Idioms about Life

Definition: a chance to live with renewed energy or purpose

Example: “The treatment gave him a new lease on life.”

Forms: fixed noun phrase

Synonyms: fresh start, renewed vitality

Definition: To take a less important role.

Example: “He decided to take a back seat and let the younger team members lead.”

Definition: To make someone very annoyed or angry.

Example: “His constant whistling is driving me up the wall.”

Definition: To lose energy or enthusiasm.

Example: “I was working hard, but I ran out of steam by 3 PM.”

Definition: To proceed with maximum speed and energy.

Example: “Now that we have funding, it's full steam ahead on the project.”

Definition: To make a mistake; to fail to do something important.

Example: “I really dropped the ball by forgetting the meeting.”

Definition: To change the rules or requirements unfairly.

Example: “Every time I meet their standards, they move the goalposts.”

Definition: To be aggressive and uncompromising.

Example: “The negotiations got tough when they started playing hardball.”

Definition: To give up; to quit.

Example: “After months of trying, he finally threw in the towel.”

Definition: An approximate number.

Example: “I need a ballpark figure for the cost of the project.”

Definition: A situation where everyone has an equal chance.

Example: “The new rules create a level playing field for all competitors.”

Definition: What is normal or expected in a given situation.

Example: “Traffic jams are par for the course in this city.”

Definition: To take action when needed; to take responsibility.

Example: “When the manager quit, she stepped up to the plate and took charge.”

Definition: To do something extremely well.

Example: “Her presentation really hit it out of the park.”

Definition: To stay focused on what's important.

Example: “Don't get distracted; keep your eye on the ball.”

Definition: A strategy for achieving a goal.

Example: “What's our game plan for the launch?”

Definition: Supporting someone.

Example: “Don't worry, I'm in your corner on this decision.”

Definition: It's your turn to make a decision or take action.

Example: “I've made my offer; the ball is in your court now.”

Definition: In an advantageous position; ahead of the competition.

Example: “By starting early, we're ahead of the game.”

Definition: To earn money to support your family.

Example: “My father works two jobs to bring home the bacon.”

Definition: A son tends to be similar to his father.

Example: “He's a doctor just like his dad. Like father, like son.”

Definition: Family relationships are stronger than other relationships.

Example: “Even though we argue, we always support each other. Blood is thicker than water.”

Definition: A feeling of comfort and happiness when you arrive home.

Example: “After a long trip, it's great to be back. Home sweet home!”

Definition: To keep something private within the family.

Example: “Let's keep this issue in the family and not discuss it with outsiders.”

Definition: Someone who is very similar to their parent.

Example: “She's a great artist, just like her mother. A chip off the old block.”

Definition: Affecting you personally or emotionally.

Example: “That criticism hit close to home.”

Definition: To make yourself comfortable in someone else's house.

Example: “Please sit down and make yourself at home.”

Definition: A place where you feel comfortable and welcome.

Example: “This coffee shop has become my home away from home.”

Definition: To be the person in charge in a relationship or family.

Example: “In their household, she wears the pants.”

Definition: Born into a wealthy family.

Example: “He never had to work hard; he was born with a silver spoon in his mouth.”

Definition: To wear nice clothes to make a good impression.

Example: “It's an important meeting, so make sure you dress to impress.”

Definition: To be caught unprepared or in an embarrassing situation.

Example: “The surprise inspection caught us with our pants down.”

Definition: Something that is familiar or outdated.

Example: “This technology is old hat now; everyone uses the new version.”

Definition: To prepare for hard work.

Example: “We have a lot to do, so let's roll up our sleeves and get started.”

Definition: To show your emotions openly.

Example: “He wears his heart on his sleeve; you always know how he feels.”

Definition: If something applies to you, accept it.

Example: “I wasn't calling you lazy specifically, but if the shoe fits, wear it.”

Definition: To spend less money; to economize.

Example: “With the economic downturn, we all need to tighten our belts.”

Definition: Unfair or inappropriate.

Example: “That comment about his family was below the belt.”

