Cliche finder
A cliche is a phrase used so often it has stopped meaning much. Type a word to see the cliches that use it, or paste a sentence from your draft to check it. Each one comes with plainer words to use instead.
All 794 cliches, A to Z
A
a ballpark figure: a rough estimate
a rough estimate; about; approximately
a big ask: a large or difficult request
a lot to ask; a big request; a hard request
Using "ask" as a noun bothers some readers.
a bitter pill to swallow: an unpleasant fact that is hard to accept
hard to accept; painful; disappointing
a blast from the past: something that brings back memories of an earlier time
a reminder of the past; nostalgic
a blessing in disguise: something that seems bad at first but turns out good
a hidden benefit; good in the end; lucky after all
a bolt from the blue: a sudden, complete surprise
a surprise; a shock; unexpected
a bone of contention: a subject people argue about
a point of disagreement; an issue
a breath of fresh air: something new and refreshing
refreshing; welcome; new
a broken heart: deep sadness after a loss in love
heartbreak; grief; sadness
a bustling metropolis: a large, busy city
a big city; a busy city
a cash cow: a business or product that reliably makes money
a steady earner; a reliable source of money
a catch-22 situation: a problem with no way out because each choice blocks the other
a no-win situation; a trap; a dilemma
From Joseph Heller's 1961 novel Catch-22.
a change of heart: a change in opinion or feeling
changed my mind; a new view
a chill ran down my spine: I felt sudden fear or excitement
I shivered; I felt afraid; I was uneasy
a chip on your shoulder: a lasting resentment or grudge
resentful; bitter; defensive
a Cinderella story: an unexpected rise from obscurity to success
an unexpected success; a surprise winner; an underdog win
a close call: a narrow escape from danger
a near miss; a narrow escape
a damsel in distress: a woman in trouble who needs rescuing
someone in trouble; someone needing help
Many writers now avoid it as an outdated stereotype.
a dark horse: a little-known person who unexpectedly does well
a surprise contender; an unknown; an outsider
From horse racing.
a diamond in the rough: someone or something with hidden value
hidden talent; promising
a dime a dozen: very common and not valuable
common; ordinary; everywhere
A dime is a US ten-cent coin.
a dog-eat-dog world: a harsh, very competitive world
a harsh world; cutthroat; ruthless
a double-edged sword: something that has both good and bad effects
has pros and cons; cuts both ways; mixed blessing
a drop in the bucket: a very small amount compared to what is needed
tiny; not enough; a small part
a fair-weather friend: a friend only when things are going well
an unreliable friend; a false friend
a feast for the senses: something that is wonderful to see, hear, smell and taste
colorful; lively; full of sights and smells
a firestorm of criticism: a sudden burst of strong public criticism
heavy criticism; strong backlash; widespread anger
a fish out of water: someone in a place where they feel uncomfortable
out of place; uncomfortable
a flash in the pan: a brief success that does not last
a brief success; short-lived
From old muskets, where the powder could flash in the pan without firing the shot.
a fly in the ointment: a small problem that spoils something
a drawback; a snag; a catch
a fly on the wall: a secret observer of something
to secretly watch; an unseen observer
a fresh pair of eyes: a new person who can see problems others missed
a new view; someone new
a full-court press: a strong, all-out effort to achieve something
an all-out effort; a major push; strong pressure
From basketball.
a game changer: something that changes the way things are done in a big way
a major change; a big step forward; a breakthrough
Marketing copy uses it for almost anything. Say what actually changes.
a golden opportunity: an excellent chance
a great chance; an excellent opportunity
a half-baked idea: an idea that has not been thought through
a rough idea; an unfinished plan; a poor idea
a hard act to follow: someone so good that the next person will seem worse
hard to match; tough to top
From stage shows, where a great act made the next one look weak.
a hat trick: three successes in a row or in one event
three in a row; three goals; a triple
From cricket, then hockey and soccer.
a heart of gold: a very kind nature
very kind; generous; caring
a Herculean task: a task needing huge strength or effort
a huge task; a massive job
From the Greek hero Hercules and his twelve labors.
a hopeless romantic: someone with dreamy, idealistic ideas about love
romantic; a dreamer; sentimental
a house of cards: a plan or system that could easily collapse
fragile; unstable; shaky
a journey of self-discovery: a time of learning who you really are
a time of growth; learning about myself
a knight in shining armor: a person who rescues someone
a rescuer; a hero; a helper
a labor of love: work done for pleasure, not money
a passion project; done for love
a land of contrasts: a place with many differences
varied; diverse
So common in travel writing that it says almost nothing.
a last-ditch effort: a final try to avoid failure
a final attempt; a last try
a leap of faith: trusting something without proof
a risk; trust without proof
a leopard can't change its spots: people don't change their basic nature
people don't change
a life-changing experience: an experience that changed someone a lot
an important experience; a turning point
Common in college essays. Explain what changed.
a lightbulb moment: a moment of sudden understanding
a sudden realization; an idea
a long shot: something unlikely to succeed
unlikely; a slim chance
Probably from shooting at distant targets.
a loose cannon: an unpredictable person who may cause harm
unpredictable; reckless; out of control
a lot on my plate: many tasks or problems to deal with
busy; a lot to do; many tasks
a match made in heaven: a perfect pairing of two people or things
a perfect match; ideal together
a method to my madness: a sensible plan behind behavior that seems odd
there's a reason; a plan behind it
a moving target: something that keeps changing, so it is hard to plan for
something that keeps changing; an unstable goal; a shifting plan
a nail-biter: a very close and tense contest
a close game; a tense finish; a thriller
a needle in a haystack: something almost impossible to find
hard to find; nearly impossible to find
a nest egg: money saved for the future
savings; a retirement fund
a new chapter: a new stage in someone's life or work
a new stage; a fresh start; a new period
a new lease on life: a fresh chance to be happy or active
a fresh start; renewed energy
British English: "a new lease of life."
a no-brainer: a decision so easy it needs no thought
an easy choice; obvious; simple
Informal. Fine in speech, a bit casual for formal writing.
a pain in the neck: an annoying person or thing
annoying; a nuisance
a paradigm shift: a basic change in the way people think about or do something
a major change; a new way of thinking; a turning point
Made popular by a 1962 book on how science changes. Now used for far smaller changes.
a penny saved is a penny earned: saving money is as good as earning it
saving matters; every bit saved counts
a perfect storm: a rare mix of events that together make things very bad
a rare mix of problems; a crisis; bad timing on every front
Popular since a 1997 book and the 2000 film made from it.
a picture is worth a thousand words: an image can explain more than words
a picture says it best
Popular in American advertising in the 1920s.
a piece of cake: something that is very easy to do
easy; simple; no trouble
a pillar of the community: a respected, active member of a community
respected; a community leader
A staple of news stories and obituaries.
a proven track record: a history of past success
experience; past success; a history of
Back it with numbers.
a quantum leap: a sudden, very large advance
a huge step forward; a big improvement
In physics, a quantum leap is tiny. Some readers object to the everyday use.
a race against time: a rush to finish something before a deadline
a rush; a tight deadline; little time left
a rags-to-riches story: a story of someone going from poor to rich
from poor to rich; a success story
a recipe for disaster: something likely to end very badly
sure to fail; a bad idea; risky
a red flag: a warning sign
a warning sign; a concern
Very common online for warning signs in relationships and jobs.
a red herring: something that distracts people from the real issue
a distraction; a false lead; beside the point
From the idea of dragging a strong-smelling fish to throw hounds off a trail.
a red-letter day: a special or important day
a special day; a big day
From calendars that marked holidays in red.
a rich tapestry: a varied and interesting mix
a mix; a variety; a range
a rite of passage: an event that marks an important stage in life
a milestone; a turning point
a sea change: a complete and important change
a major change; a transformation; a shift
From Shakespeare's play The Tempest.
a seat at the table: a real role in making decisions
a say; a voice in decisions; a part in the planning
a self-starter: someone who starts work without being told to
motivated; works independently; takes initiative
a shot in the dark: a guess with little information
a guess; a long shot
a shoulder to cry on: someone who listens and comforts you
a listener; support; comfort
a sight for sore eyes: someone or something you are very glad to see
a welcome sight; good to see; a relief
a single tear rolled down her cheek: she cried quietly
she cried; her eyes filled; she wiped her eyes
Overused in fiction. Show the feeling in a fresher way.
a slam dunk: something certain to succeed
a sure thing; certain; easy
From basketball.
a slap on the wrist: a very mild punishment
a light punishment; a warning
a sleepy little town: a quiet small town where little happens
a quiet town; a small town
a slippery slope: a small step that may lead to much worse things
a dangerous path; one thing leads to another
Logic teachers point out it is often a weak argument.
a snowball effect: a situation where something grows bigger and faster
a chain reaction; growing quickly; spreading
a stark reminder: a clear and unpleasant reminder
a clear reminder; a warning; a lesson
a steep learning curve: a lot to learn in a short time
a lot to learn; hard to learn; takes time to master
Graph fans argue about what "steep" should mean, but everyone reads it as hard.
