English idioms and what they mean

An idiom is a phrase whose meaning is not the sum of its words: spill the beans has nothing to do with beans. Here are 284 common ones, each with a plain meaning, where it probably comes from, real examples and a quick check.

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A to Z

A

Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Absence makes the heart grow fonder means that being apart from someone you love often makes you care about them even more.
Actions speak louder than words
Actions speak louder than words means that what you actually do shows more about you than what you say or promise.
All that glitters is not gold
All that glitters is not gold means that something attractive or impressive on the outside may not be valuable or good.
All's fair in love and war
All's fair in love and war means that in very competitive situations, like romance or conflict, people may break the usual rules of fair behavior.
Ants in your pants
If you have ants in your pants, you are restless, fidgety or too excited to sit still.
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree means children usually turn out much like their parents in character, talents or habits.
Apple of my eye
Someone who is the apple of your eye is the person you love most and are very proud of.
Armed to the teeth
If someone is armed to the teeth, they are carrying a lot of weapons. Figuratively, it means fully prepared or equipped.
As the crow flies
As the crow flies means measured in a straight line between two places, rather than along roads or paths.
At sixes and sevens
If people or things are at sixes and sevens, they are confused, disorganized or in disagreement.
At the drop of a hat
If you do something at the drop of a hat, you do it immediately and without hesitation, with almost no reason or warning.

B

Back against the wall
If your back is against the wall, you are in a very difficult situation with few choices left, so you must fight hard or give in.
Back burner
If something is on the back burner, it has been put aside for now because other things are more important.
Back to square one
Back to square one means back to the beginning, after an effort has failed, so you have to start again.
Back to the drawing board
Back to the drawing board means you must start planning again because the first attempt or idea failed.
The ball is in your court
The ball is in your court means it is now your turn to act or make a decision.
Bang for your buck
Bang for your buck means good value: getting a lot of benefit or quality for the money or effort you spend.
Barking up the wrong tree
If you are barking up the wrong tree, you are looking in the wrong place or blaming the wrong person.
Basket case
A basket case is a person too nervous, stressed or upset to cope, or a thing, such as a business, that barely works.
Beat a dead horse
To beat a dead horse means to keep arguing about or pushing something that is already settled or cannot change.
Beat around the bush
To beat around the bush means to avoid saying something directly, usually because it is awkward or unpleasant.
Beggars can't be choosers
Beggars can't be choosers means that when you need help or have few options, you should accept what is offered instead of being picky.
Bells and whistles
Bells and whistles are extra features that make something more attractive or impressive but are not really necessary.
Below the belt
Something below the belt is unfair or unkind, especially a remark that attacks a person's weak spot.
Bend over backwards
If you bend over backwards, you try extremely hard to help or please someone, often more than you have to.
Bent out of shape
If you get bent out of shape, you become upset, annoyed or angry, usually about something that does not really matter.
The best of both worlds
The best of both worlds is a situation in which you enjoy the advantages of two different things at the same time.
Best thing since sliced bread
If something is the best thing since sliced bread, it is an excellent new idea, invention or person that people are very excited about.
Better late than never
Better late than never means it is better to do something late than not to do it at all.
Between a rock and a hard place
If you are between a rock and a hard place, you have to choose between two options that are both bad.
Beyond the pale
If behavior is beyond the pale, it is so rude, shocking or unfair that most people find it completely unacceptable.
Big cheese
The big cheese is the most important or powerful person in a group or organization, such as the boss.
Bigger fish to fry
If you have bigger fish to fry, you have more important things to deal with, so a smaller matter is not worth your time.
Birds of a feather flock together
Birds of a feather flock together means people who are alike, with similar interests or habits, tend to spend time together.
Bite me
Bite me is a rude, dismissive reply that means roughly "leave me alone" or "I don't care what you think."
Bite the bullet
To bite the bullet is to make yourself do something unpleasant or difficult that you have been avoiding.
Bite the dust
To bite the dust means to fail, break, be defeated or stop working. In older or dramatic use, it can also mean to die.
Bite your tongue
If you bite your tongue, you stop yourself from saying something you want to say, usually to avoid causing trouble.
Black sheep
The black sheep of a family or group is the member seen as different, troublesome or an embarrassment to the others.
Blood is thicker than water
Blood is thicker than water means that family ties are stronger and more important than other relationships.
Blue blood
A blue blood is a person from a noble, aristocratic or very old and wealthy family.
Bob's your uncle
Bob's your uncle means "and that's it" or "it's done": you say it after a few easy steps to show how simple something is.
Bread and butter
Your bread and butter is your main source of income, or the basic, everyday work or product that keeps you going.
Break a leg
Break a leg is a friendly way to wish someone good luck, especially right before a performance such as a play, concert or speech.
Break even
To break even is to earn exactly as much money as you spend, so you make no profit and suffer no loss.
Break the ice
To break the ice is to say or do something that eases tension and helps people start talking, especially when they first meet.
Break the mold
To break the mold is to do something in a new and different way, unlike anything done before.
Bring home the bacon
To bring home the bacon means to earn the money that supports a family or household. It can also mean to succeed or win a prize.
Brownie points
Brownie points are imaginary credit you earn by doing something that pleases another person, especially someone in charge.
The buck stops here
The buck stops here means I take final responsibility, and I won't pass the blame to anyone else.
Bull in a china shop
A bull in a china shop is a person who is very clumsy or careless, either with objects or in a delicate situation.
Burn bridges
To burn bridges is to act in a way that destroys a relationship or opportunity, so you cannot go back to it later.
Burst your bubble
To burst someone's bubble means to spoil their happy mood or belief by telling them an unwelcome truth.
Bury the hatchet
To bury the hatchet means to stop arguing or fighting with someone and make peace.
By and large
By and large means generally or on the whole, when you look at the overall picture.
By the skin of your teeth
If you do something by the skin of your teeth, you only just manage it, with almost no margin to spare.

