Idioms Beginning With W

Idioms Beginning With W

The English language is a playground of idioms – those quirky expressions that add color and character to our conversations. Today, we delve into the wonderful world of W-starting idioms, a treasure trove waiting to be explored! Buckle up, language lovers, because we’re about to wake up and smell the coffee (become aware of a situation).

Idioms Beginning With W with Meaning and Example

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

Wages of sin – Consequences of one’s wrong actions.

• Example: The wages of sin is death.

Wait for the other shoe to drop – Wait for something inevitable to happen.

• Example: After hearing the news, we waited for the other shoe to drop.

Wait on hand and foot – To attend to someone’s every need.

• Example: She waits on her elderly mother hand and foot.

Waiting in the wings – Ready to take action or replace someone.

• Example: The new manager was waiting in the wings for his chance.

Wake up and smell the coffee – Realize the truth or reality.

• Example: You need to wake up and smell the coffee about your finances.

Walk a mile in someone else’s shoes – Understand someone’s situation.

• Example: Before judging, try to walk a mile in her shoes.

Walk all over someone – To take advantage of someone.

• Example: Don’t let him walk all over you; stand up for yourself.

Walk away – To leave a situation.

• Example: He decided to walk away from the argument.

Walk in the park – Something easy or pleasant.

• Example: The test was a walk in the park.

Walk on air – To feel extremely happy.

• Example: She was walking on air after the promotion.

Walk the plank – To face punishment or dismissal.

• Example: He felt like he was being forced to walk the plank at work.

Walk the talk – To act according to what one says.

• Example: She really walks the talk when it comes to honesty.

Walk through fire – To endure great difficulty.

• Example: She walked through fire to achieve her dreams.

Walking on eggshells – To be very cautious.

• Example: He feels like he’s always walking on eggshells around her.

Walking on thin ice – To be in a risky situation.

• Example: He’s walking on thin ice by ignoring his boss’s instructions.

Wallflower – A shy or unpopular person.

• Example: She felt like a wallflower at the party.

War of words – A heated exchange of words.

• Example: The debate turned into a war of words.

Warm and fuzzy – Feeling of comfort and affection.

• Example: The story gave me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

Washed-up – No longer successful.

• Example: Many thought the actor was washed-up, but he made a comeback.

Waste not, want not – If you use resources wisely, you’ll have enough.

• Example: She believes in the saying “waste not, want not.”

Watch like a hawk – To watch very closely.

• Example: The teacher watched the students like a hawk during the exam.

Watch your back – Be careful of potential danger.

• Example: You should watch your back in this neighborhood.

Water off a duck’s back – To not affect someone.

• Example: Insults roll off him like water off a duck’s back.

Water under the bridge – Past events that are no longer important.

• Example: Our past arguments are just water under the bridge now.

Watered-down – Made less effective or forceful.

• Example: The new policy is a watered-down version of the original.

Waves of grain – A large amount of grain moving in the wind.

• Example: The fields were full of waves of grain.

Way to go – Good job or well done.

• Example: Way to go on finishing the project!

Weasel out of – To avoid doing something.

• Example: He always weasels out of doing his chores.

Wear and tear – Damage from regular use.

• Example: The car has minimal wear and tear.

Wear your heart on your sleeve – To show your emotions openly.

• Example: He wears his heart on his sleeve, so you always know how he feels.

Weather the storm – To endure a difficult situation.

• Example: They managed to weather the storm of financial difficulties.

Weed out – To remove unwanted elements.

• Example: The company is trying to weed out inefficiency.

Week of Sundays – A very long time.

• Example: I haven’t seen you in a week of Sundays!

Well begun is half done – Starting well ensures a good finish.

• Example: With a strong plan, well begun is half done.

Well-oiled machine – Something that functions smoothly.

• Example: The new system works like a well-oiled machine.

Wet blanket – Someone who spoils the fun.

• Example: Don’t be a wet blanket and join the party.

Wet behind the ears – Inexperienced.

• Example: He’s still wet behind the ears in this industry.

Whistle in the dark – To stay optimistic despite difficulties.

