{"id":15490,"date":"2023-04-08T03:00:47","date_gmt":"2023-04-08T10:00:47","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2024-04-07T04:28:01","modified_gmt":"2024-04-07T11:28:01","slug":"100-useful-idiomatic-expressions-from-a-z-with-examples","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/100-useful-idiomatic-expressions-from-a-z-with-examples\/","title":{"rendered":"100+ Useful Idiomatic Expressions from A-Z with Examples"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"words-head\" id=\"words-537441429\"><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-5017566440575750\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-5017566440575750\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"3340569236\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div>\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">Idiomatic Expressions from A-Z with Examples<br><\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/100-useful-idiomatic-expressions-from-a-z-with-examples\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/100-useful-idiomatic-expressions-from-a-z-with-examples\/\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Idiomatic Expressions! <\/a>List of common idiomatic expressions and sayings in English with meaning and examples. Learn these English <a href=\"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/category\/idioms\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/category\/idioms\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">idioms <\/a>to help your English sound naturally like a native speaker.<\/strong><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(A) Few X Short of a Y<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Crazy, mentally impaired.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Ned seems to make sense when you talk to him at first, but the more you listen, the more it seems he\u2019s a few cards short of a deck.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(Get the) Short End of the Stick<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>(Emerge with) a disadvantage in a deal or negotiation; (get a) bad deal<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>My older brother left me with the short end of the stick \u2013 he said I could use his car if I lent him money, but it\u2019s not running!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(In) Full Swing<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Completely in operation as planned<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Production was slow to ramp up, but now things are in full swing.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(The) Door Swings Both Ways<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>The same principle can apply mutually in a relationship<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>In the realm of food, the door often swings both ways. For example, American food has borrowed many influences from Japan, but Japanese food has also been influenced by America.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(The) Lights Are On, But Nobody\u2019s Home<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>This person appears normal but is deficient in mental functioning, stupid<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Carl couldn\u2019t even answer basic questions about the budget. With him, sometimes I think the lights are on, but nobody\u2019s home.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(The) Whole Kit and Caboodle<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>The entire collection of something; all of something<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I\u2019ll pay $300 for the whole kit and caboodle \u2013 we don\u2019t need to waste time arguing over the value of each individual coin.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(The) X Factor<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>An aspect of a situation with an unknown impact; an indefinable appeal<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The votes of women will be an X factor in this election. No one knows which way they\u2019ll go.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(To Be) Hoist By Your Own Petard<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To be hurt by one\u2019s own aggressive plans<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The dean implemented a foreign-language requirement for faculty, but then he couldn\u2019t pass it himself. He was hoist by his own petard!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(To Be) Shit out of Luck (SOL)<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To be completely out of luck; to experience very bad fortune<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I went to a restaurant in Buffalo, and they were out of Buffalo chicken wings. I guess I was just shit out of luck!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(To) Grasp (Grab) at Straws<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To take desperate actions with little hope of success<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>When the teacher called on her, Jean was grasping at straws \u2013 she had no idea how to answer the question.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(To) Pull Strings<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Use influence that\u2019s based on personal connections<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>My uncle pulled strings and got me a summer job at a state legislator\u2019s office.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">(To) Shit It In<\/mark><\/strong><br><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>Succeed easily; be doing well<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Don\u2019t worry. We had a bad practice, but when game time comes we\u2019ll shit it in.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">A Life Of Its Own<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>An indepdendent existence<br><strong>Example<\/strong>: At first my weaving was just a side project, but it\u2019s taken on a life of its own \u2013 people have been buying my blankets.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Above Board<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Openly, without deceit. Honestly, reputably.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>You might want to sneak a misleading clause into the contract, but it\u2019s better if we keep everything above board.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Ace Up One\u2019s Sleeve<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A surprise advantage of which others are not aware.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Susan had an ace up her sleeve when it came to dating Jason \u2013 she was friends with Jason\u2019s sister, and she knew a lot about his interests.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Add Insult to Injury<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Humiliate someone in addition to doing damage to him or her<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>My boyfriend broke up with me. Then he added insult to injury by lying about when he had started seeing Valerie.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Airy Fairy<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Whimsical, nonsensical, impractical<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The business plan is full of airy fairy ideas that would be impossible to actually implement.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">All And Sundry<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Everyone (separately) Each one.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>She told all and sundry that she was ready to forget her breakup and begin dating again.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">All Set<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Ready, prepared, finished<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>We\u2019re all set. Everything\u2019s packed, Now we just have to get to the airport on time.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">All The Same<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Anyway; nevertheless; nonetheless.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I know you want to leave. All the same, I\u2019d rather stay and talk to a few more people.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">All Very Well<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>True to a certain extent<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>That\u2019s all very well, but your argument breaks down when you try to apply it to the real world.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">American Dream (The)<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>The belief among Americans that hard work leads to material success<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>If we work hard, our children will have a better life than we had. That\u2019s the American Dream.