C

Call a spade a spade
To call a spade a spade is to speak plainly and honestly about something, even if the truth is unpleasant.
Cash cow
A cash cow is a product, service or business that earns a steady flow of money with little extra effort or investment.
Cat got your tongue
"Cat got your tongue?" is a teasing question for someone who is unusually quiet or won't answer.
Cat nap
A cat nap is a short, light sleep, usually taken during the day.
The cat's pajamas
The cat's pajamas is old-fashioned slang for a person or thing that is excellent, stylish or the very best.
Catch-22
A catch-22 is a situation you can't escape because the rules contradict each other: to get one thing you need another, and to get that you need the first.
Caught red-handed
To be caught red-handed means to be caught in the act of doing something wrong.
Change of heart
A change of heart is a change in your opinion, feelings or plans, often toward a kinder or more willing position.
Chickens come home to roost
When chickens come home to roost, bad things someone did in the past come back to cause problems for them.
A chip off the old block
A chip off the old block is someone who is very like their parent in personality, talent or behavior.
Chip on your shoulder
Someone with a chip on their shoulder holds a grudge or feels treated unfairly, which makes them touchy, defensive or eager to prove themselves.
Clean slate
A clean slate is a fresh start, with past mistakes, debts or problems forgotten or set aside.
Close but no cigar
Close but no cigar means someone almost succeeded or nearly got the right answer, but not quite.
Come hell or high water
Come hell or high water means no matter what happens, even if there are serious problems or obstacles.
Cook the books
To cook the books is to change financial records dishonestly, usually to hide losses, take money or make a business look healthier than it is.
Cool as a cucumber
Someone who is cool as a cucumber stays calm and relaxed, especially in a stressful or difficult situation.
Cool your jets
Cool your jets means calm down, relax or be patient, usually said to someone who is getting too excited or angry.
Cost an arm and a leg
If something costs an arm and a leg, it is extremely expensive, often more than seems reasonable.
Crocodile tears
Crocodile tears are fake tears or a false show of sadness from someone who is not really sorry.
Cry over spilled milk
To cry over spilled milk is to be upset about something bad that has already happened and cannot be changed.
Cry wolf
To cry wolf means to raise a false alarm, especially again and again, so that people stop believing you when there is real trouble.
Curiosity killed the cat
Curiosity killed the cat is a warning that being too nosy or asking too many questions can get you into trouble.
Cut corners
To cut corners is to do something in the cheapest, quickest or easiest way, often by skipping steps and lowering quality.
Cut the mustard
If someone or something cuts the mustard, they are good enough to meet the standard or do what is needed.
Cut to the chase
To cut to the chase means to skip the unnecessary details and get straight to the most important point.
Cut your losses
To cut your losses is to stop doing something that is failing, so you don't lose even more money, time or effort.

