|
a
b
c
d
e
f
g
h
i
j
k
l
m
n
o
p
q
r
s
t
u
v
w
y
z |
I hereby give notice of my intention
Hereby is used sometimes in formal, official declarations and
statements to give greater force to the speaker' or the writer's
affirmation. People will say it sometimes to emphasise their sincerity and
correctness.
I may be daft, but I'm not stupid
I might do or say silly things occasionally, but in this instance I
know what I am doing (Usually used when someone questions your application
of common-sense).
I should cocoa
(UK) This idiom comes from 'I should think so', but is normally used
sarcastically to mean the opposite.
I'll cross that road when I come to
it
I'll think about something just when it happens, not in advance.
I'll eat my hat
You can say this when you are absolutely sure that you are right to
let the other person know that there is no chance of your being wrong.
I've got a bone to pick with you
If somebody says this, they mean that they have some complaint to make
against the person they are addressing.
I've got your number
You have made a mistake and I am going to call you on it. You are in
trouble (a threat). I have a disagreement with you. I understand your true
nature.
Icing on the cake
This expression is used to refer to something good that happens on top
of an already good thing or situation.
Idle hands are the devil's handiwork
When someone is not busy, or being productive, trouble is bound to
follow.
If at first you don't succeed try try
again
When you fail, try until you get it right!
If I had a nickel for every time
(USA) When someone uses this expression, they mean that the specific
thing happens a lot. It is an abbreviation of the statement 'If I had a
nickel for every time that happened, I would be rich'
If it ain't broke, don't fix it
Any attempt to improve on a system that already works is pointless and
may even hurt it.
If Mohammed won't come to the mountain, the
mountain must come to Mohammed
If something cannot or will not happen the easy way, then sometimes it
must be done the hard way.
If the cap fits, wear it
This idiom means that if the description is correct, then it is
describing the truth, often when someone is being criticised. ('If the
shoe fits, wear it' is an alternative)
If wishes were horses, beggars would
ride
This means that wishing for something or wanting it is not the same as
getting or having it.
If wishes were horses, beggars would
ride
If we could have things the way we wanted them, then life would be
much easier than it is.
If you can't stand the heat, get out of the
kitchen
Originally a Harry S. Truman quote, this means that if you can't take
the pressure, then you should remove yourself from the situation.
If you fly with the crows, you get shot with
the crows
If you wish to be associated with a particular high risk and/or high
profile situation and benefit from the rewards of that association, you
have to accept the consequences if things go wrong - you cannot dissociate
yourself.
If you lie down with dogs, you will get up with
fleas
This means that if you become involved with bad company, there will be
negative consequences.
If you will
'If you will' is used as a way of making a concession in a sentence:
He wasn't a very honest person, a liar if you will. Here, it is used a way
of accepting that the reader or listener might think of the person as a
liar, but without commit the writer or speaker to that position fully.
If you'll pardon my French
(UK) This idiom is used as a way of apologising for swearing.
Ill at ease
If someone is ill at ease, they are worried or uncomfortable.
Ill-gotten gains
Ill-gotten gains are profits or benefits that are made either
illegally or unfairly.
In a cleft stick
If you are in a cleft stick, you are in a difficult situation, caught
between choices.
In a fix
If you are in a fix, you are in trouble.
In a flash
If something happens in a flash, it happens very quickly indeed.
In a fog
If you're in a fog, you are confused, dazed or unaware.
In a heartbeat
If something happens very quickly or immediately, it happens in a
heartbeat.
In a jam
If you are in a jam, you are in some trouble. If you get out of
a jam, you avoid trouble.
In a jiffy
If something happens in a jiffy, it happens very quickly.
In a nutshell
This idiom is used to introduce a concise summary.
In a pickle
If you are in a pickle, you are in some trouble or a mess.
In a pickle
If you are in a pickle you are in some trouble or a mess.
In a rut
In a settled or established pattern, habit or course of action,
especially a boring one.
In a tick
(UK) If someone will do something in a tick, they'll do it very soon
or very quickly.
In a tight spot
If you're in a tight spot, you're in a difficult situation.
In all honesty
If you say something in all honesty, you are telling the complete
truth. It can be used as a way of introducing a negative opinion whilst
trying to be polite; in all honesty, I have to say that I wasn't very
impressed.
