Idioms about Money

Definition: to have just enough money for necessary expenses

Example: “Many families struggle to make ends meet.”

Forms: fixed idiom; make/makes/made ends meet

Synonyms: manage financially, cover expenses

Definition: Progress has been satisfactory up to now.

Example: “How's the new project going? So far so good.”

Definition: When the person you have just been talking about arrives.

Example: “Well, speak of the devil! We were just talking about you, Mark.”

Definition: The final tolerable act in a series of provocations.

Example: “He was late again, and that was the last straw. I fired him.”

Definition: Enjoying two different opportunities at the same time.

Example: “Working from home is the best of both worlds; I have more family time and a great career.”

Definition: Under all circumstances, no matter how difficult.

Example: “She has always supported me through thick and thin.”

Definition: I don't know either.

Example: “What time will he arrive? Your guess is as good as mine.”

Definition: A diplomatic way to avoid answering a question directly.

Example: “When asked about the merger, she said, "I can neither confirm nor deny that."”

Definition: A playful way of saying no cutting in line; no exceptions.

Example: “The kids were told "no cuts, no butts, no coconuts" while waiting for the slide.”

Definition: Something is shockingly excessive or outrageous.

Example: “The price of that handbag is obscene!”

Definition: Very likely; almost certainly.

Example: “Ten to one he'll forget to bring the documents again.”

Definition: Used to emphasize that something has been done or said many times before.

Example: “For the umpteenth time, please turn off the lights when you leave!”

Definition: Something is not as good as people say it is.

Example: “Working from home isn't all it's cracked up to be.”

Definition: Something serious that should not be joked about.

Example: “Climate change is no laughing matter.”

Definition: A birthday greeting wishing someone many more happy birthdays.

Example: “Happy birthday! Many happy returns of the day!”

Definition: To behave in a moral and dignified way, especially when others do not.

Example: “Even though he insulted her, she took the high road and didn't respond.”

Definition: Feeling tired and disoriented after a long flight across time zones.

Example: “Sorry I'm so tired; I'm still jet-lagged from my trip to Japan.”

Definition: Stop complaining.

Example: “Quit griping about the weather and just enjoy the trip!”

Definition: What's the latest news or information? (slang)

Example: “Hey, what's the 411 on the new project?”

Definition: In a state of nervous excitement or agitation.

Example: “She was in a tizzy trying to prepare for the surprise party.”

Definition: Having no more patience or energy to deal with something.

Example: “After three hours of tech support calls, I'm at the end of my rope.”

Definition: It has been a very long time.

Example: “It's been ages since we last met! How have you been?”

Definition: Helping others often leads to negative consequences for the helper.

Example: “I volunteered to organize the event and now I'm stuck with all the cleanup. No good deed goes unpunished!”

Definition: Used to express pride in something you have done.

Example: “That was a pretty good presentation, if I do say so myself.”

Definition: Born to parents who are not married.

Example: “In the past, children born out of wedlock faced social stigma.”

Definition: A very gentle and harmless person.

Example: “Don't be afraid of him; he wouldn't hurt a fly.”

Definition: A dismissive expression of defiance or contempt (slang).

Example: “You want me to work overtime again? Eat my shorts!”

Definition: Criticizing someone for a fault you also have.

Example: “You're calling me lazy? That's the pot calling the kettle black!”

Definition: A misunderstanding or miscommunication.

Example: “We had crossed wires about the meeting time, so I arrived an hour late.”

Definition: Wednesday, the middle of the work week.

Example: “Happy hump day! We're halfway through the week.”

Definition: A phrase about mortality, often used at funerals.

Example: “The pastor said "ashes to ashes, dust to dust" as they lowered the casket.”

Definition: Acting as if you are morally superior to others.

Example: “I can't stand her holier-than-thou attitude about organic food.”

Definition: Unpredictable; sometimes successful and sometimes not.

Example: “The restaurant is hit or miss-sometimes great, sometimes disappointing.”

Definition: In various directions; here and there.

Example: “The children were running hither and thither in the playground.”

Definition: Very tired or exhausted (British slang).

Example: “After that 10-mile hike, I'm absolutely knackered.”

Definition: Excitement, energy, or sex appeal.

Example: “That red dress has real va va voom!”

Definition: A day when students skip school.

