Idioms –
An idiom is a phrase where the words together have a meaning that is different from the dictionary definitions of the individual words and commonly use as expressions that has a figurative meaning that is comprehended in regard to a common use in a certain group or collocation. Idioms usually do not translate well; in some cases, when an idiom is translated into another language, either its meaning is changed or it is meaningless.
In conveying the meaning, idioms can be categorized as opaque or transparent. Opaque idioms are phrases or group of words that does not convey the same meaning in other languages and transparent idioms are those that can be discern and interpretable using metaphor almost all languages.
In relation to culture, idioms require basic knowledge, information, or experience, to use only within a culture, where conversational parties must possess common cultural references.
Aside from cultural knowledge or the necessary experience requirement, one of the major components of an idiom is the presence of metaphor that generally depicts the nature and gist of its figurative meaning.
Examples of common idiomatic expressions:
A Babe In The Woods
"What do you know? You are just a babe in the woods."
A Bed Of Roses
"Working here is no bed of roses."
A Big Fish In A Small Pond
"He's just a big fish in a small pond."
A Big Frog In A Small Pond
"He's just a big frog in a small pond"
A Bitter Pill To Swallow
"Spending a week in the psychiatric hospital was a bitter pill to swallow, but Jake really needed to do it."
A Blessing In Disguise
"When I first lost that job, I was upset. But it turned out to be a blessing in disguise."
A Breath Of Fresh Air
"I love having this new student in my class. His positive attitude is a breath of fresh air."
A Bundle Of Nerves
"I have to give a speech tomorrow, and I am a bundle of nerves."
A Card
"My uncle Bob is a real card."
A Case In Point
"Jane called. She will be late for this morning's meeting." Reply: "Case in point. We really cannot rely on her."
A Case Of Mistaken Identity
"Are you sure you are not Don Johnson?" Reply: "Really, I am not. It must be a case of mistaken identity."
A Change Of Pace
"What would you like me to make for dinner?" Reply: "Let's have sushi, for a change of pace."
A Change Of Scenery
"I just got back from Florida." Reply: "That must have been a change of scenery."
A Chip Off The Old Block
"Did you meet Bill's son at the picnic yesterday? He's just like Bill!" Reply: "He's a chip off the old block."
A Copycat
"Stop copying my answers. You copycat!" (rude)
A Cut Above Someone Or Something
"I love this restuarant. It is a cut above."
A Dream Come True
"Becoming a movie star was a dream come true."
A Fan Of Someone
"Are you a Dodger''s fan?" Reply: "No, I don't like baseball."
A Foregone Conclusion
"I knew they would lose. It was a foregone conclusion."
A Friend In Need Is A Friend Indeed
"Hey buddy, how's it going? You look good. I love your jacket. Do you think you can give me a ride home?" Reply: "A friend in need is a friend indeed."
A Game That Two Can Play
"She told the teacher what I did, but that's a game that two can play."
A Ghost Of A Chance
"Do you think he has a chance to win?" Reply: "He doesn't have a ghost of a chance."
A Given
"I always knew that we would get married. It was a given."
A Known Fact
"That guy is a ganster? Are you sure?" Reply: "Of course I'm sure. It's a known fact."
A Labor Of Love
"You don't mind taking care of that dog?" Reply: "It is a labor of love."
A Last Ditch Effort
"I thought for sure we would lose but we made one last ditch effort and tied the game."
A Leading Question
"That is a leading question. I am not going to answer it."
A Lick Of Work
"He was born wealthy, and he has never done a lick of work in his life."
A Little Bit
"Are you hungry?" Reply: "A little bit. You?"
A Piece Of The Action
"I heard you guys are going to play a joke on Jim. I want a piece of the action."
A Piercing Scream
"I was walking down Broad Street when suddenly I heard this piercing scream."
A Pillar Of Strength
"My mother is a pillar of strength."
