English Vocabulary Idioms and collocations

English Vocabulary

Idioms and collocations

Sports idioms

Sporting events have given birth to a number of idiomatic expressions. Sports idioms are particularly common in American English. They can be quite confusing for speakers of English as a second language. In this lesson we will learn about some of the most popular sports idioms. Most of these are difficult to understand. But because they are very common in daily usage it is well worth learning them. Play ball

To play ball is to do business with

We don’t want to play ball with anybody who doesn’t have a good track record.

Strike out

To strike out on a deal is to fail on it.

We had every chance of winning, but by making a few stupid mistakes we struck out on the deal.

Locker talk: gossips, rumors

Game plan: plan of action

Do you think that we have the right game plan?

A real contender: a person with a very good chance of winning

He is a real contender for the post of CEO.

Not up to scratch: not having the right qualities

He was hoping to succeed to the post of CEO, but the director board felt that he was not up to scratch. (= The director board felt that he didn’t have the right qualities.)

A no-win situation

When you are in a no-win situation, you have absolutely no chances of winning. This is an idiom derived from baseball.

It was his tendency to procrastinate that put him in a no-win situation.

Stall for time: to stall for time is to delay information or a decision. Origin: American football

If we stall for time, we will put ourselves in a no-win situation.

Get to home

To get to home is to complete the desired action. Origin: baseball

If everything goes as per our game plan, we will get to home without much difficulty.

Take the ball and run

To take the ball and run with it is to move in the right direction. Origin: American football

If we can convince them that we are competent enough to win the contract, we should be able to take the ball and run.

Call the shots

To call the shots is to make the decisions. Origin: basketball

He may be the boss in the office, but at home it is his wife who calls the shots.

Jockey oneself into position

To jockey yourself into position is to move into a good position so that you have good chances of success. Origin: horse racing

Play with a full deck

When you play with a full deck you have all the qualities and abilities necessary for winning. Origin: cards

If winning this contract is really important to you, you must play with a full deck.

Second stringers: less important workers

 

Some action verb idioms

Kick a habit To kick a habit is to stop doing something habitual. This is an idiom usually used with smoking and drinking.

It is high time you kicked your smoking habit.

Another idiom that has similar meanings is ‘kick the butt’.

He is struggling hard to kick the butt. (= He is struggling hard to quit smoking.)

Kiss something goodbye

to kiss something goodbye is to forget it; to end something

We were arguing all the time, so I felt that it was time we kissed our relationship goodbye.

I lent him some money and had to kiss it goodbye.

Drop a line

to drop a line is to stay in contact, usually by mail

If you need my help, just drop me a line.

Climb the wall

to climb the wall is to become extremely impatient, excited or agitated

She is climbing the wall waiting to hear from her daughter.
I am climbing the wall waiting for an interview call.

Blow someone’s lid

to blow one’s lid is to become very angry

John’s father blew his lid when he heard about his son’s drinking habits.

Drop a bundle

to drop a bundle is to spend a lot of money

Peter has just bought a luxury apartment. I am sure he has dropped a bundle.

Hit bottom

become very sad or depressed; when businesses hit bottom, they make loss

Our profits have hit bottom. This is our worst year ever.

Bite the bullet

to bite the bullet is to accept something difficult and try to live with it

Although Jim lost one leg in the accident, he didn’t lose hope. He just bit the bullet and learned to live with it.

Phrasal verbs with bring

Bring about something (Make something happen)

• The civic administration plans to bring about major changes in the infrastructure of the city.
• A lack of trust often brings about bitterness in a relationship.

Bring along somebody or bring somebody along

To bring along somebody is to bring him or her somewhere

• Can I bring my friend along for the party?
• Everybody should bring along something to drink.

Bring along can also mean ‘help someone to improve his / her skills’.

• A good leader should be able to bring his teammates along.

Bring somebody around / round (Make someone who is unconscious become conscious again.)

• They sprinkled water on her face to bring her around.

Bring somebody around can also mean ‘persuade him / her to agree with you’.

• At first she didn’t like my idea, but I eventually managed to bring her around.

Bring something back or bring back something (Make someone remember something from the past.)

• That song always brings back memories of my childhood.

Bring somebody back or bring back somebody (reappoint somebody)

• He left the firm in 2001 but was brought back by the new management.

Bring somebody down or bring down somebody (Cause people in government etc. to lose their position)

• This scandal is likely to bring the government down.

Bring down can also mean ‘reduce the amount of something’.

• The government has failed to bring down inflation.

Bring something forward or bring forward something To bring an event forward is to change its date so that it happens earlier than planned.

• The date of the wedding has been brought forward to June 21st.

Bring in something or bring something in (Make a particular amount of money)

• His father has asked him to look for a job so that he can bring some money in.

Bring off something or bring something off (succeed in doing something difficult)

• It was a tough job, but I managed to bring it off.

Word combinations with the preposition for

It is not always easy to know which preposition to use after a particular noun, verb or adjective. Here is a list of nouns, adjectives and verbs that are followed by the preposition for. Anxious for (= eager to have)

We are anxious for an end to this misunderstanding.

Congratulate for

I congratulated him for winning the championship.

Note that congratulate can also be followed by on.

I congratulated him on having won the first prize.

Pay for something that is bought.

I will pay for your drinks. (NOT I will pay your drinks.)

Reason for

Nobody knows the reason for the mishap.

Responsible for / responsibility for

Who is responsible for this?

