Phrases Beginning With O

Phrases Beginning With O

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 O

Phrases Beginning With O with Meaning and Example

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

On a roll

Meaning: Experiencing a period of success or good luck.
Example: After winning three games in a row, the team was really on a roll.

On a shoestring

Meaning: With a very small amount of money.
Example: They started their business on a shoestring budget.

On a silver platter

Meaning: Provided with ease or without effort.
Example: He expected success to be handed to him on a silver platter.

On cloud nine

Meaning: Extremely happy or elated.
Example: She was on cloud nine after hearing about her promotion.

On pins and needles

Meaning: Anxiously waiting for something to happen.
Example: We were on pins and needles waiting for the test results.

On the ball

Meaning: Alert and competent.
Example: She is really on the ball when it comes to managing the office.

On the back burner

Meaning: Given lower priority.
Example: They put the project on the back burner until they had more funds.

On the bandwagon

Meaning: Joining others in doing something fashionable or likely to succeed.
Example: Many people are jumping on the bandwagon to support the new policy.

On the dot

Meaning: Exactly on time.
Example: The meeting starts at 10 a.m. on the dot.

On the fence

Meaning: Undecided about something.
Example: He is still on the fence about whether to accept the job offer.

On the fly

Meaning: While in progress or without preparation.
Example: She made the decision on the fly during the meeting.

On the house

Meaning: Free of charge.
Example: The drinks were on the house as an apology for the delay.

On the level

Meaning: Honest or fair.
Example: I can assure you that the deal is on the level.

On the nose

Meaning: Precisely, exactly.
Example: The movie ended at 9 p.m. on the nose.

On the rocks

Meaning: In a state of difficulty or near failure.
Example: Their marriage is on the rocks after the recent arguments.

On the same page

Meaning: In agreement or thinking in a similar way.
Example: It’s important that we are all on the same page before we proceed.

On the spot

Meaning: Immediately, without delay.
Example: He was hired on the spot after his impressive interview.

On the tip of my tongue

Meaning: About to be remembered or almost recalled.
Example: Her name is on the tip of my tongue, but I can’t remember it.

On thin ice

Meaning: In a precarious or risky situation.
Example: You’re on thin ice with your boss after missing the deadline.

Once in a blue moon

Meaning: Very rarely.
Example: We only see each other once in a blue moon since she moved away.

One foot in the grave

Meaning: Close to death.
Example: He looks like he has one foot in the grave after the illness.

One for the road

Meaning: One last drink before leaving.
Example: Let’s have one for the road before we head home.

One-hit wonder

Meaning: Someone who achieves success with one popular piece and then nothing.
Example: That band was a one-hit wonder from the 90s.

Open and shut case

Meaning: A straightforward, easily solved problem or case.
Example: The theft was an open and shut case, with clear evidence against the suspect.

Out of the blue

Meaning: Without warning; unexpectedly.
Example: He called me out of the blue after ten years.

Out of the woods

Meaning: Out of danger or difficulty.
Example: She was very sick, but now she’s out of the woods.

Out of this world

Meaning: Extraordinary, amazing.
Example: The food at that restaurant is out of this world.

Out of sight, out of mind

Meaning: Forgotten or ignored when out of view.
Example: We haven’t seen her in weeks, and it seems she’s out of sight, out of mind.

Over the moon

Meaning: Extremely happy or pleased.
Example: She was over the moon when she heard the news.

Over the top

Meaning: Excessive, exaggerated.
Example: His reaction to the joke was way over the top.

Off base

Meaning: Incorrect or mistaken.
Example: Your assumptions about her motives are completely off base.

On cloud nine

Meaning: Extremely happy.
Example: He was on cloud nine after winning the lottery.

On the ropes

Meaning: In a weak or vulnerable position.
Example: The company has been on the ropes since the scandal.

On the same page

Meaning: In agreement.
Example: We need to be on the same page before we present our plan.

One fell swoop

Meaning: All at once.
Example: The team solved all the problems in one fell swoop.

Open a can of worms

Meaning: To create a situation that will cause trouble or be unpleasant.
Example: Mentioning his past mistakes opened a can of worms.

Out of left field

Meaning: Unexpected or surprising.
Example: Her comment came out of left field during the meeting.

Okey-dokey

Meaning: Okay, all right.
Example: “Can you finish this by tomorrow?” “Okey-dokey!”

On the ball

Meaning: Alert, competent.
Example: She is really on the ball with her job duties.

On the button

Meaning: Exactly right or accurate.
Example: His prediction was right on the button.

Once in a blue moon

Meaning: Very rarely.
Example: We go out for dinner once in a blue moon.

Over the moon

Meaning: Extremely happy.
Example: She was over the moon about her new job.

Over the top

Meaning: Excessive, exaggerated.
Example: His reaction to the news was over the top.

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