Idioms beginning with A

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add fuel to the flames

Meaning: an action, whether verbal or physical that makes a bad situation even worse

Example: The presidential candidate’s provocative speech in these violent times is only going to add fuel to the flames. Read more ➺


actions speak louder than words

Meaning: what you do carries more weight than what you say

Example: "You always speak of the importance of charity, but never do anything. Actions speak louder than words!" Read more ➺


add insult to injury

Meaning: to make a bad situation worse

Example: The company rejected his application for a job, and to add insult to injury, refused to pay his expenses. Read more ➺


at death’s door

Meaning: on the point of dying

Example: Most of the survivors of the airplane crash are still at death's door. Read more ➺


a drop in the ocean

Meaning: a very tiny part of something big

Example: Her cry was only a single drop in the ocean compared to the billions of tears shed by mourners after the war. Read more ➺


at the drop of a hat

Meaning: at the slightest signal

Example: We now have a situation where laws are bent at the drop of a hat. Read more ➺


a dime a dozen

Meaning: something very common and not having much value

Example: Adventure and traveling based reality shows are now outdated and a dime a dozen. Read more ➺


all in a day’s work

Meaning: refers to the work that is done regularly by someone

Example: Teaching difficult students might sound like a nightmare to other people but to teachers it is all in a day's work. Read more ➺


at daggers drawn

Meaning: almost ready to fight

Example: The two schools have been at daggers drawn for months. Ever since they played in the championship game. Read more ➺


a cinch

Meaning: an extremely easy task

Example: I have been preparing for this presentation for the last six months. This promotion will be a cinch for me. Read more ➺


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