All Idioms

Page 167 of 242

pay the piper

Meaning: to bear the ill-effects of something that was enjoyable at one time

Example: The man controlled every aspect of his wife's life until he was asked to pay the piper. Read more ➺


rub the wrong way

Meaning: to tick someone off

Example: The guy has rubbed me in such a wrong way that I do not even want to look at him ever again. Read more ➺


you can’t make an omelette without breaking a few eggs

Meaning: to have to go through something seemingly not nice for a good result

Example: The course requires a lot of effort on your part. It is true that you can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. Read more ➺


forbidden fruit is always the sweetest

Meaning: to desire something that is not within a feasible reach

Example: The guy thinks that the forbidden fruit is always the sweetest and keeps asking her out even though she has refused him several times. I seem to think that this is becoming unhealthy and obsessive. Read more ➺


out of sight, out of mind

Meaning: to not stay an active issue when something is not immediately visible

Example: The company's top managers do not consider these government policy changes and important for their strategic planning. It is out of sight, out of mind for them but that is not a good thing in any way. Read more ➺


ignorance is bliss

Meaning: to not get affected by something that is not known

Example: The farmers were using these pesticides in their fields without even considering the harmful effects it has on the land. Ignorance is bliss. Read more ➺


if you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours

Meaning: to return a favour for a favour

Example: The government cannot expect any progress in the society with a "if you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours" attitude. Read more ➺


no news is good news

Meaning: to assume that since there is no news, it will not be bad news

Example: The exam results are not yet out and I feel no news is good news. Read more ➺


tip of the iceberg

Meaning: to only know a very small part of the problem

Example: The manager-employee problems in this company are just the tip of the iceberg. Read more ➺


hands are tied

Meaning: to not be able to do anything about a situation

Example: The manager tried his best to explain the situation after such a terrible mess created by the employee in the account. In the end, his hands were tied and he had to fire the staff members responsible for the mistake. Read more ➺


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