Idioms about Work

Definition: to learn how a job or activity is done

Example: “It took me a week to learn the ropes.”

Forms: fixed idiom; learn/learned the ropes

Synonyms: learn the procedure, get oriented

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.”

Definition: To have a very good, friendly relationship.

Example: “My sister and my girlfriend got along like a house on fire from the moment they met.”

Definition: To have affection or fondness for someone.

Example: “She has a soft spot for stray animals and always tries to help them.”

Definition: To support someone during a difficult time.

Example: “She stood by him throughout his illness.”

Definition: To get along very well with someone immediately.

Example: “We hit it off right away and became best friends.”

Definition: Fighting or arguing constantly.

Example: “Those two have been at each other's throats all week.”

Definition: To irritate or annoy someone.

Example: “His arrogant attitude really rubs me the wrong way.”

Definition: To make someone very sad, especially by ending a romantic relationship.

Example: “She broke his heart when she moved to another country.”

Definition: Someone who listens to your problems and comforts you.

Example: “After my breakup, my best friend was a shoulder to cry on.”

Definition: To get married.

Example: “They've been together for five years and finally decided to tie the knot.”

Definition: To propose marriage.

Example: “He popped the question on their anniversary.”

Definition: An extra person who feels left out when with a couple.

Example: “I felt like a third wheel when I went to dinner with them.”

Definition: To separate or end a relationship.

Example: “After ten years together, they decided to part ways.”

Definition: To study hard.

Example: “I have a big exam tomorrow, so I need to hit the books tonight.”

Definition: To memorize something completely.

Example: “We had to learn the poem by heart for class.”

Definition: To succeed easily and excellently.

Example: “She studied hard and passed the exam with flying colors.”

Definition: A student who is the teacher's favorite.

Example: “She always gets special treatment; she's such a teacher's pet.”

Definition: Someone who loves reading and spends a lot of time reading.

Example: “My daughter is a real bookworm; she reads three books a week.”

Definition: To think creatively about ideas, usually in a group.

Example: “Let's brainstorm some ideas for the marketing campaign.”

Definition: To know something thoroughly and completely.

Example: “After years of practice, she knows the software inside out.”

Definition: To work or study late into the night.

Example: “I was burning the midnight oil to finish my thesis.”

Definition: To fail to remember something.

Example: “When they asked me his name, I drew a blank.”

Definition: To learn from your mistakes and experiences.

Example: “I didn't know that would happen, but I guess you live and learn.”

Definition: Learning through difficult life experiences rather than formal education.

Example: “He never went to university; he learned everything in the school of hard knocks.”

Definition: To teach someone how to do a job or task.

Example: “Don't worry, I'll show you the ropes on your first day.”

Definition: Someone who learns things quickly.

Example: “She picked up the new software in just a day; she's a quick study.”

Definition: Traditional methods or ideas.

Example: “He prefers writing letters by hand; he's very old school.”

Definition: To skip school or a class.

Example: “He got in trouble for cutting class to go to the beach.”

Definition: In very good health.

Example: “My grandfather is 85 and still as fit as a fiddle.”

Definition: To feel slightly ill.

Example: “I'm feeling a bit under the weather, so I think I'll stay home today.”

Definition: To be told by a doctor that you are healthy.

Example: “I had my checkup and got a clean bill of health.”

Definition: In very good health.

Example: “After his recovery, he's back in the pink of health.”

Definition: Very weak, tired, or close to failing or dying.

Example: “After running the marathon, I was on my last legs.”

Definition: To become very ill from being cold.

Example: “Put on a jacket or you'll catch your death!”

Definition: The same bad treatment that you gave to others.

Example: “He was always criticizing others, and now he's getting a dose of his own medicine.”

Definition: Recovered from illness or difficulty.

Example: “It took a few weeks, but now she's back on her feet.”