A Place To Call One’s Own
"After renting for all these years, I really want a place to call my own."
A Ripe Old Age
"At the ripe old age of 45, I feel like I am just starting my life."
A Ripple Of Excitement
"On election day you could feel a ripple of excitement."
A Rolling Stone Gathers No Moss
"Why don't you get married and have a family?" Reply: "A rolling stone gathers no moss."
A Rule Of Thumb
"I don't invite people to my home unless I know them well, as a rule of thumb."
A Sense Of Urgency
"Can't you see that we are losing this game? Let's have a sense of urgency."
A Shot In The Arm
"We were really falling apart, but that goal gave us a shot in the arm."
A Word To The Wise
"Here's a word to the wise: Do not go down that street at night."
Above And Beyond The Call Of Duty
"What that police officer did to save her life was above and beyond the call of duty."
Above Average
"Are you a very good tennis player?" Reply: "I'm above average."
Above Suspicion
"In this case, no one person is above suspicion. Not even the president."
Acknowledge Receipt Of Something
"As soon as you get the package, please call me to acknowledge receipt."
Across The Board
"We will have a 10 percent pay cut across the board."
Act High And Mighty
"What are you acting so high and mighty about."
Add Insult To Injury
"First he drives into my car. Then, to add insult to injury he says I'm parked in the wrong spot."
Address Someone As Something
"I'm not one of your college friends. Address me as your father."
Advise Against Something
"Do you recommend that I talk with the boss?" Reply: "I would advise against it."
After Hours
"Sorry, we don't see patients after hours."
Ahead Of Schedule
"My software project is ahead of schedule."
Alive And Kicking
"How is your grandfather doing?" Reply: "He is alive and kicking."
All For The Best
"Did you hear they broke up?" Reply: "It is probably all for the best. They were not getting along well."
All Gone
"Are there any more cookies?" Reply: "All gone."
All In One Piece
"Be careful. I want you home all in one piece."
All In The Family
"I'm going to tell you about your uncle, but let's keep this all in the family."
All Kidding Aside
"All kidding aside, I really do like her."
All Out War
"It used to be they occastionally fired a missle. Now it's all out war."
All Over
"Is the game still on?" Reply: "No, it's all over."
All Systems Are Go
"Are you ready?" Reply: "All systems are go."
All Talk And No Action
"John promised he would be here." Reply: "He is all talk and no action."
All The Rage
"Do you like this scarf? It is all the rage."
All Told
"How much money is missing?" Reply: "All told, 300 dollars."
As An Aside
"As an aside: Is anyone hungry?"
As Drunk As A Skunk
"Don't go out drinking with Henry. He'll get you as drunk as a skunk."
At The Present Time
"Are you hiring new people?" Reply: "Not at the present time."
At This Juncture
"Are you going to buy the ABC company?" Reply: "No. Not at this juncture."
Back And Forth
"What fun could it be playing tennis? They just hit the ball back and forth all day."
Back Down From Someone Or Something
"If I were you, I would back down. It is not worth fighting about."
Back East
"We just can't wait to move back east."
Back In Circulation
"John, where have you been? It is good to see you back in circulation."
Back Off From Someone Or Something
"I guess I made her angry. She told me to back off and leave her alone."
Back Order Something
"We don't have them in your size today. But I would be glad to back order them for you."
Back Out Of Something
"Didn't Bob say he was coming?" Reply: "Yes, He backed out."
Back Someone Or Something Up
"I told my mom we were at the baseball game last night. Back my up."
Back The Wrong Horse
"Who did you bet on in the superbowl?" Reply: "Arizona." Answer: "Ouch. You backed the wrong horse."
Back To Square One
"After all that work, they decided not to hire me." Reply: "Back to square one."
Bad As All That
"I've heard it is the worst place to go to school." Reply: "It's not as bad as all that."
Bad Mouth Someone Or Something
"You are one of my best friends. I would never bad mouth you."