D

Dark horse
A dark horse is a person or team that few people know about but who unexpectedly does well or wins.
Dead as a doornail
Dead as a doornail means completely dead, or completely finished, with no chance of coming back.
Dead ringer
A dead ringer is a person or thing that looks almost exactly like someone or something else.
The devil is in the details
The devil is in the details means that small, easily overlooked details can cause big problems, so they deserve careful attention.
Devil's advocate
Someone who plays devil's advocate argues for a side they may not believe in, to test an idea or start a useful debate.
A dime a dozen
If things are a dime a dozen, they are very common, easy to find and not especially valuable.
Don't judge a book by its cover
Don't judge a book by its cover means you should not form an opinion of someone or something based only on how it looks.
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth
Don't look a gift horse in the mouth means do not find fault with a gift or a lucky offer; just accept it gratefully.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket
Don't put all your eggs in one basket means don't risk everything on a single plan, investment or chance.
Double-edged sword
A double-edged sword is something that has both good and bad effects, often because the same feature that helps can also hurt.
Down to earth
A down-to-earth person is practical, sensible and friendly, without acting proud or putting on airs.
Down to the wire
If something goes down to the wire, it is not decided or finished until the very last moment.
Drop the ball
To drop the ball is to make a mistake by failing to do something you were responsible for.
Dry run
A dry run is a practice or test that you do before the real event to check that everything works.

E

Egg on your face
If you have egg on your face, you look foolish or embarrassed because something you said or did turned out to be wrong.
Elbow grease
Elbow grease means hard physical effort, especially when cleaning, scrubbing or polishing something by hand.
The elephant in the room
The elephant in the room is an obvious problem that everyone knows about but nobody wants to talk about.
Every cloud has a silver lining
Every cloud has a silver lining means that even a bad or difficult situation usually has some good side to it.
Every dog has its day
Every dog has its day means that everyone, even an unlucky or overlooked person, will have a moment of success at some point.
An eye for an eye
An eye for an eye is the idea that someone who causes harm should be punished with the same harm in return.

F

Face the music
To face the music means to accept the unpleasant results of something you did, such as criticism or punishment.
Face value
To take something at face value means to accept it as it first appears, without looking for a hidden meaning or catch.
Fair and square
If you win or get something fair and square, you do it honestly and by the rules, with no cheating or tricks.
Few and far between
Things that are few and far between are rare and do not happen or appear very often.
Fight fire with fire
To fight fire with fire means to respond to an attack or problem by using the same methods or tactics as your opponent.
Fish out of water
A fish out of water is someone who feels awkward or uncomfortable because they are in a new or unfamiliar place or situation.
Fit as a fiddle
If you are fit as a fiddle, you are in excellent health and full of energy.
Fit the bill
If something fits the bill, it is exactly what is needed or suitable for a particular purpose.
Flash in the pan
A flash in the pan is someone or something that has a sudden, short success that does not last.
Fly by the seat of your pants
To fly by the seat of your pants is to do something using instinct and quick decisions, without a plan, training or proper tools.
Fly off the handle
If you fly off the handle, you suddenly lose your temper and become very angry, often over something small.
A fool and his money are soon parted
A fool and his money are soon parted means careless or foolish people quickly lose or waste their money.
Foot the bill
To foot the bill means to pay for something, often something costly, especially when others don't.
Foregone conclusion
A foregone conclusion is a result that seems certain before it actually happens.
Full of beans
If someone is full of beans, they are lively, cheerful and full of energy.