Search for (= look for)

The police are searching for suspected drug traffickers.

When search is used without for it means ‘look in one’s pockets, bags etc’.

The police searched everybody’s luggage but couldn’t find anything suspicious.

Sorry for something that one has done

I am sorry for interrupting you.

Note that sorry can also be followed by about.

I am sorry about breaking your window.

Sorry for a person

I felt sorry for him. (NOT I felt sorry about him.)

A check for (amount of money)

I gave her a check for $60.

Demand for

Although it was a good product, there wasn’t enough demand for it.

Need for something

There is no need for such a law.

Word combinations with preposition of

It is not always easy to know which preposition to use after a particular noun, adjective or verb. Here is a list of some common word combinations with the preposition of. Accuse somebody of something

She accused me of stealing her flowers.

Afraid of

He is afraid of the dark.

Details of

Send an email for details of our special offer.

Die of

A week after the accident she died of her injuries.

Note that die can also be followed by from.

Dream of (= think about, imagine)

I often dream of being a great writer.

Dream about / of (while asleep)

Could you tell me what it means if you dream of snakes?

Example of

She is an example of patience and perseverance.

Get out of a car, taxi or small boat

The idea of …-ing

I don’t like the idea of getting old.

Independent of

Now that she has got a good job she can be independent of her parents.

Lack of

Lack of time prevented me from writing.

Proof of

I want proof of your love.

Remind of

She reminds me of Princess Diana.

The thought of

I hate the thought of going back to work.

 

Word combinations with preposition with

Agree with (a person, opinion or policy) I agree with you.

He left the firm because he couldn’t agree with their production policy.

Angry with (a person for doing something)

I don’t know why she is angry with me.

Angry can also be used with at.

Blue with cold, green with envy, red with anger etc

He was red with anger when he heard the news.

Difficulty with (something)

He said that he was having difficulty with his travel arrangements.

Disappointed with somebody

I am quite disappointed with him.

Disappointed with / at / about somebody

You must be disappointed with your performance.

Fight with

They are constantly fighting with each other.

Ill with

He has been ill with malaria this week.

Impressed with / by

I was very impressed with his performance.

Pleased with

I am not very pleased with him.

Speak with (US); speak to (GB and US)

Could I speak with the manager for a moment?

Wrong with

What is wrong with you?

Idioms you must know 

Under the weather

When you are under the weather, you are feeling unwell. I didn’t go to school because I was feeling under the weather.

John is a bit under the weather. I should take him to the doctor.

If you are feeling under the weather, why don’t you consult a doctor?

I must get some rest. I am under the weather.

I am feeling a bit under the weather. I think I have got a cold.

Expressions with similar meanings

‘I am feeling sick.’
‘I don’t feel very well.’

I don't buy it

I don’t buy it = I don’t believe it. They say prices are going to fall, but I don’t buy it.

She said that she was not in love, but I wouldn’t buy it.

A sample piece of conversation

A: Why did you hit John?

B: He said some mean things to me the other day.

A: No, I don’t buy it. He is a decent guy. He won’t do it.

B: He did, and that’s why I hit him.

Hang in there / hang on in there

When you ask someone to hang in there, you are asking them not to give up, despite difficulties. Work was difficult, but I hung in there.
I had little chance of success; nonetheless I decided to hang on in there.
The company is talking about laying people off. I don’t know if I should hang in there or quit.

A sample piece of conversation

A: ‘I’m quitting my job. My boss is very difficult to work with.’
B: ‘I wouldn’t advice quitting. Hang in there. Things will get better.’

The expressions ‘keep going’ and ‘don’t give up’ have very similar meanings.

Goose bumps

You get or have goose bumps when you are very excited, cold or scared. I get goose bumps whenever I am scared.
Everybody gets goose bumps when they are cold.
I was so inspired by the story that I got goose bumps all over my body.
I had goose bumps when our cricket team won the World Cup.
That film was so scary. I couldn’t help getting goose bumps the whole time.

Phrases that express similar ideas are: jolt of excitement, tingling sensation

I felt a jolt of excitement when our team won the World Cup.
I had a tingling sensation run across my body when I heard the good news.

Get under one's skin

To get under somebody’s skin is to annoy or bother him. My landlady is very annoying. She always gets under my skin.

I can’t stand my new boss. He keeps getting under my skin.

That loud music is getting under my skin.

My kid brother is very messy. He is starting to get under my skin.

Stay in touch

To stay in touch is to maintain communications with someone. Other idioms having the same meaning are: keep in touch and remain in touch.

• Although my neighbour moved to a new city, we stayed in touch.
• You should write oftener than you do. We have got to stay in touch.
• I will give you my phone number so that you can stay in touch with me.
• Will you keep / stay in touch with me after moving to France?
• I don’t know his phone number or address, so I can’t stay in touch with him.

Have the guts

If you have the guts to do something you have got enough courage to do it.

• If I had the guts I would ask her on a date.
• She doesn’t have the guts to stay in a dark room.
• Do you have the guts to go parasailing?
• The kids insisted on taking the rollercoaster ride, but I didn’t have the guts to do it.
• She may be young, but she has the guts to do everything on her own.

Other sentences expressing similar meanings are:

• He is very courageous.
• If Iwas bold enough I would ask her on a date.
• She isn’t afraid of anything.
• I don’t have the courage to go parasailing.

Easier said than done

This is a cliché said of a task that is easier to talk about than to do.