a step in the right direction: an action that helps toward a goal
progress; an improvement; a start
Often hints that much more still needs to be done.
a stitch in time saves nine: fixing a problem early saves effort later
fix it early
a stone's throw from: very close to
very close to; near; a short walk from
a taste of your own medicine: the same bad treatment you gave others
the same treatment; payback
a team player: someone who works well with others
works well with others; cooperative; helpful
a tempest in a teapot: a lot of fuss about something small
a fuss over nothing; an overreaction
British English uses "a storm in a teacup."
a testament to: strong proof of
proof of; shows; reflects
Common in machine-written text. "Shows" often works.
a thing of the past: something that no longer exists or happens
gone; over; out of date
a tight-knit community: a group of people who know and support each other
a close community; close neighbors
a trip down memory lane: a time of remembering the past
remembering the past; reminiscing
a Trojan horse: something that seems harmless but hides a threat
a hidden threat; a trick
From the Greek story of the wooden horse at Troy.
a turnkey solution: a product that is ready to use right away
ready to use; complete; works out of the box
a vicious cycle: a chain of problems where each one makes the next worse
a cycle of problems; a downward spiral
Also "vicious circle," the older form.
a wake-up call: an event that makes people realize there is a problem
a warning; an alert; a lesson
a walk in the park: something very easy
easy; simple; no trouble
a war of words: a heated argument, often public
an argument; a public dispute; a quarrel
a watershed moment: an event that marks an important change
a turning point; a key moment; a milestone
a well-oiled machine: a group or system that works smoothly
runs smoothly; an efficient team; works well
a whirlwind romance: a love affair that happens very quickly
a quick romance; a fast courtship
a white elephant: something costly that is useless or unwanted
a costly burden; a useless thing
Linked to a story about kings of Siam giving costly white elephants as gifts. The story may be legend.
a whole new ballgame: a completely different situation
a different situation; a new situation; a big change
a wild goose chase: a long, useless search for something
a pointless search; a waste of time
First recorded in Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, where it meant a kind of horse race.
a win-win situation: an outcome that is good for everyone involved
good for both sides; helps everyone; a fair deal
a window of opportunity: a short time when something is possible
a chance; a short chance
a wolf in sheep's clothing: a dangerous person who seems harmless
a fake; a deceiver; a hidden threat
a word to the wise: a piece of helpful advice
a tip; some advice; a warning
absence makes the heart grow fonder: being apart makes people love each other more
I missed you; time apart helps
according to Webster's dictionary: an essay opening that quotes a dictionary definition
(start with your own point instead)
A famous weak opening. Readers know what common words mean.
across the board: applying to everyone or everything
everywhere; for all; overall
actions speak louder than words: what you do matters more than what you say
deeds matter more than words; show it
add insult to injury: to make a bad situation worse
make it worse; on top of that
against all odds: despite great difficulty or low chances
despite everything; unexpectedly; despite the risks
age is just a number: age does not limit what you can do
age doesn't matter
ahead of its time: too new or advanced for people to appreciate when made
very advanced; innovative; early
ahead of the curve: ahead of others in ideas, methods or trends
early; ahead of others; leading
all good things must come to an end: nothing pleasant lasts forever
nothing lasts forever
all hands on deck: everyone is needed to help right now
everyone help; we need everyone; all of us
From sailing, where every sailor was called up on deck.
all that glitters is not gold: something attractive may not be valuable
looks can deceive
Shakespeare used an older form, "all that glisters is not gold," in The Merchant of Venice.
all things considered: after thinking about everything
overall; on balance; in the end
all's fair in love and war: in love and conflict, normal rules don't apply
anything goes; there are no rules
always had a smile on his face: was a cheerful person
was cheerful; was friendly; was kind
A news and obituary cliche. One specific memory says more.
an ace up your sleeve: a secret advantage kept until needed
a secret advantage; a hidden plan
an Achilles' heel: a weak point in someone or something otherwise strong
a weakness; a weak spot; a flaw
From the Greek hero Achilles, who could be wounded only in the heel.
an apple a day keeps the doctor away: healthy food keeps you well
eat well to stay healthy
an emotional roller coaster: a time of strong feelings that change quickly
ups and downs; a stressful time; mixed feelings
an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure: preventing a problem is easier than fixing it
prevention is better than a cure
Often credited to Benjamin Franklin, who wrote it about fire safety.
an overnight success: a sudden success that seems to come from nowhere
a sudden success; an instant hit
Often the "overnight" success took years of work.
an own goal: an action that hurts yourself instead of your opponent
a self-inflicted mistake; a blunder
From soccer.
an ugly duckling: someone plain who grows up attractive or successful
a late bloomer
From a story by Hans Christian Andersen.
an uphill battle: a hard struggle against difficulties
a hard fight; a struggle; difficult
around the clock: all day and all night
day and night; nonstop; 24 hours a day
as luck would have it: by chance, as things happened to turn out
luckily; by chance; as it happened
as old as the hills: very old, or known for a very long time
very old; ancient
as the crow flies: in a straight line between two places
in a straight line; directly
at a crossroads: at a point where an important choice must be made
facing a decision; at a turning point
at a snail's pace: moving or happening very slowly
slowly; very slowly
at long last: finally, after a long wait
finally; at last
at my wit's end: so worried or frustrated that I don't know what to do
desperate; out of ideas; frustrated
Watch the apostrophe: wit's end.
at the crack of dawn: very early in the morning
at dawn; very early; at sunrise
at the drop of a hat: right away, without hesitation
instantly; right away; immediately
at the eleventh hour: at the last possible moment
at the last minute; very late; just in time
at the heart of: at the center of; most important to
central to; the core of; key to
at this point in time: now; at the present moment
now; currently; at present
Five words for "now."
at your earliest convenience: as soon as you are able
soon; by Friday; when you can
Give a date if you need one.
avoid it like the plague: to stay far away from something
stay away from it; avoid it; keep clear of it
B
back in the day: in the past, when I was younger
years ago; when I was young; in the past
back to basics: returning to the simplest, most important parts
return to the basics; simplify; start with the essentials
back to square one: back to the beginning after a failure
start over; back to the start
back to the drawing board: time to start over because a plan has failed
start over; try again; rethink the plan
barking up the wrong tree: looking in the wrong place or blaming the wrong person
mistaken; on the wrong track
From hunting dogs barking at a tree after the animal has escaped.
beat around the bush: to avoid saying something directly
avoid the point; hedge; stall
British English often says "beat about the bush."
beat the odds: to succeed when failure was likely
succeed anyway; defy expectations
beating a dead horse: wasting effort on something already settled
wasting time; repeating a settled point
British English often says "flogging a dead horse."
beauty is in the eye of the beholder: people have different ideas of what is beautiful
taste differs; it's a matter of taste
been there, done that: I have already experienced this and am not impressed
I've done this before; nothing new
behind closed doors: in private, without the public knowing
privately; in secret; out of public view
believe it or not: this may be hard to believe
surprisingly; oddly; in fact
bells and whistles: extra features that are nice but not needed
extras; extra features; frills
bend over backwards: to try very hard to help or please
try hard; go out of your way
best practices: the methods most people in a field agree work best
proven methods; standard methods; what works best
Fine in technical writing when you can name the practices.
better late than never: doing something late is better than not doing it
at least it's done; late but welcome
better safe than sorry: it is wiser to be careful than to risk trouble
be careful; play it safe
between a rock and a hard place: facing two bad choices
stuck; facing a hard choice
beyond my wildest dreams: far better than I ever imagined
better than I imagined; amazing; far more than I hoped
beyond the shadow of a doubt: with no doubt at all; completely certain
certainly; without doubt; for sure
bigger fish to fry: more important things to deal with
more important things to do
birds of a feather flock together: similar people tend to spend time together
like attracts like
bite off more than you can chew: to take on more than you can manage
take on too much; overcommit
bite the bullet: to make yourself do something unpleasant
face it; do it anyway; accept it
bite the hand that feeds you: to hurt someone who helps you
be ungrateful; turn on a helper
blood is thicker than water: family ties are stronger than other ties
family comes first
blood, sweat and tears: very hard work and effort
hard work; great effort
A shortened form of "blood, toil, tears and sweat," from a famous 1940 wartime speech.
blow it out of proportion: to treat something as more serious than it is
exaggerate; overreact
blue-sky thinking: creative thinking that ignores the usual limits
brainstorming; open thinking; new ideas
More common in British English than American.
boil the ocean: to take on a task so huge it cannot be done
try to do everything; take on too much; overreach
Usually said as a warning: "Let's not boil the ocean."
born with a silver spoon in their mouth: born into a rich family
born rich; privileged
bread and butter: a basic, reliable source of income or work
main income; core business; staple
break new ground: to do something never done before
innovate; pioneer; do something new
break the bank: to cost too much
cost too much; be too expensive
break the ice: to make people feel more relaxed at first meeting
start a conversation; ease tension
breathtaking views: very beautiful views
beautiful views; wide views of the lake
Describe what you can actually see.