Example: “Senior ditch day is a tradition at many high schools.”

Definition: Someone who speaks honestly and directly.

Example: “I trust her advice because she's a straight shooter.”

Definition: Unable to get any luck or relief from problems.

Example: “First my car broke down, then I got sick. I just can't catch a break!”

Definition: To avoid attracting attention to yourself.

Example: “After the scandal, he decided to keep a low profile for a while.”

Definition: Savings set aside for the future.

Example: “They've been building a nest egg for their retirement.”

Definition: Two things that go perfectly together.

Example: “Those two are like peanut butter and jelly-inseparable!”

Definition: Stop wasting time on unimportant things (British slang).

Example: “Stop faffing around and get your work done!”

Definition: Acknowledge someone's contribution or achievement.

Example: “I don't like him personally, but I have to give credit where credit is due-he did a great job.”

Definition: Very quickly; instantly.

Example: “If they offered me that job, I'd take it in a New York minute!”

Definition: To discuss something seriously and directly.

Example: “Enough small talk-let's talk turkey about the contract.”

Definition: Destined to happen; fated.

Example: “They met by chance, but their love was written in the stars.”

Definition: To compromise one's values for personal gain.

Example: “Taking that job felt like making a deal with the devil.”

Definition: Nonsense or deceptive talk; a con.

Example: “Don't fall for his flimflam-he's just trying to scam you.”

Definition: Someone who talks big but doesn't back it up with action.

Example: “He brags about his business skills, but he's all hat and no cattle.”

Definition: A situation that has a good outcome is satisfactory, regardless of difficulties.

Example: “We missed our flight but got upgraded on the next one. All's well that ends well!”

Definition: A person's closest living relative(s).

Example: “Please list your next of kin on the emergency contact form.”

Definition: Done quickly and easily (British slang).

Example: “I'll fix that for you-bish bash bosh-done!”

Definition: A clumsy person in a delicate situation.

Example: “He was like a bull in a china shop during the delicate negotiations.”

Definition: To have heard something from a secret source.

Example: “A little bird told me it's your birthday tomorrow.”

Definition: To be unable to sit still.

Example: “The kids have ants in their pants today; they can't wait for the party.”

Definition: A question asked when someone is unusually quiet.

Example: “You've been silent all evening. Cat got your tongue?”

Definition: To raise a false alarm, with the result that a real alarm is ignored.

Example: “He has cried wolf so many times that no one believes him when he's actually in trouble.”

Definition: Being too inquisitive can lead to trouble.

Example: “I know you want to know what's in the box, but remember, curiosity killed the cat.”

Definition: To be in an unfamiliar and uncomfortable situation.

Example: “As a country boy, he felt like a fish out of water in the big city.”

Definition: To do something pointless or futile.

Example: “I went on a wild goose chase trying to find that rare book.”

Definition: To wait a moment; to not be so impatient.

Example: “Hold your horses! We're not ready to leave yet.”

Definition: To achieve two aims at once.

Example: “I can kill two birds with one stone by listening to an English podcast while I exercise.”

Definition: To avoid restarting a conflict.

Example: “I wanted to ask him about the argument, but I decided to let sleeping dogs lie.”

Definition: To accidentally reveal a secret.

Example: “He let the cat out of the bag about the surprise party.”

Definition: A major problem or controversial issue that is obviously present but avoided as a subject for discussion.

Example: “His gambling problem was the elephant in the room at the family dinner.”

Definition: The largest portion of something.

Example: “As the lead investor, he took the lion's share of the profits.”

Definition: Something that will never happen.

Example: “He'll clean his room when pigs fly.”

Definition: Fully listening; attentive.

Example: “Tell me about your trip, I'm all ears.”

Definition: To stop yourself from saying something you want to say.

Example: “I had to bite my tongue to keep from criticizing his plan.”

Definition: Good luck! (often said to actors before a performance).

Example: “You have a big performance tonight? Break a leg!”

Definition: Just barely succeeding.

Example: “He passed the exam by the skin of his teeth.”

Definition: A first step toward getting or doing something.

Example: “This internship could be my foot in the door at a great company.”

Definition: To become nervous about a big event and reconsider it.

Example: “The groom got cold feet the day before the wedding.”

Definition: To talk about something that has been bothering you.

Example: “He felt much better after getting the problem off his chest.”