Idioms beginning with C

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cook the books

Meaning: To falsify financial records to make a company look better than it is.

Example: The manager tried to cook the books to make the investors happy. Read more ➺


come into play

Meaning: To become active, relevant, or influential in a situation.

Example: New technology came into play to solve the problem. Read more ➺


cut a sorry figure

Meaning: Making a poor or bad impression.

Example: He arrived late and disheveled, cutting a sorry figure at the wedding. Read more ➺


cut no ice

Meaning: To have no effect or influence; to fail to impress or persuade.

Example: His excuses cut no ice with the teacher, who still gave him detention. Read more ➺


cold fish

Meaning: Someone who seems unfriendly and who does not share their feelings.

Example: She's a real cold fish; she never offers a word of praise or comfort. Read more ➺


cut it fine

Meaning: Manage something within an extremely tight margin, often barely avoiding failure.

Example: We cut it fine getting to the airport and almost missed our flight. Read more ➺


clap back

Meaning: Respond sharply and publicly to criticism or insult, especially in a witty or cutting way.

Example: She clapped back at the critic with a sarcastic tweet. Read more ➺


kick against the pricks

Meaning: Resisting authority or control in a way that only causes oneself pain or harm.

Example: He kept kicking against the pricks, even when he knew the rules wouldn't change. Read more ➺


circle back

Meaning: Return to a previous location or state: To go back to a place or condition one was in before.

Example: I circled back to the house to get my briefcase Read more ➺


cream of the crop

Meaning: Denotes the very best individuals or items in a group.

Example: The university's scholarship program attracts the cream of the crop from high schools nationwide. Read more ➺


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