Idiom alphabetical list - Ca

English idioms & idiomatic expressions

List of idioms with their meaning and an example of use.

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Alphabetical list of idioms - Ca ...Ci

in cahoots (with someone)

If one person is in cahoots with another, they are working in close partnership, usually

conspiring to do something dishonest.

There was a rumour that the Mayor was in cahoots with a chain of supermarkets.

the cake/the game is not worth the candle

To say that the cake (or the game) is not worth the candle means that the

advantages to be gained from doing something are not worth the effort involved.

He recorded an album but sold very few copies; the cake wasn't worth the candle!

have your cake and eat it

To say that someone wants to have their cake and eat it means that they want the

advantages of two alternative situations when only one is possible .

Jack enjoys his comfort but is always complaining about the cost of things. He can't

have his cake and eat it!

piece of cake

To refer to something as a piece of cake means that you consider it to be very easy.

The English test was a piece of cake!

sell like hot cakes

Things that sell like hot cakes sell quickly or in large quantities.

Her books always sell like hot cakes.

slice of the cake (or pie)

When people feel entitled to a share of the benefits or profits, they want a (larger)

slice of the cake.

Since profits are higher this year, the workers feel they deserve a bigger slice of

the cake.

calculated risk

A calculated risk is a risk taken with full knowledge of the dangers involved.

The company took a calculated risk when they hired Sean straight out of college.

call someone's bluff

If you call someone's bluff, you challenge them to do what they threaten to do

(while believing that they will not dare to do it).

After the neighbour threatened to demolish the fence, when Jack decided to call

his bluff there were no more complaints.

call it quits

When people temporarily stop doing something or put an end to an activity, they

call it quits.

OK. We're all exhausted, so let's call it quits for today.

call a spade a spade

A person who calls a spade a spade speaks openly and truthfully about something,

especially difficult matters.

What I like about the new manager is that he calls a spade a spade - it makes things

so much easier for everyone.

call the tune

The person who calls the tune is the one who makes all the important decisions

and is in control of the situation.

He shows a lot of authority but in fact it's his wife who calls the tune.

a can of worms

To describe a situation as a can of worms means that it is complicated, unpleasant

and difficult to deal with.

The discovery of the transfer of funds turned out to be a real can of worms.

paddle one's own canoe

If you paddle your own canoe, you do what you want to do without help or interference

from anyone.

He decided to paddle his own canoe and set up his own company.

can't hold a candle (to someone or something)

If a person (or thing) cannot hold a candle to another, they are much less competent

or do not perform as well as the other.

John is very intelligent but he can't hold a candle to his brother Michael

when it comes to sports.

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

This expression means that it is impossible to make important changes without

causing some unpleasant effects.

Some people will lose their jobs after the merger, but you can't make an omelette

without breaking eggs.

can't see the wood for the trees

If someone can't see the wood for the trees, they are so concentrated on the details

that they can't see the situation as a whole.

The new manager found the situation so complicated that he couldn't see the wood

for the trees.

can't stand the pace

If you can't stand the pace, you are not able to do things well when there is a lot

of pressure.

She once worked for a famous fashion designer but she couldn't stand the pace.

cap in hand

If you do something cap in hand, you ask for something in a very respectful manner.

They went to the teacher, cap in hand, and asked for more time to complete their

project.

put on your thinking cap

If you tell someone to put their thinking cap on, you ask them to find an idea or

solve a problem by thinking about it.

Now here's this week's quiz - it's time to put your thinking caps on!

if the cap fits, wear it!

You say "if the cap fits wear it" to let someone know that the critical remark they have

just heard applies to them.

"Are you referring to me?" "If the cap fits wear it!" (US : If the shoe fits ...)

on the cards

Something which is on the cards is very likely to happen.

A coalition between the two parties is still on the cards. (US : in the cards)

put/lay one's cards on the table

If you put your cards on the table, you speak honestly and openly about your

feelings and intentions.

Let's clear the air and put our cards on the table.

carrot-and-stick

If you use a carrot-and-stick approach, you use the promise of reward and the

threat of punishment to make somebody work harder.

Some parents use a carrot-and-stick approach to obtain good results from their children.

carry the can

If you carry the can for another person, you accept blame or take responsibility

for something that goes wrong, even if it is not your fault or only partly.

The author didn't turn up for the interview and his agent had to carry the can.

carry the torch

If you carry the torch, you have strong feelings for someone with whom you

do not or cannot have a relationship..

He's been carrying the torch for Julie since their college days, before she married

Ted.

carry weight

If a person or organization carries weight, they are influential or important.

