Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

A big cheese- an important or a Against the clock- to be in a hurry

powerful person in a group or family to do something before a particular
A bird's eye view- a view from a time
very high place which allows you to Air one's dirty laundry- to make
see a large area public something embarrassing that
A bone of contention- something should be kept secret.
that people argue for a long time All systems go- everything is ready.
A cock and a bull story- a story or An arm and a leg- a large amount of
an explanation which is obviously not money
true. Appear out of now here- to appear
At the crack of the dawn- very suddenly without warning.
early in morning Apple of someone's eye- someone
A cuckoo in the nest- someone in a loved very much.
group of people but not liked by them. Ask for the moon- to ask for too
A litmus test- a method which clearly much.
proves something Asleep at the switch- not to be alert
As the crow flies- measuring on opportunity
distance between two places in a At sixes and sevens- to be lost and
straight line. bewildered
A dead letter- an argument or law At someone's beck and call- to be
not followed by anyone. always ready to serve
At the drop of the hat- u do At the bottom of the ladder- at the
something easily and without any lowest level
preparation A house of cards- a poor plan
Downloaded From At an arm's length- to keep at a
www.prashantchaturvedi.com distance
An early bird- someone who gets At sixes and sevens- in disorder
early in the morning A boon in disguise- a benefit in loss
An educated guess- a guess which A bull in a China shop- an awkward
was likely to get corrected person
At the eleventh hour- be too late. A red letter day- an important day
A queer fish- a strange person A nine days wonder- pleasure for a
A wakeup call- an event done to short time
warn someone A bit under the weather- falling ill
A worm's eye view- having very Bad blood- feelings of hate between
little knowledge about something two families
A witch hunt- an attempt to find and Be a weight off your shoulders
punish those who have options that - When something is a weight off your
are believed to be dangerous shoulders, you are happy that you do
At the heels of- to follow someone not have to worry about it or feel
A dish fit for Gods- something of responsible for what it was anymore.
very high quality Bend your ears- to talk to someone
A game of two equal halves- a for a very long time about something
sudden change in circumstances boring
Afraid of one's own shadow- to Bite your tongue- to stop yourself
become easily frightened from saying something because it
would be better not to
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

Black and blue- full of bruises Beat one's head against the
Blue blood- belonging to high social wall- to try to do something that is
class hopeless
Be above board- to be honest and Bark up the wrong tree- to make a
legal wrong assumption
Be bouncing off the walls- excited Batten down the hatches- prepare
and full of nervous energy for difficult times
Bow and scrap- try too hard to Beat one's brain out- to work hard
please someone in a position of Begin to see the light- to begin to
authority understand
Brass monkey weather- extremely Behind closed doors- done in secret
cold weather Bet on the wrong horse- to misread
Be tailor made- to be completely the future
suitable for someone. Bent on doing- to be determined to
Break the ice- to make more comfort do something
or relaxed with a person whom you Bite off more than one can chew-
have not met earlier, to break the to do more than one's ability
silence Bite the bullet- to face a difficult
Be as clear as mud- to be impossible situation bravely
to understand Bitter pill to swallow- an unpleasant
Be on cloud nine- be very happy fact that must be accepted
Between the devil and deep blue Black sheep of the family- worst
sea- a type of situation where u must member
choose between two equally Blessing in disguise- something that
unpleasant situations turns out to be good which earlier
Be in the doldrums- not very appeared to be wrong
successful or nothing new is taking Blind leading the blind- someone
place who does not understand something
Beat the drum- to speak eagerly but tries to explain it to other
about something you support Blow one's own horn- to praise one
Be on the edge- to be nervous or Blow someone's mind- excite
worried about something someone
Be in seventh heaven- extremely Bone of contention- subject matter
happy of the fight
Be at each other's throat- two Downloaded From
persons arguing angrily www.prashantchaturvedi.com
Batten down the hatches- to Bring home the bacon- to earn
prepare for trouble money to live
Back the wrong horse- to support Blue in the face- exhausted and
someone weak speechless
Back to square one- to reach again Break the back of- reduce the power
to the starting point of something
Back to the salt mines- back to Burn a hole in one's pocket- to
something that you don't want to do spend money quickly
Ball of fire- active and energetic Burn the midnight oil- to study till
late of night
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

