All Idioms

Page 6 of 245

hit the ground running

Meaning: start a new job, project, or task at full speed from day one, with energy and results instead of a slow warm-up

Example: Sarah walked into her new office on Monday and hit the ground running, closing two deals before anyone had even learned her name. Read more ➺


read between the lines

Meaning: Catch the real feelings or intentions hiding behind polite or careful words.

Example: Emma said the meeting went fine, but if you read between the lines, she was clearly unhappy with the decision. Read more ➺


you can’t have your cake and eat it

Meaning: You cannot enjoy two good things at the same time when those things pull in opposite directions.

Example: Sarah wanted lower taxes and more city services in the same year, so Jake told her you can't have your cake and eat it. Read more ➺


breaking bad

Meaning: To leave a decent life and start doing wrong, often by turning to crime or shady work.

Example: After years as a quiet office clerk, Jake started breaking bad and selling stolen goods after work. Read more ➺


candle in the wind

Meaning: Something or someone that shines for a moment but is weak and can be wiped out at any time.

Example: After the bigger company entered the deal, Jake knew his small shop was a candle in the wind. Read more ➺


chew over

Meaning: To think something through carefully and patiently instead of rushing into an answer.

Example: She poured another cup of tea and began to chew over the job offer, turning each detail slowly in her mind. Read more ➺


pull something off

Meaning: To succeed at something really tough or unexpected, especially when most people thought you had no chance.

Example: No one gave the underdog team a chance, but they still managed to pull it off and win the final match. Read more ➺


cut it close

Meaning: When you just barely succeed at something, usually because you left almost no time or room for anything to go wrong.

Example: We left the house with only ten minutes to spare and really cut it close, sliding into our seats just as the movie trailers started rolling. Read more ➺


don’t give a rat’s ass

Meaning: To care so little about something or someone that it barely registers.

Example: I don't give a rat's ass what other people think about my choices—I'm going to live my life the way I want. Read more ➺


brood over

Meaning: To sit and worry about something (a mistake, a problem, or something that went wrong) for a long time, turning it over and over in your mind, usually feeling low or upset while you do it.

Example: After the argument with her sister, Maya sat alone in her room and quietly began to brood over every harsh word that had been said. Read more ➺


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