• Finding a cure for cancer is easier said than done.
• I know I must find a good job, but it is easier said than done.
• He thinks he can solve the problem. He doesn’t realize that it is easier said than done.
• A lot of people think that stock trading is all about buying stocks when they are down and selling them when they are up, but it is easier said than done.

Other sentences that express similar ideas are:

• It is a whole lot harder than you think.
• I thought that it was easy, but I was mistaken.
• It was not as easy as I thought. 

I'm beat

When you are beat you are exhausted or tired.

• It was a tough task. I’m totally beat.
• I was so beat I went to bed early.
• I had a 12 hour shift today. I’m totally beat.
• It took me three hours to do the washing up and at the end of it I was totally beat.
• He said that he was beat and didn’t want to go out.
• As I was beat I decided to take a day off work.

Jump to conclusions

To jump to conclusions is to decide something without having all the facts.

• Please don’t jump to conclusions until you hear what I have to say.
• Before jumping to conclusions you must get your facts right.
• I incorrectly blamed him for breaking my window. I shouldn’t have jumped to conclusions.
• Why did you accuse him of stealing your purse? It wasn’t him. You shouldn’t jump to conclusions before getting your facts right. 

Call it a day

To call it a day is to stop working.

• I’m so tired. I think I should call it a day.
• I’m too tired to continue working. Let’s call it a day.
• He called it a day at noon and went home.
• We have finished everything for the day, so let’s call it a day.
• As it was already late we decided to call it a day.
• It is already 10 o’clock – I think it’s time to call it a day.
• In every professional’s life there is a point when they have to call it a day.

Other sentences that have similar meanings are:

• It is already nine o’clock. I think we should pick it up from the morning.
• As it was already late we decided to turn in for the night.

Get foot in the door

To get your foot in the door is to start working in a company at a low level hoping that you will be able to reach higher positions from there.

• Although it was not a great position, I decided to accept it. At least it would help me get my foot in the door.
• These days I am finding it difficult to get my foot in the door. I don’t even get a job interview.
• I think you should accept that offer. It is an opportunity to get your foot in the door.
• I think you should do internship for them. It will help you get your foot in the door.
• In these troubled economic times it is hard to get your foot in the door.

Go Dutch

When you go Dutch, you pay your own expenses on a date or outing.

• ‘No, you don’t have to pay for my drinks. We’ll go Dutch.’
• ‘I expected him to pay for me, but he didn’t. Actually, we had to go Dutch on the whole date.’
• ‘I was willing to pay for her but she insisted that we go Dutch.’
• ‘Whenever I go out with my friends, I always insist on going Dutch. I don’t want anyone to pay for me’.

Other idioms with Dutch

In Dutch

When you are in Dutch you are in trouble.

Throw in the towel

To throw in the towel is to quit.

• As there was little chance of success, I decided to throw in the towel.
• John couldn’t stand Jane’s bad temper, so he threw in the towel and left.
• We are not ready to throw in the towel yet. We will persist.
• He is not a quitter so I was surprised when he threw in the towel and left.
• The fighting lasted for almost two hours and then one guy threw in the towel.

Other idioms with similar meanings are:

Throw in the sponge; toss in the sponge; call it quits.

• I don’t think I can win, so I am calling it quits. 

Keep your fingers crossed

If you are keeping your fingers crossed, you are hoping for a good outcome for someone or something.

• I would like Alan to win the championship. I am keeping my fingers crossed for him.
• I don’t even have a one in ten chance of winning, but I am keeping my fingers crossed.
• I hope it doesn’t get worse. Let’s cross our fingers.
• I don’t think our team will win, but we better keep our fingers crossed. (= Let’s hope for the best.)

Couch potato

A couch potato is a person who spends most of his time sitting or lying down on the couch watching television.

• He has a huge belly. He must be a couch potato.
• That boy is a couch potato. He does nothing but watch TV.
• He is never going to lose weight. He is a couch potato.
• Stop being a couch potato and do something if you want to live longer.
• He is a couch potato. Good luck trying to get his attention. 

Idioms and phrasal verbs with keep

Keep one’s chin up To keep one’s chin up is to remain cheerful.

It takes courage to keep one’s chin up in the face of adversity.

Keep in touch with (remain in touch)

She has promised to keep in touch with me even after moving to Chicago.
I still keep in touch with my old class-mates.

Keep pace with (stay level with)

The salaries of employees have to keep pace with the rising rates of inflation.

Keep up (maintain)

He does everything he can to keep up the reputation of his family.

Keep one’s word To keep one’s word is to do what one has promised.

Keep somebody from doing something (= prevent)

Can’t you keep your dog from barking?

Keep in (hold, detain)

He was kept in prison for 20 years.

Idioms and phrases with the word heart

At heart He is a nice person at heart.

Be in good heart = be happy and hopeful

Investors are still in good heart, despite recent stock market falls.

Close/dear/near to someone’s heart = very important or interesting to someone

That is obviously a topic very close to her heart.

Do someone’s heart good = make someone feel happy

Have something at heart

A mother always has her child’s welfare at heart. (= A mother’s actions are always influenced by her love for her child.)

Have a heart of gold = be a very kind person

Have a heart of stone = be very unsympathetic

Have your heart set on something = decide that you want something very much

He has his heart set on winning the championship.

Heart goes out to someone = used for saying that you feel sorry for someone else

My heart goes out to the parents who lost their loved ones in the mishap.

Someone’s heart is not in something = someone has lost interest in something that they are doing

His heart was no longer in the project.