bring home the bacon: to earn money for a household
earn a living; support the family; earn money
bring to the table: to offer skills or ideas to a group
offer; contribute; add
bring your A game: to perform at your very best
do your best; be at your best; perform well
broaden my horizons: to learn about new things and ideas
learn more; see more; try new things
broke the internet: became hugely popular or talked about online
was everywhere online; drew huge attention
buckle up: get ready for something exciting or difficult
get ready; here goes; brace yourself
burn the candle at both ends: to work too hard and sleep too little
overwork; exhaust yourself
burn the midnight oil: to work late into the night
work late; stay up late
burn your bridges: to destroy relationships or options you might need later
ruin relationships; cut ties; close off options
bury the hatchet: to end a quarrel and make peace
make peace; reconcile; forgive
bury your head in the sand: to ignore a problem and hope it goes away
ignore the problem; avoid facing it
Ostriches don't actually do this.
but wait, there's more: there is more to offer
also; there's more
From TV sales ads.
butterflies in my stomach: a nervous, fluttery feeling
nervous; jittery; excited
by close of business: by the end of the working day
by the end of the day; by 5 p.m.; today
Give a clock time when it matters. With time zones, "close of business" is unclear.
by the skin of your teeth: only just; barely
barely; narrowly; just
C
call it a day: to stop working for now
stop; finish; quit for today
call the shots: to be in charge and make the decisions
be in charge; decide; lead
calm, cool and collected: calm and in control
calm; composed; relaxed
came under fire: was strongly criticized
was criticized; faced criticism; was blamed
can't hold a candle to: is not nearly as good as
isn't as good as; can't compare with
Probably from helpers who held candles so others could work.
can't put my finger on it: can't say exactly what it is
can't explain it; not sure why
can't see the forest for the trees: too focused on details to see the whole situation
missing the big picture
British English says "wood for the trees."
caught red-handed: caught in the act of doing something wrong
caught in the act
chomping at the bit: eager and impatient to start
eager; impatient; raring to go
The older form is "champing at the bit."
circle back: to return to a topic, or contact someone again, at a later time
follow up; come back to this; talk again
One of the most mocked office phrases. "Follow up" says the same thing.
climb the corporate ladder: to move up to higher jobs in a company
get promoted; move up; advance
close but no cigar: almost right but not quite
close; nearly; not quite
cold feet: nervousness that makes someone want to back out
nerves; second thoughts; doubts
Often used about weddings: "getting cold feet."
come rain or shine: whatever happens, no matter the conditions
no matter what; regardless
comparing apples and oranges: comparing things that are too different to compare
they're too different to compare; not alike
control what we can control: to focus on the things within our power
focus on our own work; do our part
cooked to perfection: cooked exactly right
well cooked; perfectly cooked; tender
cool as a cucumber: calm and relaxed, even under pressure
calm; relaxed; composed
cost an arm and a leg: to be very expensive
be very expensive; cost a lot
cover all the bases: to prepare for every possibility
prepare for everything; be thorough; plan for every case
create synergy: to combine efforts so the result is greater than each part alone
work together; combine; cooperate
"Synergy" is one of the most mocked words in business writing.
crocodile tears: fake tears or false sorrow
fake sorrow; false sympathy
From an old belief that crocodiles weep while eating.
cross that bridge when we come to it: to deal with a problem only when it happens
deal with it later; wait and see
cross the Rubicon: to make a decision that cannot be undone
pass the point of no return; commit
From Julius Caesar crossing the Rubicon River in 49 BC.
crunch the numbers: to do calculations, often to see if a plan will work
do the math; calculate; check the figures
cry wolf: to raise a false alarm, so later warnings are ignored
raise a false alarm
From the fable of the boy who cried wolf.
crystal clear: completely clear and easy to understand
very clear; obvious; plain
Often used in warnings: "Let me be crystal clear." Plain "clear" works.
curiosity killed the cat: being too curious can get you into trouble
don't pry; be careful what you ask
Some people add "but satisfaction brought it back," a later addition.
cut corners: to do something badly or cheaply to save time or money
skimp; rush the work; take shortcuts
cut to the chase: to get to the main point quickly
get to the point; be brief
Probably from early films, where the chase scene was the exciting part.
D
day in, day out: every day, without change
every day; daily; constantly
dead in the water: failed and unable to move forward
stalled; finished; going nowhere
From ships that have lost power and stopped moving.
delve into: to look into something carefully
look at; explore; study
Now strongly linked with machine-written text.
do a deep dive: to study something closely and in great detail
look closely at; study in detail; analyze
Overused in business and media writing.
do the heavy lifting: to do the hardest part of a job
do the hard work; do most of the work; handle the toughest part
don't count your chickens before they hatch: don't rely on something before it happens
don't assume it yet; wait and see; it isn't certain
don't have the bandwidth: to lack the time or energy to take on more work
don't have time; can't take this on; am too busy
Borrowed from computing. Plain words sound more honest.
don't hold your breath: don't expect it to happen soon
don't count on it; it may take a while
don't judge a book by its cover: don't judge someone or something by looks alone
looks can deceive; look deeper
don't look a gift horse in the mouth: don't criticize a gift or lucky chance
be grateful; accept it
A horse's teeth show its age, so checking a gift horse's mouth suggests doubting the gift.
don't put all your eggs in one basket: don't risk everything on one plan
spread the risk; have a backup; diversify
don't quit your day job: you are not good enough to do this for a living
stick to what you know
Usually a joke, but it can sting.
don't rock the boat: don't cause trouble
keep the peace; don't upset things
don't sweat the small stuff: don't worry about little things
don't worry about details; relax
don't throw the baby out with the bathwater: don't lose the good parts while removing the bad
keep what works
dot the i's and cross the t's: to pay attention to every detail
be thorough; check every detail
down the rabbit hole: deep into a strange or complicated topic
lost in a topic; deep into research
From Alice's Adventures in Wonderland.
down to earth: practical and friendly
practical; sensible; modest
down to the wire: to the last possible moment
to the last minute; very close; at the end
From horse racing.
dressed to the nines: dressed in very fancy clothes
dressed up; very well dressed
No one knows for sure what "the nines" were.
drinking from a fire hose: taking in too much information too fast
overwhelmed; flooded with information; learning a lot very quickly
drop the ball: to fail to do something you were supposed to do
make a mistake; forget; fail to follow through
From sports where dropping the ball loses points or possession.
drop-dead gorgeous: extremely attractive to look at
stunning; beautiful; very attractive
E
each and every: all; every single one
each; every; all
A doubled phrase. One word does the job.
easier said than done: harder to do than to talk about
hard to do; not easy
eat humble pie: to admit you were wrong
admit a mistake; apologize; back down
embark on a journey: to start a long process or trip
start; begin; set out
ever since I was a child: since I was young
since I was eight; for years
Give a specific age or memory.
every cloud has a silver lining: something good can come from a bad situation
there's some good in this; it has an upside
every dog has its day: everyone gets a chance to succeed at some point
everyone gets a turn
everything but the kitchen sink: almost everything you can think of
everything; far too much
Often used about overpacked bags or overstuffed plans.
everything happens for a reason: events have a purpose, even bad ones
it may work out; it may help later
Can sound unkind to someone who is grieving.
F
face the music: to accept the results of your actions
accept the consequences; take the blame
failure is not an option: we must succeed
we must succeed; we can't fail
fake it till you make it: act confident until you really are
act confident; keep trying
fall on deaf ears: to be ignored
be ignored; get no response
fall through the cracks: to be missed or forgotten by a system
get missed; be overlooked
few and far between: rare; not often found
rare; scarce; uncommon
fifteen minutes of fame: a short period of public attention
brief fame; a moment in the spotlight
Based on a 1968 remark by the artist Andy Warhol.
fight fire with fire: to respond in the same way as an attacker
respond in kind; hit back
fight tooth and nail: to fight very hard
fight hard; struggle fiercely
firing on all cylinders: working at full power or ability
at our best; working well; at full strength
From car engines.
first and foremost: most importantly; first
first; above all; most importantly
first things first: the most important things should come first
start with the basics; first
fit as a fiddle: in very good health
healthy; fit; well
fly by the seat of your pants: to act without a plan, by instinct
improvise; wing it
fly off the handle: to suddenly become very angry
lose your temper; get angry
Probably from an ax head flying loose from its handle.
follow your dreams: to pursue what you really want in life
pursue your goals; do what you love
food for thought: something worth thinking about
something to think about; worth considering
for all intents and purposes: in every practical way
in effect; practically; nearly
Often misheard as "for all intensive purposes."
for better or worse: whether the result is good or bad
either way; whatever happens
from the bottom of my heart: with complete sincerity and deep feeling
sincerely; truly; deeply
full steam ahead: moving forward with full energy
go ahead; start now; proceed at full speed
From steam engines and steamships.
