Phrases Beginning With U

Phrases Beginning With U

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 U

Phrases Beginning With U with Meaning and Example

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

Ugly Duckling
Meaning: Someone or something that is initially unattractive or unpromising but later becomes beautiful or successful.
Example: She was the ugly duckling in high school but has since blossomed into a successful and confident woman.

Under the Weather
Meaning: Feeling ill or unwell.
Example: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I think I’ll stay home and rest.

Under One’s Breath
Meaning: Speaking in a low, whispering voice that is difficult to hear.
Example: He muttered something under his breath as he walked away, clearly upset.

Under the Gun
Meaning: Under pressure or in a stressful situation.
Example: I’m really under the gun to finish this project by the deadline.

Up in Arms
Meaning: Very angry or upset.
Example: The community is up in arms over the proposed school closures.

Up to Scratch
Meaning: Meeting the required standard.
Example: Her work wasn’t up to scratch, so she had to redo the entire project.

Upset the Apple Cart
Meaning: To disrupt plans or cause trouble.
Example: I hope this new development doesn’t upset the apple cart and ruin our schedule.

Up in the Air
Meaning: Uncertain or undecided.
Example: Our vacation plans are still up in the air because we haven’t booked our flights yet.

Under the Radar
Meaning: Not attracting attention; unnoticed.
Example: The startup operated under the radar until it was ready to launch its product.

Use Your Loaf
Meaning: To think or use your brain.
Example: Come on, use your loaf! You know the answer to this question.

Under the Table
Meaning: Done secretly and usually illegally.
Example: They were paying their employees under the table to avoid taxes.

Under Lock and Key
Meaning: Securely locked up.
Example: The important documents are kept under lock and key.

Up the Ante
Meaning: To increase the level of risk or commitment.
Example: The company decided to up the ante by investing more money in the project.

Up to No Good
Meaning: Engaging in mischievous or harmful activities.
Example: Those kids look like they’re up to no good, hanging around the alley.

Uncharted Territory
Meaning: An area or situation that is unfamiliar or new.
Example: The team is exploring uncharted territory with this new technology.

Upper Hand
Meaning: Having an advantage or control.
Example: He always seems to have the upper hand in negotiations.

Up to Speed
Meaning: Fully informed or up to date.
Example: Before the meeting, make sure you’re up to speed on the latest developments.

Under Wraps
Meaning: Secret or concealed.
Example: The details of the new product are being kept under wraps until the official launch.

Up and About
Meaning: Active and moving around after being ill or inactive.
Example: After a week of being sick, she’s finally up and about again.

Under One’s Nose
Meaning: Right in front of someone; clearly visible.
Example: The keys were under my nose the whole time, but I didn’t see them.

Ups and Downs
Meaning: Periods of good and bad times.
Example: Every relationship has its ups and downs.

Up the Creek
Meaning: In trouble or in a difficult situation.
Example: Without his help, we’d be up the creek without a paddle.

Under the Influence
Meaning: Affected by alcohol or drugs.
Example: He was arrested for driving under the influence.

Under the Sun
Meaning: Everything possible or imaginable.
Example: They’ve tried everything under the sun to solve the problem.

Up a Notch
Meaning: To increase the intensity or quality.
Example: Let’s take our efforts up a notch to ensure we win this contract.

Under Fire
Meaning: Being criticized or attacked.
Example: The politician is under fire for his controversial comments.

Up a Tree
Meaning: In a difficult or challenging situation.
Example: When the computer crashed, we were really up a tree with our project.

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

Under Control
Meaning: Being managed or contained.
Example: The firefighters have the blaze under control.

Up Against the Wall
Meaning: In a difficult or desperate situation.
Example: With the deadline approaching, the team is really up against the wall.

Uncalled For
Meaning: Unnecessary or inappropriate.
Example: His rude comments were completely uncalled for.

Up and Running
Meaning: Operating or functioning.
Example: The new system is up and running smoothly.

Under the Knife
Meaning: Undergoing surgery.
Example: She’ll be under the knife for a few hours during her operation.

Up to Par
Meaning: Meeting the required standard.
Example: His performance wasn’t up to par with the rest of the team.

Up for It
Meaning: Ready and willing to participate.
Example: We’re going hiking this weekend. Are you up for it?

Under Construction
Meaning: In the process of being built or developed.
Example: The new shopping mall is currently under construction.

Up in Flames
Meaning: Completely destroyed by fire.
Example: The old warehouse went up in flames last night.

Under Pressure
Meaning: Feeling stressed or overwhelmed.
Example: She’s under a lot of pressure to meet the sales targets.

Up to the Challenge
Meaning: Ready and able to handle a difficult task.
Example: I know this project is tough, but I’m up to the challenge.

Under the Impression
Meaning: Believing something to be true.
Example: I was under the impression that the meeting was tomorrow.

Up the Wall
Meaning: Very annoyed or frustrated.
Example: The constant noise from the construction is driving me up the wall.

Under Siege
Meaning: Being attacked or criticized from all sides.
Example: The castle was under siege for several months.

Up the Spout
Meaning: Ruined or wasted.
Example: All our hard work will be up the spout if the deal falls through.

Up to Snuff
Meaning: Meeting the required standard.
Example: Her work is not quite up to snuff this week.

Under a Cloud
Meaning: Under suspicion or in disgrace.
Example: The CEO left the company under a cloud after the scandal.

Up and Coming
Meaning: Likely to become successful or prominent.
Example: He’s an up-and-coming artist in the local scene.

Under the Hood
Meaning: The underlying mechanics or features.
Example: This car looks great, but let’s see what’s under the hood.

Up in Smoke
Meaning: Disappearing or being wasted.
Example: All our plans went up in smoke when the funding was cut.

Under No Circumstances
Meaning: Not for any reason.
Example: Under no circumstances should you leave the door unlocked.

Under One’s Belt
Meaning: Achieved or experienced.
Example: With several successful projects under his belt, he’s ready for the next challenge.

Up To Date
Meaning: Current or modern.
Example: The information on the website is up to date.

Under The Weather
Meaning: Feeling ill or unwell.
Example: I’m feeling a bit under the weather today, so I think I’ll stay home and rest.

Under Your Nose
Meaning: Right in front of someone; clearly visible.
Example: The keys were under my nose the whole time, but I didn’t see them.

Up In Arms

Meaning: To be very angry or ready to fight about something.
Example: The community was up in arms over the proposed construction of the factory near the park.

Up In The Air

Meaning: Something that is undecided or uncertain.
Example: Our vacation plans are still up in the air because we haven’t decided on the destination yet.

Up To Date

Meaning: Current, modern, or having the latest information or technology.
Example: Make sure your software is up to date to avoid security vulnerabilities.

Under One’s Belt

Meaning: Something that someone has accomplished or experienced.
Example: With several successful projects under her belt, she was promoted to manager.

Up To Snuff

Meaning: Meeting the required standard or expectation.
Example: His performance wasn’t up to snuff in the last presentation, so he practiced more for the next one.

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