G

The game is afoot
The game is afoot means that something exciting, such as an adventure, a plan or an investigation, has begun.
Get over it
Get over it is a blunt way of telling someone to stop being upset about something and move on.
Get the ball rolling
To get the ball rolling means to start an activity, process or conversation so that it can keep going.
Go against the grain
To go against the grain is to do something different from what is normal or expected, or something that feels wrong to you.
Go cold turkey
To go cold turkey is to stop a habit or addiction suddenly and completely, instead of cutting down little by little.
Go out on a limb
To go out on a limb is to take a risk by saying or doing something that others may not agree with or support.
Go with the flow
To go with the flow means to relax and accept what happens, instead of trying to control or fight it.
Good riddance
You say good riddance when you are glad that someone or something unpleasant has gone or been removed.
Green with envy
If you are green with envy, you are very jealous because someone has something you want.
Grin and bear it
If you grin and bear it, you accept an unpleasant or painful situation without complaining, because you cannot change it.

H

Hair of the dog
The hair of the dog is an alcoholic drink someone has the morning after drinking too much, in the hope of easing a hangover.
Hands down
Hands down means easily and without question, as in winning hands down or something being hands down the best.
Hang in there
Hang in there is a way of telling someone to keep going and not give up during a hard time.
Head in the clouds
Someone with their head in the clouds is daydreaming, not paying attention, or full of ideas that are not practical.
Head over heels
If you are head over heels in love, you are completely, often suddenly, in love with someone.
Heads up
A heads-up is a warning or piece of advance notice. Called out loud, "heads up" tells people to look out for something coming at them.
Heart of gold
Someone with a heart of gold is very kind, generous and caring, always ready to help other people.
High and dry
If you are left high and dry, you are left alone in a difficult situation, without help or support.
Hit the ground running
To hit the ground running is to start a new job, project or activity quickly and effectively, without needing time to settle in.
Hit the hay
To hit the hay means to go to bed or go to sleep.
Hit the nail on the head
To hit the nail on the head means to describe something exactly right or find the exact cause of a problem.
Hit the road
Hit the road means leave a place or start a journey; as a command, it can also mean "go away."
Hit the sack
To hit the sack means to go to bed, usually because you are tired.
Hold your horses
Hold your horses means wait a moment, slow down and don't rush into something.

I

In a nutshell
In a nutshell means in very few words, as a short summary of the main point.
In a pickle
If you are in a pickle, you are in a difficult or awkward situation and are not sure how to get out of it.
In the bag
If something is in the bag, its success or the result you want is certain, even before it is officially finished.
In the black
If a business or person is in the black, they are making a profit or have more money than they owe.
In the nick of time
In the nick of time means just in time, at the last possible moment before something bad would have happened.
In the red
If a business or person is in the red, they are losing money or owe more than they have.
In the same boat
If people are in the same boat, they are in the same difficult or unpleasant situation.
It takes two to tango
It takes two to tango means that when a problem or situation involves two people, both share the responsibility.

J

Jack of all trades
A jack of all trades is a person who can do many different kinds of work or tasks reasonably well.
Jump on the bandwagon
To jump on the bandwagon is to join an activity, trend or opinion because it has become popular or successful.
Jump ship
To jump ship is to suddenly leave a job, team, group or plan, often to join a rival or when things get difficult.
Jump the gun
To jump the gun is to do something too soon, before the right time or before you have all the facts.

K

Keep an eye on
To keep an eye on someone or something is to watch them carefully, often to keep them safe or notice any change.
Keep at bay
If you keep something at bay, you stop it from coming too close, getting worse or causing you harm.
Keep your eyes peeled
To keep your eyes peeled means to watch carefully and stay alert so you notice something.
Kick the bucket
To kick the bucket is a casual, joking way to say someone dies, or that a machine finally stops working.
Kill two birds with one stone
To kill two birds with one stone means to get two things done with a single action or effort.