G
get a second wind: to get new energy after feeling tired
feel refreshed; recover; get new energy
get it across the finish line: to complete something
finish it; complete it; get it done
get out of hand: to become impossible to control
get out of control; go too far
get the ball rolling: to get something started
start; begin; get started
get your act together: to become organized and responsible
get organized; shape up
get your ducks in a row: to get organized and prepared before doing something
get organized; prepare; plan ahead
get your foot in the door: to get a first opportunity
get started; get a chance
From door-to-door sellers who kept a door from closing.
give 110 percent: to try as hard as you possibly can
try hard; work hard; do our best
Impossible as math, which is part of the joke. Very common in sports talk.
give someone the cold shoulder: to ignore someone on purpose
ignore; snub
give the benefit of the doubt: to believe someone when you can't be sure
trust them; assume the best
glass half full: seeing a situation in a positive way
optimistic; positive; hopeful
The pessimist sees it as half empty.
go above and beyond: to do much more than is expected
do more; exceed expectations
Common in job reviews and award speeches. Say what the person actually did.
go big or go home: do something boldly or not at all
aim high; be bold
go out on a limb: to take a risk, often by supporting someone
take a risk; stick your neck out
go the distance: to keep going to the end
finish; last to the end; see it through
go the extra mile: to do more than is expected
do more; make an extra effort
go with the flow: to accept things as they happen
relax; adapt; be flexible
going forward: from now on; in the future
from now on; next; in the future
Often adds nothing. Try deleting it.
good things come to those who wait: patience is rewarded
be patient; it's worth waiting
great minds think alike: we had the same idea
we agree; same idea
green with envy: very jealous of what someone else has
jealous; envious
Shakespeare called jealousy "the green-eyed monster" in Othello.
H
happily ever after: happy for the rest of their lives
happily; content; together for good
haste makes waste: doing things too quickly causes mistakes
slow down; rushing causes mistakes
head in the clouds: dreamy and not paying attention to real life
daydreaming; unrealistic; distracted
head over heels in love: completely and happily in love
deeply in love; crazy about; smitten
heard it through the grapevine: learned about something through gossip
heard a rumor; heard secondhand
Made even more familiar by a 1960s soul song.
here today, gone tomorrow: lasting only a short time
short-lived; temporary; fleeting
here's the thing: the important point is this
the point is; the key point; but
highway robbery: a price that is far too high
a rip-off; overpriced; far too expensive
his bark is worse than his bite: he seems fierce but is harmless
he's not as tough as he sounds
hit below the belt: to say or do something unfair or cruel
be unfair; fight dirty; go too far
From boxing, where hitting below the belt breaks the rules.
hit it out of the park: to do something extremely well
do very well; succeed; excel
From baseball home runs.
hit rock bottom: to reach the lowest possible point
reach the lowest point
hit the ground running: to start something new quickly and with a lot of energy
start quickly; get to work right away; start strong
A staple of job ads and resumes.
hit the jackpot: to have great luck or success, often with money
get lucky; strike it rich; win big
hit the nail on the head: to describe something exactly right
be exactly right; describe it perfectly; nail it
honesty is the best policy: being honest is always best
be honest; tell the truth
I
I couldn't believe my eyes: I was very surprised by what I saw
I was amazed; I was shocked; I stared
I have always been passionate about: I have long been very interested in
I love; I have studied; I have worked on
Admissions readers see it constantly. Show the interest with examples.
I hope this email finds you well: a polite opening line in an email
I hope you're well; Hi; thanks for your time
Harmless but empty. You can start with your point.
I'm just saying: I'm only giving my opinion
I think; in my view
Often added to soften a criticism.
if it ain't broke, don't fix it: don't change something that works
leave it alone; it works fine
if the shoe fits, wear it: if a comment describes you, accept it
if it's true, accept it
British English: "if the cap fits."
ignorance is bliss: not knowing something can make you happier
sometimes it's better not to know
From a 1742 poem by Thomas Gray: "where ignorance is bliss, 'tis folly to be wise."
in a heartbeat: immediately, without hesitation
instantly; right away; without hesitation
in a league of its own: far better than anything else
the best; unmatched; outstanding
in a nutshell: in a few words; briefly
briefly; in short; put simply
in conclusion: to finish; to sum up
finally; to sum up; overall
Fine in a speech. In an essay, a strong last paragraph doesn't need a label.
in my humble opinion: I think; in my view
I think; I believe; in my view
Rarely humble. Online it is often shortened to IMHO.
in one fell swoop: all at once, in one action
at once; all together
From Shakespeare's Macbeth.
in the blink of an eye: very quickly, almost instantly
instantly; in a moment; very quickly
in the dead of night: in the middle of the night
late at night; at midnight; in the middle of the night
in the digital age: in the time of computers and the internet
today; online; now
in the ever-evolving world of: in a field that keeps changing
in; in today's
A phrase readers now link with machine-written text. Cut it.
in the limelight: at the center of public attention
in the spotlight; famous; noticed
From a bright light once used in theaters.
in the long run: over a long period of time
eventually; over time; in the end
in the nick of time: at the last possible moment
just in time; at the last minute; barely in time
in the same boat: in the same difficult situation
in the same situation; facing the same problem
in the wee hours of the morning: very early in the morning, after midnight
after midnight; very early; at 3 a.m.
in the weeds: too deep in small details, or busy and falling behind
in the details; buried in detail; swamped
In restaurants it means badly behind on orders.
in the zone: fully focused and performing very well
focused; at my best; concentrating fully
in this article, we will explore: this article covers
this article explains; here is; (start with the point)
in this day and age: in the present time
today; now; these days
Says "today" in five words.
in today's society: in the present day; now
today; now; these days
A classic weak essay opening. Name the specific group or time you mean.
it ain't over till it's over: the result is not settled until the very end
it's not finished yet; anything can happen
Usually credited to the baseball player Yogi Berra.
it goes without saying: something is so obvious it need not be said
clearly; of course; obviously
If it goes without saying, consider not saying it.
it is important to note that: the next point matters
note that; importantly; (state the point directly)
Usually you can delete it and start with the point.
it is what it is: a situation cannot be changed and has to be accepted
we can't change it; that's how it is; we'll accept it
Can sound dismissive in writing.
it takes a village: many people are needed to raise a child or do a big task
it takes many people; we all help
From the saying "it takes a village to raise a child."
it takes two to tango: both people share responsibility
both sides are responsible
Made popular by a 1952 song.
it was a dark and stormy night: a famously overdone story opening
(open with a specific detail instead)
The opening line of an 1830 novel by Edward Bulwer-Lytton, now a byword for purple prose.
it was all a dream: a story ending in which the events never really happened
(give the story a real ending)
Writing teachers often ban it as an ending.
it's a small world: said when you meet someone you know in an unexpected place
what a coincidence
it's all Greek to me: I can't understand it at all
I don't understand; it makes no sense to me
Shakespeare used a version of it in Julius Caesar.
it's how you play the game: effort and fair play matter more than winning
play fair; effort matters most
Short for "it's not whether you win or lose, it's how you play the game."
it's not rocket science: it is not hard to understand
it's simple; it's easy
Often used in frustration. It can sound condescending.
it's not the end of the world: the situation is not as bad as it seems
it's not so bad; it'll be okay
it's not you, it's me: a common, gentle line for ending a relationship
I'm not ready; this isn't working for me
So well known that it often sounds insincere.
it's now or never: this is the only chance
act now; last chance
it's raining cats and dogs: it is raining very hard
it's pouring; heavy rain
No one knows for sure where it comes from; popular origin stories are guesses.
J
jack of all trades: someone who can do many different jobs
versatile; handy; skilled at many things
Often extended to "jack of all trades, master of none."
jump on the bandwagon: to join something because it is popular
follow the trend; join in
From the wagons that carried musicians in parades and campaigns.
jump the gun: to start too soon
start too early; act too soon; rush
From races where a gun signals the start.
just around the corner: very near, or about to happen soon
soon; coming; nearby
just checking in: a light way to follow up on something
following up; any update on; I wanted to ask about
Say what you need: "Do you have the report?"
just what the doctor ordered: exactly what was needed
exactly right; perfect
K
keep a stiff upper lip: to hide your feelings in hard times
stay calm; stay composed
Linked with British reserve, though it was first recorded in America.
keep calm and carry on: stay calm and keep going
stay calm; keep going
From a British poster printed in 1939 and rediscovered in 2000.
keep me in the loop: to keep someone informed about something
keep me informed; let me know; update me
keep up with the Joneses: to try to own as much as your neighbors
compete with neighbors; show off
keep your chin up: stay cheerful in a hard time
stay positive; cheer up
keep your eye on the ball: to stay focused on what matters
stay focused; pay attention; concentrate
keep your fingers crossed: to hope for good luck
hope; wish for luck
keep your nose to the grindstone: to work hard for a long time
work hard; keep working
key takeaways: the main points to remember
main points; summary; what to remember
kill two birds with one stone: to get two things done with one action
do two things at once; save effort
knock on wood: a phrase said to avoid bad luck after saying something hopeful
hopefully; with luck
British English says "touch wood."