Bushman's holiday- a holiday where ('Davy Jones' locker' is an alternative

you spend doing same thing as you spelling.)
did at working days Dancing on someone's grave- If
Button's one lip- to keep quite you will dance on someone's grave,
Break a leg- to wish good luck you will outlive or outlast them and
Carrot and sticks- You use both will celebrate their demise
awards as well as punishments to Dog in the manger- If someone acts
make someone do something. like a dog in the manger, they don't
Cloak and dragger- when people want other people to have or enjoy
behave in a very secret manner things that are useless to them
Cards are stacked against- luck is Don't cry over spilt milk- When
against you something bad happens and nothing
Crack a book- to open book to study can be done to help it people say,
Cross a bridge before one comes 'Don't cry over spilt milk'
to it- worry about the future in Don't wash your dirty laundry in
advance public- People, especially couples,
Carry coals to new castle- to take who argue in front of others or involve
something to a place or a person that others in their personal problems and
has a lot of that thing already crises, are said to be washing their
Cast in the same mould- to be very dirty laundry in public; making public
similar things that are best left private.
Change horses in midstream- to Donkey work- Donkey work is any
change plans hard, boring work or task.
Cap it all- to finish Don't throw bricks when you live
Cried with eyes out- cried a lot in a glass house- Don't call others
Carry the can- If you carry the can, out on actions that you, yourself do.
you take the blame for something, Don't be a hypocrite.
even though you didn't do it or are Entering the 80th orbit- celebrating
only partly at fault. the 80th birthday
Cast a long shadow- Something or Eleventh hour decision- decision
someone that casts a long shadow has that is made at the last possible
considerable influence on other people minute
or events. End in smoke- to bear no result
Cat and dog life- If people lead a cat Earth shattering- not at all
and dog life, they are always arguing. surprising
Drive a wedge between- to break Eat humble pie- to apologize humbly
relationship between the two Elephant in the room- An elephant
Dances to the tune- to always do in the room is a problem that
what someone tells you to do everyone knows very well but no one
Dressed up to the nines- wearing talks about because it is taboo,
fancy clothes embarrassing, etc.
Dragging its feet- delaying in Egg on your face- If someone has
decision, not showing enthusiasm egg on their face; they are made to
Davey Jones' locker- Davey Jones' look foolish or embarrassed
locker is the bottom of the sea or Eye for an eye- This is an expression
resting place of drowned sailors. for retributive justice, where the
punishment equals the crime.
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

Eyes are bigger than one's Fool's paradise- A fool's paradise is

stomach- If someone's eyes are a false sense of happiness or success
bigger than their stomach, they are Foot in mouth- This is used to
greedy and take on more than they describe someone who has just said
can consume or manage. something embarrassing,
From cradle to grave- during the inappropriate, wrong or stupid
whole span of your life. For a song- If you buy or sell
Face the music-to accept something for a song, it is very cheap
punishment for something you have For donkey's years- If people have
done. done something, usually without much
Feel the pinch- to have problems if any change, for an awfully long
with money. time, they can be said to have done it
Fall on your own sword- to be for donkey's years
cheated by someone you trust. Get off the hook- free from all
Feather in one's cap- something obligations
that you achieve and proud of. Give-up the ghost- to die
Firing on all cylinders- work every Got the slap on the wrist- got light
possible way to succeed. punishment
French leave- absent without Give someone a bird- make fun
permission, to take French leave is to Got the wind up- to be scared
leave a gathering without saying Get a raw deal- not treated equally
goodbye or without permission. Gift of the gab- talent of speaking, if
Fall on our feet- If you fall on your someone has the gift of the gab, they
feet, you succeed in doing something speak in a persuasive and interesting
where there was a risk of failure. way
Fall on your sword- If someone falls Gives cold shoulder- to ignore
on their sword, they resign or accept Get your wires crossed- If people
the consequences of what they have get their wires cross, they
done wrong. misunderstand each other, especially
Downloaded From when making arrangements.('Get your
www.prashantchaturvedi.com lines crossed' is also used.)
Fingers and thumbs- If you are all Give me five- If someone says this,
fingers and thumbs, you are being they want to hit your open hand
clumsy and not very skilled with your against theirs as a way of
hands. congratulation or greeting
Finger in the pie- If you have a Give me a hand- If someone gives
finger in the pie, you have an interest you a hand, they help you
in something. Give someone a piece of your
Flash in the pan- If something is a mind- If you give someone a piece of
flash in the pan; it is very noticeable your mind, you criticize them strongly
but doesn't last long, like most and angrily.
singers, who are very successful for a Go bananas- If you go bananas, you
while, then forgotten. are wild with excitement, anxiety, or
Follow your nose- When giving worry
directions, telling someone to follow Go tell it to birds- This is used when
their nose means that they should go someone says something that is not
straight ahead. credible or is a lie
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