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">And All That<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Et cetera, and so on.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>For a proper golf experience, you need the right clubs, the right shoes, the right golf balls, and all that.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">And So Forth<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Indicates that a list continues in a similar manner, etc.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Urban areas have many problems: unemployment, bad schools, crime, and so forth.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">And The Like<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>And other similar items, etc.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>We collect small antique home furnishings: lamps, ashtrays, platters, and the like.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">And Then Some<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>And even more than what has just been mentioned<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>We\u2019ll need all the equipment you\u2019ve brought, and then some.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Answer Back<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Respond impertinently; to talk back.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Teenagers like to answer back when you tell them to do something.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Back At You<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Same to you (used to return a greeting or insult)<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Hey, it\u2019s great to see you! \u2013 Back at you.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Back in the Day<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Formerly, when I was younger, in earlier times<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Back in the day, we used to bicycle all the way around the island, but I\u2019m not in shape to do that anymore!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Beggar Thy Neighbour<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To do something beneficial for oneself without worrying about how it affects others<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The country\u2019s beggar-thy-neighbour currency policy will earn it enemies in the long run.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Best of Both Worlds<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Combining two qualities that are usually separate<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>With this car, you get the best of both worlds-it\u2019s a high-performance car, but it\u2019s also very durable.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Borrow Trouble<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Take needless risks, invite problems<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Probably nothing will happen if we overload the boat, but why borrow trouble?<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Carry the Can<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To take the blame for something one did not do<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The general manager is being forced to carry the can for the mistakes of the owner, who refused to invest in top-flight talent.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Catch-22<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A difficult situation from which there is no escape because options for avoiding it involve contradictions<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>It\u2019s a Catch-22 \u2013 we can\u2019t get the fare discount without the loyalty card, but to get the loyalty card we\u2019d have to take this flight.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Come to Grips With<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To acknowledge a problem as a prelude to dealing with it<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>We need to come to grips with the issue of sexual harassment in the workplace.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Come By Something Honestly<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Acquire something honestly, or inherit it<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I came by that knife honestly \u2013 my father gave it to me.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Come Clean<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To confess; to admit to wrongdoing<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Son, we all know you stole the liquor from the cabinet. It\u2019s time for you to come clean.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Draw a Line Under (Something)<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To conclude something and move on to something else<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>It\u2019s time to draw a line under that relationship. I\u2019m ready to look for someone new.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Draw the Line<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To set a limit to what one will accept<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>It\u2019s OK if you have a bottle of beer from time to time, but using drugs is where I draw the line.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\"><strong>Drop a Line<\/strong><br><\/mark><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>To write a letter or send an email<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Drop me a line when you\u2019re back in the country, and we\u2019ll get together.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Dry Run<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A practice execution of a procedure<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The flight went perfectly in a dry run. I think we\u2019re ready to start accepting charters.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Face the Music<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To accept judgment or punishment<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>We broke the rules for stock trading. It\u2019s time to face the music \u2013 they\u2019re going to catch us sooner or later.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Fall Prey to<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Be victimized by; be harmed by; be vulnerable to<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>When you\u2019re sick, it\u2019s very easy to fall prey to scammers who sell you worthless medicines.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Flash in the Pan<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A one-time occurrence, not a permanent phenomenon<br><strong>Example:<\/strong> Some believed that Donald Trump\u2019s popularity was a flash in the pan; others thought he would have a more lasting impact.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Follow In Someone\u2019s Footsteps (Tracks)<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Follow the example laid down by someone else; supplant<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I know you\u2019re worried about what will happen after Ruth retires, but I\u2019m sure that with Jack following in her footsteps things will continue normally.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">For Xyz Reasons<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>For multiple reasons, not worth specifying individually<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>For xyz reasons I don\u2019t want to go to the party. You go ahead!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Fourth Estate<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>The media and newspapers<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The Fourth Estate can direct public opinion, but they can\u2019t shape it.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Get Along (with Someone)<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To have a satisfactory relationship<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Andrew isn\u2019t a perfect employee, but he gets along with everyone, and that\u2019s important \u2013 it helps create a harmonious workplace.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Get the Run around<br><\/mark>Meaning:<\/strong> Be given an unclear or evasive answer to a question<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Every time I try to ask the boss when we might get raises, I get the run around.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Get With the Program<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Figure out what everyone else already knows. Often used sarcastically, as a command<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Everyone else has already moved on to stage three. C\u2019mon, get with the program!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Go Along (With)<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Agree to something, often provisionally<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I\u2019ll go along with the plan for now, but if the dollar drops I\u2019ll have to reconsider.