L
last but not least: the final item, which is still important
finally; and; also
Overused in speeches and thank-you lists.
laughter is the best medicine: laughing helps you feel better
laughing helps
lay your cards on the table: to be honest about your plans
be open; be honest
learn the hard way: to learn from a bad experience
learn from mistakes
leave it all on the field: to give every bit of effort you have
give everything; try our hardest; hold nothing back
leave no stone unturned: to search or try everything
search everywhere; try everything
less is more: simpler is often better
keep it simple; simpler is better
let bygones be bygones: to forget past quarrels
forgive and forget; move on
let out a breath she didn't know she was holding: suddenly relaxed after tension
breathed out; relaxed; sighed
One of the most mocked lines in modern fiction.
let sleeping dogs lie: to avoid bringing up an old problem
leave it alone; don't stir it up
let that sink in: take a moment to think about how important this is
think about that; consider that
Often used online to stress a shocking fact.
let the cat out of the bag: to reveal a secret by accident
reveal the secret; give it away
let the dust settle: to wait until things calm down
wait; let things calm down
let's dive in: let's start on the main topic
let's begin; first; here goes
Very common in blog posts. Simply start.
let's face it: we have to admit
honestly; admittedly; the truth is
let's unpack that: let's explain or examine that idea in detail
let's explain; let's look closer; let's break it down
level the playing field: to make a situation fair for everyone
make it fair; give everyone the same chance; even the odds
life is short: there is not much time, so enjoy it
enjoy it while you can; don't wait
light at the end of the tunnel: a sign that a hard time is ending
hope; an end in sight
Writers often joke that the light is an oncoming train.
lightning never strikes twice: an unusual event will not happen again in the same way
it won't happen again
Real lightning often does strike the same place twice.
like a broken record: repeating the same thing again and again
repeating myself; over and over
like a bull in a china shop: clumsy and careless
clumsy; careless
like a deer in the headlights: frozen with fear or surprise
frozen; stunned; startled
like a kid in a candy store: very excited and delighted by many choices
thrilled; delighted; overjoyed
like herding cats: very hard to organize because everyone does their own thing
hard to organize; chaotic; hard to coordinate
like pulling teeth: very difficult, especially getting someone to do something
very hard; a struggle
like water off a duck's back: having no effect on someone
had no effect; didn't bother them
Ducks' oily feathers shed water easily.
little did they know: they had no idea what would happen
they didn't know; without realizing; unaware
A storytelling cliche that hints at a twist.
live, laugh, love: a motto for enjoying life
enjoy life
Famous as a home decor slogan, and often mocked for it.
living paycheck to paycheck: spending all your income with nothing left to save
barely getting by; with no savings
lock, stock and barrel: completely, including every part of something
everything; completely; all of it
look on the bright side: to see the good in a bad situation
stay positive; be hopeful
love at first sight: falling in love the first time you see someone
instant attraction; liked each other right away
love conquers all: love can overcome any problem
love wins; love overcomes everything
low-hanging fruit: the easiest tasks or gains, the ones to do first
easy wins; the simplest fixes; quick improvements
Name the actual tasks instead.
M
make a difference in the world: to have a good effect on other people
help people; improve; change something for the better
make a mountain out of a molehill: to treat a small problem as a big one
overreact; exaggerate
make ends meet: to have just enough money to live
get by; pay the bills; manage
make hay while the sun shines: take advantage of a good situation while it lasts
act while you can; use the chance
make or break: deciding between success and failure
decisive; crucial
manage expectations: to make sure people don't expect more than you can deliver
be realistic; set clear limits; explain what's possible
many people believe: a common belief is
some people think; surveys show
Who? Name them or give a source.
may the best man win: let the most skilled competitor win
good luck to all; may the best team win
meant to be: sure to happen because of fate
destined; inevitable; right
melt in your mouth: very soft and tasty
soft; tender; rich
miss the boat: to lose a chance by being too slow
miss the chance; be too late
Monday morning quarterback: a person who criticizes decisions after the results are known
critic; second-guesser; armchair expert
From American football, played on weekends.
money can't buy happiness: being rich does not make you happy
wealth doesn't bring happiness
money doesn't grow on trees: money is limited and must be earned
money is limited; we can't afford it
more bang for your buck: better value for your money
better value; more for your money
more than meets the eye: more complicated or interesting than it first seems
more complex than it looks; hidden depths
Mother Nature: nature, described as a person
nature; the weather
Weather reports use it constantly.
move the goalposts: to unfairly change the rules or targets after something has started
change the rules; raise the target; shift the terms
From soccer, where the goalposts mark the target.
move the needle: to make a change big enough for people to notice
make a real difference; have a clear effect; improve results
Usually vague. Say which number or result will change.
moving forward: from now on; as the work continues
from now on; next; later
Like "going forward," it can usually be cut.
Murphy's law: the idea that anything that can go wrong will go wrong
things will go wrong; expect problems
Named after an engineer, though the idea is much older.
music to my ears: news that I'm very glad to hear
great news; good to hear
my better half: my husband, wife or partner
my partner; my wife; my husband
my biggest weakness is perfectionism: an interview answer that turns a weakness into praise
a real weakness and how you handle it
Interviewers hear it constantly. A true example works better.
my blood ran cold: I suddenly felt great fear
I was terrified; I froze; I was horrified
my hands are tied: I'm not able to help or act
I can't help; I can't change it
my heart skipped a beat: I felt a sudden shock, fear or excitement
I was startled; I froze; I was thrilled
my two cents: my opinion, offered for what it is worth
my opinion; my view
N
necessity is the mother of invention: people invent things when they really need them
need drives invention
neck and neck: exactly level in a race or contest
tied; even; very close
needless to say: as you would expect
of course; as expected; naturally
Often followed by something that needed saying.
nestled in the hills: located comfortably in a quiet, sheltered place
in the hills; set in; located in
A favorite of travel and real estate writing.
nice guys finish last: being kind does not help you win
kindness doesn't always win
nip it in the bud: to stop a problem early
stop it early; deal with it now
Sometimes misheard as "nip it in the butt." The image is pinching off a plant bud before it opens.
no pain, no gain: you must work hard or suffer to make progress
hard work pays off; it takes effort
Linked with 1980s workout culture, though the idea is much older.
no strings attached: with no conditions
with no conditions; free
no use crying over spilled milk: there is no point being upset about something that cannot be changed
it's done; let it go; move on
not my cup of tea: not something I like
not for me; I don't like it; not my taste
not up to par: not as good as usual or expected
below standard; not good enough; disappointing
nothing to write home about: ordinary; not special
ordinary; average; unremarkable
nothing ventured, nothing gained: you can't succeed without taking risks
you have to try
now more than ever: especially now, more than at any time before
especially now; today; more than before
O
off the beaten path: away from the places most people visit
remote; quiet; less visited
off the top of my head: without checking or thinking long
without checking; roughly; offhand
old habits die hard: it is hard to stop doing things you've done for a long time
habits are hard to break
on a shoestring budget: with very little money
cheaply; on a tight budget
on cloud nine: extremely happy and delighted
very happy; thrilled; overjoyed
on my radar: something I am aware of or watching
I know about it; I'm watching it; I'm aware of it
on paper: in theory, before it is tested
in theory; based on the numbers; supposedly
on the cutting edge: at the newest and most advanced stage
newest; most advanced; latest
on the edge of my seat: very excited or anxious to know what happens
gripped; tense; excited
A staple of film and book reviews.
on the rocks: in trouble and likely to fail
failing; struggling; in trouble
For drinks, it means served over ice.
on the ropes: close to defeat
in trouble; close to failing; struggling
From boxing.
on the same page: sharing the same understanding or agreeing about a plan
in agreement; agreed; clear on the plan
on the tip of my tongue: almost remembered but not quite
I almost remember; I can't quite recall
on thin ice: in a risky situation
in danger; at risk; in trouble
on top of the world: extremely happy and confident
very happy; elated
once bitten, twice shy: after a bad experience, you are more careful
burned once, careful now
once in a blue moon: very rarely; almost never
rarely; hardly ever; almost never
once in a lifetime: very rare; unlikely to happen again
rare; unique; special
once upon a time: long ago; at some time in the past
years ago; long ago; one day
Fine in fairy tales. Elsewhere it reads as a cliche.
one day at a time: dealing with each day as it comes
step by step; slowly; gradually
one game at a time: to focus only on the next task, not the ones after it
focus on the next game; step by step
A favorite answer in sports interviews.
one in a million: very special or rare
rare; special; unique
only a matter of time: sure to happen sooner or later
bound to happen; inevitable
only time will tell: the result will be known later
we'll see; it's too early to know; we don't know yet
open a can of worms: to create a complicated set of problems
cause trouble; raise new problems
open Pandora's box: to start something that causes many new problems
cause many problems; start trouble
From a Greek myth. In the oldest versions it was a jar, not a box.
