Situation Idioms

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bury head in the sand

Meaning: hide from the truth

Example: Finals begin in a week and if I continue to bury my head in the sand, I'll be taking this class again next semester. Read more ➺


hit or miss

Meaning: something is arranged in a haphazard fashion

Example: "Have you tried the new bar on the corner? We've been three times and it's a bit hit and miss." Read more ➺


troubled waters

Meaning: a difficult phase of life

Example: The situation was getting worse, but like all the other members of the company, he was fascinated by troubled waters. Read more ➺


out of the frying pan into the fire

Meaning: to go from a bad to worse situation

Example: In a bid to gain independence, she agreed to get married early, not knowing she was jumping out of the frying pan into the fire. Read more ➺


go with the flow

Meaning: to do what other people are doing in any particular situation

Example: Kevin didn't want to be part of the protest, but all his friends wanted to stand for something, so he chose to go with the flow. Read more ➺


wag the dog

Meaning: Divert attention from something important by focusing on something less significant but more sensational.

Example: The government created a scandal just to wag the dog before elections. Read more ➺


level playing field

Meaning: A situation where everyone has the same chances and fair conditions.

Example: The new rules were created to give small companies a level playing field against larger corporations. Read more ➺


drastic times call for drastic measures

Meaning: extreme circumstances can only be resolved by equally extreme actions

Example: After the company had posted losses for the third consecutive year, the board decided to replace all of its top management. After all, drastic times call for drastic measures. Read more ➺


play it by ear

Meaning: To decide what to do as a situation develops, without a fixed plan.

Example: We didn't plan the weekend in advance, so we decided to play it by ear and see where the day took us. Read more ➺


in dire straits or need

Meaning: experience difficult financial conditions or circumstances

Example: The earthquake and the drought left the region in dire straits for a long time. Read more ➺


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