• Example: She was whistling in the dark about the project’s success.

Whistle stop – A brief visit or tour.

• Example: The candidate’s whistle stop tour covered several towns.

White elephant – A burdensome possession.

• Example: The old mansion became a white elephant for the family.

Whole nine yards – Everything possible.

• Example: They went the whole nine yards for their wedding.

Whole shebang – The entire situation.

• Example: He sold his house, car, and the whole shebang.

Wild goose chase – A futile pursuit.

• Example: Looking for that old book was a wild goose chase.

Will-o’-the-wisp – Something elusive.

• Example: His dreams of riches are like a will-o’-the-wisp.

Win by a nose – To win by a very small margin.

• Example: He won the race by a nose.

Win hands down – To win easily.

• Example: She won the competition hands down.

Wing it – To improvise.

• Example: I didn’t prepare a speech, so I had to wing it.

Winner takes all – The winner gets everything.

• Example: In this game, it’s winner takes all.

Winning streak – A series of consecutive successes.

• Example: Their team is on a winning streak this season.

Winter of discontent – A period of unhappiness.

• Example: This economic downturn feels like a winter of discontent.

Wise as an owl – Very wise.

• Example: My grandmother is as wise as an owl.

Wise up – To become aware.

• Example: You need to wise up to his tricks.

Wishy-washy – Indecisive or weak.

• Example: His wishy-washy attitude frustrates everyone.

With a heavy heart – Feeling sad.

• Example: With a heavy heart, he left his hometown.

With flying colors – With great success.

• Example: She passed the exam with flying colors.

With open arms – Warmly and eagerly.

• Example: They welcomed us with open arms.

Without batting an eyelash – Without showing any reaction.

• Example: She lied without batting an eyelash.

Wolf in sheep’s clothing – Someone who hides malicious intent under a friendly exterior.

• Example: Be careful of him; he’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing.

Wooden spoon – The last place in a competition.

• Example: Our team got the wooden spoon this season.

Word of mouth – Information spread by verbal communication.

• Example: The restaurant became popular through word of mouth.

Work like a charm – To be very effective.

• Example: The new software works like a charm.

Work your fingers to the bone – To work very hard.

• Example: She worked her fingers to the bone to provide for her family.

World at your feet – To have many opportunities.

• Example: With her talent, she has the world at her feet.

World’s your oyster – To have many opportunities.

• Example: Now that you’ve graduated, the world’s your oyster.

Worn to a frazzle – Extremely tired.

• Example: By the end of the day, I was worn to a frazzle.

Worth its weight in gold – Very valuable.

• Example: Her advice is worth its weight in gold.

Wouldn’t hurt a fly – Very gentle and harmless.

• Example: He’s so kind, he wouldn’t hurt a fly.

Wrap your head around – To understand something complex.

• Example: It’s hard to wrap your head around these new regulations.

Writing on the wall – Clear indication of something (usually bad) coming.

• Example: The company’s financial problems were the writing on the wall.

Written in stone – Permanent and unchangeable.

• Example: These rules are not written in stone; they can be changed.

Wrong end of the stick – Misunderstanding something.

• Example: I think you’ve got the wrong end of the stick about the meeting.

Wrong side of the bed – In a bad mood.

• Example: He seems to have gotten up on the wrong side of the bed today.

Waiting in the wings – Ready to take action or replace someone.

• Example: The understudy was waiting in the wings.

Waka-jumping – Changing allegiances or political parties for personal gain.

• Example: He was accused of waka-jumping to get a better position.

Wake up and smell the coffee – Realize the truth or reality.

• Example: You need to wake up and smell the coffee about your health.

Wake up on the wrong side of the bed – To start the day in a bad mood.

• Example: He must have woken up on the wrong side of the bed.

Walk on eggshells – To be very cautious.

• Example: We have to walk on eggshells around the boss today.

Walk the plank – To face punishment or dismissal.

• Example: If you keep messing up, you’ll have to walk the plank.

Wandering eye – A tendency to look at or be interested in others romantically.

• Example: Her boyfriend has a wandering eye.

