Idioms beginning with A

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a watched pot never boils

Meaning: if you wait for something to happen it takes longer

Example: I kept waiting for hours near my phone but there was no news from my daughter from the war zone yet because a watched pot never boils. Read more ➺


a cut above

Meaning: noticeably greater to

Example: This diamond is a cut above the rest. You will like it because you have an expensive taste. Read more ➺


a needle in a haystack

Meaning: something very small amidst something very big

Example: You must be kidding when you say that you would like to find evidence in this case, it is like trying to find a needle in a haystack. Read more ➺


a house of cards

Meaning: something that can easily be broken or crumble by itself

Example: The police brought the illegal business down like a house of cards as per the news article but it was a much more planned affair in reality. Read more ➺


all Greek to me

Meaning: used to convey that you cannot understand what is being said or written

Example: Don't try to explain the technicalities of how this machine works; it would be all Greek to me. Read more ➺


all bark and no bite

Meaning: threatening, aggressive, but not willing to engage in a fight

Example: I heard he has threatened you with dire consequences if you don not stop that construction. Don't worry, he is all bark and no bite. Read more ➺


a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush

Meaning: what you already have is more valuable than the prospect to have something greater

Example: You may not like your job, but don't quit merely on the hope of finding a better one. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Read more ➺


ask out

Meaning: invite someone to go out, especially on a date

Example: When he finally asked her out, she readily accepted, and very soon they were dating on a regular basis. Read more ➺


all is fair in love and war

Meaning: in situations of love and war you do not have to obey rules of reasonable behaviour

Example: In order to go on a date with Elle, Paul tricked her into believing that her boyfriend was seeing another woman. Well, all's fair in love and war. Read more ➺


an item

Meaning: Refers to two people romantically involved or considered a couple.

Example: Everyone's talking—Emma and Jake are an item now. Read more ➺


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