Any port in a stormThis means that in an emergency any solution will do, even one that would normally be unacceptable.Bolt from the blueIf something happens unexpectedly and suddenly, it is a bolt from the blue.Brighten up the dayIf something brightens up your day, something happens that makes you feel positive and happy all day […]
All-singing, all-dancingIf something’s all-singing, all-dancing, it is the latest version with the most up-to-date features.Bells and whistlesBells and whistles are attractive features that things like computer programs have, though often a bit unnecessary.Cutting edgeSomething that is cutting edge is at the forefront of progress in its area.Fire on all cylindersIf something is firing on all
Ahead of the packIf you are ahead of the pack, you have made more progress than your rivals.Argue the tossIf you argue the toss, you refuse to accept a decision and argue about it.Ball is in your courtIf the ball is in your court, it is up to you to make the next decision or
Achilles’ heelA person’s weak spot is their Achilles’ heel.Any Tom, Dick or HarryIf something could be done by any Tom, Dick or Harry, it could be done by absolutely anyone.Even StevensIf everything is equal between people, they are even Stevens.Every Tom, Dick and HarryIf every Tom, Dick and Harry knows about something, then it is
Chinese wallsChinese walls are regulatory information barriers that aim to stop the flow of information that could be misused, especially in financial corporations.Chinese whispersWhen a story is told from person to person, especially if it is gossip or scandal, it inevitably gets distorted and exaggerated. This process is called Chinese whispers.Double DutchIf something is double
A day late and a dollar shortIf something is a day late and a dollar short, it is too little, too late.A fool and his money are soon partedThis idiom means that people who aren’t careful with their money spend it quickly. ‘A fool and his money are easily parted’ is an alternative form of
Ambulance chaserA lawyer who encourages people who have been in accidents or become ill to sue for compensation is an ambulance chaser.Eye for an eyeThis is an expression for retributive justice, where the punishment equals the crime.Jersey justiceJersey justice is very severe justice.Jury’s outIf the jury’s out on an issue, then there is no general
All the tea in ChinaIf someone won’t do something for all the tea in China, they won’t do it no matter how much money they are offered.Apple of your eyeSomething or, more often, someone that is very special to you is the ‘apple of your’ eye.As cool as a cucumberIf someone is as cool as
Black and whiteWhen it is very clear who or what is right and wrong, then the situation is black and white.Black as Newgate’s knockerIf things are as black as Newgate’s knocker, they are very bad. Newgate was an infamous prison in England, so its door knocker meant trouble.Black holeIf there is a black hole in
All hat, no cattleWhen someone talks big, but cannot back it up, they are all hat, no cattle.All mouth and trousersSomeone who’s all mouth and trousers talks or boasts a lot but doesn’t deliver.All talk and no trousersSomeone who is all talk and no trousers, talks about doing big, important things, but doesn’t take any
As cold as iceThis idiom can be used to describe a person who does not show any emotion.As mad as a hatterIt means that someone is crazy or behaves very strangely. In the past many people who made hats went insane because they had a lot of contact with mercury.Bald as a cootA person who
About faceIf someone changes their mind completely, this is an about face. It can be used when companies, governments, etc, change their position on an issue.Absence makes the heart grow fonderThis idiom means that when people are apart, their love grows stronger.All earsIf someone says they’re all ears, they are very interested in hearing about
ANIMALSA little bird told meIf someone doesn’t want to say where he got some information from, he can say that a little bird told me.Albatross around your neckAn albatross around your neck is a problem resulting from something you did that stops you from being successful.Ants in your pantsIf someone has ants in their pants,
Zero hourThe time when something important is to begin is zero hour.Zero toleranceIf the police have a zero tolerance policy, they will not overlook any crime, no matter how small or trivial.
Yah boo sucksYah boo & yah boo sucks can be used to show that you have no sympathy with someone.Yellow pressThe yellow press is a term for the popular and sensationalist newspapers.Yellow streakIf someone has a yellow streak, they are cowardly about something.Yellow-belliedA yellow-bellied person is a coward.YenIf you have a yen to do something,
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