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Go Down in Flames<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Fail in a spectacular way<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>After the new model had to be recalled due to the diesel emissions scandal, the entire brand went down in flames.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Hatchet Job<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A strong attack on someone\u2019s reputation; intentionally destructive criticism; calumny<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>There\u2019s a newspaper here that always supports the government and can be counted on to do a hatchet job on any potential opponents.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Haul Over the Coals<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To scold someone severely<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>My teacher really hauled over the coals today about talking in class.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Heart and Soul<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>With all one\u2019s energy or affection<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Bob never worked hard before, but he threw himself into his new job heart and soul.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Home Truths<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Honest, often painful criticism<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>My teacher expressed some home truths to me \u2013 I argued with her at first, but I had to admit she was right.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Hot Mess<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Something or someone in a state of extreme disorder<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>In my 20s I was a hot mess, but after I turned 30 I tried to live a more orderly life.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">In One Fell Swoop<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>All at once, in a single action<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I finished all my homework in one fell swoop.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Just for the Record<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>I would like to make it clear that \u2026<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Just for the record, I never said Samantha was doing a bad job.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Keep (Something) at Bay<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Maintain a distance from something or someone<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>We used my car horn to keep the bear at bay until the forest rangers arrived.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Let the Genie Out of the Bottle<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Reveal something hitherto suppressed<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Once the reporter let the genie out of the bottle and revealed official corruption, many more examples came to light.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Live Large<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Have a luxurious lifestyle<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>After I sold my company, I was living large \u2013 penthouse apartment, big car, eating out every night.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Make One\u2019s Mark<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Attain influence or recognition<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I\u2019ve been working in this field for ten years, but I don\u2019t really feel I\u2019ve made my mark.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Make Waves<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Cause controversy, disturb a calm group dynamic<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>You just started working here. I\u2019m sure you think there should be changes, but for now don\u2019t make waves.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Nailing Jelly\/Jello\/Pudding To A Wall\/Tree<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>An impossible task<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Getting Mark to commit to marrying me is like nailing Jello to a tree.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">No Names, No Pack Drill<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>If no one can be identified, no one will be punished.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Certain people around here-\u201dno names, no pack drill-\u201dare not contributing enough to the project.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Off the Beaten Path<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Remote; not a usual destination; not easily reached<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>This restaurant is off the beaten path, but I think you\u2019ll find it\u2019s worth the trouble in getting there.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">On a Roll<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Succeeding consistently<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Ellen is on a roll \u2013 she\u2019s gotten an A on her last three exams.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Out of Line<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Improper, behaving improperly<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Your comment in the meeting was out of line. I want you to apologize to Theresa.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Out of Luck<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Unlucky in a single instance; temporarily unfortunate<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>You\u2019re out of luck. Debbie just left. She\u2019ll be back at 1.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Out of Nowhere<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Unexpectedly<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Two horses were neck and neck for most of the race, but a third horse came out of nowhere to win.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Out of Order<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Not working properly<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The restroom is out of order. You\u2019ll have to go to the next floor up.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Out of the Blue<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Unexpectedly<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Out of the blue, John called and said he was going to visit me. I haven\u2019t seen him for 15 years.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Out of the Picture<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>No longer under consideration; eliminated from a contest<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Caitlin says Jack is out of the picture. She\u2019s trying to choose between William and Jason as her date for the dance.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Page-Turner<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A page-turner is an exciting book that\u2019s easy to read, a book that\u2019s difficult to put down.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>When I go to the beach, I don\u2019t want a book that I have to focus closely on-\u201dI prefer a real page-turner.\u201dStephen King\u2019s novels are page-turners. They may be a thousand pages long, but you can finish them very quickly.\u201d<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Point of No Return<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A place from which it is impossible to go back to the starting point<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>We\u2019ve reached the point of no return on this hike \u2013 if we keep walking, we won\u2019t be able to make it back to town before dark.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Put the Genie Back in the Bottle<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Try to suppress something that has already been revealed or done<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Once you give kids additional freedoms, it\u2019s hard to put the genie back in the bottle and make them obey rules.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Queer the Pitch<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Interfere with someone\u2019s plans; make something more difficult<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Although he supports the prime minister\u2019s party, he\u2019s trying to queer the pitch for that party\u2019s candidates.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Rake (Someone) Over the Coals<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To scold someone severely<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>My teacher really raked me over the coals today about talking in class.