Wash your hands of (something) – To stop being involved or responsible.

• Example: He washed his hands of the project after the disagreement.

Water under the bridge – Past events that are no longer important.

• Example: All the arguments are just water under the bridge now.

Watering hole – A bar or pub.

• Example: We met at our favorite watering hole after work.

Weekend warrior – Someone who engages in activities only on weekends.

• Example: He’s a weekend warrior when it comes to hiking.

We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it – Deal with a problem if and when it arises.

• Example: If we have any issues, we’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.

Welsh (Welch) on a deal – To fail to honor an agreement.

• Example: He welshed on the deal at the last minute.

Wet behind the ears – Inexperienced.

• Example: The new intern is still wet behind the ears.

Wet blanket – Someone who spoils the fun.

• Example: Don’t be a wet blanket; join the fun!

Wet your whistle – To have a drink, especially alcohol.

• Example: Let’s wet our whistle at the pub.

What do you make of (him)? – What is your opinion about (him)?

• Example: What do you make of the new manager?

What goes around comes around – Karma; you reap what you sow.

• Example: He’ll regret his actions; what goes around comes around.

What’s good for the goose is good for the gander – What is acceptable for one person should be acceptable for another.

• Example: If she can stay out late, then he should be able to too. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

When hell freezes over – Never.

• Example: I’ll apologize when hell freezes over.

When in doubt, leave it out – If unsure, it’s better to exclude it.

• Example: When in doubt, leave it out, especially in a legal document.

When in Rome, do as the Romans do – Adapt to the customs of the places you visit.

• Example: When in Rome, do as the Romans do; try the local food.

When it rains, it pours – When something bad happens, it often happens in large amounts.

• Example: First the car broke down, now the roof is leaking. When it rains, it pours.

When pigs fly – Never.

• Example: He’ll clean his room when pigs fly.

When the chips are down – When a situation is critical.

• Example: When the chips are down, she always delivers.

Where (when) the rubber meets the road – Where the real action or test happens.

• Example: This is where the rubber meets the road; let’s see if it works.

Where there’s a will, there’s a way – If you are determined, you can find a way to achieve it.

• Example: She proved that where there’s a will, there’s a way.

Where there’s smoke, there’s fire – If there are signs of a problem, there likely is one.

• Example: People are talking about the scandal; where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Whisper sweet nothings (in someone’s ear) – To murmur words of affection.

• Example: He whispered sweet nothings in her ear during dinner.

Whistle in the dark – To stay optimistic despite difficulties.

• Example: He’s whistling in the dark about the company’s future.

Whistle past the graveyard – To stay cheerful in a dire situation.

• Example: He’s whistling past the graveyard about the financial crisis.

Whistling Dixie – Talking about unrealistic or optimistic plans.

• Example: If you think you can finish in an hour, you’re whistling Dixie.

White elephant – A burdensome possession.

• Example: The old mansion was a white elephant to maintain.

Who’s she, the cat’s mother? – Used to criticize someone for not using a person’s name.

• Example: “She said you were late.” “Who’s she, the cat’s mother?”

Wild goose chase – A futile pursuit.

• Example: Finding that document was a wild goose chase.

Window dressing – Superficial or misleading appearance.

• Example: The report was just window dressing to hide the problems.

Window shop – To browse items in a store without buying.

• Example: They spent the afternoon window shopping downtown.

Witch hunt – A campaign against a particular group of people.

• Example: The investigation felt like a witch hunt against dissenters.

With bells on – Eagerly and with enthusiasm.

• Example: I’ll be there with bells on!

Work one’s fingers to the bone – To work very hard.

• Example: He worked his fingers to the bone to support his family.

Worn to a frazzle – Extremely tired.

• Example: By the end of the trip, we were worn to a frazzle.

Wouldn’t be caught dead – Would never do something.

• Example: He wouldn’t be caught dead wearing that outfit.

Writing (handwriting) on the wall – Clear indication of something (usually bad) coming.

• Example: The declining sales were the writing on the wall for the company’s closure.

List of Idioms Beginning With W

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