Idiom about something

Weather Idioms As right as rain:   To feel fine and healthy. Be a breeze:   To be very easy to do. Be snowed under:   To have so much to do that you are having trouble doing it all. Break the ice:   To say or do something to make someone feel relaxed or at ease in a social setting. Calm before the storm:  The quiet, peaceful period before a moment of great activity or mayhem. Chase rainbows:   When someone tries to do something that they will not achieve Come rain or shine:   You can depend on someone to be there no matter what or whatever the weather. Every cloud has a silver lining:   There is always something positive to come out of an unpleasant or difficult situation. Fair-weather friend:   A person who is only your friend during good times or when things are going well for you but disappears when things become difficult or you have problems. Get wind of:   To learn or hear of something that...

Law Idioms a law unto themselves If somebody is a law unto themselves, they do things their own way and follow their own ideas about how to live instead of following what others do. a slap on the wrist If someone gives you a slap on the wrist, they give you a mild punishment for making a mistake or doing something wrong. a vested interest If you have a vested interest in something, you have a strong personal interest in it because you stand to gain from it. above board If something is above board, it's been done in a legal and honest way. above the law If someone is above the law, they are not subject to the laws of a society. beat the rap  If someone beats the rap, they avoid being found guilty of a crime. by the book If you do something by the book, you do it strictly according to the rules or the official procedures. caught red-handed If someone is caught red-handed, they are caught in the act of doing something wrong such as ch...

Death Idioms a matter of life and death If something is a matter of life and death, it's extremely important and it could involve someone's survival. dead in the water If something is dead in the water, it has no chance of succeeding or of making any progress. dead to the world  If you're dead to the world, you are sound asleep. dig one's own grave If you dig your own grave, you do something unwise that will result in your own failure or downfall in the future. kick the bucket  If someone kicks the bucket, they die. kill the goose that lays the golden egg If you kill the goose that lays the golden egg, you destroy something that has made you a lot of money. kill time You kill time when you do something to amuse yourself while waiting for something. kill two birds with one stone If you kill two birds with one stone, you achieve two things with the one action. make a killing If you make a killing, you make a lot of mo...

Sport Idioms idiom sport of origin meaning example sentence across the board cards equal for everyone Ten percent raises were given  across the board . at this stage in the game any sport at this time Nobody knows who is going to win the election  at this stage in the game . the  ball is in your court tennis it's your decision or responsibility to do something now "Do you think I should accept the job offer?" "Don't ask me. The  ball is in your court  now". bark up the wrong tree hunting you've got the wrong person or idea I think you're  barking up the wrong tree  by blaming Matt for the missing money. blind-sided American football to not see something coming George  blind-sided  Eric with his fist at the bar. blow the competition away any sport win easily If you wear that dress to the beauty pageant you are going to  blow the competition away. call the shots billiards make the decisions While our boss is on vacation, Bob wil...

Body Idioms idiom meaning example sentence all ears fully listening Give me a minute to finish my work and then I'll be  all ears  to hear about your project. break a leg good-luck Today's the big game, eh?  Break a leg! cold feet nervous just before a big event My sister didn't get  cold feet  until she put her wedding gown on. cost an arm and a leg be very expensive These cakes are delicious, but they  cost an arm and a leg . cry your heart out cry very hard I  cried my heart out  when my best friend moved away. face the music meet, stand up to unpleasant conseqences, for example criticism or punishment I stayed out all night. When I eventually got home I had to  face the music  from my wife. (my) flesh and blood relative I have to hire Mia. She's my own  flesh and blood . get something off one's chest tell someone your problems Thanks for listening to me complain about my boss. I just needed to  get this off my c...

Food Idioms idiom meaning example sentence apple of one's eye a person that is adored by someone Baby Jessica is the  apple of her father's eye . (have a) bun in the oven be pregnant I don't think Jan will come to the bar because she has a  bun in the oven . bad egg a person who is often in trouble I don't want my little brother hanging around with the  bad eggs  on the street. big cheese very important person (VIP) I thought I was just going to interview the secretary, but they let me talk to the  big cheese  himself. bread and butter necessities, the main thing Just explain the  bread and butter  of your report. You don't have to go into details. bring home the bacon earn the income My husband has had to  bring home the bacon  ever since I broke my leg. butter someone up be extra nice to someone (usually for selfish reasons) We'll have to  butter  Angie  up  before we tell her the news about the broken va...

Temperature Idioms Weather and temperature ice cold  /  freezing cold  /  stone cold  = very cold: "This tea is stone cold!" a cold snap  /  a cold spell  = cold weather: "We're in for a cold snap this weekend." People cold-hearted  = not be a warm person: "She is so cold-hearted, ignoring her boyfriend like that!" cold-blooded  killer /  kill someone in cold blood  = have no mercy for your victim: "He was killed in cold blood." cold fish  = a "cold" person: "The new manager is a bit of a cold fish. I don't know what to make of him." Lack of enthusiasm or emotion get cold feet  = when you suddenly don't feel brave enough for something: "We wanted to go on holiday to Egypt, then my husband got cold feet about flying." blow hot and cold  = not be able to decide something: "I don't know about moving house. I'm blowing hot and cold about it." in the cold light of da...