Go under the hammer- If something 'Saying we should increase our

goes under the hammer, it is sold in interest rates because everyone else
an auction is doing so will not hold water'
Graveyard shift- If you have to work Hornets' nest- A hornets' nest is a
very late at night, it is the graveyard violent situation or one with a lot of
shift dispute. (If you create the problem,
Grease monkey- A grease monkey is you 'stir up a hornets' nest'.)
an idiomatic term for a mechanic In dribs and drabs- in small
Have ants in your pants- not be amounts at a time
able to keep still because you are very In black and white- to give in
excited or worried about something. writing
Having a whole of a time- to enjoy In the blues- low spirited
very much In cahoots with- in a partnership
Hold one's horse- be patient usually for a dishonest reason
Have a big mouth- one who gossips If the shoe fits, wear it- This is
more or tells secret used to suggest that something that
Himalayan blunder- a serious has been said might apply to a person
mistake In droves- When things happen in
Have a one track mind- think only droves, a lot happen at the same time
of one thing or very quickly
Have clean hands- be guiltless In the doghouse- If someone is in
Have an egg on the face- be the doghouse, they are in disgrace
embarrassed and very unpopular at the moment.
Have eyes bigger than stomach- Jack Frost - If everything has frozen
desiring more food than one can eat in winter, then Jack Frost has visited.
Heart missed a beat- very excited Jack the Lad - A confident and not
Heart in the right place- good very serious young man who behaves
natured as he wants to without thinking about
Hit the nail on the head- done the other people is a Jack the Lad.
thing correctly Jack-of-all-trades- A jack-of-all-
Hand to mouth- Someone who's trades is someone that can do many
living from hand to mouth, is very different jobs.
poor and needs the little money they Jam on your face - If you say that
have coming in to cover their someone has jam on their face, they
expenses appear to be caught, embarrassed or
Have no truck with- If you have no found guilty.
truck with something or someone, you Jam tomorrow - This idiom is used
refuse to get involved with it or them when people promise good things for
Hit the bull's-eye- If someone hits the future that will never come.
the bull's-eye, they are exactly right Jane Doe - Jane Doe is a name given
about something or achieve the best to an unidentified female who may be
result possible. party to legal proceedings, or to an
Hold water- When you say that unidentified person in hospital, or
something does or does not 'hold dead. John Doe is the male
water', it means that the point of view equivalent.
or argument put forward is or is not Jekyll and Hyde - Someone who has
sound, strong or logical. For e.g. a Jekyll and Hyde personality has a
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

pleasant and a very unpleasant side to Join the club - Said when someone
the character. has expressed a desire or opinion,
Jersey justice - Jersey justice is very meaning "That viewpoint is not unique
severe justice. to you". It can suggest that the
Jet set - Very wealthy people who speaker should stop complaining since
travel around the world to attend many others are in the same position.
parties or functions are the jet set. Example: "If this train doesn't come,
Jet-black - To emphasise just how I'll be late for work!" "Join the club!"
black something is, such as someone's Joined at the hip - If people are
hair, we can call it jet-black. joined at the hip, they are very closely
Job's comforter - Someone who says connected and think the same way.
they want to comfort, but actually Judge, jury and executioner - If
discomforts people is a Job's someone is said to be the judge, jury,
comforter. and executioner, it means they are in
Jobs for the boys - Where people charge of every decision made, and
give jobs, contracts, etc, to their they have the power to be rid of
friends and associates, these are jobs whomever they choose.
for the boys. Juggle frogs - If you are juggling
Jockey for position - If a number of frogs, you are trying to do something
people want the same opportunity and very difficult.
are struggling to emerge as the most Jump down someone's throat - If
likely candidate, they are jockeying for you jump down someone's throat, you
position. criticise or chastise them severely.
Jog my memory- If you jog Jump on the bandwagon - If people
someone's memory, you say words jump on the bandwagon, they get
that will help someone trying to involved in something that has
remember a thought, event, word, recently become very popular.
phrase, experience, etc. Jump ship - If you leave a company
John Doe- John Doe is a name given or institution for another because it is
to an unidentified male who may be doing badly, you are jumping ship.
party to legal proceedings, or to an Jump the broom - To jump the
unidentified person in hospital, or broom is to marry. (Jump over the
dead. Jane Doe is the female broom, jump over the broomstick,
equivalent. jump the broomstick are also used.)
Joe Public - Joe Public is the typical, Jump the gun - If you jump the gun,
average person. you start doing something before the
Johnny on the spot - A person who appropriate time.
is always available; ready, willing, and Downloaded From
able to do what needs to be www.prashantchaturvedi.com
done.('Johnny-on-the-spot' is also Jump the track - Jumping the track
used.) is suddenly changing from one plan,
Johnny-come-lately - A Johnny- activity, idea, etc, to another.
come-lately is someone who has Jump through hoops - If you are
recently joined something or arrived prepared to jump through hoops for
somewhere, especially when they someone, you are prepared to make
want to make changes that are not great efforts and sacrifices for them.
welcome.
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

