Phrases Beginning With C

Phrases Beginning With C

English Phrases, proverbs, and expressions are an important part of everyday English. They come up all the time in both written and spoken English. Because Phrases 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 Phrases is fun, especially when you compare English Phrases to the Phrases in your own language.

List of Phrases Beginning With C

Phrases Beginning With C with Meaning and Example

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

Call it a day

• Meaning: To stop working for the day.
• Example: “We’ve finished the main tasks, so let’s call it a day.”

Call the shots

• Meaning: To be in control or make decisions.
• Example: “As the project manager, she calls the shots.”

Calm before the storm

• Meaning: A quiet period before chaos or trouble.
• Example: “Enjoy this calm before the storm; the holiday rush will start soon.”

Can’t judge a book by its cover

• Meaning: Don’t judge based on appearances.
• Example: “He may look rough, but you can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs

• Meaning: Achieving something important may cause some problems or sacrifices.
• Example: “To finish the renovation on time, we’ll have to work extra hours. You can’t make an omelette without breaking eggs.”

Cash cow

• Meaning: A business or product that generates a lot of money.
• Example: “Their new smartphone has become a real cash cow for the company.”

Caught red-handed

• Meaning: Caught in the act of doing something wrong.
• Example: “He was caught red-handed taking money from the cash register.”

Chalk it up

• Meaning: Attribute something to a particular cause.
• Example: “If we don’t succeed, we’ll chalk it up to experience.”

Change of heart

• Meaning: A change in one’s opinion or feelings.
• Example: “She had a change of heart and decided to join us after all.”

Chew the fat

• Meaning: To chat in a relaxed way.
• Example: “We spent the afternoon chewing the fat about old times.”

Chip off the old block

• Meaning: A person who resembles one of their parents in behavior.
• Example: “He’s a chip off the old block, just like his father.”

Clam up

• Meaning: To become silent suddenly.
• Example: “When asked about the incident, he clammed up.”

Clean slate

• Meaning: Starting fresh with no past mistakes.
• Example: “Let’s forget the past and start with a clean slate.”

Clear as mud

• Meaning: Not clear or easy to understand.
• Example: “His explanation was as clear as mud.”

Cliffhanger

• Meaning: A story or event with a suspenseful ending.
• Example: “The episode ended with a cliffhanger, leaving viewers in suspense.”

Close but no cigar

• Meaning: Almost successful but not quite.
• Example: “He almost won the race but tripped at the last moment – close but no cigar.”

Cold feet

• Meaning: Hesitation or fear about a decision.
• Example: “She got cold feet and decided not to go through with the wedding.”

Cold shoulder

• Meaning: To ignore someone deliberately.
• Example: “After the argument, she gave him the cold shoulder.”

Come clean

• Meaning: To confess or admit the truth.
• Example: “It’s time to come clean about what happened.”

Come rain or shine

• Meaning: No matter what happens.
• Example: “We’ll have the picnic come rain or shine.”

Cook the books

• Meaning: To alter financial records dishonestly.
• Example: “The accountant was fired for cooking the books.”

Cool as a cucumber

• Meaning: Very calm and composed.
• Example: “Despite the pressure, she was cool as a cucumber.”

Couch potato

• Meaning: A person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching TV.
• Example: “Don’t be a couch potato; get up and exercise.”

Crash course

• Meaning: A quick and intensive course of study.
• Example: “She took a crash course in French before her trip to Paris.”

Cry over spilled milk

• Meaning: To lament something that can’t be changed.
• Example: “It’s unfortunate that we lost the deal, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk.”

Cry wolf

• Meaning: To raise a false alarm.
• Example: “If you keep crying wolf, no one will believe you when there’s a real emergency.”

Cut corners

• Meaning: To do something in the easiest or cheapest way.
• Example: “Don’t cut corners on this project; it needs to be done properly.”