L

The last straw
The last straw is the final problem in a series that makes a situation unbearable and pushes someone to react.
Laughing stock
A laughing stock is a person or group that everyone laughs at or makes fun of, often because of something foolish.
Let sleeping dogs lie
Let sleeping dogs lie means avoid stirring up an old problem or argument that is quiet now, because doing so could cause trouble.
Let the cat out of the bag
If you let the cat out of the bag, you reveal a secret, usually by accident or before you were supposed to.
Lock, stock and barrel
Lock, stock and barrel means completely, including every part of something.
Long in the tooth
If someone or something is long in the tooth, they are getting old, often too old for a particular role or use.
Long shot
A long shot is an attempt, plan or competitor that has only a small chance of succeeding.
Long story short
Long story short means "to sum up quickly," used before skipping to the main point of a story.
Love is blind
Love is blind means people in love often fail to see the faults of the person they love.

M

Make ends meet
To make ends meet means to earn just enough money to pay for the basic things you need.
Monkey business
Monkey business is silly, mischievous or dishonest behavior, especially when someone is trying to get away with something.
The more the merrier
The more the merrier means that more people will make an event or activity more fun, so others are welcome to join.
Mum's the word
Mum's the word means "say nothing": it is a promise, or a request, to keep something secret.
My two cents
Your two cents is your opinion on something, offered modestly, often when no one asked for it.

N

Needle in a haystack
A needle in a haystack is something very hard, or nearly impossible, to find because it is hidden among many other things.
Nest egg
A nest egg is a sum of money saved over time and kept for the future, such as for retirement or an emergency.
Nip it in the bud
To nip something in the bud means to stop a problem early, before it can grow into something bigger.
No pain, no gain
No pain, no gain means you have to work hard, suffer or make sacrifices to achieve something worthwhile.
No strings attached
If something comes with no strings attached, it has no hidden conditions, costs or duties; you get it without owing anything back.
Not my cup of tea
If something is not your cup of tea, it is not the kind of thing you like or enjoy.

O

Off the cuff
If you say something off the cuff, you say it without planning or preparing it beforehand.
Off the hook
If you are off the hook, you are no longer in trouble or no longer responsible for something you were worried about.
On a roll
If you are on a roll, you are having a run of success, with one good result following another.
On cloud nine
If you are on cloud nine, you are extremely happy, usually because something wonderful has just happened.
On the dot
On the dot means at exactly the stated time, not a minute early or late.
On the fly
If you do something on the fly, you do it quickly while something else is happening, without stopping to plan or prepare.
On the house
If something is on the house, the business gives it to you for free.
On the rocks
On the rocks has two meanings: a relationship or business in serious trouble and likely to fail, or a drink served over ice.
Once bitten, twice shy
Once bitten, twice shy means that after a bad experience, people become extra careful to avoid the same thing happening again.
Once in a blue moon
Once in a blue moon means very rarely; something that happens once in a blue moon almost never happens.
One fell swoop
If you do several things in one fell swoop, you do them all at once, in a single quick action.
Out of pocket
Out of pocket means paying with your own money, or having lost money; in American English it can also mean away and hard to reach.
Out of the blue
Something that happens out of the blue happens suddenly and unexpectedly, with no warning at all.
Out of the loop
If you are out of the loop, you are not informed about something that other people know about or are involved in.
Out of the woods
If someone is out of the woods, they are past the most dangerous or difficult part of a situation.
Over a barrel
If someone has you over a barrel, they have put you in a position where you have no choice but to do what they want.
Over the moon
If you are over the moon, you are extremely happy and delighted about something.
Over the top
Something over the top is excessive or exaggerated, going far beyond what is normal, sensible or needed.