I'm glad she's on our side - her opinion carries a lot of weight.

put the cart before the horse

A person who puts the cart before the horse is doing things in the wrong order.

Building a school before knowing the age of the population is putting the cart

before the horse.

carve out a niche

A person or company who carves out a niche focuses on a particular segment of

the market to which they supply a product or service, and develop their expertise

in that area.

In today's competitive market it's better to carve out a niche and try to become the

best in that area.

(a) case in point

This term refers to an example which serves to illustrate, support or prove a point

which is currently under discussion.

The latest incident is a case in point for the parents' association.

a cash cow

A product or service which is a regular source of income for a company is called a

cash cow.

His latest invention turned out to be a real cash cow.

cash in your chips

If you cash in your chips, you sell something, especially shares, either because you

need the money or because you think the value is going to fall.

Andy cashed in his chips as soon as business started to slow down.

cast a wide net

When trying to find something, if you cast a wide net, you cover an extensive area

or use a wide range of sources.

The hospital will have to cast a wide net in their search for compatible donors.

cast iron stomach

If you can eat all sorts of food and drink what you like, without any indigestion,

discomfort or bad effects, it can be said that you have a cast iron stomach.

I don't know how you can eat that spicy food. You must have a cast iron stomach!

a cat in gloves catches no mice

This expression means that if you are too careful and polite, you may not obtain

what you want.

Negotiate carefully, but remember : a cat in gloves catches no mice!

a cat can look at a king.

This expression means that nobody is so important that an ordinary person cannot look

at or be curious about them.

a cat nap

If you have a short sleep during the day, you have a cat nap.

My dad often has a cat nap on a Sunday afternoon.

not a cat in hell's chance

To say that there's not a cat in hell's chance of someone doing something means

that there is no chance at all of them being able to do it.

With the blizzard, the pilot hadn't a cat in hell's chance of landing safely.

fat cat

To refer to a rich and powerful person as a fat cat means that you disapprove of

the way they use their money or power.

The place was full of fat cats on their big yachts.

(look) like something the cat dragged in

If you compare a person or thing to something the cat dragged in, you think they

look dirty, untidy or generally unappealing.

My teenage son often looks like something the cat dragged in.

the cat's whiskers

This expression refers to someone who considers themselves to be better than

others in a particular area - beauty, competence, intelligence, sport, etc.,

Ever since she got a promotion, she thinks she's the cat's whiskers!

a cat-and-dog life

This term refers to a life in which partners are constantly or frequently quarrelling.

They lead a cat-and-dog life. I don't know why they stay together.

catch 22

A catch 22 situation refers to a frustrating situation where you cannot do one thing

without doing a second, and you cannot do the second before doing the first.

I can't get a job without a work permit, and I can't get a work permit without a job.

It's a catch 22 situation!

catch someone's eye

If someone catches your eye, you find them attractive.

The pretty girl near the door caught his eye.

catch somebody red-handed

If a person is caught red-handed, they are caught while they are doing something

wrong or illegal.

The police arrived as the burglar was leaving the house. He was caught red-handed.

catch-as-catch-can

This expression means that you try to get something in any way possible.

It's difficult to get much sleep with the new baby - it's catch-as-catch-can these days!

caught in the crossfire

If you are caught in the crossfire, you suffer the effects of an argument between

two people or groups.

When the two taxi drivers started to argue, their passengers were caught in the crossfire.

wouldn't be caught/seen dead

If someone says that they wouldn't be caught or seen dead in a particular place or

doing something, they mean that they would be too ashamed or embarrassed.

My seven-year-old son thinks he's a big boy; he wouldn't be caught dead holding my hand!

caught unawares

If someone is caught unawares, they are surprised and unprepared for what happens.

The security guard moved so silently that the thief was caught unawares.

cause a stir

If something causes a stir, it creates an atmosphere of excitement or great interest.

The arrival of the actress caused quite a stir in the village.

throw caution to the wind

If you throw caution to the wind, you start taking risks and you stop worrying about

the danger involved.

I decided to throw caution to the wind and invest in my best friend's new company.

caveat emptor

This Latin expression, which means 'let the buyer beware', is a warning to customers

that goods are for sale "as is". The buyer is purchasing the articles at his/her own risk

and is responsible for examining them beforehand.

Caveat emptor is a principle to be remembered when buying second-hand goods

like chalk and cheese

Two people who are like chalk and cheese are completely different from each other.

I'm surprised they get on so well. They're like chalk and cheese!

champ at the bit

Someone who is champing at the bit is ready and eager to start an activity, and is

showing impatience at being delayed.