Jump to a conclusion - If someone Kick up a row- to start a fight, to

jumps to a conclusion, they evaluate create disturbance
or judge something without a Keep ones eye on the ball- be
sufficient examination of the facts. ready for something
Jumping Judas! - An expression of keep under one's hat - They tried to
surprise or shock. keep it under their hat but it soon
Jungle out there - If someone says became obvious that she is pregnant.
that it is a jungle out there, they keep at bay- He always tries to keep
mean that the situation is dangerous his troubles at bay when he is on
and there are no rules. holiday.
Jury's out - If the jury's out on an Kangaroo court- When people take
issue, then there is no general the law into their own hands and form
agreement or consensus on it. courts that are not legal, these are
Just around the corner- If something known as kangaroo court
is just around the corner, then it is Keep body and soul together- If
expected to happen very soon. you earn enough to cover your basic
Just coming up to - If the time is expenses, but nothing more than that,
just coming up to nine o'clock, it you earn enough to keep body and
means that it will be nine o'clock in a soul together
very few seconds. You'll hear them Keep your eye on the ball- If you
say it on the radio in the morning. keep your eye on the ball, you stay
Just deserts - If a bad or evil person alert and pay close attention to what
gets their just deserts, they get the is happening
punishment or suffer the misfortune Know something inside out - I
that it is felt they deserve. studied and studied for my drivings
Just for the heck of it - When test until I knew all the rules inside
someone does something just for the out.
heck of it, they do it without a good Know which way the wind
reason. blows- This means that you should
Just for the record - If something is know how things are developing and
said to be just for the record, the be prepared for the future
person is saying it so that people Loaves and fishes- done for material
know but does not necessarily agree benefits
with or support it. Like a shag on a rock- completely
Just in the nick of time - If you do alone.
something in the nick of time, you just Let someone slide- neglect
manage to do it just in time, with something
seconds to spare. Let the cat out of the bag- reveal
Just off the boat - If someone is just the secret
off the boat, they are naive and Let nature take its course- to allow
inexperienced. someone to live or die naturally.
Just what the doctor ordered - If Like a sitting duck- totally unaware
something's just what the doctor Lion's share- a major share
ordered, it is precisely what is needed. Left to your own devices-
Justice is blind - Justice is blind If someone is left to their own
means that justice is impartial and devices, they are not controlled and
objective. can do whatever they want
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