Bail Out Of Something
"Did the pilot die in the crash?" Reply: "No. He bailed out, and lived."
Bail Someone Or Something Out
"He got thrown in jail for drunk driving, but his father bailed him out."
Bait And Switch
"I thought I was buying a new one." Reply: "It looks like they gave you the bait and switch."
Bark Up The Wrong Tree
"If you are looking for someone to lend you money, don't talk to me. You're barking up the wrong tree."
Bathed In Light
"There she stood by the window, bathed in light."
Batten Down The Hatches
"A big rain storm is coming. We need to batten down the hatches."
Battle Something Out
"I really don't mind where we go. I'll let you two battle it out."
Bawl Someone Out
"I asked her if she could stay late, and she bawled me out."
Be A Heartbeat Away From Something
"If the president dies, who becomes the new president?" Reply: "The vice president. He's a heartbeat away from the presidency."
Be All Ears
"Would you like to hear what I did today." Reply: "I'm all ears."
Be All Things To All People
"Public relations is a tough job. I have to be all things to all people."
Be Easier Said Than Done
"We should dig a garden in the back yard. That would be great." Reply: "Easier said than done."
Be Game
"Do you want to see a movie?" Reply: "I'm game."
Be Into Something
"You don't want to sing this song?" Reply: "I'm not into it right now."
Be Off
"Have a good day, you guys. I'm off." Reply: "Goodbye."
Be Swimming In Something
"Do you have any ketchup left?" Reply: "We are swimming in it."
Be The Spitting Image Of Someone
"People say I am the spitting image of my mother."
Bear Fruit
"Did your meeting bear fruit?"
Bear In Mind That Something Is So
"Would you like to order dinner?" Reply: "Bear in mind that I do not speak French."
Beat A Path To Someone’s Door
"I don't see anyone beating a path to your door."
Beat Around The Bush
"Has he said that he wants to marry you?" Reply: "No, but he has been beating around the bush."
Beating Him At His Own Game
"She was the star of our school's tennis team, and I still beat her." Reply: "You beat her at her own game."
Before You Know It
"Enjoy your freedom! Before you know it, you'll be married and settling down with children."
Beg To Differ With Someone
"You think I am old? I beg to differ."
Behind Someone’s Back
"Those two went to the boss, and they did it behind my back."
Behind The Times
"My grandfather wears black socks with his shorts." Reply: "He is so behind the times."
Belabor The Point
"I know we've talked about this already, and I hate to belabor the point, but I still don't think you are understanding me."
Better Safe Than Sorry
"Should I bring my umbrella?" Reply: "Better safe than sorry." Answer: "Okay. I'll go get it."
Biting The Bullet
"Hurry mom, I really have to go to the bathroom." Reply: "We won't be there for another 20 minutes. Bite the bullet."
Blowing Your Own Trumpet
"Is Deb still talking about the deal she made?" Reply: "Yes, she's blowing her own trumpet."
Blowing Your Top
"Steve is in our office and he just found out about the deal." Reply: "I can hear him blowing his top."
Breaking Even
"Sell that stock now, while you are still breaking even."
Breaking New Ground
"Noone in our family has ever married a foreigner. You are breaking new ground."
Breaking The Bank
"You really should not be buying this ring. You are breaking the bank."
Breaking The Ice
"This was an awful party until John showed up and broke the ice."
Breaking The News
"It is the goal of every great reporter to break the news."
Bring Home The Bacon
"I go to work every day to bring home the bacon."
Bring Up The Rear
"There you are again Schmidt, bringing up the rear."
Bringing Home The Bacon
"You work a lot of hours at this job." Reply: "I have to. I am bringing home the bacon."
Bringing It Home
"Taking care of my grandfather is really bringing home the importance of good health care."
Brush Up On Something
"Are you going to brush up on your Spanish before you go to Mexico?"
Buck Up
"Buck up. It will be okay."
