Idioms beginning with N

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necessary evil

Meaning: something unpleasant that must be done in order to achieve a goal or objective

Example: Mike saw his going to work for his father as a necessary evil if he was ever to own his own company someday Read more ➺


no man is an island

Meaning: no one is self-sufficient; everyone relies on others somehow

Example: Having children has taught me that no man is an island. Read more ➺


not the sharpest tool in the shed

Meaning: someone who is not very clever, according to others

Example: Joe doesn't seem to understand that we're working to a different schedule now, since the workload has doubled.  He's not the sharpest tool in the shed. 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 ➺


never look a gift horse in the mouth

Meaning: it is an advice to be grateful for gifts

Example: My sister got furious when I tried to see how valuable the diamond on the ring she gifted me was and told me to never look a gift horse in the mouth Read more ➺


none of your lip

Meaning: to ask someone to stop speaking

Example: You have broken the window panes while the mother is not home now. I want none of your lip, and you will help me clean this out before she is back. Read more ➺


no room to swing a cat

Meaning: a very small place

Example: How do you expect all four of us to stay in that room? There's no room to swing a cat in there. Read more ➺


no dice

Meaning: not agree for something

Example: The children asked whether they could all go out for a camping trip, but no dice, their parents refused. Read more ➺


New York minute

Meaning: in a very short amount of time

Example: I'll get that job done in a New York minute if you give it to me. Read more ➺


nest egg

Meaning: an amount of money that has been saved, especially for future use

Example: The stock market has given me good returns and helped me build a nest egg for my retirement. Read more ➺


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