P

Paint the town red
To paint the town red is to go out and celebrate in a lively, noisy way, usually at night.
Par for the course
If something is par for the course, it is normal or expected, usually something disappointing or annoying.
Pass the buck
To pass the buck is to push responsibility or blame onto someone else instead of dealing with it yourself.
Pay through the nose
To pay through the nose is to pay much more than something is worth or more than is fair.
A penny for your thoughts
A penny for your thoughts is a friendly way of asking someone who seems quiet or lost in thought what they are thinking about.
Penny wise, pound foolish
Penny wise, pound foolish describes someone who is careful about small amounts of money but wasteful or careless with large amounts.
A picture is worth a thousand words
A picture is worth a thousand words means an image can show an idea or feeling more clearly and quickly than a long description.
Pie in the sky
Pie in the sky is an idea, plan or promise that sounds wonderful but is very unlikely to ever happen.
A piece of cake
Something that is a piece of cake is very easy to do.
Play it by ear
To play it by ear is to decide what to do as things happen, instead of making a fixed plan ahead of time.
Pot calling the kettle black
The pot calling the kettle black describes someone criticizing another person for a fault they have themselves.
Practice makes perfect
Practice makes perfect means that doing something again and again is the way to become really good at it.
Primrose path
The primrose path is an easy, pleasant way of living or acting that leads to trouble or ruin.
Pull out all the stops
If you pull out all the stops, you make every possible effort and use everything you have to make something succeed.
Pull the plug
To pull the plug is to stop something, such as a project, plan or business, usually by ending the money or support it depends on.
Push the envelope
To push the envelope is to go beyond the usual limits of what is possible or accepted, trying something new or daring.
Put a sock in it
Put a sock in it is a rude, informal way of telling someone to stop talking or to be quiet.

R

Raining cats and dogs
If it is raining cats and dogs, it is raining very heavily.
Read between the lines
To read between the lines means to understand a hidden meaning that is not stated directly.
Red herring
A red herring is a clue, fact or topic that pulls attention away from the real issue, often on purpose.
Rock the boat
To rock the boat is to cause trouble or upset a calm situation, often by questioning how things are done.
Rome wasn't built in a day
Rome wasn't built in a day means big, important things take time and patience to achieve.
Rule of thumb
A rule of thumb is a rough, practical guideline based on experience rather than exact measurement or science.
Run of the mill
Something run-of-the-mill is ordinary and average, with nothing special or unusual about it.

S

Salad days
Your salad days are your youth, especially a time when you were young and inexperienced, or a past period of great success.
Saved by the bell
If you are saved by the bell, something happens just in time to rescue you from a difficult or unpleasant situation.
Sea change
A sea change is a deep and complete change in something, such as a person's attitude, a situation or a whole field.
Second nature
If something is second nature to you, you can do it easily and almost automatically, because you have done it so often.
See eye to eye
If two people see eye to eye, they agree with each other or share the same opinion.
Set in stone
If something is set in stone, it is fixed and cannot be changed.
Sink or swim
A sink-or-swim situation is one where you must succeed or fail on your own, with little or no help.
Skeleton in the closet
A skeleton in the closet is a secret from someone's past that would cause shame or embarrassment if people found out.
Sleep on it
If you sleep on it, you wait until the next day before making a decision, so you have time to think.
Slippery slope
A slippery slope is a situation where one small step is likely to lead to more and more serious steps that are hard to stop.
So far so good
So far so good means things have gone well up to now, though the job or situation is not finished yet.
Sour grapes
Sour grapes means acting as if you never wanted something, or criticizing it, because you failed to get it.
Speak of the devil
People say speak of the devil when someone they were just talking about suddenly appears or calls.
Spill the beans
To spill the beans is to tell a secret or reveal information too early, often by accident.
Spill the tea
To spill the tea means to share gossip or juicy, private news about someone.
Spitting image
If someone is the spitting image of another person, they look exactly like that person.
Stand your ground
To stand your ground means to refuse to back down or change your position when someone pressures, challenges or argues with you.
Star-crossed lovers
Star-crossed lovers are a couple whose love seems doomed by bad luck or fate, so they cannot be happy together.
Stick-in-the-mud
A stick-in-the-mud is a person who is dull, old-fashioned or unwilling to try new things or join in the fun.
Stir the pot
To stir the pot is to cause trouble or arguments on purpose, often by saying something that gets people upset or excited.