Call A Meeting
"If I call a meeting for Thursday, will you be there?"
Call A Spade A Spade
"You can call him a nice guy if you want to but I am calling a spade a spade; that guy is a jerk.
Call It A Day
"It's time to go home. Let's call it a day."
Call It A Night
"You guys are going to another bar? Not me. I'm calling it a night."
Call It Quits
"It is getting dark outside. Let's call it quits."
Call Someone Names
"You are a jerk!" Reply: "You don't have to call me names."
Call Someone Or Something Off
"I thought you had a date tonight?" Reply: "We called it off."
Call The Dogs Off
"I already gave you your money. Call the dogs off."
Call The Meeting To Order
"Everyone quiet down so we can call this meeting to order."
Call The Roll
"Everyone be quiet. I'm going to call the roll."
Call The Shots
"I'm calling the shots here. You will do what I say."
Calling Your Bluff
"They say they will fire me if I skip work today, but I am calling their bluff."
Can You Imagine
"This car only cost me $500. Can you imagine?"
Cannot Help Doing Something
"When she said that, I couldn't help laughing."
Can’t Carry A Tune
"Sing with us!" Reply: "Sorry. You wouldn't want me to. I can't carry a tune."
Can’t Do Anything With Someone Or Something
"Your teacher is frustrated. She says she can't do anything with you."
Can’t Help But Do Something
"When she said that, I couldn't help but laugh."
Can’t Hold A Candle To Someone
"You are a good tennis player. But you can't hold a candle to my sister."
Can’t Make Heads Or Tails Out Of Someone Or Something
"I'm looking at your computer program right now, but I can't make heads or tails out of it."
Cap And Gown
"I love this photo of you and your friends in cap and gown."
Capable Of Doing Something
"Did you hear about the farmhouse murders?" Reply: "Who could be cabable of such a thing?"
Carried Away
"You cleaned everything. Even the dog." Reply: "Yes. I got kind of carried away."
Carry A Secret To One’s Grave
"Please, you must not tell anyone what happened." Reply: "I will carry your secret to my grave."
Carry A Secret To The Grave
"Please, you must not tell anyone what happened." Reply: "I will carry it to the grave."
Carry On Without Someone Or Something
"If anything ever happens to me, I want you to carry on without me."
Carry Weight
"What I say carries weight around here."
Carrying It A Bit Too Far
"It is okay to make jokes during class, but you are carrying it a bit too far."
Cash And Carry
"Sorry, but there is nowhere to eat here. It is cash and carry."
Cease And Desist
Police officer says: "Sir, I want you to cease and desist from what you are doing."
Change My Mind
"I thought you didn't like her?" Reply: "Well, I changed my mind."
Changing Your Tune
"She always said she would never get married, but now she's the one getting married." Reply: "She has changed her tune."
Clear The Table
"Everyone is done eating. Would you like to clear the table?"
Clearing The Air
"You've been living here for two months and you still don't have a job. We need to clear the air."
Climbing On The Bandwagon
"Look who's climbing on the bandwagon."
Coming Clean
"You ate that piece of cake I was saving, didn't you? Come clean."
Coming In Handy
"I'm glad you brought your knife." Reply: "Yes, it really comes in handy."
Coming To The Crunch
"We have had three weeks to write this paper. Now we are coming to the crunch."
Cutting Corners
"They cut a lot of corners when they built this house. Now have so many problems to fix."
Cutting Your Losses
"I bought this stock at 50 dollars a share, and it is down to 40. I am going to cut my losses."
Digging Your Own Grave
"Talking to the boss like that, you are digging your own grave."
Doing As You're Told
"I want to stay up. I am not tired." Reply: "Do as you are told and go to bed right now."
Doing The Honors
"Who cuts the turkey at Thanksgiving dinner at your house?" Reply: "My father does the honors."
Doing The Trick
"My motorcycle is not running well." Reply: "Try replacing the oil. That might do the trick."