opposites attract: people who are very different are often drawn to each other
different people get along; differences attract
out of left field: unexpected and strange
unexpected; surprising; odd
US baseball slang.
out of nowhere: suddenly and with no warning
suddenly; without warning; unexpectedly
out of sight, out of mind: people forget things they do not see
we forget what we don't see
out of the blue: without warning; unexpectedly
suddenly; unexpectedly
Short for "a bolt out of the blue," lightning from a clear sky.
out of the frying pan and into the fire: from a bad situation into a worse one
from bad to worse; worse off
out of the woods: out of danger or difficulty
safe; past the worst
over the moon: very happy and delighted about something
thrilled; delighted
P
pain points: problems that cause trouble for customers or users
problems; frustrations; issues
par for the course: normal or expected, usually for something bad
typical; expected; normal
From golf, where par is the expected score.
pass the buck: to push responsibility onto someone else
shift the blame; avoid responsibility
From poker, where a marker called a buck showed whose turn it was to deal.
pass with flying colors: to succeed very easily and well
pass easily; do very well; succeed
patience is a virtue: it is good to be able to wait calmly
be patient
pay it forward: to repay kindness by being kind to someone else
pass the kindness on; help someone else
pay lip service: to say you support something without acting on it
pretend to support; say but not do
pay through the nose: to pay far too much
overpay; pay too much
penny wise and pound foolish: careful with small amounts but wasteful with large ones
saving small, wasting big
people from all walks of life: people of every background and job
all kinds of people; everyone
Common in news and essays. Name the groups if you can.
people in glass houses shouldn't throw stones: don't criticize others for faults you share
don't judge others; look at yourself
per my last email: as I already said in my previous message
as I mentioned; as I wrote earlier; to repeat
Often read as annoyed. If you don't mean that, restate the point kindly.
pie in the sky: a plan or hope that is unlikely to happen
unrealistic; a fantasy; a pipe dream
ping me: to send someone a short message
message me; email me; text me
Fine among coworkers, too casual for formal writing.
play devil's advocate: to argue the other side to test an idea
argue the other side; challenge the idea
play hardball: to act tough and without mercy to get what you want
be tough; take a hard line; bargain hard
play it by ear: to decide as you go along
decide later; improvise; see how it goes
From music, where it means playing without written notes.
play second fiddle: to have a less important role
be second; take a lesser role
From orchestras, where the second violin supports the first.
plays a vital role: is very important to something
is essential to; matters for; helps
please do not hesitate to contact me: an invitation to get in touch with questions
please contact me; let me know; feel free to ask
please find attached: the attached file is included with this message
I've attached; attached is; here is
Old-fashioned business wording.
pop the question: to ask someone to marry you
propose; ask to marry
practice makes perfect: doing something often makes you good at it
keep practicing; practice helps
practice what you preach: to do what you advise others to do
follow your own advice
pride goes before a fall: being too proud leads to failure
arrogance leads to failure
pull out all the stops: to make every possible effort
do everything possible; try hard
From pipe organs, where pulling out stops makes the music louder.
pull someone's leg: to tease someone with a joke
tease; joke with; kid
pull yourself up by your bootstraps: to succeed by your own effort alone
succeed on your own; work your way up
Some readers point out that it describes something impossible.
punch above your weight: to do better than expected for your size or level
do better than expected; outperform
From boxing weight classes.
push the envelope: to go beyond the usual limits of what is done
try new things; go further; test the limits
From aviation, where a plane's "envelope" is its safe performance range.
put a pin in it: to set a topic aside and return to it later
set this aside; come back to it later; pause this
put lipstick on a pig: to make something bad look better on the surface
dress it up; make it look nicer
Often used about weak products or plans given a nicer look.
put the cart before the horse: to do things in the wrong order
do things backward; get ahead of yourself
put your best foot forward: to make the best possible impression
do your best; make a good impression
put your foot in your mouth: to say something embarrassing by accident
say the wrong thing; blunder
put your money where your mouth is: to back your words with action or money
prove it; act on it
R
rain on someone's parade: to spoil someone's plans or happiness
spoil it; ruin the fun
raise the bar: to set a higher standard
set a higher standard; expect more; improve
reach for the stars: to aim very high
aim high; dream big
reach out: to contact someone
contact; call; write to
Very common in email. Some readers find it overly soft.
read between the lines: to understand what is meant but not said
find the hidden meaning; infer; notice what isn't said
red tape: rules and paperwork that slow things down
paperwork; rules; bureaucracy
Probably from the red ribbon once used to tie up official papers.
reinvent the wheel: to waste time making something that already exists
start from scratch; redo work; duplicate effort
Usually said as a warning: "Don't reinvent the wheel."
rest on your laurels: to stop trying after a success
get complacent; coast
In ancient Greece, winners were crowned with laurel wreaths.
results-driven professional: a worker focused on reaching goals
focused on results; achieves goals
A resume cliche. Show the results instead.
right out of the gate: from the very beginning
from the start; right away; immediately
From horse racing.
rock the boat: to cause trouble in a calm situation
cause trouble; upset things
roll with the punches: to adapt to problems without being upset
adapt; cope; take it in stride
Rome wasn't built in a day: important things take time
it takes time; be patient
root for the underdog: to support the side that is expected to lose
support the weaker side; cheer for the outsider
rule of thumb: a rough, practical guide
a general guide; a rough rule
A popular story about its origin is not supported by the records.
run it up the flagpole: to test an idea by showing it to others and seeing how they react
try the idea out; ask for feedback; test the idea
The full form is "run it up the flagpole and see who salutes." Sounds dated now.
run the gamut: to cover the whole range
range widely; cover everything
S
safe and sound: safe and unharmed after danger or travel
safe; unharmed
save for a rainy day: to save money for future needs
save for emergencies; put money aside
saved by the bell: rescued from trouble at the last moment
rescued just in time; lucky timing
From boxing, where the bell ends a round. Stories about bells in coffins are a myth.
scraping the bottom of the barrel: using the worst options because nothing better is left
using the last resort; settling for the worst
scratch the surface: to deal with only a small part of something
barely start; cover only a little
see eye to eye: to agree with someone about something
agree; think alike
see the world through rose-colored glasses: to see things as better than they are
be overly optimistic; idealize
seize the day: make the most of today
act now; make the most of it
A translation of the Latin "carpe diem."
selling like hotcakes: selling very quickly in large numbers
selling fast; very popular; in demand
sent shock waves through: caused great surprise or upset in a group
shocked; surprised; upset
set in stone: fixed and impossible to change
final; fixed; permanent
sharp as a tack: very smart and quick to understand
smart; clever; quick
shrouded in mystery: not known or explained
unknown; unexplained; secret
sick as a dog: very ill, often with stomach trouble
very sick; very ill
silence is golden: it is often better to say nothing
it's better to stay quiet
From the longer saying "speech is silver, silence is golden."
since the beginning of time: always; for as long as anything has existed
for a long time; for generations; since 1950
Teachers flag it in almost every essay that uses it.
since the dawn of time: for as long as anyone can remember; always
for centuries; for a long time; since the 1800s
Rarely true. Give a real date or time span.
since time immemorial: for longer than anyone can remember
for centuries; for a very long time
sink or swim: to succeed or fail without help
succeed or fail on your own
sit on the fence: to avoid choosing a side
stay neutral; avoid deciding
six of one, half a dozen of the other: two choices that are the same
it makes no difference; same either way
skeletons in the closet: embarrassing secrets from the past
secrets; past scandals
British English says "skeletons in the cupboard."
skin in the game: a personal stake, often money, in how something turns out
a stake; something to lose; an investment
slow and steady wins the race: steady effort beats speed
steady effort pays off
From the fable of the tortoise and the hare.
slowly but surely: slowly and steadily
gradually; steadily; bit by bit
smoke and mirrors: deception meant to hide the truth
trickery; illusion; deception
From stage magic, where tricks hide what is really happening.
smooth sailing: easy progress without problems
easy; trouble-free; going well
so far, so good: things are going well up to now
going well; fine so far
so to speak: in a manner of speaking
in a sense; (often best deleted)
sour grapes: pretending not to want what you cannot have
envy; bitterness; jealousy
From an old fable about a fox.
sparked outrage: caused strong public anger
angered people; caused anger; upset many
speak of the devil: the person we were just talking about has arrived
there you are; we were just talking about you
Short for "speak of the devil and he shall appear." Usually said lightly.
speak volumes: to show a lot without words
say a lot; reveal; show clearly
spill the beans: to tell a secret
reveal the secret; tell; let it slip
spread like wildfire: to spread very quickly
spread fast; spread quickly
stand the test of time: to remain good or useful for a long time
last; endure; stay popular
stand your ground: to refuse to back down
hold firm; not give in
start with a clean slate: to begin again without past mistakes counting
start fresh; begin again
state of the art: the newest and most advanced available
latest; most advanced; modern
Hyphenate it before a noun: "state-of-the-art tools."