In someone’s heart / in someone’s heart of hearts

In his heart of hearts he knew that she was right.

Not have the heart to do something = not be able to do something because it is very cruel.

I didn’t have the heart to tell him that he had been sacked.

Play / work / sing your heart out = put a lot of effort into playing etc.

The children played their hearts out.

Cry your heart out = cry a lot

Take something to heart = think about something very seriously

You must not take everything people say to heart.

To your heart’s content = as much as you like

She partied to her heart’s content.

Wear / have your heart on your sleeve = be honest about your feelings; express your feelings freely

She is someone who wears her heart on her sleeve.

With your heart in your mouth = when you have your heart in your mouth you are feeling very nervous.

She opened the envelope and started reading the letter with her heart in her mouth.

Idioms and phrases with the word know

As we know it This is an expression used when you are talking about something people are familiar with, especially something that is likely to change forever.

A nuclear war could mean the end of the world as we know it.

As you know

This expression is used when you are saying something that somebody already knows.

As you know, we have already discussed this.

Get to know = start to be familiar with someone or something

She is nice when you get to know her.
It took me a while to get to know the city properly.

God/Goodness/Heaven knows

This is an expression used for saying that you do not know something.

‘Where on earth is he at the moment?’ ‘Goodness knows.’

I don’t know

This expression is sometimes used for saying that you do not completely agree.

‘I think the film will be boring.’ ‘Oh I don’t know. It could be interesting.’

This expression can also be used for criticizing people.

I don’t know how people can be so insensitive.

If you must know

This is an expression used when you are answering someone in an annoyed way.

I’m not seeing him, if you must know.
He is not my boyfriend, if you must know.

Know something backwards / know something inside out

When you know something inside out / backwards you are very familiar with it.

Know best

When it comes to toys, children know best.
When it comes to cosmetics, women know best.

Know better

When you know better you know that what someone says or does is wrong.

Everybody thought that it was an innocent prank, but I knew better. (= I knew that it was not an innocent mistake.)

Know your own mind

When you know your own mind you are certain about what you like and what you want.

Francis has always been a man who knows his own mind.

Know what’s what

To know what’s what is to be very clever or experienced.

Word combinations with the preposition for

It is not always easy to know which preposition to use after a particular noun, verb or adjective. Here is a list of nouns, adjectives and verbs that are followed by the preposition for. Anxious for (= eager to have)

We are anxious for an end to this misunderstanding.

Congratulate for

I congratulated him for winning the championship.

Note that congratulate can also be followed by on.

I congratulated him on having won the first prize.

Pay for something that is bought.

I will pay for your drinks. (NOT I will pay your drinks.)

Reason for

Nobody knows the reason for the mishap.

Responsible for / responsibility for

Who is responsible for this?

Search for (= look for)

The police are searching for suspected drug traffickers.

When search is used without for it means ‘look in one’s pockets, bags etc’.

The police searched everybody’s luggage but couldn’t find anything suspicious.

Sorry for something that one has done

I am sorry for interrupting you.

Note that sorry can also be followed by about.

I am sorry about breaking your window.

Sorry for a person

I felt sorry for him. (NOT I felt sorry about him.)

A check for (amount of money)

I gave her a check for $60.

Demand for

Although it was a good product, there wasn’t enough demand for it.

Need for something

There is no need for such a law.

Word combinations with preposition of

It is not always easy to know which preposition to use after a particular noun, adjective or verb. Here is a list of some common word combinations with the preposition of. Accuse somebody of something

She accused me of stealing her flowers.

Afraid of

He is afraid of the dark.

Details of

Send an email for details of our special offer.

Die of

A week after the accident she died of her injuries.

Note that die can also be followed by from.

Dream of (= think about, imagine)

I often dream of being a great writer.

Dream about / of (while asleep)

Could you tell me what it means if you dream of snakes?

Example of

She is an example of patience and perseverance.

Get out of a car, taxi or small boat

The idea of …-ing

I don’t like the idea of getting old.

Independent of

Now that she has got a good job she can be independent of her parents.

Lack of

Lack of time prevented me from writing.

Proof of

I want proof of your love.

Remind of

She reminds me of Princess Diana.

The thought of

I hate the thought of going back to work.

Common expressions with give

Some verbs referring to sounds made by people (e.g. cough, laugh, cry, scream, shout, chuckle) are often replaced by a structure with give and a noun. Common expressions are:

Give a cry
Give a cough
Give a laugh
Give a shout
Give a chuckle
Give a scream
Give a lecture
Give a speech

She gave a scream and ran out of the room. (= She screamed and ran out of the room.)

She gave a cough to attract my attention.

This structure can also be used with an indirect object. Common expressions are:

Give something a push
Give something a kick
Give something a clean
Give something a try
Give something a miss
Give somebody a ring

I will give you a ring before I arrive.

Give it a push if it doesn’t start.

‘Are you coming to the film?’ ‘No, I am busy. I will give it a miss.’

Notes We say take an exam, not give an exam. Similarly, we say take a photo, not give a photo.

Collocations

Collocations are conventional word combinations that sound natural to native English speakers. For example, we say a golden opportunity, but not a golden chance. Similarly, we say 'thanks a lot', but not 'thank you a lot'. More examples are given below:

A burning desire (BUT NOT a blazing row)

A blazing row (BUT NOT a burning row)

A heavy smoker (BUT NOT an indulgent smoker)

Change one's mind (BUT NOT Change one's thoughts)

Slightly annoyed (BUT NOT slightly interesting)

A devoted friend

An indulgent mother

A crashing bore

Collocations are idiomatic in a way. It is easy to understand the meaning of collocations, but a foreign learner may find it difficult to produce them correctly.

