A bad break 1. A misfortune. 2. A serious bone fracture. A big ask A favour which is a lot to ask of someone. A bigger bang for your buck Better value for your money. A bite to eat A small meal, possibly taken quickly when time is short. A bull and cow Cockney rhyming slang for a row or argument. A doubting thomas A sceptic who won’t accept a widely believed truth until seeing the evidence in person. A feather in ones cap A symbol of achievement. A hot potato A current issue which many people are talking about and which is controversial. A leopard cant change his spots You cannot change your innate self. A lot on your plate Having many responsibilities. A picture paints a thousand words Pictures are far more descriptive than words. A slap on the wrist A mild rebuke, often given when a more severe punishment might be expected. A taste of your own medicine Mistreatment you receive in retaliation to that you gave to others. A thorn in my flesh A persistent and difficult to ignore annoyance. A toss up 1. The flip of a coin to decide on something. 2. A result, usually between two courses of action, which is uncertain and could go either way. A-Z List of Idioms Abso bloody lutely A more emphatic version of ’Absolutely’. Act your age Behave in a manner appropriate to your stage in life. Adage Money always has a telling influence. Add fuel to the fire Make a bad situation even worse than it is. Agreement A kindred spirit. Someone who thinks as I do. Aint my first rodeo Said by someone who has experience of a situation. Al desko Eating one’s lunch while still working. (A Pun on ’Al fresco’.). All bark and no bite Having lots to say but not willing to engage in a fight. All in a days work Typical; a normal set of circumstances. All kidding aside Said when you want people to realise you are speaking seriously, when they might otherwise think you were joking. All set Ready to go. All the way Referring to something that is done fully, especially as a euphemism for full sexual activity. All thumbs Clumsy or physically inept. All to cock Ruined or shambolic. Alpha mom An ambitious mother who aims to excel at work while raising children. Alphabet soup A jumble of words or letters, often referring to organisations known by their initials, like CIA or BBC. America A day on which everything seems to go wrong. Amped up Excited and ready for action. An axe to grind A dispute with someone. An open and shut case A straightforward legal case in which the outcome is clear. Animals It’s better to have a lesser but certain advantage than the possibility of a greater one that may come to nothing. Aphorism A proverb that suggests a poor workman tends to look for an excuse for his poor work. Apples and pears Cockney rhyming slang for stairs. At the drop of a hat With no delay. Australian origin A favour which is a lot to ask of someone. Baby brain Confusion or forgetfulness caused by lack of sleep when caring for a new-born. Baby bump The protruding belly of a pregnant woman. Also used to describe the unborn child itself. Baby snatcher Someone who enters into an amorous relationship with a much younger person. Bag lady A homeless woman, who carries all her possessions in shopping bags. Barnet fair Cockney rhyming slang for hair. Bat from the pavilion end Slang term for a homosexuality. Be a sport Be generous and/or sportsmanlike. Be glad to see the back of Be happy when a person leaves or when an unpleasant situation is ended. Bend over backwards Make extravagant efforts to avoid bias. Between the wars The period between WWI and WWII. Beyond price To be so prized and valuable as to not be obtainable by money. Biblical A very small part of a bigger whole. Bitch slap An open-handed slap in the face intended to be humiliating. Bite off more than you can chew Take on a task that is more than one can manage. Bite your tongue Avoid speaking. Blood blister Cockney rhyming slang for sister. Blue A set meal provided at a reduced price. Body 1. A misfortune. 2. A serious bone fracture. Brahms and lizst Cockney rhyming slang for pissed. Brass monkey weather Extremely cold weather. The full expression is 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey'. Brass tacks Cockney rhyming slang for facts. Breast is best Slogan of breastfeeding campaign. Bring your a game Perform to the best of your ability. Brown out 1. A partial failure of the electricity supply. 