Cut the mustard

• Meaning: To meet the required standard.
• Example: “She tried hard, but her performance didn’t cut the mustard.”

Cut to the chase

• Meaning: To get to the point without wasting time.
• Example: “Let’s cut to the chase – what do you need from me?”

Curiosity killed the cat

• Meaning: Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.
• Example: “Stop asking so many questions; remember, curiosity killed the cat.”

Carry the torch

• Meaning: To maintain a cause or continue a tradition.
• Example: “She continues to carry the torch for women’s rights.”

Cast the first stone

• Meaning: To be the first to criticize or accuse someone.
• Example: “Before you cast the first stone, make sure you’re not guilty of similar mistakes.”

Catch-22

• Meaning: A no-win situation due to contradictory rules.
• Example: “It’s a catch-22: you can’t get a job without experience, and you can’t get experience without a job.”

Catch someone’s eye

• Meaning: To attract someone’s attention.
• Example: “The bright colors of the painting caught my eye.”

Caught between a rock and a hard place

• Meaning: Faced with two difficult choices.
• Example: “She was caught between a rock and a hard place, having to choose between her career and her family.”

Chase rainbows

• Meaning: To pursue unrealistic goals.
• Example: “He’s always chasing rainbows, thinking he’ll become a millionaire overnight.”

Chill to the bone

• Meaning: To feel extremely cold.
• Example: “The wind was so cold it chilled me to the bone.”

Chip on one’s shoulder

• Meaning: Being easily angered or resentful about something.
• Example: “He’s had a chip on his shoulder ever since he got passed over for the promotion.”

Clear the air

• Meaning: To resolve misunderstandings or disagreements.
• Example: “We need to clear the air about what happened at the meeting.”

Close shave

• Meaning: A narrow escape from danger.
• Example: “That was a close shave – we almost missed the train.”

Cloud nine

• Meaning: Extremely happy.
• Example: “She’s been on cloud nine since she got engaged.”

Come out of one’s shell

• Meaning: To become more sociable or confident.
• Example: “He used to be shy, but he’s really come out of his shell since joining the club.”

Come to a head

• Meaning: To reach a critical point.
• Example: “The situation came to a head when the workers went on strike.”

Couch it in terms

• Meaning: To express something in a particular way.
• Example: “She couched her criticism in polite terms to avoid offending him.”

Count one’s blessings

• Meaning: To be grateful for what one has.
• Example: “Even though times are tough, we should count our blessings.”

Crack of dawn

• Meaning: Very early in the morning.
• Example: “We need to leave at the crack of dawn to avoid traffic.”

Crack the whip

• Meaning: To use authority to make someone work harder.
• Example: “The manager had to crack the whip to meet the deadline.”

Crocodile tears

• Meaning: Fake or insincere tears.
• Example: “Don’t be fooled by his crocodile tears; he’s not really sorry.”

Cross that bridge when you come to it

• Meaning: Deal with a problem when it arises.
• Example: “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it; there’s no need to worry now.”

Cross one’s fingers

• Meaning: To hope for good luck.
• Example: “Cross your fingers that it doesn’t rain on our picnic.”

Cry over spilled milk

• Meaning: To lament something that cannot be undone.
• Example: “There’s no use crying over spilled milk; let’s focus on fixing the problem.”

Cry wolf

• Meaning: To raise a false alarm.
• Example: “If you keep crying wolf, people won’t believe you when there’s a real emergency.”

Cut and dried

• Meaning: Simple and clear; already decided.
• Example: “The rules are cut and dried; there’s no room for negotiation.”

Cut one’s teeth

• Meaning: To gain initial experience.
• Example: “She cut her teeth in the advertising industry before moving to marketing.”

Cut the mustard

• Meaning: To meet the required standard.
• Example: “I’m not sure if the new intern will cut the mustard.”

Cut to the chase

• Meaning: To get to the point without wasting time.
• Example: “Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the main issue.”

