September 2022

Paddle your own canoeIf you paddle your own canoe, you do things for yourself without outside help.Pain in the neckIf someone is very annoying and always disturbing you, they are a pain in the neck.Paint the town redIf you go out for a night out with lots of fun and drinking, you paint the town […]

Odds and endsOdds and ends are small, remnant articles and things.Off colourIf someone looks off colour they look ill.Off the chartIf something goes off the chart, it far exceeds the normal standards, good or bad, for something.Off the cuffIf you do something off the cuff, you do it without any preparation.Off the hookIf someone is

Nail in the coffinA nail in someone or something’s coffin is a problem or event that is a clear step towards an inevitable failure.Nature abhors a vacuumThis idiom is used to express the idea that empty or unfilled spaces are unnatural as they go against the laws of nature and physics.Neck and neckIf two competitors

Mad as a badgerIf someone is as mad as a badger, they are crazy.Mad as a hornetIf someone is as mad as a hornet, they are very angry indeed.Mad as a March hareSomeone who is excitable and unpredictable is as mad as a March hare.Mailed fistSomeone who rules or controls something with a mailed fist

Labour of loveA labour of love is a project or task undertaking for the interest or pleasure in doing it rather than the reward, financial or otherwise.Labour of loveA labour of love is a project or task undertaking for the interest or pleasure in doing it rather than the reward, financial or otherwise.Lame duckIf something

Kangaroo courtWhen people take the law into their own hands and form courts that are not legal, these are known as kangaroo court.Keen as mustardIf someone is very enthusiastic, they are as keen as mustard.Keep abreastIf you keep abreast of things, you stay informed about developments.Keep at bayIf you keep someone or something at bay,

Jack FrostIf everything has frozen in winter, then Jack Frost has visited.Jack-of-all-tradesA jack-of-all-trades is someone that can do many different jobs.Jane DoeJane Doe is a name given to an unidentified female who may be party to legal proceedings, or to an unidentified person in hospital, or dead.Jersey justiceJersey justice is very severe justice.Jet-blackTo emphasise just

I hereby give notice of my intentionHereby is used sometimes in formal, official declarations and statements to give greater force to the speaker’s or the writer’s affirmation. People will say it sometimes to emphasise their sincerity and correctness.I should cocoaThis idiom comes from ‘I should think so’, but is normally used sarcastically to mean the

Hair of the dogIf someone has a hair of the dog, they have an alcoholic drink as a way of getting rid of a hangover, the unpleasant effects of having drunk too much alcohol the night before. It is commonly used as a way of excusing having a drink early on in the day.Half-bakedA half-baked

Game planA game plane is a strategy.Gardening leaveIf someone is paid for a period when they are not working, either after they have given in their notice or when they are being investigated, they are on gardening leave.Get along famouslyIf people get along famously, they have an exceedingly good relationship.Get on your soapboxIf someone on

Face like thunderIf someone has a face like thunder, they are clearly very angry or upset about something.Face the musicIf you have to face the music, you have to accept the negative consequences of something you have done wrong.Face valueIf you take something at face value, you accept the appearance rather than looking deeper into

Each to their ownDifferent people have different preferences.Eager beaverA person who is extremely keen is an eager beaver.Eagle eyesSomeone who has eagle eyes sees everything; no detail is too small.Early bathIf someone has or goes for an early bath, they quit or lose their job or position earlier than expected because things have gone wrong.Early

Daft as a brushSomeone who is daft as a brush is rather stupid.Damp squibIf something is expected to have a great effect or impact but doesn’t, it is a damp squib.Dark horseIf someone is a dark horse, they are a bit of a mystery.Daylight robberyIf you are overcharged or underpaid, it is a daylight robbery;

Call a spade a spadeA person who calls a spade a spade is one speaks frankly and makes little or no attempt to conceal their opinions or to spare the feelings of their audience.Call the shotsIf you call the shots, you are in charge and tell people what to do.Can of wormsIf an action can

Babe in armsA babe in arms is a very young child, or a person who is very young to be holding a position.Babe in the woodsA babe in the woods is a naive, defenceless, young person.Baby boomerA baby boomer is someone born during 1945-1965, a period when the population in USA was growing fast.Back burnerIf