2. The exposing of one's buttocks in public. Brum brum Child's play idiom expressing the sound of a vehicle. Building An upmarket hotel located in a revamped rural mansion. Burn the midnight oil To work late into the night. Business A worker especially loyal to the employer he works for. Buy a lemon Waste money by purchasing a car that is frequently faulty. Calendar year Twelve months beginning from the first of January. Cant cut the mustard Unable to meet the demands put upon you. Cast iron stomach Said to be possessed by someone who is able to eat anything with no ill effects. Caught between two stools Finding it difficult to choose between two alternatives. Caught by the short hairs Trapped by an opponent in a situation you can't escape. Chasing tail Of a man pursuing women. Chew someone out Verbally scold someone. Childhood A slang term for small child. Children The protruding belly of a pregnant woman. Also used to describe the unborn child itself. Cliche Better value for your money. Clock 1. Almost time. 2. High time. Clothes A symbol of achievement. Cockney rhyming slang Cockney rhyming slang for a row or argument. Colour A deliberate provocation. Come hell or high water Despite any great difficult or obstacle. Comedy Make someone laugh. Company man A worker especially loyal to the employer he works for. Conflict Cockney rhyming slang for a row or argument. Corduroy road A road that is ridged and furrowed like the fabric. Country An upmarket hotel located in a revamped rural mansion. Crack someone up Make someone laugh. Cream crackered Cockney rhyming slang for knackered. - note, when this term was coined, cream crackers were a popular snack in the UK. Crime A person or thing having good underlying qualities while appearing to be coarse and unpolished. Cross your fingers To hope that something happens. Crunch time The period of time just before a project has to be completed. Currant bun Cockney rhyming slang for sun. Daisy roots Cockney rhyming slang for boots. Dance Dance in a stylish way. Date Behave in a manner appropriate to your stage in life. Day surgery Minor surgery that does not require the patient to stay in hospital overnight. Dead white european male Derogatory reference to someone who has an unjustified reputation. Death The reputed opinion of sexual intercourse by prim Victorian ladies. Designated driver Someone who agrees not to drink alcohol at a social event in order to be sober enough to drive others home. Dial down 1. Adjust a device to reduce sound or temperature. 2. Reduce one's emotional reaction to something. Dicky dirt Cockney rhyming slang for shirt. Discussing uganda Euphemism for sex. Disgust Said of someone who the speaker has a deep dislike of. Dog and bone Cockney rhyming slang for telephone. Dog days of summer The hottest days of the summer season. Dont bite the hand that feeds you Don't hurt someone that helps you. Dont cry over spilt milk Don't fret pointlessly about some mistake or loss when it can't be remedied. Dont give up the day job Said to someone who is a poor performer at a task - suggesting that they wouldn't be able to succeed at it professionally. Dont look a gift horse in the mouth When you receive a gift accept it with good grace and don't find fault with it. Dont put all your eggs in one basket Don't risk all your property on a single venture. Double header A sports expression denoting two events held at the same time. Drink A slang term for lager. Drive someone up the wall Irritate or annoy very much. Dry run A rehearsal. Education The joint name given to Columbia, Brown, Cornell, Dartmouth, Yale, Pennsylvania, Princeton, and Harvard universities. Effort A favour which is a lot to ask of someone. Emotion A day on which everything seems to go wrong. Employment Typical; a normal set of circumstances. Enhanced interrogation techniques Euphemism for torture. Euphemism The reputed opinion of sexual intercourse by prim Victorian ladies. Everything but the kitchen sink Everything imaginable. Evil twin An imaginary double, humorously referred to in order to explain the uncharacteristic bad behaviour of a normally moral person. Usually used light-heartedly. The expression formed as an allusion to plots in films involving actual evil twins. Excellence To be so prized and valuable as to not be obtainable by money. Excess A favour which is a lot to ask of someone. Failure 1. Something sadly neglected. 2. A person or thing of untidy appearance. Fairytale ending A happy simplistic ending to a story similar to those found in fairy tales. Family Failure is certain if those on the same side argue amongst themselves. Far cry from Very different from. Fashion Very smartly dressed, in one's best clothes. Fell off the back of a lorry A coy reference to an item that has been stolen. Fire the imagination Inspire with enthusiasm. First among equals The most senior person in a group of equal rank. First world The industrialised affluent and wealthy nations. First world problem A relatively trivial problem only affecting the affluent. Fixed in your ways Unwilling to change from your habitual way of doing things. Flea pit A downmarket cinema - allegedly verminous. Food A small meal, possibly taken quickly when time is short. French Please forgive me for swearing. Frock up Wear a smart or formal dress for a special occasion. Fruit Cockney rhyming slang for stairs. Full of bull Talking hot air. Gee gee Childish term for a horse. Gender bender A person who adopts a deliberately androgynous appearance, by use of uni-sex make-up, hair-style and clothing. Probably influenced by 