In an instant
If something happens in an instant, it happens very rapidly.
In another's shoes
It is difficult to know what another person's life is really like, so
we don't know what it is like to be in someone's shoes.
In broad daylight
If a crime or problem happens in broad daylight, it happens during the
day and should have been seen and stopped.
In cahoots
If people are in cahoots, they are conspiring together.
In cold blood
If something is done in cold blood, it is done ruthlessly, without any
emotion.
In dire straits
If you're in dire straits, you're in serious trouble or difficulties.
In donkey's years
'I haven't seen her in donkey's years.' - This means for a very long
time.
In dribs and drabs
If people arrive in dribs and drabs, they come in small groups at
irregular intervals, instead of all arriving at the same time.
In droves
When things happen in droves, a lot happen at the same time or very
quickly.
In for a penny, in for a pound
If something is worth doing then it is a case of in for a penny, in
for a pound, which means that when gambling or taking a chance, you might
as well go the whole way and take all the risks, not just some.
In full swing
If things are in full swing, they have been going for a sufficient
period of time to be going well and very actively.
In high gear
(USA) If something is in high gear, it is in a quick-paced mode. If
someone is in high gear, they are feverishly on the fast track.
In high spirits
If someone is in high spirits, they are in a very good mood or feeling
confident about something.
In hot water
If you are in hot water, you are in serious trouble.
In light of
'In light of' is similar to 'due to'.
In like Flynn
Refers to Errol Flynn's popularity with women in the 40's. His ability
to attract women was well known throughout the world. ('In like
flint' is also used.)
In my bad books
If you are in someone's bad books, they are angry with you. Likewise,
if you are in their good books, they are pleased with you.
In my book
This idiom means 'in my opinion'.
In my good books
If someone is in your good books, you are pleased with or think highly
of them at the moment.
In one ear and out the other
If something goes in one ear and out the other, you forget it as soon
as you've heard it because it was too complicated, boring etc.
In over your head
If someone is in over their head, they are out of the depth in
something they are involved in, and may end up in a mess.
In perfect form
When something is as it ought to be. Or, when used cynically, it may
refer to someone whose excesses are on display; a caricature.
In rude health
(UK) If someone's in rude health, they are very healthy and look it.
In so many words
This phrase may be used to mean 'approximately' or 'more or less'. I
think it may have a sarcastic connotation in that the individual listening
needed 'so many words' to get the point. It also may suggest the effort on
the part of the speaker to explain an unpleasant truth or difficult
concept.
In someone's pocket
If a person is in someone's pocket, they are dependent, especially
financially, on them.
In spades
(UK) If you have something in spades, you have a lot of it.
In stitches
If someone is in stitches, they are laughing uncontrollably.
In tandem
If people do things in tandem, they do them at the same time.
In the bag
If something is in the bag, it is certain that you will get it or
achieve it
In the ballpark
This means that something is close to the adequate or required
value.
In the black
If your bank account is in credit, it is in the black.
In the cards
If something is in the cards, it is bound to occur, it is going to
happen, or it is inevitable.
In the catbird seat
(USA) If someone is in the catbird seat, they are in an advantageous
or superior position.
In the clear
If someone is in the clear, they are no longer suspected of or charged
with wrongdoing.
In the clink
(UK) If someone is in the clink, they are in prison.
In the club
(UK) If a woman's in the club, she's pregnant. 'In the pudding club'
is an alternative form.
In the dock
If someone is in the dock, they are on trial in court.
In the doghouse
If someone is in the doghouse, they are in disgrace and very unpopular
at the moment.
In the driver's seat
If you are in the driver's seat, you are in charge of something or in
control of a situation.
In the face of
If people act in the face of something, they do it despite it or when
threatened by it.
In the family way
If a woman is in the family way, she is pregnant.
In the flesh
If you meet or see someone in the flesh you actually meet or see them,
rather than seeing them on TV or in other media.
In the gravy
If you're in the gravy, you're rich and make money easily.
In the hot seat
If someone's in the hot seat, they are the target for a lot of
unwelcome criticism and examination.
In the know
If you are in the know, you have access to all the information about
something, which other people don't have.
In the long run
This means 'over a long period of time', 'in the end' or 'in the final
result'.
