Idioms Beginning With C

Call a Spade a Spade

Meaning:

To speak frankly and directly about a problem

Call It a Day

Meaning:

Decide that one has worked enough on something for the day

Call It a Night

Meaning:

End an evening’s activities and go home

Call the Shots

Meaning:

Make the important decisions in an organization

Call the Tune

Meaning:

Making important decisions and controlling a situation.

Can’t See the Forest for the Trees

Meaning:

Is unable to maintain a wider perspective

Can’t Swing A Dead Cat In (Place)

Meaning:

Without Hitting A (Thing) There are many examples of [thing] in this [place].

Carrot-and-Stick (Approach)

Meaning:

A tactic in which rewards are offered, but there is also the threat of punishment

Carry a Torch (for)

Meaning:

To continue to be in love with someone even after a relationship has ended

Carry Coals To Newcastle

Meaning:

Supply something that is unneeded; engage in useless labor

Carry the Can

Meaning:

To take the blame for something one did not do

Cash In One’s Chips

Meaning:

A. To take advantage of a quick profit B. To die

Cast the First Stone

Meaning:

To be the first to criticize or attack someone

Catch-22

Meaning:

A difficult situation from which there is no escape because options for avoiding it involve contradictions

Circle the Wagons

Meaning:

To prepare as a group to defend against attack, adopt a defensive posture

Clean Up Nicely

Meaning:

Look good when one is dressed up. Usually said of women

Clear the Air

Meaning:

Defuse tension, be honest about conflict so as to reduce it

Cold Day in Hell

Meaning:

A condition for something that would be extremely unlikely to occur

Come Out of the Closet

Meaning:

Reveal a secret about oneself, usually that one is gay (homosexual)

70+ More idioms

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