Definition: Dressed in fancy or stylish clothes.

Example: “She arrived at the party dressed to kill.”

Definition: To imagine yourself in another person's situation.

Example: “Put yourself in his shoes and try to understand his perspective.”

Definition: To take over someone's position or responsibilities.

Example: “It will be hard to fill her shoes when she retires.”

Definition: Something that is passed down from one person to another.

Example: “Most of my clothes as a kid were hand-me-downs from my older brother.”

Definition: To have a great success or find something valuable.

Example: “The company struck gold with their new app; it became an instant hit.”

Definition: To become very successful.

Example: “She moved to Hollywood hoping to make it big as an actress.”

Definition: To set high or ambitious goals.

Example: “Don't be afraid to shoot for the stars; you can achieve anything you set your mind to.”

Definition: To be unsuccessful or badly received.

Example: “My suggestion to work on weekends went down like a lead balloon.”

Definition: Something that has failed and has no chance of success.

Example: “Without funding, the project is dead in the water.”

Definition: To fail completely; to not have the intended effect.

Example: “His joke fell flat; nobody laughed.”

Definition: To succeed unexpectedly or to be very helpful.

Example: “I was worried about finding accommodation, but my friend came up trumps and offered me a place to stay.”

Definition: To reach a required or expected standard.

Example: “He worked hard, but he didn't make the grade for the national team.”

Definition: To be very successful.

Example: “After winning the award, his career is really flying high.”

Definition: To fail spectacularly and completely.

Example: “His business idea crashed and burned within the first year.”

Definition: To fail badly or have an accident.

Example: “They came a cropper when the market suddenly changed.”

Definition: To have great success or luck, especially in making money.

Example: “They hit the jackpot when they invested in that startup.”

Definition: To fail or go bankrupt.

Example: “The restaurant went belly up after only six months.”

Definition: To advance in one's career or social position.

Example: “She's been steadily climbing the corporate ladder for ten years.”

Definition: To aim for great success; to be very ambitious.

Example: “With your talent and determination, you should reach for the sky.”

Definition: To avoid talking about what is important.

Example: “Stop beating about the bush and tell me what you really think.”

Definition: To discover the truth about a situation.

Example: “We need to get to the bottom of why sales have dropped.”

Definition: To hear news or gossip through informal communication.

Example: “I heard it on the grapevine that they're getting married.”

Definition: Expressing the same thing differently for clarity.

Example: “The project will be delayed. In other words, we missed the deadline.”

Definition: To say something embarrassing or inappropriate.

Example: “I really put my foot in my mouth when I asked about her ex-husband.”

Definition: To start something successfully.

Example: “It took months to get the new business off the ground.”

Definition: To tell people about something.

Example: “Please spread the word about our charity event.”

Definition: To understand the hidden meaning of something.

Example: “She said she was "fine," but reading between the lines, I could tell she was upset.”

Definition: To understand what someone is trying to tell you.

Example: “He kept yawning during my presentation. I got the message.”

Definition: To speak to someone privately, often to give advice or criticism.

Example: “The manager needs to have a word with him about his attendance.”

Definition: To speak indirectly or gently (usually used in negative: "not mince words").

Example: “Let me not mince words: your performance has been unacceptable.”

Definition: To talk about the most important thing immediately.

Example: “I don't have much time, so let me get straight to the point.”

Definition: To speak confidently about something (often paired with "walk the walk").

Example: “He talks the talk, but does he walk the walk?”

Definition: Information passed from person to person verbally.

Example: “Most of our customers found us through word of mouth.”

Definition: To tell someone important or bad news.

Example: “I had to break the news to her that her application was rejected.”

Definition: Someone who is your friend only when things are going well.

Example: “When I lost my job, I learned who my fair-weather friends were.”

Definition: People with similar interests or characteristics tend to associate with each other.

Example: “They're both artists, so naturally they became friends. Birds of a feather flock together.”

Definition: To make peace; to end a disagreement.

Example: “After years of fighting, they finally buried the hatchet.”