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">School Of Hard Knocks<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Difficult real-life experiences from which one has learned<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I never went to college. I worked starting when I was 17, and I got my education in the school of hard knocks.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Set the World on Fire<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Do something amazing; have a brilliant stretch in one\u2019s career<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I don\u2019t think Teresa will set the world on fire with her writing, but her books are selling consistently.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Show Me an X And I\u2019ll Show You a Y<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>There is a consequence to X that you may not have thought of.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Show me a man with a tattoo, and I\u2019ll show you a man with an interesting past.\u2019- Jack London.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Six of One, a Half Dozen of the Other<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>The two choices have no significant differences.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>It doesn\u2019t matter to me whether we go food shopping first or get the car\u2019s oil change \u2013 it\u2019s six of one, a half dozen of the other.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Small Beer<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Unimportant, insignificant<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Our sales have risen, but they\u2019re still small beer compared with those of our main competitor.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Snafu<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A malfunction; a chaotic situation<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>After all the snafus, I\u2019m surprised the product launch is happening even close to the scheduled date.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Spick and Span<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Clean and neat<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Your room is messy. I\u2019m leaving now, and when I come home I want to see it spick and span.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Stand (Someone) In Good Stead<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Be useful in the future<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>You may not think you need this tool, but it will stand you in good stead in the future.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Sure-Fire<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Certain to occur<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>This horse is a sure-fire winner. If you bet on him, you can\u2019t lose!<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Take (Someone) to the Cleaners (1)<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Swindle<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Be careful when visiting foreign cities \u2013 you won\u2019t be aware of the con artists\u2019 tricks, and they\u2019ll take you to the cleaners.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\"><strong>Take (Someone) to the Cleaners (2)<br><\/strong><\/mark><strong>Meaning: <\/strong>Defeat badly<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>It was predicted to be a close game, but we took the other team to the cleaners.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Take A Powder<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To leave, especially in order to avoid a difficult situation<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Just when we were getting to the hard work, Juan took a powder, and we haven\u2019t seen him all day.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Take the Shine Off (Something)<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To do something that diminishes a positive event<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>We won the championship, but the riots after the match took the shine off the team\u2019s accomplishment.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Take the Starch out of (Someone)<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Make someone less confident or less arrogant<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The boss criticized Walter\u2019s presentation. It really took the starch out of him.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Take Your Life in Your Hands<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Undergo extreme risk<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>They don\u2019t maintain that road in winter. If you drive up there, you\u2019re taking your life in your hands.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Tee Many Martoonies<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Too many martinis, scrambled to suggest drunkenness<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I said some things I shouldn\u2019t have last night. I probably had tee many martoonies.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Test the Waters<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Try something out in a preliminary way<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>We haven\u2019t decided about expanding into Europe, but we\u2019re testing the waters with a few stores there.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">The Jig Is Up<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A secret illicit activity has been exposed; your trickery is finished<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The jig is up for the stock scammers \u2013 the FBI busted the ring last night.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Thin On The Ground<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Rare, seldom encountered<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Good restaurants are thin on the ground in this town.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">This Has (Person X) Written All Over It<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>[Person X] would really like or be well suited to this.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>A big German document just came in e-mail. This job has Frank written all over it \u2013 he speaks fluent German.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#ff7b00\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Throw a Wet Blanket on (Something)<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Discourage plans for something<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Barbara threw a wet blanket on our plans for a party, reminding us that no alcohol is allowed in the building.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">To the Letter<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Exactly (said of instructions or procedures)<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I followed the instructions in the manual to the letter, but I still couldn\u2019t replace my timing belt.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Tread Water<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Maintain a current situation without improvement or decline<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I\u2019ve been working hard for a year, but I\u2019m just treading water. I need a job that pays more.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Under Wraps<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Temporarily hidden, secret<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I want the new model kept under wraps until the product launch on Tuesday.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">University of Life<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Difficult real-life experience, as opposed to formal education<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I never had the advantage of an Oxford degree-\u201dall my experience comes from the university of life.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Up for Grabs<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Available for anyone<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Positions in our new Hanoi office are up for grabs for anyone who speaks Vietnamese. See me if you\u2019re interested.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">Wouldn\u2019t be Caught Dead<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Would absolutely not allow myself to do this<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I wouldn\u2019t be caught dead wearing a coat that color.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-luminous-vivid-orange-color\">You Know the Drill<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>You are already familiar with the procedure.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>When you leave, shut off all the lights and lock the room with the safe. You know the drill.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0);color:#fd5904\" class=\"has-inline-color\">Zig When One Should Be Zagging<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To make an error; to choose an incorrect course<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>My problem during my 20s was that too often I would zig when I should be zagging.