A learner who uses wrong word combinations for an idea may still be understood, but he or she will not sound natural.

All languages have large numbers of collocations. Some English examples are given below:

have breakfast / have lunch / have supper

have dinner / have tea / have coffee / have a drink

have a meal / have a bath / have a wash / have a shave

have a shower / have a rest / have a sleep / have a dream

have a good time / have a bad day / have a nice evening

have a day off / have a holiday / have a good journey

have a good flight / have a good trip / have a talk

have a word with somebody / have a chat

have a conversation / have a row / have a quarrel

have a fight / have a swim / have a walk

have a ride / have a dance / have a game of tennis / chess / badminton etc.

have a try / have a go / have a look

Notes Americans usually say take a bath / shower / rest / swim / walk etc.

get washed / get dressed / get lost / get drowned

get engaged / get married / get divorced

Go / come for a swim

go / come for a walk

go / come for a run

go / come for a ride

go / come for a drive

go / come for a sail

go / come for a drink

go for a bath

go for a shower

take a break / take a chance / take a look / take a rest

take a seat / take a taxi / take an exam / take notes

take someone's place / take someone's temperature

break a leg / break a promise / break a record

break a window / break someone's heart / break the ice

break the law / break the news to someone

break the rules

catch a ball / catch a bus / catch a chill

catch a cold / catch a thief / catch fire

catch sight of / catch someone's attention

catch someone's eye / catch the flu

keep a promise / keep a secret / keep an appointment

keep calm / keep control / keep in touch

keep quiet / keep someone's place / keep the change

fall ill / fall asleep / fall in love

come true / come right

go astray / go bad / go bald / go bankrupt

go blind / go crazy / go dark / go deaf / go fishing

go mad/ go missing / go on foot / go online

go out of business / go overseas / go quiet

go sailing / go to war / go yellow

go climbing / dancing / fishing / hunting / riding / sailing

go shooting / shopping / swimming / walking

Colour Idioms

Idioms and phrases using red

A “red-letter day” is one of special importance and good fortune. To “paint the town red” is to celebrate. To “see red” is to be angry. A “red herring” is a distraction, something that takes attention away from the real issue. If a business is “in the red,” it is losing money.

Idioms using green “To go green” is to become jealous. A “greenback” is slang for a U.S. dollar bill. If you have a “green thumb” you are a good gardener.

Idioms using blue

If you are “true blue,” you are loyal and faithful. “Feeling blue” is feeling sad. Something “out of the blue” is from an unknown source at an unexpected time.

Idioms using purple

“Purple speech” is profane talk. “Purple prose” is writing that is full of exaggerated literary effects and ornamentation.

Idioms using yellow

If someone is said to have a “yellow streak,” that person is considered a coward. “Yellow journalism” refers to irresponsible and alarmist reporting.

Idioms using white

A “white elephant” is a possession that costs more than it is worth to keep or an item that the owner doesn't want but can't get rid of.

Idioms using black

A “black hearted” person is evil. If a business is “in the black,” it is making money. A “blacklist” is a list of persons or organizations to be boycotted or punished.

Idioms With Arm

Cost an arm and a leg

When something costs an arm and a leg, it is very pricey. This is an informal idiom.

• That laptop cost me an arm and a leg.

A shot in the arm

When you receive a shot in the arm, you get a sudden encouragement.

• This industry needs a shot in the arm in the form of foreign investment.

The long arm of the law

• No one can escape the long arm of the law.

Twist somebody’s arm

When you twist somebody’s arm you persuade them to do something they don’t want to do.

• I didn’t want to go to the party, but Jane twisted my arm. (= Jane persuaded me to go.)

Keep somebody at arm's length

When you keep somebody at arm’s length, you don’t allow them to be too friendly with you.

• I don’t know why she is keeping me at arm’s length.
• I always keep strangers at arm’s length.

Animal Idioms - Idioms Derived From the names of animals

Take the bull by the horns

When you take the bull by the horns you face a difficult situation boldly.

If I were you, I would take the bull by the horns and dismiss him from service.

Cat and dog life

If you and your partner are leading a cat and dog life, you are constantly quarrelling with each other.

Let the cat out of the bag

When you let the cat out of the bag you reveal a secret by mistake.

I didn’t want anyone to know about my winning the jackpot, but my sister let the cat out of the bag.

Rain cats and dogs

When it rains cats and dogs it rains very heavily.

Till the cows come home (for a very long time)

We can discuss the problem till the cows come home, but that isn’t going to solve it.

Cow someone into doing something (force someone to do something by threatening or frightening)

You can’t cow them into submission.
If the management thinks that they can cow the workers into submission they are wrong.

Dog in the manger (someone who doesn’t let another person do or have something which he himself cannot do or have)

He is a real dog in the manger. He will neither eat the cake nor let us eat it.

Animal Idioms - Idioms Derived From the names of animals - Part 2

Lead a dog’s life

When you lead a dog’s life, you live in abject misery.
She has been leading a dog’s life since the untimely demise of her husband.

Go to the dogs (be ruined)

He was never the right person to be the manager. Under his management the company went to the dogs.

Not a dog’s chance (no chance at all)

You don’t have a dog’s chance to win the first prize.

