{"id":16010,"date":"2023-04-28T08:31:29","date_gmt":"2023-04-28T15:31:29","guid":{"rendered":"<!-- wp:paragraph -->\n<p><br><\/p>\n<!-- \/wp:paragraph -->\n\n<!-- wp:heading -->\n<h2><mark style=\"background-color:rgba(0, 0, 0, 0)\" class=\"has-inline-color has-vivid-red-color\">50 War Idioms, Idioms about War<\/mark><br><\/h2>\n<!-- \/wp:heading -->\n\n<!-- wp:pa"},"modified":"2023-04-28T08:31:31","modified_gmt":"2023-04-28T15:31:31","slug":"50-war-idioms-idioms-about-war","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/50-war-idioms-idioms-about-war\/","title":{"rendered":"50 War Idioms, Idioms about War"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"words-head\" id=\"words-759087360\"><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\">50 War Idioms, Idioms about War<\/mark><br><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/idioms?category=idioms-about-war\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/idioms?category=idioms-about-war\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Idioms about War<\/a><\/strong>! Learn useful English Idioms and expressions about War with meanings and examples.<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&#8217;s fair in love and war<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Any type of behavior is acceptable during a conflict or competition, especially in love.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>He played dirty during the game, but I guess all&#8217;s fair in love and war.<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\">Break the enemy&#8217;s back<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To weaken or defeat the enemy to the point of surrender.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The decisive battle was the one that broke the enemy&#8217;s back.<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 situation in which one is trapped by two contradictory conditions or requirements.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I can&#8217;t get a job without experience, but I can&#8217;t get experience without a job. It&#8217;s a real catch 22.<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\">Collateral damage<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Unintended harm or damage that occurs to people or things during a military operation.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The bombing resulted in a lot of collateral damage to nearby buildings and civilians.<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\">Cross the Rubicon<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To take an irreversible step that commits one to a particular course of action.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>He knew that quitting his job and starting his own business was crossing the Rubicon.<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 in the sand<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To set a limit beyond which one will not tolerate or allow something to happen.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The teacher drew a line in the sand and refused to tolerate any more disruptive behavior from the students.<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\">Every man for himself<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Every person must fend for themselves in a difficult situation.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>When the ship started sinking, it was every man for himself.<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\">Friendly fire<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Accidental gunfire or other military action that injures or kills one&#8217;s own soldiers or allies.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The troops suffered casualties due to friendly fire.<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\">Hunker down<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To prepare oneself for a difficult or prolonged struggle.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>We need to hunker down and focus on finishing this 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\">In the line of fire<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>In harm&#8217;s way or facing danger.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The firefighters were in the line of fire as they battled the raging inferno.<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\">Jump the gun<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To act prematurely or without waiting for the appropriate time.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The company jumped the gun by releasing the product before it was fully tested.<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\">Knockout blow<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A decisive or devastating blow that defeats or eliminates the opponent.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The boxer delivered a knockout blow in the final round.<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\">Light at the end of the tunnel<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A sign of hope or improvement after a difficult or challenging period.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The successful completion of this project will be the light at the end of the tunnel.<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\">Loose cannon<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>An unpredictable or uncontrollable person who may cause harm or damage.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The new employee was a loose cannon, often making impulsive decisions without considering the consequences.<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\">Open a can of worms<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To start a complicated or unpleasant situation that may have unforeseen consequences.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Bringing up the controversial topic at the meeting opened a can of worms.<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 all your eggs in one basket<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To risk everything on a single course of action or venture.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Investing all your savings in one stock is putting all your eggs in one basket.<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\">Rally the troops<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To inspire and motivate a group of people to work together towards a common goal.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The coach rallied the troops and led them to victory.<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\">Storm in a teacup<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A minor or insignificant problem or disagreement that is blown out of proportion.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The argument over where to have lunch was a storm in a teacup.<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 no prisoners<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To be ruthless and show no mercy in achieving one&#8217;s goals.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The politician was determined to win the election and take no prisoners.<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\">War of words<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A heated argument or debate characterized by aggressive or confrontational language.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The political candidates engaged in a war of words during the televised debate.<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\">Bite the bullet<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To endure a painful or difficult situation with courage and determination.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I knew the surgery was going to be painful, but I had to bite the bullet and go through with 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\">Cannon fodder<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Soldiers who are seen as expendable and used in large numbers to achieve a military objective.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The generals sent the cannon fodder into battle without regard for their safety.<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\">Cut and run<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To flee or escape a difficult or dangerous situation without facing the consequences.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Instead of dealing with the problem, he decided to cut and 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\">Down in the trenches<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Engaged in hard, laborious work or facing difficult circumstances.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The team was down in the trenches, working long hours to meet the project deadline.