Make castles in the air- plans or there's smoke, there's fire' is also
hopes that have very little chances of used.)
happening. Downloaded From
Make a bee line for- to go directly www.prashantchaturvedi.com
towards something. Once in a blue moon- very rarely
Make ones bed and lie on it- to be On the bandwagon- doing
responsible for what you have done something because others are also
and accept the results doing it
Meet ones waterloo- meet ones final Open Pandora's box- to discover
end more problems
Monkey around- to waste time here Over the moon- being too happy
and there On its last legs- in a bad condition
My hands are full- I am busy and will not last long
Make a dry face- show Old flames die hard- It's very
disappointment difficult to forget old things
Make a monkey of someone- If you On pins and needles- If you are on
make a monkey of someone, you pins and needles, you are very
make them look foolish worried about something
Man of his word- A man of his word On the carpet- When you are called
is a person who does what he says to the bosses office (since supposedly,
and keeps his Promises they are the only ones who have
Many moons ago- A very long time carpet) and its definitely not for a
ago good reason, i.e., you are in trouble,
Nobody's fool- one who can take something has not gone according to
care of himself plan and either maybe you are
not having a leg to stand for- not responsible and/or have some
having proof explaining to do
Never-never land- ideal best place. Downloaded From
No love lost between- dislike www.prashantchaturvedi.com
Needle in a haystack- If trying to On the hook- If someone is on the
find something is like looking for a hook, they are responsible for
needle in a haystack, it means that it something.
is very difficult, if not impossible to Only the wearer knows where the
find among everything around it shoe pinches- This means that it's
New brush sweeps clean- 'A new hard to know how much someone else
brush sweeps clean' means that is suffering.
someone with a new perspective can Pass muster- to be approved
make great changes. However, the full Pick someone to pieces- to criticize
version is 'a new brush sweeps clean, sharply
but an old brush knows the corners', Paper over the cracks- to try to hide
which warns that experience is also a something
valuable thing Put the cart before the horse-
No smoke without fire- This idiom doing things in a wrong manner
means that when people suspect Pull up the shocks- do things in the
something, there is normally a good right manner and correctly
reason for the suspicion, even if there
is no concrete evidence. ('Where's
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

Parrot fashion- If you learn Read between the lines- read

something parrots fashion; you learn hidden meanings
it word for word Rack and ruin- If something or
Pay on the nail- If you pay on the someone goes to rack and ruin, they
nail, you pay promptly in cash are utterly destroyed or wrecked
Pen is mightier than the Rain on your parade- If someone
sword- The idiom 'the pen is mightier rains on your parade, they ruin your
than the sword' means that words and pleasure or your plans
communication are morepowerful than Rake someone over the coals- If
wars and fighting you rake someone over the coals, you
Pick someone's brains- If you pick criticize or scold them severely
someone's brains, you ask them for Recipe for disaster- A recipe for
advice, suggestions and information disaster is a mixture of people and
about something they know about events that could only possibly result
Pieces of the same cake- Pieces of in trouble
the same cake are things that have Red carpet- If you give someone the
the same characteristics or qualities red-carpet treatment, you give them a
Play fast and loose- If people play special Welcome to show that you
fast and loose, they behave in an think they are important
irresponsible way and don't respect Red herring- If something is a
rules, etc. distraction from the real issues, it is a
Poker face- Someone with a poker red herring
face doesn't show any emotion or Red letter day- A red letter day is a
reaction so that people don't know one of good luck, when something
what they are feeling special happens to you
Quarrel with bread and Reduce to ashes- If something is
butter- Bread and butter, here, reduced to ashes, it is destroyed or
indicate the means of one's living. If a made useless. His infidelities reduced
sub-ordinate in an organization is their relationship to ashes
quarrelsome or if he is not patient Round the houses- If you go round
enough to bear the reprimand he the houses, you do something in an
deserves, gets angry and retorts or inefficient way when there is a
provokes the higher-up, the top man quicker, more convenient way
dismisses him from the job. So, he Rub shoulders- If you rub shoulders
loses the job that gave him bread and with people, you meet and spend time
butter. Hence we say, he quarreled with them, especially when they are
with bread and butter (manager or the powerful or famous
top man) and lost his job Run into the sand- If something
Quiet as a cat- If somebody is as runs into the sand, it fails to achieve a
quiet as a cat they make as little noise result
as possible and try to be unnoticeable Salt on the earth- fundamental good
Quiet as a mouse- If someone's as people
quiet as a mouse, they make Sands of time- tiny amounts of time
absolutely no noise Shake a leg- to go fast, hurry
Queer fish- A strange person is a Spill the beans- to expose a secret
queer fish Snake in the grass- a hidden army
Round the twist- go crazy
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