Eat like a horse (eat a lot)

If you eat like a horse you will soon fall ill.

Put the cart before the horse (reverse the logical order of things)

The lion’s share (the biggest portion/share)

When the ancestral property was divided, he got the lion’s share.

Monkey about/around (behave in a foolish or silly way)

Stop monkeying about. You are a grown up boy.

Play a cat-and-mouse game with someone (keep someone in a state of suspense or uncertainty)

The management is playing a cat-and-mouse game with the workers on strike.

Rat race (the fierce, unending competition for success or wealth)

I am getting tired of this rat race. I just want to go and live a quiet life somewhere.

Smell a rat (have a feeling that something is wrong somewhere)

She smelled a rat when her husband suddenly started working late.

Separate the sheep from the goats (choose people or things of high quality from a group of mixed quality)

The success of an HR manager lies in his/her ability to separate the sheep from the goats.

Idioms derived from parts of the body - Part I

Idioms are common in all kinds of English, formal and informal, spoken and written. Here is a list of idioms derived from the parts of the body.

Arm

Keep at arms length (If you keep somebody at arms length, you avoid being too friendly with that person.)

• He is very quarrelsome, so I keep him at arms length.

With open arms (with great affection and enthusiasm)

• He welcomed his friends with open arms.

Back

Break the back of something (finish the hardest part of a work)

• Since my colleagues had already broken the back of it, I could finish the work easily.

Put one’s back into something (work at something with all one’s energy)

• You have to finish this work by tomorrow, so put your back into it.

Put someone’s back up (make a person angry)

• His offensive manner put my back up.

With one’s back against/to the wall (be forced to defend oneself in a difficult situation)

• Since there was no one to help him, he had to fight alone with his back against/to the wall.

Be on somebody’s back (keep asking someone to do something, or keep criticizing someone in a way that annoys them)

• He's still on my back about those ten pounds he lent me.

Behind somebody's back (if you do something behind someone's back, you do it without them knowing)

• I don't want to talk about it behind his back.

Stab somebody in the back (do something harmful to someone who trusted you)

• He was stabbed in the back by people he thought were his friends.

Turn your back on somebody (refuse to help someone)

• I appealed for help, but they turned their back on me.

Back to square one (If you are back to square one, you have to start working on something from the beginning because your previous attempt failed.)

• We thought everything was settled, but now they say they're not happy with the deal, so we're back to square one again.

Idioms derived from parts of the body - Part II

Idioms are common in all kinds of English, formal and informal, spoken and written. Here is a list of idioms derived from the parts of the body.

Brain

Be out of your brain (be very drunk)

• When he reached home last night, he was out of his brain.

Get your brain in gear (make yourself start thinking clearly and effectively)

• I have got an important meeting today, so I have to get my brain in gear.

Rack your brain/brains (think very hard, usually in order to remember something or to find a solution to a problem)

• I've been racking my brains but I still can't find a solution to this vexed problem.

Breast

Make a clean breast of it (confess a wrong doing)

• At first he denied the offence, but later he decided to make a clean breast of it.

Cheek

Cheek by jowl (very close together)

• The children sat cheek by bowl in the packed hall.

Turn the other cheek (if you turn the other cheek, you don’t get angry when someone attacks or insults you)

• Non-violence policy requires that you turn the other cheek, when someone hits you.

Tongue in cheek (if you say something tongue in cheek, what you have said is a joke, although it might seem to be serious)

• This book is a very engaging and at times tongue-in-cheek account of her brush with stardom.

Chest

Keep/play your cards close to your chest (not tell anyone what you plan to do)

• You will never know what he is going to do next. He plays his cards close to his chest.

Get it off your chest (tell someone about something that has been worrying you)

• If you have a problem, get it off your chest and you will feel better.

Chin

Keep your chin up (stay cheerful)

• I was delighted to know that he was keeping his chin up despite all his difficulties.

Take it on the chin (be brave and not complain when bad things happen to you or people criticize you)

• John took it all on the chin, though he was severely criticized by his boss. 

Idioms derived from parts of the body - Part III

Idioms are common in all kinds of English, formal and informal, spoken and written. Here is a list of idioms derived from the parts of the body.

Ear

Turn a deaf ear (refuse to listen to somebody or something)

• He turned a deaf ear to our warning and thus got into trouble.

Grin/smile from ear to ear (look extremely happy)

• His latest book is selling well and he is grinning from ear to ear.

Up to one’s ears in (deeply involved in)

• He is up to his ears in work/debt/trouble.

Elbow

Elbow one’s way through (force one’s way by using one’s elbow)

• The conference room was so crowded that I had to elbow my way through the crowd to reach my seat.

Eye

Not bat an eye/eyelash/eyelid (not show any shock or surprise)

• 'So what did she say when you told her you were leaving?' 'She didn't bat an eyelid.'

Turn a blind eye (choose to ignore behaviour that you know is wrong)

• I knew Peter was taking the money but I turned a blind eye because he was my nephew.

Keep an eye on (keep a watch on)

• I decided to keep an eye on him because I found his way of working suspicious.

In the eyes of somebody (in somebody’s judgment)

• In my eyes he is a good and honest man.

Before/under one’s very eyes (in one’s presence)

• These evil practices are happening before your own eyes and you are keeping silent.

Doesn’t see eye to eye (If two people don’t see eye to eye, they don’t agree with each other.)

• He's asked for a transfer because he doesn't see eye to eye with the new manager.