'bender' being an earlier slang term for homosexual. Get a gold star Earn a merit point for doing well. Get on board Accept and participate with an idea or project. Get out of hand Become chaotic and uncontrollable. Get out of the wrong side of the bed Be grumpy because you are having a bad day. Get your head around Understand something, especially something difficult to comprehend because it is complex or surprising. Ginger beer Cockney rhyming slang for queer. Give him an inch and hell take a mile allow someone a small concession and they will take advantage and try to take more. Give the benefit of the doubt Decide to believe a statement which isn't proven. Give the slip To get away from. To escape. Gnats bollock A very small (imaginary) unit of measurement. Go ape shit Become excessively agitated and excited. Go belly up Become badly and permanently inoperative. Go down like a lead balloon Be received badly. Go for broke Put every resource into getting a particular result. Go the extra mile Going beyond what is usually required. Make an extra effort. Greek origin A fatal weakness in an otherwise strong person or thing. Habit You cannot change your innate self. Had a good war To have been successful during a military campaign. Hair A day on which everything seems to go wrong. Happiness An apparent misfortune that works to the eventual benefit of the recipient. Happy sad A bittersweet feeling combining both happiness and sadness. Harry spankers Brand spanking new. Have a blast Have an especially good time. He makes my flesh (or skin) crawl (or creep) Said of someone who the speaker has a deep dislike of. Hear it on the grapevine Hear rumors about something from an anonymous informal contact. Hell bent Determined to achieve something at all costs. Help yourself Invitation to take something freely. Hidden in plain sight Something that defies apprehension by being too obvious. High season The most popular time to visit a resort or attraction - when prices are highest. Hit the books To study, especially for a test or exam. Hit the sack Retire to bed. Holy shit An expression of extreme surprise or disbelief. Honesty Decide to believe a statement which isn't proven. Household items A very small part of a bigger whole. Hyperbole The reputed opinion of sexual intercourse by prim Victorian ladies.

I cant be doing with it I am unwilling to tolerate it. I cant think straight I'm overwhelmed and stressed and it is affecting my ability to think. Idiom categories Idioms coined in Britain Idioms coined in the USA If its not one thing, its another Said after more than one thing goes wrong. In cahoots with To be in a partnership with, often for unscrupulous purposes. In the heat of the moment In an overwhelming situation, causing you to act rashly. It takes two to tango It takes two people to cause a problem between them. Its not rocket science Said of something that isn't complex or difficult to understand. Joke Said when you want people to realise you are speaking seriously, when they might otherwise think you were joking. Joshing me Tricking me. Keep an eye on Observe carefully to make sure something bad isn't done. Kill two birds with one stone Accomplish two things with a single action. Knee trembler Sexual intercourse between two people standing up. Language Pictures are far more descriptive than words. Latin Latin expression meaning seize the day. Legal A straightforward legal case in which the outcome is clear. Lend me your ear Politely ask for someones full attention. Lets rewind A suggestion that the thing under consideration has gone along unproductive lines and should be looked at again from the beginning. Link farm A website that exists primarily to display links to another website, with the intention of improving the search status of the second site. Link rot The tendency of WWW addresses to become out of date and point to unavailable pages. Liquor someone up To supply or to drink alcoholic drink. Little devil An exclamation of surprise and annoyance, directed at someone who has behaved badly or performed some kind of prank. Often applied to children. Little fish in a big pond Someone considered unimportant compared to their more significant peers. Location Some endeavours either succeed or they don’t - to miss narrowly is still failure. Lord fred Cockney rhyming slang for bed. Lose your head Overcome by emotion and out of control. Lose your touch Lose an ability that you used to possess. Luck An apparent misfortune that works to the eventual benefit of the recipient. Madness Not facing reality; in a dream world. Make a scene Cause a disturbance. Mates rates A discount price offered to friends. Medical 1. A misfortune. 2. A serious bone fracture. Method to my madness Odd actions that appear meaningless but are done for a good reason. Military 1. A military command to turn when on parade. 2. A change from one’s previous position. Misfortune 1. A misfortune. 