Salt on the earth- fundamental good Take someone under your wing- If
people you take someone under your wing,
Sands of time- tiny amounts of time you look after them while they are
Shake a leg- to go fast, hurry learning something
Spill the beans- to expose a secret Take your medicine- If you take
Snake in the grass- a hidden army your medicine, you accept the
Snake in the shoes- to be in a state consequences of something you have
of fear done wrong
Stood to his guns- maintained to his Talking to a brick wall- If you talk
opinion to someone and they do not listen to
showing the door- asking someone you, it is like talking to a brick wall
to leave Taste of your own medicine- If you
Song and a dance- an excuse give someone a taste of their own
Salad days- Your salad days are an medicine, you do something bad to
especially happy period of your life someone that they have done to you
Sail under false colors- Someone to teach them a lesson
who sails under false colors is The apple does not fall far from
hypocritical or pretends to be the tree- Offspring grow up to be like
something they aren't in order to their parents
deceive people Downloaded From
Threaded his way out- walked www.prashantchaturvedi.com
carefully through. Through thick and thin- If someone
Take the cloth- to become a priest. supports you through thick and thin,
Talk turkey- to discuss a problem they support you during good times
with a real intension to solve it. and bad
Tit for tat- an action done to revenge Upset the apple cart- to create
against a person who has done some difficulty
wrong to you Under a cloud- If someone is
To crow over- to triumph over suspected of having done something
someone wrong, they are under a cloud
to blow a fuse- to turn someone Under fire- If someone is being
angry attacked and criticized heavily, they
though thick and thin- under all are under fire
conditions Under your nose- If something
to bell the cat- to take great risks happens right in front of you,
To look through colored glasses- especially if it is surprising or
to look the things not as they are audacious, it happens under your nose
Taking to a brick wall- taking with a Up for grabs- If something is up for
no response grabs, it is available and whoever is
Turned a deaf ear- disregarded first or is successful will get it
Take a back seat- choose to Up to the neck- If someone's in
decrease involvement something up to the neck, they are
Tables are turned- When the tables very involved in it, especially when it's
are turned, the situation has changed something wrong
giving the advantage to the party who Up a river without a paddle- If you
had previously been at a disadvantage up a river without a paddle, you are in
an unfortunate situation, unprepared
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

and with none of the resources to Vultures are circling - If the

remedy the matter vultures are circling, then something
Uncharted waters- If you're in is in danger and its enemies are
uncharted waters, you are in a getting ready for the kill.
situation that is unfamiliar to you, that Weight one's word- be careful to
you have no experience of and don't what one says
know what might happen Wait for a raindrop in the
Under lock and key- If something is drought- When someone is waiting
under lock and key, it is stored very for a raindrop in the drought, they are
securely waiting or hoping for something that is
Vale of tears- This vale of tears is extremely unlikely to happen
the world and the suffering that life Walking on broken glass- When a
brings. person is punished for something
Velvet glove - This idiom is used to Wet behind the ears- Someone who
describe a person who appears gentle, is wet behind the ears is either very
but is determined and inflexible young or inexperienced
underneath. ('Iron fist in a velvet Whale of a time- If you have a whale
glove' is the full form.) of a time, you really enjoy yourself
Vent your spleen - If someone vents Work your fingers to the bone - If
their spleen, they release all their you work your fingers to the bone,
anger about something. you work extremely hard on
Vicar of Bray - A person who something
changes their beliefs and principles to Wrench in the works- If someone
stay popular with people above them puts or throws a wrench, or monkey
is a Vicar of Bray wrench, in the works, they ruin a plan
Vicious circle - A vicious circle is a X factor - The dangers for people in
sequence of events that make each the military that civilians do not face,
other worse- someone drinks because for which they receive payment, are
they are unhappy at work, then loses known as the X factor.
their job... 'Vicious cycle' is also used. X marks the spot - This is used to
Vinegar tits - A mean spirited women say where something is located or
lacking in love or compassion. hidden.
Virgin territory - If something is X-rated - If something is x-rated, it is
virgin territory, it hasn't been explored not suitable for children.
before. Yah boo sucks- Yah boo & yah boo
Downloaded From sucks can be used to show that you
www.prashantchaturvedi.com have no sympathy with someone.
Voice in the wilderness - Someone Yank my chain - If some one says
who expresses an opinion that no one this to another person (i.e. stop
believes or listens to is a voice in the yanking my chain) it means for the
wilderness,especially if proved right other person to leave the person who
later. said it alone and to stop bothering
Volte-face - If you do a volte-face on them.
something, you make a sudden and Yell bloody murder - If someone
complete change in your stance or yells bloody murder, they protest
position over an issue. angrily and loudly, or scream in fear.
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