steal someone's thunder: to take attention or credit from someone
take the credit; upstage
step outside my comfort zone: to try something new and a bit frightening
try something new; take a risk; challenge myself
step up to the plate: to take responsibility or action when needed
take charge; volunteer; accept the job
From baseball, where the batter steps up to home plate.
stick out like a sore thumb: to be very noticeable
stand out; be obvious
stick to your guns: to keep your opinion despite pressure
stand firm; don't give in
stop and smell the roses: to take time to enjoy life
slow down; enjoy life
straight from the horse's mouth: directly from the original source
firsthand; from the source
strike a chord: to cause a feeling of agreement or emotion
resonate; connect; move people
strike while the iron is hot: to act at the best moment
act now; seize the moment
From blacksmiths, who must shape iron while it is hot.
survival of the fittest: the strongest or best suited succeed
only the strongest survive
Coined by Herbert Spencer in 1864 after reading Darwin.
sweep it under the rug: to hide a problem instead of dealing with it
hide it; cover it up; ignore it
British English: "under the carpet."
swept off my feet: made to fall in love quickly and completely
charmed; won over; dazzled
T
table the discussion: to put off discussing something until later
postpone; set aside; discuss later
In American English, "table" means postpone. In British English it means bring up for discussion. Avoid it with mixed audiences.
take a rain check: to accept an offer for a later time
maybe another time; let's reschedule
From baseball tickets for rained-out games.
take it offline: to discuss something later and privately, outside the current meeting
talk about it after the meeting; discuss it separately
Often a polite way to end a side discussion.
take it to the next level: to improve something a great deal
improve it; grow it; make it much better
Say what the next level actually is.
take it with a grain of salt: to doubt something a little
be skeptical; doubt it; don't fully trust it
In British English, "a pinch of salt."
take one for the team: to accept something unpleasant for the good of the group
make a sacrifice; do it for the group; help out
take the bull by the horns: to deal with a problem directly
face it; deal with it directly
take the high road: to act with dignity in a conflict
be the better person
take the plunge: to finally do something risky or important
go for it; commit; decide
take the road less traveled: to choose an unusual path
do things differently; take a different path
Drawn from Robert Frost's poem "The Road Not Taken," which is often read more cheerfully than it was written.
talk is cheap: it is easy to say things but harder to do them
words are easy; actions count
tall, dark and handsome: an attractive man of a classic type
handsome; attractive
tell it like it is: to speak frankly
be honest; speak frankly
test the waters: to try something carefully before committing
try it out; see how people react
thanks in advance: thank you before the person has helped
thank you; thanks for your help
Some readers feel it assumes they will say yes.
that being said: even so; however
however; still; even so
that ship has sailed: the chance is gone
it's too late; the chance is gone
that's the way the cookie crumbles: that is how things are, and you must accept it
that's life; it happens; such is life
the 30,000-foot view: a broad, general view of something without details
an overview; the big picture; a summary
Also heard as the 10,000- or 50,000-foot view.
the acid test: a test that proves whether something works
the real test; the true test
From a test using acid to check for gold.
the age-old question: a question people have asked for a long time
an old question; a common question
the apple doesn't fall far from the tree: children are often like their parents
like parent, like child
the ball is in your court: it is your turn to act or decide
it's your decision; it's up to you; your move
From tennis.
the best defense is a good offense: attacking first is the best way to protect yourself
attack first; take the lead; act first
the best is yet to come: the future will be even better
there's more good to come
the best of both worlds: the benefits of two different things at once
both benefits; the advantages of each
the best thing since sliced bread: an excellent new idea or invention
a great invention; brilliant; a big improvement
the best things in life are free: the most valuable things cost nothing
the best things cost nothing
the best-kept secret: something very good that few people know about
little-known; a hidden find; underrated
the best-laid plans: even careful plans can go wrong
plans can fail; things go wrong
From a Robert Burns poem, "To a Mouse" (1785).
the big picture: the situation as a whole, not the details
the overall situation; the main point; overall
the bigger they are, the harder they fall: powerful people suffer more when they fail
the powerful fall hard
the black sheep of the family: the member who is different or disapproved of
the odd one out; the outsider
the bottom line: the most important fact, or the final result
the main point; in short; the result
In accounting, the bottom line is the final profit or loss.
the buck stops here: I take final responsibility
I'm responsible; it's my decision
The opposite of "pass the buck."
the calm before the storm: a quiet period before trouble starts
a quiet spell; a pause before trouble; a lull
the cherry on top: a final extra that makes something better
a bonus; the finishing touch
Similar to "the icing on the cake."
the clock is ticking: time is running out
time is short; hurry; the deadline is near
the coast is clear: it is safe to go ahead
it's safe; no one is around
Probably first used about a shore free of enemies or guards.
the course of true love never did run smooth: real love always meets problems
love is never easy
From Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.
the cream of the crop: the very best of a group
the best; top; elite
the customer is always right: customers' wishes should come first
put customers first; listen to customers
Even many business owners disagree with it now.
the daily grind: the dull, tiring routine of everyday work
daily routine; work; everyday tasks
the devil is in the details: small details can cause big problems
details matter; check the small things
Often used to warn that a simple plan will be hard to carry out.
the dog days of summer: the hottest weeks of summer
the hottest days; late summer; midsummer
Named after the Dog Star, which rises with the sun in late summer.
the early bird catches the worm: people who start early succeed
start early; early starts pay off
the elephant in the room: an obvious problem that no one wants to talk about
the obvious problem; what no one is saying; the real issue
Naming the actual problem is usually clearer.
the end of an era: the end of a long and important period
the end of a period; a big change
the exception that proves the rule: a rare case that shows a rule is usually true
a rare exception; an unusual case
It began as a legal idea: naming an exception implies a general rule. Everyday use is much looser.
the fact of the matter is: the truth is
in fact; actually; the truth is
Usually a long way to say "in fact."
the final nail in the coffin: the last event that causes failure
the final blow; the end
the good old days: a past time remembered as better
the past; years ago; back then
the grass is always greener on the other side: other people's situations always seem better
others always seem better off
the heart of the matter: the most important part of an issue
the main point; the core issue
the home stretch: the last part of a task or journey
the final part; nearly done; the end
From horse racing.
the honeymoon is over: the early happy period has ended
the early excitement is over; reality has set in
Also used for jobs and new leaders.
the icing on the cake: something extra that makes a good thing even better
a bonus; an extra treat; even better
the jury is still out: people have not yet decided about something
it's undecided; no one knows yet; it's unclear
the last straw: the final problem that makes someone lose patience
too much; the limit
the love of my life: the person someone loves most
my true love; my partner
the luck of the draw: a result decided by chance
chance; luck
the Midas touch: the ability to make everything succeed or earn money
a gift for success; always successful
From the Greek myth of King Midas.
the million-dollar question: the most important question, which is hard to answer
the key question; the big question
the moment of truth: the time when the result becomes clear
the decisive moment; the test; the deciding point
the more the merrier: more people make it more fun
everyone's welcome; join us
the name of the game: the most important part of something
the key; the main goal; what matters
the new normal: a changed situation that has become usual
how things are now; the usual now; current conditions
the next big thing: the next very popular trend or product
the next trend; the next hit
the nuts and bolts: the basic practical details
the basics; the details; the practical parts
the one that got away: a missed chance or lost love that is still regretted
a lost chance; a missed opportunity
the pen is mightier than the sword: writing and ideas are stronger than force
words have power
From an 1839 play by Edward Bulwer-Lytton.
the plot thickens: the situation is getting more complicated or interesting
it gets more complicated; there's more; now it's interesting
Often used jokingly.
the point of no return: the stage after which you cannot turn back
no turning back; too late to stop
From flying: the point after which a plane lacks the fuel to turn back.
the pot calling the kettle black: criticizing someone for a fault you also have
you're just as bad; hypocritical
the powers that be: the people in authority
the people in charge; management; officials
Often slightly mocking.
the proof is in the pudding: you can only judge something by testing it
the results will show; try it and see
Short for "the proof of the pudding is in the eating."
the purpose of this essay is: this essay will
I argue that; this essay shows; (state your argument directly)
Announcing the essay is weaker than starting it.
the rat race: the tiring, competitive daily struggle of working life
the daily grind; work stress; competition
the real deal: the genuine thing, not a copy or fake
genuine; authentic; the real thing
Informal.
the real McCoy: the genuine thing
genuine; authentic; the real thing
No one knows for sure who McCoy was.
the rest is history: everything after that is well known
the rest is well known; that's how it began
the salt of the earth: a good, honest, ordinary person
kind; decent; honest
the sands of time: the passing of time
time; the years
the secret sauce: the special quality that makes something succeed
the key ingredient; the main advantage; what sets it apart
the silence was deafening: the silence was very noticeable or awkward
the room went silent; no one spoke; there was an awkward silence
the silent treatment: refusing to speak to someone as punishment
ignoring someone; not speaking
the sky's the limit: there is no limit to what can be done
anything is possible; there's no limit
the squeaky wheel gets the grease: people who complain loudly get attention first
complaining gets results; speak up to get help
the straw that broke the camel's back: a small problem that makes a situation finally fail
the final problem; one thing too many
Often shortened to "the last straw."
