All Idioms

drive up the wall

Meaning: to make someone angry or irritated

Example: This stagnant traffic and constant honking is driving me up the wall. Read more ➺

twist arm

Meaning: to make someone do what you want by making it difficult for them to refuse

Example: I did not want to attend the concert, but he twisted my arm into it. Read more ➺

against the clock

Meaning: in a great hurry to finish something before a particular time

Example: The team was working against the clock to finish the project on time. Read more ➺

break a leg

Meaning: good luck

Example: "Break a leg!" shouted the stage director to his actors before the beginning of the play. Read more ➺

flog a dead horse

Meaning: waste energy on something that has no chance of succeeding.

Example: He keeps trying to get his manuscripts published, but I think he is flogging a dead horse. Read more ➺

you are what you eat

Meaning: if you eat good food you will be healthy, if you eat bad food you will be unhealthy

Example: To stay healthy, it's best to keep off junk food. You are what you eat. Read more ➺

tongue in cheek

Meaning: something said in humour, but with an act of being serious

Example: The latest movie I watched was a tongue in cheek look at the way the media tends to over-hype certain pieces of news. Read more ➺

water under the bridge

Meaning: past events that are not important anymore

Example: We used to have big disagreements some years back, but that's all water under the bridge now. We get along fine. Read more ➺

rule of thumb

Meaning: a principle that is kept to

Example: As a rule of thumb, I do not start a new project on Fridays. Read more ➺

smell a rat

Meaning: Suspect something is wrong or dishonest.

Example: I smell a rat—he’s being too nice all of a sudden. Read more ➺