In the loop
If you're in the loop, you are fully informed about what is happening
in a certain area or activity.
In the lurch
If you are left in the lurch, you are suddenly left in an embarrassing
or tricky situation.
In the making
When something is in the making, it means it is in the process of
being made.
In the offing
If something is in the offing, it is very likely to happen soon.
In the pink
If you are in very good health, you are in the pink.
In the pipeline
If something's in the pipeline, it hasn't arrived yet but its arrival
is expected.
In the red
If your bank account is overdrawn, it is in the red.
In the saddle
If you're in the saddle, you are in control of a situation.
In the same boat
If people are in the same boat, they are in the same predicament or
trouble.
In the short run
This refers to the immediate future.
In the soup
If you're in the soup, you're in trouble.
In the swim
If you are in the swim, you are up-to-date with and fully informed
about something.
In the swing
If things are in the swing, they are progressing well.
In the tall cotton
A phrase that expresses good times or times of plenty and wealth as
tall cotton means a good crop.
In the twinkling of an eye
If something happens in the twinkling of an eye, it happens very
quickly.
In the zone
If you are in the zone, you are very focused on what you have to do.
In turn
This means one after the other. Example: She spoke to each of the
guests in turn.
In two minds
If you are in two minds about something, you can't decide what to do.
In your blood
A trait or liking that is deeply ingrained in someone's personality
and unlikely to change is in their blood. A similar idiom is 'in his
DNA.'
In your element
If you are in your element, you feel happy and relaxed because you are
doing something that you like doing and are good at. "You should have seen
her when they asked her to sing; she was in her element."
In your face
If someone is in your face, they are direct and confrontational. (It
is sometime written 'in yer face'colloquially)
In your sights
If you have someone or something in your sights, they are your target
to beat.
Indian file
If people walk in Indian file, they walk in a line one behind the
other.
Indian giver
An Indian giver gives something, then tries to take it back.
Indian summer
If there is a period of warmer weather in late autumn, it is an Indian
summer.
Ins and outs
If you know the ins and outs of something, you know all the details.
Into each life some rain must fall
This means that bad or unfortunate things will happen to everyone at
some time.
Into thin air
If something vanishes or disappears without trace, it vanishes into
thin air; no-one knows where it has gone.
Iron fist
Someone who rules or controls something with an iron fist is in
absolute control and tolerates no dissent. An iron fist in a velvet glove
is used to describe someone who appears soft on the outside, but
underneath is very hard. 'Mailed fist' is an alternative form.
Irons in the fire
A person who has a few irons in the fire has a number of things
working to their advantage at the same time.
Is Saul also among the prophets?
It's a biblical idiom used when somebody known for something bad
appears all of a sudden to be doing something very good.
It ain't over till the fat lady
sings
This idiom means that until something has officially finished, the
result is uncertain.
It cost an arm and a leg
If something costs an arm and a leg, it is very expensive indeed.
It cost the earth
If something costs the earth, it is very expensive indeed.
It never rains but it pours
'It never rains but it pours' means that when things go wrong, they go
very wrong.
It takes a village to raise a child
It takes many people to teach a child all that he or she should know.
It takes two to tango
This idiom is used to suggest that when things go wrong, both sides
are involved and neither side is completely innocent.
It's an ill wind that blows no good
This is said when things have gone wrong; the idea being that when bad
things happen, there can also be some positive results.
It's no use crying over spilt milk
This idiom means that getting upset after something has gone wrong is
pointless; it can't be changed so it should be accepted.
It's not the size of the dog in fight, it's the
size of the fight in the dog
Usually refering to a small dog attacking a larger animal, this means
that fierceness is not necessarily a matter of physical size, but rather
mental/psychological attitude.
It's not the size of the man in the fight, it's
the size of the fight in the man
This idiom means that determination is often more important than size,
strength, or ability. ('It's not the size of the dog in the fight,
it's the size of the fight in the dog.' is also used.)
It's your funeral
The other person has made a decision that you think is bad. However,
it is their choice; it is their funeral.
Itch to
If you are itching to do something, you are very eager to do it.
Itchy feet
One gets itchy feet when one has been in one place for a time and
wants to travel.
Ivory tower
People who live in ivory towers are detached from the world around
them.
|
|