Yellow press - The yellow press is a You can't fight City Hall - This
term for the popular and phrase is used when one is so cynical
sensationalist newspapers. that one doesn't think one can change
Yellow streak- If someone has a their Representatives. The phrase
yellow streak, they are cowardly about must have started with frustration
something. towards a local body of government.
Yellow-bellied - A yellow-bellied You can't have cake and the
person is a coward. topping, too - This idiom means that
Yen - If you have a yen to do you can't have everything the way you
something, you have a desire to do it. want it, especially if your desires are
Yeoman's service - To do yeoman's contradictory.
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Yes-man - Someone who always You can't have your cake and eat
agrees with people in authority is a it - This idiom means that you can't
yes-man. have things both ways. For example,
Yesterday's man or Yesterday's you can't have very low taxes and a
woman - Someone, especially a high standard of state care.
politician or celebrity, whose career is You can't hide elephants in mouse
over or on the decline is yesterday's holes - means that some
man or woman. issues/problems/challenges cannot be
You are what you eat - This is used hidden/concealed but have to be faced
to emphasise the importance of a and dealt with.
good diet as a key to good health. You can't make a silk purse out of
You can catch more flies with a sow's ear - If something isn't very
honey than with vinegar - This good to start with, you can't do much
means that it is easier to persuade to improve it.
people if you use polite arguments You can't make an omelette without
and flattery than if you are breaking eggs - This idiom means that
confrontational. in order to achieve something or make
You can choose your friends, but progress, there are often losers in the
you can't choose your family - process.
Some things you can choose, but You can't take it with you - Enjoy
others you cannot, so you have to try life, enjoy what you have and don't
to make the best of what you have worry about not having a lot,
where you have no choice. especially money...because once
You can lead a horse to water, but you're dead, 'you can't take it with
you can't make it drink - This idiom you.' For some, it means to use up all
means you can offer something to you have before you die because it's
someone, like good advice, but you no use to you afterwards.
cannot make them take it. You can't teach an old dog new
You can say that again - If you tricks - It is difficult to make
want to agree strongly with what someone change the way they do
someone has said, you can say 'You something when they have been doing
can say that again' as a way of doing it the same way for a long time
so. You can't un-ring a bell - This
means that once something has been
Most Important Idioms and Phrases A-Z PDF

done, you have to live with the Young Turk - A Young Turk is a
consequences as it can't be undone. young person who is rebellious and
You could have knocked me down difficult to control in a company, team
with a feather - This idiom is used to or organisation.
mean that the person was very Your belly button is bigger than
shocked or surprised. your stomach - If your belly button
You do not get a dog and bark is bigger than your stomach, you take
yourself - If there is someone in a on more responsibilities than you can
lower position who can or should do a handle.
task, then you shouldn't do it. Your call - If something is your call, it
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You get what you pay for Your name is mud - If someone's
- Something that is very low in price is name is mud, then they have a bad
not usually of very good quality. reputation.
You reap what you sow - This Your sins will find you out - This
means that if you do bad things to idiom means that things you do wrong
people, bad things will happen to you, will become known.
or good things if you do good things. Zero hour - The time when
It is normally used when someone has something important is to begin is
done something bad. zero hour.
You said it!- Used to say you agree Zero tolerance - If the police have a
completely with something just said. zero tolerance policy, they will not
You scratch my back and I'll scratch overlook any crime, no matter how
yours - This idiom means that if you small or trivial.
do something for me, I'll return the Zigged before you zagged - If you
favour. did things in the wrong order, you
You what? - This is a very colloquial zigged before you zagged.
way of expressing surprise or disbelief Zip it - This is used to tell someone to
at something you have heard. It can be quiet.
also be used to ask someone to say Zip your lip - If someone tells you to
something again. zip your lip, they want to to shut up or
You're toast - If someone tells you keep quiet about something. ('Zip it' is
that you are toast, you are in a lot of also used.)
trouble.
You've got rocks in your head
- Someone who has acted with a lack
of intelligence has rocks in their head.
You've made your bed- you'll have
to lie in it - This means that someone
will have to live with the
consequences of their own actions.
Young blood - Young people with
new ideas and fresh approaches are
young blood.
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