2. A serious bone fracture. Miss the boat Missed the chance to take an opportunity. Money Better value for your money. Mrs mop traditional English name for a cleaning woman. Music Invitation to join in communal singing. Name A sceptic who won’t accept a widely believed truth until seeing the evidence in person. Nature It’s better to have a lesser but certain advantage than the possibility of a greater one that may come to nothing. Nautical A radical change. New arrival Colloquial term for a new-born baby. No rush Said to someone to indicate that you aren't in a hurry for them to complete their task. No saint Someone who might claim to be of good behaviour but has in fact a sordid past. No spring chicken Said of people who are no longer young but may behave as though they were. Nonsense Nonsense. Nose around Investigate in an off-hand manner. Not all there Not in possession of one's mental faculties. Number So commonplace as to be of little consequence. Off ones rocker Crazy; out of one's mind. On the fence Unwilling to give one's view about which side you support. On the record Something said in confidence that the one speaking is happy to have repeated. On the same page Several people agreeing. Open warfare Engaged in active fighting or dispute. Out on the town Out enjoying oneself. Partner up Find a companion. Patience 1. Almost time. 2. High time. Peachy keen Excellent; wonderful. Pedal to the metal To go at full speed, when driving a vehicle. Pen and ink Cockney rhyming slang for stink. Perfect pitch The ability to determine a musical note by ear. Phone it in Perform an act in an uncommitted disinterested manner. Photo bomb Spoil a photograph by unexpectedly appearing in the picture and taking the attention away from the intended subject - usually as a prank. Pig out To overeat in a slovenly manner. Pigs ear Cockney rhyming slang for beer. Pigs might fly Said when referring to something that is highly unlikely. Place An idealistic dream of a sunny hideaway. Play devils advocate A person who takes a contrary position from the one being presented, either for the sake of argument or to test the validity of the opposing point of view. Play safe Avoid risk. Play the field Indulge in a series of sexual relationships. Politics A political contest in which the result is influenced by personality and image more than by policy. Porky pies Cockney rhyming slang for lies. Potatoes (or taters) in the mould Cockney rhyming slang for cold. Potty mouth A foul mouthed person. Pride Proud and arrogant. Proverb A proverb that suggests a poor workman tends to look for an excuse for his poor work. Proverbial A proverb that suggests a poor workman tends to look for an excuse for his poor work. Pull the plug Bring something to an end. Pull the wool over someones eyes Deceive someone. Pulling your leg Tricking someone as a joke. Queer bashing Making an unprovoked physical or verbal attack on homosexuals. Reduplication Child's play idiom expressing the sound of a vehicle. Relaxation A work day which an employee is allowed to spend at home relaxing. Religion A sceptic who won’t accept a widely believed truth until seeing the evidence in person. Rest up Take a break from one's efforts. Revenge porn The malicious posting of sexual images online to harm the reputation of an ex partner. Risk It’s better to have a lesser but certain advantage than the possibility of a greater one that may come to nothing. Rome was not built in one day Major and important projects take time. Rosie lea Cockney rhyming slang for tea. Rubbish Assorted bits and pieces of rubbish; especially items that are found in the sea. Sad ass A reference to an inept or undesirable person or thing. Scarper flow Cockney rhyming slang for go. Science Said of something that isn't complex or difficult to understand. Scrape together To manage, with difficulty, enough of what is needed - especially money. Scrub up Make an effort to present oneself well dressed and smartly turned out. Secrets A secret and possibly ruinous source of shame. See eye to eye When two or more people agree. Sex The reputed opinion of sexual intercourse by prim Victorian ladies. Shakespeare A state of euphoria with no basis in reality. Shoot down in flames Destroy an argument or theory. Shoot straight To talk or deal honestly. Shovel ready A building project in which all the preliminaries have been arranged. Silver threads amongst the gold Blonde hair that is turning grey. Sit tight Wait and take do nothing until the time is right for action. Slang Cockney rhyming slang for a row or argument. Smell a rat To begin to suspect that things aren't as they should be. Smell something fishy Detect that something isn't as it should be. Sniff test Sniff an item of clothing (or food) to check if it might be suitable to wear (or eat). Sparrow fart Jokey term for the early morning. Sport Back to the beginning. Stab someone in the back Hurt someone who was close to us by betraying them secretly and breaking their trust. Steal someones thunder Take the credit for something someone else did. Step up to the mark Mark yourself ready to take responsibility. Stranger things have happened Said when the feasibility of some unlikely event is questioned. Stupidity A foolish person is very likely to lose his money. Success Something that is extremely easy. Often used by children. Sometimes used by adults to demote an achievement that was accomplished with little apparent effort. Suck it up Accept a bad situation. Surprise Something that creates shock or surprise. Swing by Drop in for a visit. Swipe right (On the dating app Tinder) to indicate that you find someone unattractive by dragging one's finger to the right, across their screen image. Sympathy 1. An expression of sympathy. 