Idioms beginning with N
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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 ➺
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 ➺
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 ➺
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 ➺
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 ➺
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 ➺
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 ➺
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 ➺