All Idioms

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strike a chord

Meaning: to trigger a strong memory or feeling based on which there can be a mutual interest

Example: The two immediately struck a note on the basis of the fact that they follow the same faith. This has led to a beautiful marriage and a lifelong companionship. Read more ➺


charity begins at home

Meaning: the family comes first, and one should help their family before helping others

Example: She spends the little money that she earns on social work and neglects her own family, forgetting that charity begins at home. Read more ➺


throw caution to the winds

Meaning: to take a decision without caring about the negative effects that come with it

Example: The caretaker threw caution to the winds when taking the baby out of the house even though he was already sick. Read more ➺


change of heart

Meaning: change one's opinion or the way one feels about something

Example: The call-back of the military and troops from Afghanistan shows a change of heart by the British government. Read more ➺


catch-22

Meaning: the particular situation in which one cannot win

Example: I couldn't start my own business until I have got money, and I couldn't get the money until I start my own business, oh my God, this is the real Catch-22 situation. Read more ➺


castles in the air

Meaning: thinking of some impossible task

Example: She keeps talking about her big-time ambitions, but it's all castles in the air. Read more ➺


put the cart before the horse

Meaning: to do things in the wrong order or sequence

Example: Aren't you putting the cart before the horse in decorating your new office? You haven't even been awarded the job yet. Read more ➺


carrot and stick

Meaning: mixture of rewards and punishments

Example: He said the carrot and stick approach is in effective when it comes to management. Read more ➺


card up sleeve

Meaning: to have a secret advantage that is suddenly revealed to change the game

Example: He did not just leave his house. He had a card up his sleeve that he did not even reveal to his family, which was his new flat in a posh locality. Read more ➺


in the can

Meaning: to be completed

Example: The work is almost entirely in the can if only he can convince the managing directors to give him a raise now. Read more ➺


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