2. Said of something that the speaker rates very lowly. Take a butchers Cockney rhyming slang for look. Tea leaf Cockney rhyming slang for thief. Technology A measure of the amount of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted during an industrial or domestic process. That friday feeling Anticipation of the weekend after a hard working week. That sucks 1. An expression of sympathy. 2. Said of something that the speaker rates very lowly. The author of your own misfortune Be to blame for one's own problems. The ball is in your court It is your turn to make a decision. The best of both worlds The benefits available from two apparently conflicting options. The best thing since sliced bread An outstandingly good idea or plan. The big pond Nickname of the Atlantic Ocean between the UK and the USA. The bull in the bowler hat Jokey term for artificial insemination. The empty chair The perceived absense of someone who is recently deceased. The glorious twelfth The 12th of August - the start of the British grouse shooting season. The god squad enthusiastic Christian believers. The icing on the cake Something that makes a good situation even better. The sound of leather on willow The sound of the ball on the bat in cricket. The town bike Promiscuous woman. The wheels have come off Said when a previously promising enterprise goes irretrievably wrong. Theatre A superstitious way to wish 'good luck' to an actor before a performance while avoiding saying 'good luck' out loud, which is considered unlucky. Third times a charm The third try is often successful. Throw the towel in Give up, especially to avoid further punishment when facing certain defeat. Til the cows come home A long time to wait. Time A small effort made at the right time might save a calamity later on. Titfer tat Cockney rhyming slang for hat. Tool A proverb that suggests a poor workman tends to look for an excuse for his poor work. Toy boy A woman's much younger male lover. Travel Someone who criticizes from the side-lines without being directly involved. Trickery A commodity that is bought without first examining it. Twenty three skidoo Invitation to go away. Twist someones arm Persuade someone to do something they don't really want to do. Two and eight Cockney rhyming slang for state. Types of Phrase Uncle dick Cockney rhyming slang for sick. Unlucky in love Having been unable to find a long-term romantic partner. Us versus them Denoting the enmity between two opposing groups. Use your loaf Think smart. Van goghs ear for music Tone deaf. Variety is the spice of life Increased experience makes for a more exciting life. Vatican roulette The rhythm method of birth control. Vehicle Someone who criticizes from the side-lines without being directly involved. ‘Worldwide’ Idioms Water Someone in an unfamiliar circumstance. Weather Extremely cold weather. The full expression is 'Cold enough to freeze the balls off a brass monkey'. Where theres muck theres brass Dirt and muddle are evidence of products being manufactured and money (brass) being made. Wind someone up Deliberately draw attention to something with the intention of causing trouble. Winter drawers on British euphemistic joke. Work A proverb that suggests a poor workman tends to look for an excuse for his poor work. Would you adam and eve it Cockney rhyming slang for would you believe it? Wouldnt be caught dead Referring to something you absolutely refuse to do. X marks the spot Said of a location that indicates something significant - like a pirate's mark on a treasure map. Yarn bombing The adorning of public buildings with knitted or crocheted material - either for fun or to make a political point. You can lead a horse to water You can encourage someone to to do something but, in the end, what they do is their own choice. You cant take it with you Suggestion that you should spend money and live life now as it will be no use to you after you die. You cant teach an old dog new tricks Once animals (and people) are set in their ways they struggle to assimilate new ideas. Your guess is as good as mine I have no idea. Your number is up It is now your turn. For instance, if 1. You are about to die. or 2. You have won a lottery. Zip your lip Say nothing; keep your mouth shut. Often shortened to 'zip it'.