Doing Wonders
"We hired her to clean our house once a week and she has done wonders."
Doing Your Homework
"John is an excellent lawyer. He always does his homework."
Don't Put The Cart Before The Horse
"Hey! First we attatch it, then we put on the chains. Don't put the cart before the horse."
Down The Hatch
"You want me to drink this whole thing?" Reply: "That's right. Down the hatch!"
Down The Street
"Where does your grandmother live?" Reply: "She's just down the street."
Down The Tubes
"What happened to your plans for tonight?" Reply: "Down the tubes."
Down With Some Disease
"I can't come to work today. I'm down with the flu."
Downhill All The Way
"School has been difficult, but now that we have finished our exams it is downhill all the way."
Drag One’s Feet
"I've wanted to start yoga for months. I've just been dragging my feet."
Draw A Blank
"Do you remember how to say that word in Spanish?" Reply: "I'm drawing a blank."
Draw Blood
"Ouch! I cut myself." Reply: "Let me see. Did it draw blood?"
Drawing Attention
"He dresses that way because he likes to draw attention."
Driving A Hard Bargain
"Twenty thousand dollars is a lot of money. You drive a hard bargain."
Dropping A Brick
"The boss came in and dropped a real brick. He said they are planning to close our office."
Dropping Names
"I dated an actress in New York who was constantly dropping names." Reply: "Oh no, I can't stand name-dropping."
Drunk As A Skunk
"Did you see Jean last night?" Reply: "Yeah. She was as drunk as a skunk."
Early To Bed Early To Rise Makes A Man Healthy Wealthy And Wise
"All of his life, my grandfather went to bed early and got up with the sun." Reply: "Early to bed, early to rise, makes a man healthy wealthy and wise."
Expecting A Child
"My wife and I are expecting our first child." Reply: "Congratulations!"
Expense Is No Object
"This year I want the company party to be fantastic. Expense is no object."
Explain Oneself
"Please listen. I am trying to explain myself."
Express One’s Anger
"I would like to express my anger about what happened last night."
Extend Credit To Someone
"I want that couch, but I really cannot afford it." Reply: "We will extend you credit."
Extend Your Sympathy To Them
"Jane lost her mother this week. We must remember to exend our sympathy to her."
Fair And Square
"You cheated!" Reply: "I did not cheat! I beat you fair and square."
Familiarity Breeds Contempt
"Those two have been living together for too long. They don't speak a word to each other." Reply: "Familiarity breeds contempt."
Forbidden Fruit
"The boss's daughter may be pretty, but remember that she is forbidden fruit."
Generous To A Fault
"My gradfather's was generous to a fault. He gave away all of his money." Reply: "But he did help a lot of people."
Get A Rain Check On Something
"He was going to take me to the park, but it rained, so I got a rain check."
Get At The Heart Of The Matter
"I asked him to stop wasting time and get at the heart of the matter."
Give And Go
"If you have the ball and Andy is open, just give and go."
Give Someone A Rain Check On Something
"He was going to take me to the park, but it rained, so he gave me a rain check."
Give Someone The Third Degree
"That judge really gave that guy the third degree, didn't she?"
Go Fly A Kite
"Oh- not you again!" Reply: "Hey, why don't you go fly a kite?"
Going All The Way
"The Bears have a good team this year. Do you think they'll go all the way?"
Hanging On Your Coattails
"Doesn't it bother you to have someone like that hanging on to your coattails?"
I Don't Belong Here
"This is a high school dance and I am 25 years old. I don't belong here."
If It Ain't Broke Don't Fix It
"Do you think Tiger Woods should change his golf swing?" Reply: "Are you kidding? If it ain't broke, don't fix it."
If You Can't Beat Them Join Them
"When did you change teams?" Reply: "Hey: If you can't beat them, join them."
If You Can't Stand The Heat Get Out Of The Kitchen
"I wanted this job at first, but now I don't know if I can handle it." Reply: "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
In Awe Of Someone Or Something
"I am in awe of you."