T

Take a hike
Take a hike is a rude way of telling someone to go away or leave you alone.
Take a rain check
If you take a rain check, you politely turn down an invitation now but suggest you would like to accept it another time.
Take it with a grain of salt
To take something with a grain of salt means to doubt it a little, because it may not be completely true.
Take the cake
If something takes the cake, it is the most extreme example of its kind, usually the most annoying, foolish or surprising.
Talk is cheap
Talk is cheap means it is easy to say you will do something, but actions are what really count.
Through thick and thin
Through thick and thin means through good times and bad times, staying loyal no matter what happens.
Throw in the towel
To throw in the towel is to give up or admit that you cannot win or succeed.
Throw someone under the bus
To throw someone under the bus means to blame or sacrifice someone, often a friend or colleague, to protect yourself or gain an advantage.
Tickled pink
If you are tickled pink, you are very pleased or delighted about something.
Tie the knot
To tie the knot is to get married.
Till the cows come home
Till the cows come home means for a very long time, often endlessly or forever.
Time flies
Time flies means time seems to pass very quickly, often faster than you expected.
To a T
If something suits you or is done to a T, it is exactly right, down to the smallest detail.
Toe the line
To toe the line is to follow the rules or do what a group or person in charge expects, even if you don't fully agree.
Tongue in cheek
If something is said tongue in cheek, it is meant as a joke or with gentle irony, not seriously.
Touch base
To touch base means to make brief contact with someone to share news or check how things are going.
Tough cookie
A tough cookie is a strong, determined person who handles hard situations without giving up.
Turn a blind eye
If you turn a blind eye to something, you pretend not to notice it, usually something wrong that you should deal with.
Two peas in a pod
Two people who are like two peas in a pod look or act very much alike.

U

Under the radar
If something happens or stays under the radar, it goes unnoticed or attracts little attention, whether on purpose or by chance.
Under the weather
If you are under the weather, you feel a little ill or tired, but not seriously sick.
Under wraps
If something is kept under wraps, it is kept secret and hidden from the public for a time.
Up for grabs
If something is up for grabs, it is available for anyone who wants to take it or win it.
Up in the air
If something is up in the air, it has not been decided yet and is still uncertain.
Up to snuff
If something is up to snuff, it is good enough and meets the expected standard.

W

Walk on eggshells
To walk on eggshells is to be extremely careful about what you say or do so you don't upset someone.
Water under the bridge
Something that is water under the bridge happened in the past and is no longer worth worrying or arguing about.
Wear your heart on your sleeve
If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you show your feelings openly, so others can easily see how you feel.
Weather the storm
To weather the storm is to get through a difficult period or crisis without being badly harmed.
Wet behind the ears
Someone wet behind the ears is young, new or inexperienced, and may not yet understand how things really work.
When in Rome, do as the Romans do
When in Rome, do as the Romans do means that when you are in a new place or group, you should follow the local customs.
When pigs fly
When pigs fly means never; people say it about something they are sure will not happen.
The whole nine yards
The whole nine yards means everything possible, the full amount, or the complete version of something.
Wild card
A wild card is a person or thing whose actions or effects are hard to predict, or a team let into a contest without the usual qualification.
Wild goose chase
A wild goose chase is a long, useless search or effort for something that is hard or impossible to find or get.
With bated breath
With bated breath means anxiously or excitedly, while waiting to find out what will happen.
With flying colors
To do something with flying colors means to do it very successfully, often passing a test easily.
Without a hitch
If something goes without a hitch, it happens smoothly, with no problems or delays.
Woke up on the wrong side of the bed
If someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed, they are in a bad or grumpy mood, often for no clear reason.
Wolf in sheep's clothing
A wolf in sheep's clothing is someone who seems friendly or harmless but actually means to cause harm.
Word of mouth
Word of mouth is news or information that spreads when people tell each other, rather than through ads or writing.
The world is your oyster
If the world is your oyster, you have the freedom and chance to do almost anything or go almost anywhere you want.
The writing on the wall
The writing on the wall is a clear sign that something bad, such as failure or the end of something, is coming.

Y

You can't have your cake and eat it too
You can't have your cake and eat it too means you cannot enjoy two good things when choosing one rules out the other.