up the spout

• Meaning: Ruined or lost.
• Example: His plans went up the spout when he lost his job.

Up to par

• Meaning: Meeting the expected standard.
• Example: Her performance was up to par with the company’s expectations.

Up to scratch

• Meaning: Meeting the required standard.
• Example: The new employee’s work is up to scratch.

Up to snuff

• Meaning: Meeting the necessary standard.
• Example: Is your health up to snuff for the race tomorrow?

Up to speed

• Meaning: Fully informed or up-to-date.
• Example: I need to get up to speed with the latest developments.

Up to the mark

• Meaning: Up to the required standard.
• Example: His performance was not up to the mark.

Up to the minute

• Meaning: Very current, most recent.
• Example: We need up to the minute updates on the situation.

Upper crust

• Meaning: The highest social class.
• Example: They come from the upper crust of society.

Upset the apple cart

• Meaning: To cause trouble, especially by spoiling someone’s plans.
• Example: By resigning, he upset the apple cart for the whole team.

Upwardly mobile

• Meaning: Moving to a higher social or economic status.
• Example: They are an upwardly mobile couple, always aiming for more.

Use it or lose it

• Meaning: If you don’t use a skill, you will lose it.
• Example: Playing the piano is a skill that’s definitely ‘use it or lose it’.

Use your loaf

• Meaning: Use your brain, think.
• Example: Come on, use your loaf and solve this puzzle.

Uphill battle

• Meaning: A difficult struggle.
• Example: Getting the project approved was an uphill battle.

Uphill task

• Meaning: A difficult job.
• Example: Convincing them to change their minds will be an uphill task.

Usual suspects

• Meaning: The people or things you would expect.
• Example: The usual suspects were at the meeting again.

Utilities included

• Meaning: Rent includes the cost of basic services.
• Example: The apartment is $1,200 a month with utilities included.

Utter a word

• Meaning: To say something.
• Example: She didn’t utter a word during the meeting.

U Turn

• Meaning: A complete change of direction or opinion.
• Example: The company made a U turn on its policy.

Ugly Duckling

• Meaning: Someone who was unattractive as a child but becomes beautiful as an adult.
• Example: She was an ugly duckling in school but now she’s a famous actress.

Under (Below) the Radar

• Meaning: Not detected or noticed.
• Example: His innovative idea slipped under the radar.

Under Someone’s Spell

• Meaning: Under the influence or control of someone.
• Example: She’s completely under his spell and does everything he says.

Under the Impression

• Meaning: Believing something (possibly incorrectly).
• Example: I was under the impression that the meeting was tomorrow.

Under the Table

• Meaning: In secret; not out in the open.
• Example: He paid the workers under the table to avoid taxes.

Under the Weather

• Meaning: Feeling ill.
• Example: I’m feeling under the weather today and might not go to work.

Under Wraps

• Meaning: Kept secret.
• Example: The details of the new project are still under wraps.

University of Life

• Meaning: Life experiences rather than formal education.
• Example: He learned everything from the university of life.

Until the Cows Come Home

• Meaning: For a long time, forever.
• Example: We can argue until the cows come home, but it won’t solve anything.

Until You’re Blue in the Face

• Meaning: Do something for a very long time with no result.
• Example: You can talk until you’re blue in the face, he won’t change his mind.

Up a Creek

• Meaning: In trouble or a difficult situation.
• Example: Without my phone, I’m up a creek without a paddle.

Up for Grabs

• Meaning: Available for anyone who wants it.
• Example: The prize is up for grabs for whoever wins the game.

Up in Arms

• Meaning: Very angry and ready to fight.
• Example: The villagers were up in arms about the new factory.

Up in the Air

• Meaning: Uncertain or undecided.
• Example: Our vacation plans are still up in the air.

Up to One’s Neck

• Meaning: Deeply involved or in trouble.
• Example: He’s up to his neck in debt.

Up to Scratch

• Meaning: Meeting the required standard.
• Example: His work is finally up to scratch.

Up to Snuff

• Meaning: Meeting the required standard.
• Example: Her performance is not up to snuff.

Up the Ante

• Meaning: To increase the stakes or demands.
• Example: They decided to up the ante in the negotiations.

Up the Duff

• Meaning: Pregnant.
• Example: She’s up the duff with their first child.

Upset the Apple Cart

• Meaning: To disrupt plans or create problems.
• Example: His resignation will upset the apple cart at work.

Use One’s Head

• Meaning: To think or use intelligence.
• Example: Use your head and solve this puzzle.

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