In Big Trouble
"When mom gets home and finds out what you did, you guys are in big ("biiiiiiig") trouble."
In For Trouble
"If you do that again, you are in for trouble."
In The Meantime
"You can start working full-time as soon as you get your license. In the meantime, you are welcome to start training."
In The Middle Of Nowhere
"You are 30 minutes late and I have been standing here waiting for you in the middle of nowhere."
In The Money
"Now he's a professional basketball player." Reply: "He's in the money."
In Your Hair
"You're not going to wear that, are you?" Reply: "Hey, why don't you get out of my hair?"
Jumping On The Bandwagon
"My grandfather jumped on the bandwagon and got himself an email account."
Keep Someone At Arm's Length
"You can work with him if you want, but I would keep him at arms length."
Like Two Peas In A Pod
"He and his sister are like two peas in a pod."
Little Black Book
"Don't tell me you're going to write her down in your little black book."
Looking For Trouble
"If you leave your glass on the edge of the table like that, you are looking for trouble."
Losing Streak
"We are on a five game losing streak." Reply: "Have we lost five games without a win? That is not good."
Misery Loves Company
"She's not happy, so she wants the rest of us to suffer too!" Reply: "Misery loves company."
Money Does Not Grow On Trees
"Why are you buying such expensive presents? Money does not grow on trees, you know!"
Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention
"You will find a way to do it. When you have to, you do." Reply: "Necessity is the mother of invention."
Never Been So Lucky
"I got off the bus in West Seattle, turned around, and you were there. I've never been so lucky."
No Pain No Gain
"To play at that level, you are going to have to practice all of the time, you know." Reply: "No pain, no gain."
On Your Toes
"In ice hockey you have to be agressive and stay on your toes."
Out Of Your League
"She'll never go out with you. She's out of your league."
Over My Head
"Did you get that last question on the test?" Reply: "No, it was over my head."
Paying The Price
"If you drink and drive, you will pay the price."
Running The Table
"She shot first, and she ran the table. So I never had a chance."
Shouting Match
"Two players were having a shouting match, so we had to stop the game."
Slow As Molasses In January
"Would you hurry up and get ready? You are as slow as molasses in January."
Speak Highly Of Someone Or Something
"I met your teacher. He speaks highly of you."
Take A Look At Someone Or Something
"Take a look at that car. Isn't it beautiful?"
Take A Look For Someone Or Something
"Have you seen my watch?" Reply: "I haven't seen it, but I will take a look for it around my house."
Take A Nap
"Every day after lunch my grandfather takes a nap."
Take A Rain Check On Something
"We were planning to go to the park, but it rained, so we took a rain check."
Take The Bull By The Horns
"That was a tough situation. Thanks for taking the bull by the horns."
The First Step Is Always The Hardest
"I have always wanted to write a novel, but I can never decide on a topic." Reply: "The first step is always the hardest."
The Game Is Afoot
"Jim just saw a beautiful girl he wants to meet." Reply: "The game is afoot!"
The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side Of The Fence
"I wish our house were as big as theirs." Reply: The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence."
The Real Reason
"Tell me the real reason you left that school."
The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions
"Really, I never meant to hurt anybody..." Reply: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
The Squeeky Wheel Gets The Oil
"Every time that baby cries, they just run around and give him whatever he wants." Reply: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil."
There's No Place Like Home
"It feels so good to be home." Reply: "There's no place like home."
Tooting Your Own Horn
"Oh there you go again, tooting your own horn."
Turning Up Your Nose
"We invited them to dinner but they turned up their nose at us."
Two Heads Are Better Than One
"Come on, we can figure out a way to do this! Two heads are better than one."
Under Age
"What are those kids doing smoking cigarettes? They are under age."
Up To
"So what have you been up to lately?"