The press conference was delayed for such a long time that the journalists were

champing at the bit.

champagne taste on a beer budget

Someone who likes expensive things that they cannot afford has champagne taste

on a beer budget.

Eva borrows money to buy expensive designer clothes- champagne taste on a

beer budget!

chance/take a chance on something

If you take a chance on something, you take action in the hope of success even

though you know that the result may be negative.

I may not be able to get through the traffic but I'll take a chance on it.

chance one's arm

If you chance your arm, you decide to do something even though there is little

hope of success.

Tony knew there was little hope of getting into Harvard but he decided to chance

his arm anyway.

change the face of something

When an innovation, discovery or event changes the face of something, it alters it

completely or in a major way.

Social networks have changed the face of modern communication.

change of heart

If someone has a change of heart, they change their attitude or feelings, especially

towards greater friendliness or cooperation.

He was against charity, but he had a change of heart when he saw the plight of the

homeless.

change horses in midstream

If you change horses in midstream, you change your plan, or choose a new leader,

in the middle of an important activity.

Let's go through with the original plan; it's risky to change horses in midstream.

chapter and verse

This term refers to word-for-word details or very specific facts, especially the exact

place where the information can be found.

The phrase is attributed to Oscar Wilde, although I can't give you chapter and verse.

chase rainbows

Someone who is chasing rainbows is trying to get something they will never obtain.

She's trying to get into Harvard but I think she's chasing rainbows.

chase your (own) tail

Someone who is chasing their (own) tail is spending a lot of time and energy doing

many things but achieving very little.

He's been chasing his tail all week collecting data but the report is still not ready.

cheap shot

A cruel, unfair or unwarranted comment or verbal attack is called a cheap shot.

Referring to Tom as an 'unqualified speaker' was really a cheap shot.

cheek by jowl

When people are cheek by jowl, they are crammed uncomfortably close together

The refugees are living cheek by jowl in a temporary camp.

cheesed off

If someone is cheesed off with something, they are annoyed, bored or frustrated.

Julie is absolutely cheesed off with her job.

cherry pick

When you cherry pick, you choose something with great care and select only

the best.

Top university graduates are often cherry picked by large companies.

(get) a second bite/ two bites at the cherry

This expression means that you get a second opportunity to do or try something.

He was eliminated in the semi-finals but he'll get a second bite at the cherry next year.

an old chestnut

A story, a joke or an idea that has been repeated so often that it has lost its novelty

is referred to as an old chestnut.

The story about his boat capsizing has become an old chestnut!

chew the fat

If you chew the fat with somebody, you chat in an informal way about unimportant things.

It's amazing the amount of time my grandparents can spend chewing the fat with

their neighbours.

chicken feed

An amount of money considered small or unimportant is

called chicken feed.

I got a job during the holidays but the pay was chicken feed.

chicken out of something

If you chicken out of something, you decide not to do something because you are afraid.

He decided to join a karate class, but chickened out of it at the last minute!

chickens come home to roost

If you say that chickens have come home to roost, you mean that bad or embarrassing

things said or done in the past by someone are now causing problems for that person.

As tenants, the couple were noisy and disorderly. Now they can't find a place to rent.

The chickens have come home to roost!

child's play

If someone says that a job or task is child's play, they mean that it is very easy or simple

to do.

Simon had the new computer up and running in no time. He said it was child's play.

chime in

If you chime in, you interrupt or join a conversation, especially to repeat or agree

with something.

As I explained to the bus driver what had happened , the other passengers chimed in

and gave their version.

chinese whispers

This term refers to a process by which a message or piece of information

(especially gossip, rumours or scandalous news) is passed on from one person

to another, and changes along the way, so that the final version is often

very different from the original.

when the chips are down

This expression refers to people's behaviour in a difficult or dangerous situation

when action must be taken.

It's when the chips are down that Jack is at his best.

as useful as a chocolate teapo

Something which is of no practical use at all is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

When there are no roads, a car is about as useful as a chocolate teapot.

chop and change

If you chop and change, you constantly change your opinion, plans or methods and

often cause confusion.

Don't chop and change all the time - just make up your mind!

Christmas comes but once a year

This expression means that Christmas is a time of celebration that only happens

once a year, and that we should mark the occasion by being kind and generous

to others, especially the less fortunate.

off someone's Christmas card list

This expression means that you are no longer on friendly terms with someone.

I've been off her Christmas card list since our dog messed up her garden!

(you) can't fight the city hall

This expression means that it is useless to try to win a battle against a politician,

establishment or bureaucracy in general.

Tom decided it was a waste of energy trying to obtain a tax refund - you can't fight

the city hall!

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