All Idioms

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put cards on the table

Meaning: be open and honest

Example: When John met up with Jane on their first date, John laid his cards on the table for Jane to know what he wanted. Read more ➺


keep card close to chest

Meaning: be secretive or cautious, give nothing away

Example: The children did not know where they were to go for their family holiday trip. Their dad kept his cards close to his chest. Read more ➺


back to the wall

Meaning: to be in a difficult situation

Example: They have him with his back to the wall and now he has no more options but to pay back the debtors or go to jail for fraud. Read more ➺


fight like cat and dog

Meaning: argue jealously and violently all the time

Example: The married couple fought like cat and dog the entire time they were together. Read more ➺


leaps and bounds

Meaning: progress very quickly

Example: Regan's reading skills are coming on in leaps and bounds with the new teacher. Read more ➺


sweep under the rug

Meaning: try to hide a problem or keep a problem secret instead of dealing with it

Example: My father has helped me deal with things instead of sweeping them under the rug. Read more ➺


play cat and mouse

Meaning: to play with or tease someone

Example: The cops do not like playing cat and mouse games with the culprits before catching them. Read more ➺


big mouth

Meaning: someone who talks too much

Example: Your big mouth always gets you in trouble at school, Steven! Read more ➺


by hook or by crook

Meaning: by any possible means

Example: The farmer will not sell us the land. By hook or by crook, he is hanging on to it. Read more ➺


green thumb

Meaning: good gardening results

Example: My mother has green fingers. She can grow just about anything in the garden. Read more ➺


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