Welcome Someone With Open Arms
"You should definitely go visit my parents. They will wecome you with open arms"
What Comes Around Goes Around
"He lied to his girlfriend for years. Now she has left him for another man." Reply: "What comes around goes around."
Why Put Off Until Tomorrow What You Can Do Today
"Just do it now, so you don't have to do it on the weekend. Why put of 'till tomorrow what you can do today?"
Would Give One’s Right Arm For Someone Or Something
"I would give my right arm for a car like that."
Year After Year
"Year after year, you say you are going to move."
You Can Lead A Horse To Water But You Can't Make It Drink
"I told her exactly what to do, but she didn't listen to me." Reply: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."
You Can’t Teach An Old Dog New Tricks
"I have been trying to teach my dad to use the computer, but he is never going to get it." Reply: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."
You Have To Take The Good With The Bad
"I love living in this city, but it is rather polluted." Reply: "You have to take the good with the bad."
You Need That Like You Need A Whole In The Head
"Would you like to buy my old truck?" Reply: "I need that like a whole in the head."
You Reap What You Sow
"He has been treating other people like that for years. Now it happens to him." Reply: "You reap what you sow."
You Scratch My Back And I’ll Scratch Yours
"I would really appreciate it if you introduce me to him... You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."
Beating Him At His Own Game
"He was the star of our school's tennis team, and I still beat him." Reply: "You beat him at his own game."
Biting The Bullet
"Hurry mom, I really have to go to the bathroom." Reply: "We won't be there for another 20 minutes. Bite the bullet."
Blowing Your Own Trumpet
"Is Deb still talking about the deal she made?" Reply: "Yes, she's blowing her own trumpet."
Blowing Your Top
"Steve is in our office and he just found out about the deal." Reply: "I can hear him blowing his top."
Breaking Even
"Sell that stock now, while you are still breaking even."
Breaking New Ground
"Noone in our family has ever married a foreigner. You are breaking new ground."
Breaking The Bank
"You really should not be buying this ring. You are breaking the bank."
Breaking The Ice
"Jane throws great parties, and she is really good at breaking the ice."
Breaking The News
"It is the goal of every great reported to break the news."
Bringing Home The Bacon
"I work day and night to bring home the bacon."
Brought Home
"We knew the economy was bad. Bob losing his job really brought it home."
Calling Your Bluff
"They say they will fire me if I skip work today, but I am calling their bluff."
Carry Weight
"What I say carries weight around here."
Carrying It A Bit Too Far
"It is okay to make jokes during class, but you are carrying it a bit too far."
Caught In The Act
"You kids were going to take those cookies, weren't you?" Reply: "Yes, we were caught in the act."
Changing Your Tune
"She always said she would never get married, but now she's the one getting married." Reply: "She has changed her tune."
Clearing The Air
"You've been living here for two months and you still don't have a job. We need to clear the air."
Climbing On The Bandwagon
"Look who's climbing on the bandwagon."
Come Clean About It
"You ate that piece of cake I was saving, didn't you? Come clean."
Coming To The Crunch
"We have had three weeks to write this paper. Now we are coming to the crunch."
Cutting Corners
"They cut a lot of corners when they built this house. Now have so many problems to fix."
Cutting Your Losses
"I bought this stock at 50 dollars a share, and it is down to 40. I'm going to cut my losses."
Do The Trick
"My motorcycle is not running well." Reply: "Try replacing the oil. That might do the trick."
Do Wonders
"We hired her to clean our house once a week and she has done wonders."
Doing As You're Told
"I want to stay up. I am not tired." Reply: "Do as you are told and go to bed right now."
Doing The Honors
"Who cuts the turkey at Thanksgiving dinner at your house?" Reply: "My father does the honors."
Doing Your Homework
"John is an excellent lawyer. He always does his homework."
Driving A Hard Bargain
"Twenty thousand dollars is a lot of money. You drive a hard bargain."