<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 on one&#8217;s sword<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To take responsibility for a mistake or failure and accept the consequences.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The CEO fell on his sword and resigned after the company&#8217;s financial scandal was exposed.<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\">Fire on all cylinders<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To operate at peak performance or with full energy and enthusiasm.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>After the team&#8217;s pep talk, they were firing on all cylinders and ready 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\">Guerrilla warfare<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A form of irregular warfare in which a small group of combatants use tactics such as ambushes, sabotage, and hit-and-run attacks.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The guerrilla warfare tactics used by the rebels proved effective against the larger enemy force.<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 the crosshairs<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Under close scrutiny or facing imminent danger.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The company&#8217;s unethical practices put them in the crosshairs of the government regulators.<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\">Leave no stone unturned<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To make every effort possible and explore every option in order to achieve a goal.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The detective left no stone unturned in the investigation to solve the murder case.<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\">March to the beat of a different drum<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>To act or think in a way that is different from others.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>He always marched to the beat of a different drum and didn&#8217;t follow the crowd.<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\">Neutral ground<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A place or situation that is not affiliated with any side in a conflict or disagreement.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The mediator chose a neutral ground to hold the peace talks between the two warring factions.<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\">Old warhorse<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>An experienced or long-serving person who is relied upon for their expertise.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The old warhorse of the company was called upon to lead the team through the crisis.<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\">Powder keg<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A volatile or potentially explosive situation.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The political tension in the country was a powder keg waiting to ignite.<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\">Sabre-rattling<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Making threats of military force or aggression in order to intimidate others.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The leader&#8217;s sabre-rattling against the neighboring country caused international concern.<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\">Shot heard &#8217;round the world<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>An event or action that has far-reaching or significant consequences.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The invention of the internet was the shot heard &#8217;round the world that changed communication forever.<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\">Smoke and mirrors<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Deception or trickery used to make something appear more impressive or meaningful than it really is.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The company&#8217;s advertising campaign was just smoke and mirrors, as their products didn&#8217;t live up to the hype.<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\">Uphill battle<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A difficult or challenging task that requires a lot of effort and determination.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Getting the project approved by the board was an uphill battle, but we finally succeeded.<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\">War chest<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A reserve of funds or resources that can be used to finance a war or other major undertaking.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The political campaign built up a war chest of donations from supporters.<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\">Wounded warrior<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A person who has been injured in combat or who has experienced trauma related to military service.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The organization provides support services to wounded warriors and their families.<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 baptism of fire<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A first experience of something that is difficult, challenging, or dangerous.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>Her first day on the job was a baptism of fire, as she had to deal with a crisis situation.<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) Cavalry<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Assistance from a powerful source in a difficult situation.<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The cavalry arrived just in time to turn the tide of the battle, providing much-needed reinforcements to the outnumbered soldiers.<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\">Pin Someone Down<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Demand a decision or clear answer<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>I tried to get a clear answer from him, but he kept dodging the question, so I finally had to pin him down and get a straight answer.<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\">Scorched Earth (Tactics, Policy, etc.)<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Ruthless, extremely destructive<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The company&#8217;s new CEO implemented a scorched earth strategy, firing many employees and cutting benefits to increase profits.<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\">Shot Across the Bow<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>A warning of more serious actions to come<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The union leaders warned the company that a strike was imminent by issuing a public statement that was intended as a shot across the bow.<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 in Arms<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Angry, protesting (usually said of a group)<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>The community was up in arms over the proposed construction of a landfill in their neighborhood, organizing protests and writing letters to the local government.<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\">Weekend Warrior<br><\/mark>Meaning: <\/strong>Someone who has an office job but enjoys contact sports on weekends; a member of a military reserve force<br><strong>Example: <\/strong>He&#8217;s a weekend warrior who enjoys hiking and camping on his days off from work.<br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.users.wordsdaily\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Download Word Coach Application<\/a><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/play.google.com\/store\/apps\/details?id=com.english.app.wordsearch\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">English Word Search Game<\/a><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p><br><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>50 War Idioms, Idioms about War<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":16024,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9341,26,81],"tags":[82,13437,13435],"class_list":["post-16010","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-9341","category-english","category-idioms","tag-idioms","tag-idioms-about-war","tag-war-idioms"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16010","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=16010"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/16010\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/16024"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=16010"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=16010"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.wordscoach.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=16010"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}