<br><br><br><strong>Download\u00a0<\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.users.wordsdaily\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Words Coach: Idioms<\/a><br><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">List of Idiomatic Expressions<\/mark><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>(A) Few X Short of a Y<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(Get the) Short End of the Stick<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(In) Full Swing<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(The) Door Swings Both Ways<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(The) Lights Are On, But Nobody\u2019s Home<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(The) Whole Kit and Caboodle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(The) X Factor<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(To Be) Hoist By Your Own Petard<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(To Be) Shit out of Luck (SOL)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(To) Grasp (Grab) at Straws<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(To) Pull Strings<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>(To) Shit It In<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A Life Of Its Own<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Above Board<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ace Up One\u2019s Sleeve<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Add Insult to Injury<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Airy Fairy<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All And Sundry<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All Set<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All The Same<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>All Very Well<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>American Dream (The)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And All That<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And So Forth<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And The Like<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>And Then Some<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Answer Back<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Back At You<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Back in the Day<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Beggar Thy Neighbour<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Best of Both Worlds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Borrow Trouble<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Carry the Can<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Catch-22<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Come to Grips With<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Come By Something Honestly<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Come Clean<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Draw a Line Under (Something)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Draw the Line<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Drop a Line<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Dry Run<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Face the Music<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fall Prey to<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Flash in the Pan<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Follow In Someone\u2019s Footsteps (Tracks)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>For Xyz Reasons<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fourth Estate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get Along (with Someone)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get the Run around<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get With the Program<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go Along (With)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Go Down in Flames<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hatchet Job<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Haul Over the Coals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Heart and Soul<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Home Truths<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hot Mess<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In One Fell Swoop<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Just for the Record<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep (Something) at Bay<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Let the Genie Out of the Bottle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Live Large<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make One\u2019s Mark<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make Waves<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Nailing Jelly\/Jello\/Pudding To A Wall\/Tree<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>No Names, No Pack Drill<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Off the Beaten Path<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>On a Roll<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Out of Line<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Out of Luck<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Out of Nowhere<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Out of Order<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Out of the Blue<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Out of the Picture<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Page-Turner<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Point of No Return<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Put the Genie Back in the Bottle<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Queer the Pitch<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rake (Someone) Over the Coals<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>School Of Hard Knocks<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Set the World on Fire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Show Me an X And I\u2019ll Show You a Y<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Six of One, a Half Dozen of the Other<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Small Beer<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Snafu<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Spick and Span<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stand (Someone) In Good Stead<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Sure-Fire<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take (Someone) to the Cleaners (1)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take (Someone) to the Cleaners (2)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take A Powder<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take the Shine Off (Something)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take the Starch out of (Someone)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Take Your Life in Your Hands<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tee Many Martoonies<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Test the Waters<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Jig Is Up<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Thin On The Ground<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>This Has (Person X) Written All Over It<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Throw a Wet Blanket on (Something)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To the Letter<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Tread Water<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Under Wraps<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>University of Life<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Up for Grabs<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Wouldn\u2019t be Caught Dead<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>You Know the Drill<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Zig When One Should Be Zagging<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>100+ Useful Idiomatic Expressions from A-Z with Examples<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":15528,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9341,81],"tags":[956,12966,82],"class_list":["post-15490","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9341","category-idioms","tag-common-english-idioms","tag-idiomatic-expressions","tag-idioms"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15490","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=15490"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/15490\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/15528"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=15490"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=15490"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=15490"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}