Idioms beginning with F

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fight a losing battle

Meaning: Try hard to achieve something that is unlikely to succeed.

Example: She fought a losing battle to save the old tree from being cut down. Read more ➺


fall flat

Meaning: Fail to produce the intended effect or fail to impress the audience.

Example: Her joke fell flat and no one in the room laughed. Read more ➺


follow suit

Meaning: To replicate the actions of someone else, typically because they are seen as a model or leader.

Example: After seeing the team's success, many companies decided to follow suit and adopt similar strategies. Read more ➺


for keeps

Meaning: Forever or permanently – Refers to something intended to last or remain indefinitely, with no plan of reversal or return.

Example: After years of dating, they finally got married for keeps. Read more ➺


fly too close to the sun

Meaning: Indicates becoming excessively ambitious or greedy, leading to one's downfall.

Example: Despite repeated warnings, Alex flew too close to the sun by investing all his savings in risky stocks. Read more ➺


fig leaf

Meaning: Metaphorical Usage: An action or thing intended to conceal something embarrassing or shameful, often inadequately.

Example: The company's charitable donation was merely a fig leaf to distract from its environmental violations. Read more ➺


follow your heart

Meaning: Making choices guided by personal emotions and instincts instead of external advice.

Example: She chose to follow her heart and opened her dream bakery in the countryside. Read more ➺


forty acres and a mule

Meaning: It represents unmet expectations, especially when it comes to promised reparations or compensation.

Example: Many African Americans view the unfulfilled promise of forty acres and a mule as a symbol of systemic injustice. Read more ➺


fish or cut bait

Meaning: Instructing someone to either proceed with an activity or abandon it entirely, emphasizing the need to make a decision and act upon it.

Example: The project has stalled; it's time to fish or cut bait. Read more ➺


false alarm

Meaning: An alert or warning that ultimately proves to be untrue or unwarranted, often leading to unnecessary panic or action.

Example: The fire drill turned out to be a false alarm, but everyone evacuated quickly. Read more ➺


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