Phrases Beginning With Y

Phrases Beginning With Y

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 Y

Phrases Beginning With Y with Meaning and Example

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

Yank someone’s chain

• Meaning: To tease or fool someone.
• Example: “I thought he was serious about moving to Alaska, but he was just yanking my chain.”

Year in, year out

• Meaning: Continuously over a long period.
• Example: “She has been coming to this cafe, year in, year out, for the past decade.”

Yellow-bellied

• Meaning: Cowardly or easily frightened.
• Example: “Don’t be so yellow-bellied; it’s just a harmless spider.”

Yours truly

• Meaning: A polite way to refer to oneself.
• Example: “If you need any help, just ask yours truly.”

You bet

• Meaning: Absolutely; certainly.
• Example: “Are you coming to the party tonight? You bet!”

Young at heart

• Meaning: Having a youthful outlook regardless of age.
• Example: “Even in her eighties, she remains young at heart.”

You can say that again

• Meaning: I completely agree with you.
• Example: “It’s hot outside! You can say that again.”

You reap what you sow

• Meaning: You experience the consequences of your actions.
• Example: “If you work hard, you’ll succeed. You reap what you sow.”

Yada, yada, yada

• Meaning: And so on; etcetera (often used to skip over boring details).
• Example: “He told me about his day: meetings, emails, yada, yada, yada.”

You snooze, you lose

• Meaning: If you are not alert and quick, you will miss opportunities.
• Example: “I wanted to buy that dress, but it’s already sold out. You snooze, you lose.”

You can’t judge a book by its cover

• Meaning: You can’t determine the value or character of something based solely on its appearance.
• Example: “He looks rough, but he’s actually very kind. You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

Yield the floor

• Meaning: To give someone else the opportunity to speak.
• Example: “After finishing his report, he yielded the floor to his colleague.”

You’re telling me

• Meaning: I already know; I completely agree.
• Example: “It’s been a tough year for everyone. You’re telling me!”

You made your bed, now lie in it

• Meaning: You must accept the consequences of your actions.
• Example: “He decided to quit his job, and now he regrets it. Well, you made your bed, now lie in it.”

You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink

• Meaning: You can offer someone an opportunity, but you can’t force them to take it.
• Example: “I gave her all the advice I could, but she still made the wrong decision. You can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make it drink.”

Yada Yada

• Meaning: And so on; etcetera (often used to skip over boring or repetitive details).
• Example: “She went on about her vacation plans—packing, flights, yada yada.”

You Can’t Have Your Cake And Eat It Too

• Meaning: You can’t enjoy the benefits of two mutually exclusive choices; you have to make a trade-off.
• Example: “He wants to save money but also buy a new car. You can’t have your cake and eat it too.”

You Can’t Judge a Book By Its Cover

• Meaning: You can’t determine the value or character of something based solely on its appearance.
• Example: “She looks very strict, but she’s actually very kind. You can’t judge a book by its cover.”

You Can’t Teach an Old Dog New Tricks

• Meaning: It’s difficult to make someone change their habits or learn something new, especially if they are old.
• Example: “My grandfather refuses to use a smartphone. You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.”

Yellow-belly

• Meaning: Cowardly or easily frightened.
• Example: “Don’t be such a yellow-belly, it’s just a small spider.”

You Are On Fire

• Meaning: You are doing something extremely well.
• Example: “Wow, three goals in one game! You are on fire!”

You Are On The Ball

• Meaning: You are alert, competent, and quick to respond.
• Example: “Thanks for catching that mistake. You are really on the ball today.”

You Are Pulling My Leg

• Meaning: You are joking or teasing me.
• Example: “You won the lottery? You must be pulling my leg.”

You Are Such a Card

• Meaning: You are funny or entertaining.
• Example: “Every time you tell a joke, everyone laughs. You are such a card.”

You Are What You Eat

• Meaning: Your health and wellbeing are directly affected by the food you consume.
• Example: “If you keep eating junk food, you’ll feel awful. Remember, you are what you eat.”

You Can Count On Me

• Meaning: You can rely on me; I will help you.
• Example: “Don’t worry about finding someone to help you move. You can count on me.”

You Can Say That Again

• Meaning: I completely agree with you.
• Example: “This heat is unbearable! You can say that again.”

You Scratch My Back, I’ll Scratch Yours

• Meaning: If you do me a favor, I’ll return the favor.
• Example: “I’ll help you with your project if you help me with mine. You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.”

You Snooze You Lose

• Meaning: If you are not alert and quick, you will miss opportunities.
• Example: “I wanted to buy that dress, but it’s already sold out. You snooze, you lose.”

Yummy To My Tummy

• Meaning: Delicious and satisfying.
• Example: “That chocolate cake was yummy to my tummy.”

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