Cry uncle

• Meaning: To admit defeat.
• Example: “After hours of negotiation, he finally cried uncle.”

Curiosity killed the cat

• Meaning: Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.
• Example: “Stop asking so many questions; remember, curiosity killed the cat.”

Cut the apron strings

• Meaning: To become independent from one’s parents.
• Example: “It’s time for him to cut the apron strings and live on his own.”

Crux of the matter

• Meaning: The most important or central aspect of a situation.
• Example: “The crux of the matter is whether we can afford to continue the project.”

Calm before the storm

• Meaning: A period of peace before chaos or trouble begins.
• Example: “The team enjoyed a calm before the storm, knowing the busy season was about to start.”

Check, please!

• Meaning: A request for the bill in a restaurant.
• Example: “After finishing their meal, they signaled the waiter and said, ‘Check, please!'”

Clickbait

• Meaning: Content designed to attract attention and encourage visitors to click on a link.
• Example: “The headline was pure clickbait, promising shocking news that wasn’t in the article.”

Close but no cigar

• Meaning: Almost successful but not quite.
• Example: “She almost won the competition but came in second – close but no cigar.”

Cold turkey

• Meaning: To stop a habit abruptly and completely.
• Example: “He decided to quit smoking cold turkey and hasn’t touched a cigarette since.”

Crocodile tears

• Meaning: Insincere or fake tears.
• Example: “Don’t be fooled by her crocodile tears; she’s not really upset.”

Cry over spilled milk

• Meaning: To lament something that cannot be changed.
• Example: “It’s unfortunate we missed the bus, but there’s no use crying over spilled milk.”

Cry wolf

• Meaning: To raise a false alarm.
• Example: “If you keep crying wolf, no one will believe you when there’s a real emergency.”

Cup of joe

• Meaning: A cup of coffee.
• Example: “I can’t start my day without a cup of joe.”

Curiosity killed the cat

• Meaning: Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.
• Example: “Stop snooping around; curiosity killed the cat.”

Cut the mustard

• Meaning: To meet the required standard.
• Example: “I’m not sure if his performance will cut the mustard.”

Cut to the chase

• Meaning: To get to the point without wasting time.
• Example: “Let’s cut to the chase and discuss the main issue.”

Cat got your tongue

• Meaning: Unable to speak or respond.
• Example: “Why are you so quiet? Cat got your tongue?”

Caught red-handed

• Meaning: Caught in the act of doing something wrong.
• Example: “The thief was caught red-handed stealing the money.”

Change of heart

• Meaning: A change in one’s opinion or feelings.
• Example: “She had a change of heart and decided to join us after all.”

Chip off the old block

• Meaning: A person who resembles one of their parents in behavior or appearance.
• Example: “He’s a real chip off the old block, just like his dad.”

Clean slate

• Meaning: Starting fresh with no past mistakes.
• Example: “Let’s forget the past and start with a clean slate.”

Clean sweep

• Meaning: A complete victory or thorough change.
• Example: “The team made a clean sweep in the tournament, winning every game.”

Cold feet

• Meaning: Hesitation or fear about a decision.
• Example: “She got cold feet and decided not to go through with the wedding.”

Cold shoulder

• Meaning: To ignore someone deliberately.
• Example: “After the argument, she gave him the cold shoulder.”

Come clean

• Meaning: To confess or admit the truth.
• Example: “It’s time to come clean about what happened.”

Cool as a cucumber

• Meaning: Very calm and composed.
• Example: “Despite the pressure, she was cool as a cucumber.”

Couch potato

• Meaning: A person who spends a lot of time sitting and watching TV.
• Example: “Don’t be a couch potato; get up and exercise.”

Cross that bridge when we get there

• Meaning: Deal with a problem when it arises.
• Example: “We’ll cross that bridge when we get there; there’s no need to worry now.”

Curveball

• Meaning: An unexpected problem or challenge.
• Example: “The sudden change in plans really threw us a curveball.”

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