Idioms derived from parts of the body - Part IV

Idioms are common in all kinds of English, formal and informal, spoken and written. Here is a list of idioms derived from the parts of the body.

Face

Put a brave face/front on something (behave in a way that makes people think you are happy when you are not)

• She's very ill but she's putting a brave front on it. (= She makes people believe that her illness does not worry her.)

Put on a brave face/front

• I was not feeling well. Nevertheless, I decided to put on a brave face/front.

In-your-face (shocking or annoying in a way that is difficult to ignore)

• They ran an in-your-face campaign to promote the magazine.

Face up to (meet or accept challenges boldly)

• I never thought that he would be able to face up to the difficult situation.

In the face of (in spite of)

• He could achieve his goal in the face of great difficulties.

Lose face (do something that may affect your reputation)

• He refused to admit his involvement in the scandal because he didn't want to lose face.

Face the music (accept criticism or punishment for something that you have done)

• When it was discovered that he was the culprit, he chose to disappear rather than face the music.

Feet

Get cold feet (suddenly become too frightened to do something you had planned to do)

• They were to get married last Sunday, but unfortunately John got cold feet at the last moment.

Drag your feet/heels (act in a slow and hesitant manner)

• Peter wants to purchase a new car, but his father is dragging his feet.
• I wonder why the government is dragging its feet over the abolition of job reservation based on caste.

Keep your/both feet on the ground (not have your character spoilt by becoming famous or successful)

• Success hasn’t changed him – he has kept his feet firmly on the ground.

Stand on one’s own feet (become independent)

• She has finally got a good job – she can now stand on her own feet.

Think on your feet (think and react quickly)

• You must be able to think on your feet if you are doing live stage shows.

Not let the grass grow under your feet (not waste time by delaying doing something)

• Students, your exams are fast approaching – you can hardly afford to let the grass grow under your feet.

Have the world at your feet (become extremely successful and popular)

• Her first film has just released, but the young actress already has the world at her feet. 

Hand Idioms - Idioms Derived From the Word Hand

Idioms are common in all kinds of English, formal and informal, spoken and written. Here is a list of idioms derived from the word 'hand'.

Have someone in the palm of your hand (If you have someone in the palm of your hand, you have absolute control over them.)

• She has her boyfriend in the palm of her hand.

Beat someone hands down/ win something hands down (win easily)

• Whenever we play tennis, he beats me hands down.

Someone’s hands are tied (If your hands are tied, you are not free to behave in the way you like.)

• As a civil servant I would like to do something about the rampant corruption, but my hands are tied.

Know something like the back of your hand (know something very well)

• He knows the whole of Europe like the back of his hand.

Work hand in glove with someone/ go hand in glove (be in close association)

• It is a well-known fact that physical fitness goes hand in glove with mental well-being.

Give/lend a helping hand (assist or help)

• He is always willing to lend a helping hand to anybody in need.

Give somebody a big hand (applaud somebody loudly and generously)

• The audience gave the performers a big hand.

Fall into the hands of someone (be caught or captured by someone)

• He fell into the hands of his enemies.

Hair Idioms - Idioms Derived From the Word Hair

Idioms are common in all kinds of English, formal and informal, spoken and written. Here is a list of idioms derived from the word 'hair'.

Make someone’s hair stand on end (terrify someone)

• The horror film really made my hair stand on end.

Curl someone's hair (frighten or shock someone)

• The thought of having to live alone in a haunted bungalow curled my hair.

Get in someone's hair (annoy someone; disturb someone by being near them for a long period)

• I should get something to keep the kids occupied so that they don't get in my hair while I'm working.

Not a hair out of place (if you don’t have a hair out of place, your appearance is very tidy.)

• She turned up as immaculate as ever, not a hair out of place.

A hair's breadth (a very small distance or amount)

• We shall not give up now – success is within a hair’s breadth.

Hair-raising (very frightening)

• Walking through the thick forest was a hair-raising experience.

Harm a hair on someone's head (to hurt someone)

• He absolutely loves the girl. I can’t believe that he will harm a hair on her head.

Have a bad hair day (feel unattractive or unhappy all day; if a machine has a bad hair day it doesn’t work properly)

• My computer is having a bad hair day today – it just doesn’t work properly.

Let your hair down (relax and enjoy yourself without worrying what other people will think)

• Everybody should let their hair down once in a while.

Foot Idioms - Idioms Derived From the Word Foot

Idioms are common in all kinds of English, formal and informal, spoken and written. Here is a list of idioms derived from the word 'foot'.

Catch somebody on the wrong foot (If somebody catches you on the wrong foot, you are caught when you least expect it.)

• Upon entering the examination hall, I found John cheating and caught him on the wrong foot.

Let the grass grow under one’s feet (procrastinate; delay in getting something done)

• You will never finish any work in time if you let the grass grow under your feet.

Put one’s best foot forward (do one’s best)

• I hope to put my best foot forward during the interview.

Foot the bill (pay the bill)

• He footed the bill for the party arranged by his brother.

Put your foot down (insist; be firm)

• He was keen on quitting the job but his mother put her foot down and said that he shouldn’t.

Put one’s foot in the mouth (say something that causes trouble or embarrassment)

• Every time he opens his mouth, he manages to put his foot in it. (= Whenever he says something he manages to say the wrong thing and causes embarrassment.)

Have one foot in the grave (be very old and near death)

Finger Idioms - Idioms Derived From the Word Finger

Idioms are common in all kinds of English, formal and informal, spoken and written. Here is a list of idioms derived from the word 'finger'.