the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat: the strong highs and lows of competition
the highs and lows; winning and losing
Made famous by a TV sports show.
the tip of the iceberg: a small visible part of a much bigger problem
a small part; just the start; the visible part
the trip of a lifetime: a once-in-a-lifetime journey
a special trip; a rare trip
the ultimate guide: a very complete guide
a guide; a full guide; a complete guide
Rarely ultimate.
the whole nine yards: everything; all of it
everything; all of it; the full amount
Popular but no one knows for sure where it comes from.
the winds of change: forces bringing big change
change; new trends
the world is your oyster: you can do anything or go anywhere
you have many chances; anything is possible
From Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor.
the worst-case scenario: the worst thing that could happen
at worst; if it goes badly
the writing is on the wall: there are clear signs that something bad will happen
the signs are clear; it's coming; it's inevitable
there are plenty of fish in the sea: there are many other people to date
you'll meet someone else; there are others
there's no I in team: team members should put the group before themselves
work together; put the team first
there's no such thing as a free lunch: nothing is truly free
everything has a cost; nothing is free
From old saloons that offered a "free" lunch to customers who bought drinks.
there's no time like the present: the best time to act is now
do it now; start today
they wanted it more: a common reason given for why a team won
they played harder; they tried harder
Sports talk often uses it when no one knows why a team won.
think on your feet: to think and decide quickly
react quickly; improvise; adapt
think outside the box: to think in new, creative or unusual ways
think creatively; try a new approach; look for fresh ideas
The phrase is now so common that using it is the opposite of creative.
third time's the charm: the third try will succeed
maybe this time; one more try
British English often says "third time lucky."
this experience taught me a valuable lesson: I learned something important from this
I learned; this showed me
A college essay staple. Say what the lesson was.
this isn't my first rodeo: I have done this before and know what to expect
I've done this before; I'm experienced
this too shall pass: hard times do not last
it won't last; it will pass
thought leader: a person seen as an expert whose ideas shape a field
expert; specialist; respected voice
When people use it about themselves, it often sounds boastful.
through thick and thin: through good times and bad
always; no matter what
throughout history: at every point in the past
for centuries; in many periods; since ancient times
Usually too broad to be true. Name the period.
throw a curveball: to surprise someone with something difficult
surprise; catch off guard; complicate
From baseball.
throw caution to the wind: to take a risk
take a risk; be bold
throw in the towel: to give up
give up; quit; admit defeat
From boxing, where a trainer throws a towel to stop a fight.
throw money at the problem: to try to fix something just by spending
spend more; pay to fix it
throw someone under the bus: to blame or sacrifice someone to protect yourself
blame; betray; abandon
tie the knot: to get married
get married; marry; wed
tighten our belts: to spend less money
cut back; spend less; economize
time and time again: repeatedly, on many occasions
repeatedly; often; again and again
time flies when you're having fun: time seems to pass fast when you enjoy yourself
the time went fast; the day flew by
time heals all wounds: pain and sadness fade over time
it gets easier; it will hurt less in time
time is money: wasted time costs money
time is valuable; don't waste time
time is of the essence: time is very important; act quickly
it's urgent; we must hurry; act fast
Has a precise meaning in contracts: deadlines must be met exactly.
time stood still: a moment felt very long or frozen
everything paused; the room went quiet; for a moment nothing moved
to be honest with you: honestly; I will tell you the truth
honestly; frankly
Can make listeners wonder about everything else you said.
to die for: so good that you would want it very badly
delicious; wonderful; excellent
to make a long story short: to give only the main point
in short; briefly; anyway
Often comes after the story is already long. Also "long story short."
to the bitter end: to the very end, despite difficulty
to the end; until the end
too good to be true: so good that it is probably false
suspicious; unlikely; a scam
A useful warning sign for scams.
too little, too late: not enough and not in time to help
inadequate; too late
Common in news reports about official responses.
too many irons in the fire: too many tasks or projects at once
too busy; overcommitted; doing too much
took the world by storm: became very popular very quickly
became hugely popular; was a big hit
touch base: to make brief contact to share news or check on progress
check in; talk briefly; give you a quick call
Probably from baseball. Fine in a casual email, vague in a report.
tough love: strict treatment meant to help someone
firm support; being strict to help
tried and true: tested and proven to work
proven; reliable; trusted
truth be told: to be honest
honestly; in fact; actually
tug at the heartstrings: to make someone feel strong emotion or pity
move; touch; affect deeply
turn a blind eye: to pretend not to notice
ignore; overlook
Often linked to a story about the British admiral Nelson, but that link is uncertain.
turn over a new leaf: to start behaving better
change; improve; start fresh
two heads are better than one: two people working together do better
let's work together
two peas in a pod: very similar, or very close
alike; inseparable; very similar
two wrongs don't make a right: doing wrong in return doesn't fix anything
revenge doesn't help
U
uncharted territory: a situation no one has faced before
new ground; the unknown; untested
under the gun: under great pressure to do something
under pressure; rushed
Similar to "under pressure" and "against the clock."
under the weather: slightly ill or not feeling well
sick; unwell; not feeling well
unleash the power of: to make full use of something
use; make use of; get the most from
unsung heroes: people whose good work is not praised or noticed
hard workers who get no credit; people behind the scenes
until the cows come home: for a very long time
forever; endlessly; for hours
up in the air: not yet decided
undecided; uncertain; unsettled
V
variety is the spice of life: different experiences make life interesting
change keeps life interesting
W
wait with bated breath: to wait anxiously or excitedly
wait eagerly; wait anxiously
Often misspelled "baited breath."
walk a mile in my shoes: understand my situation before judging me
see it from my side
Usually a plea for understanding.
walking on eggshells: being very careful not to upset someone
being careful; being tactful; tiptoeing around
water under the bridge: past problems that are now forgotten
in the past; forgotten; over
we're like a family here: the workplace is close and caring
we're a close team; we support each other
Job seekers often read it as a warning about long hours.
wear many hats: to have many different roles or jobs at once
do many jobs; take on several roles; handle a range of tasks
wear your heart on your sleeve: to show your feelings openly
be open; show your feelings; be emotional
weather the storm: to get through a hard time
get through; survive; endure
weigh the pros and cons: to consider the good and bad points
consider both sides; compare options
went viral: spread very quickly online
spread quickly; became popular online; was widely shared
what doesn't kill you makes you stronger: hard experiences make you stronger
hardship builds strength
A version of a line by the German philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche.
what goes around comes around: your actions will come back to you
you get what you give
when all is said and done: in the end; after everything
in the end; finally; overall
when in Rome, do as the Romans do: follow the customs of the place you are in
follow local customs
Often shortened to "when in Rome."
when it rains, it pours: bad things tend to happen all at once
troubles come together; it's one thing after another
when life gives you lemons, make lemonade: make the best of a bad situation
make the best of it
when pigs fly: never; something that will not happen
never; not a chance
when push comes to shove: when a situation becomes serious
if it comes to that; when it matters; in the end
when the going gets tough, the tough get going: strong people work harder when things get hard
tough people rise to challenges
where there's a will, there's a way: if you want something enough, you'll find a way
determination finds a way
with all due respect: a polite opening used just before disagreeing with someone
I disagree; I see it differently; respectfully
Often warns the listener that criticism is coming.
with every fiber of my being: completely, with all my feelings
completely; deeply; with all my heart
without further ado: without any more delay
now; let's begin; here is
A speech habit. In writing, simply begin.
words cannot express: the feeling is too strong to describe
I'm deeply grateful; I'm very sorry; thank you so much
Common in thank-you notes and condolences. A specific detail says more.
work hard, play hard: to work with full effort and also have lots of fun
we work hard and have fun
worth every penny: worth the price paid
good value; worth it
worth its weight in gold: very valuable or useful
very valuable; priceless; very useful
Y
you can lead a horse to water: you can give someone a chance but not force them to take it
you can't force someone
The full saying ends "but you can't make it drink."
you can't have your cake and eat it too: you cannot have two things that rule each other out
you can't have both; you must choose
you can't teach an old dog new tricks: older people find it hard to change
it's hard to change old habits
you get what you pay for: cheap things are usually poor quality
cheap isn't always good
you only live once: take chances and enjoy life
enjoy life; take the chance
Often shortened to YOLO.
you reap what you sow: your actions have results you must face
actions have consequences
you win some, you lose some: you can't succeed every time
not everything works out; it happens
you won't believe what happened next: something surprising happened
then something surprising happened
Classic clickbait. Tell the reader what happened.
your mileage may vary: your results may be different
results vary; it may differ for you
From car ads about fuel use.