Dropping A Brick
"The boss came in and dropped a real brick. He said they are planning to close our office."
Dropping Names
"I dated an actress in New York who was constantly dropping names." Reply: "Oh no, I can't stand name-dropping."
It Comes In Handy
"I'm glad you brought your knife." Reply: "Yes, it really comes in handy."
Jumping On The Bandwagon
"My grandfather jumped on the bandwagon and got himself an email account."
Never Been So Lucky
"I got off the bus in West Seattle, turned around, and you were there. I've never been so lucky."
You Are Looking For Trouble
"If you leave your glass on the edge of the table like that, you are looking for trouble."
Better Safe Than Sorry
"Should I bring my umbrella?" Reply: "Better safe than sorry." Answer: "Okay. I'll go get it."
Call A Spade A Spade
"You can call him a nice guy if you want to but I am calling a spade a spade; that guy is a jerk.
Don't Put The Cart Before The Horse
"Hey! First we attatch it, then we put on the chains. Don't put the cart before the horse."
Familiarity Breeds Contempt
"Those two have been living for together for too long. They don't speak a word to each other." Reply: "Familiarity breeds contempt."
Go Fly A Kite
Example: "Oh- not you again!" Reply: "Why don't you go fly a kite?"
If You Can't Beat Them, Join Them
"When did you change teams?" Reply: "Hey: If you can't beat them, join them."
If You Can't Stand The Heat, Get Out Of The Kitchen
"I wanted this job at first, but now I don't know if I can handle it." Reple: "If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
In Your Hair
"You're not going to wear that, are you?" Reply: "Hey, why don't you get out of my hair?"
Misery Loves Company
"She's not happy, so she wants the rest of us to suffer too!" Reply: "Misery loves company."
Money Does Not Grow On Trees
"Why are you buying such expensive presents? Money does not grow on trees, you know!"
Necessity Is The Mother Of Invention
"You will find a way to do it. When you have to, you do." Reply: "Necessity is the mother of invention."
No Pain, No Gain
"To play at that level, you are going to have to practice all of the time, you know." Reply: "No pain, no gain."
Take The Bull By The Horns
"That was a tough situation. Thanks for taking the bull by the horns."
The First Step Is Always The Hardest
"I have always wanted to write a novel, but I can never decide on a topic." Reply: "The first step is always the hardest."
The Grass Is Always Greener On The Other Side Of The Fence
"I wish our house were as big as theirs." Reply: The grass i always greener on the other side of the fence."
The Road To Hell Is Paved With Good Intentions
"Really, I never meant to hurt anybody..." Reply: "The road to hell is paved with good intentions."
The Squeeky Wheel Gets The Oil
"Every time that baby cries, they just run around and give him whatever he wants." Reply: "The squeeky wheel gets the oil."
There's No Place Like Home
"It feels so good to be home." Reply: "There's no place like home."
Tooting Your Own Horn
"Oh there you go again, tooting your own horn."
Two Heads Are Better Than One
"Come on, we can figure out a way to do this! Two heads are better than one."
Up To
"So what have you been up to lately?"
Why Put Off Until Tomorrow What You Can Do Today
"Just do it now, so you don't have to do it on the weekend. Why put of 'till tomorrow what you can do today?"
You Can Lead A Horse To Water, But You Can't Make It Drink
"I told her exactly what to do, but she didn't listen to me." Reply: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make it drink."
You Can't Teach An Old Dog New Tricks
"I have been trying to teach my dad to use the computer, but he is never going to get it." Reply: "You can't teach an old dog new tricks."
You Have To Take The Good With The Bad
"I love living in this city, but it is rather polluted." Reply: "You have to take the good with the bad."
You Reap What You Sow
"He has been treating other people like that for years. Now it happens to him." Reply: "You reap what you sow."
You Scratch My Back, I'll Scratch Yours
"I would really appreciate it if you introduce me to him... You scratch my back, I'll scratch yours."