Burn one’s fingers or get one’s fingers burnt (suffer, often financially, as a result of foolish behaviour)

• He invested all his money in the stock market and got his fingers badly burnt.

Lay a finger on somebody (touch someone with the intention of causing harm)

• I will not let you lay a finger on that boy again.

Slip through someone’s fingers (miss something especially an opportunity)

• This is your last chance of passing the exam. Don’t let it slip through your fingers.

Work one’s fingers to the bone (work very hard)

• You will have to work your fingers to the bone if you want to pass this time.

Have something at one’s finger tips (know all the details of a subject thoroughly)

• He has all the details of the project at his fingertips.

Lift one’s finger (make even the slightest effort)

• He didn’t even lift a finger to stop the fight.

Keep one’s fingers crossed (to hope for or against something)

Common Idioms and Phrases with Get

Get about - spread (of news etc.)

Word soon got about that he was going to be dismissed.

Get about - travel, move from place to place

They get about quite a bit.
The Delhi Metro is the best way to get about the city.

Get something across - cause people to understand or accept it

Though he tried hard, he couldn’t get the new idea across.
He could get the message across without much difficulty.

Get after - pursue; attack

Though they got after the thieves, the policemen failed to arrest them.

Get along - live sociably with somebody; manage; make progress

I don’t understand how he manages to get along with her.

Get at - reach; find out

Though he tried hard, the hungry fox couldn’t get at the bunch of grapes.
They are trying to get at the truth.

Get away (with) - leave; escape; avoid the penalty of

The rich lad probably believed that he would be able to get away with the murder, but he was proved wrong.

Get off - start

We got off in the morning.

Get off - escape punishment

The accused couldn’t get off.
The thief got off after bribing the policeman.

Get over -overcome

He could get over the financial difficulties easily.

Get round somebody - persuade somebody to do what is desired; outwit; influence

A pretty young wife easily gets round an old husband.

Get (down) to - start

It is high time we got down to work.

Get to know - reach the stage of knowing; become familiar with

He is a nice guy when you get to know him.

Common Idioms and Phrases with Break

Break away – run away, escape

The horse broke away from the stable.

Break down – fail to work, go wrong; prove to be wrong.

The machine broke down.

Break down – be overcome by emotion

She broke down in the middle of her speech.

Break into – get into by force

The police broke into the building to capture the thieves.

Break in – train

We need a trainer to break our pony in.

Break off – stop abruptly, as in talking

He broke off in the middle of his speech.

Break out – appear suddenly

Plague has broken out in the city.

Break up – (of a meeting, school term etc.) end

The meeting broke up at 10 pm.

Break up – disperse

The police used tear gas to break up the mob

Common Idioms and Phrases with Come

Come about – happen

Nobody knows how these things came about.

Come across – find by accident

On my way to market, I came across an old beggar.

Come upon – find by accident

Come of – have as a result

What came of the discussion? (= What happened afterwards? What was the result?)

Come off – happen; take place

The prize distribution ceremony will come off next week.

Come to – happen to

How did you come to hear of it? 

Common Idioms and Phrases with Keep

 Keep at it

To keep at it is to continue doing something even if you want to stop.

Dieting won’t help if you can’t keep at it.

Keep going

To keep going is to continue to do something even if it is difficult.

They kept going even though they felt exhausted.

Keep something to yourself

To keep something to yourself is to not tell anyone else about it.

I will tell you a secret but you must keep it to yourself.

Keep yourself to yourself

To keep yourself to yourself is to stay alone rather than spending time with others.

She has few friends. She always keeps herself to herself.

Keep one’s temper: remain calm

Jane was really upset with Peter but she kept her temper.

Keep from (prevent, hold back, abstain from)

What kept you from joining me? (What prevented you from joining me?)
It is better to keep from smoking.

Keep away (avoid going, prevent somebody from going to or near)

I don’t know why she wants to keep the kids away from me.
He has been keeping away from the hostel for over a week.

Keep in (restrain one’s feelings etc.)

Her offensive manner did provoke him, but he kept in.

Keep off (cause something to stay at a distance)

Eat a balanced diet to keep diseases off.

The hood of the car keeps of the sun and the rain.

Keep on (continue)

He was tired, but he kept on working.
Don’t keep on asking silly questions.

Keep up (prevent (courage, spirits etc.) from sinking)

He wasn’t feeling very well, but he kept his spirits up.

Keep up (maintain)

We must try to keep up the reputation of our college.

Keep pace with (go at the same rate as)

He began to doze off after failing to keep pace with the lecture.

Keep in with (maintain good relationship with)

I believe in keeping in with my neighbours. 

Common Idioms and Phrases with Take

Take a seat (= sit down)

Please take a seat. / Please take your seat.

Take power / office

The new manager will take office in March.

Take cover (= hide)

They’re shooting at us! Quick, take cover!

Take a risk

If you can’t take risks you can’t be a successful entrepreneur.

Take the credit

I did all the work, but Peter took all the credit.

Take responsibility

He took full responsibility for the failure of the project.

Take offence

Please don’t take offence at my remarks.

Take interest / take an interest

I have never taken much interest in gardening.

Can take something or leave it (to not care whether you have, see or do something)

I like ice cream, but I can take it or leave it. (I don’t really care whether I have ice cream or not.)

Take it from me

An expression used for emphasizing that what you are saying is true and people should believe it