Idiom alphabetical list

English idioms & idiomatic expressions

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

(Please use the scrollbar to browse the list.)

Alphabetical list of idioms - F

Face like a bulldog chewing a wasp

To say that someone has a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp means that you find

them very unattractive because they have a screwed-up ugly expression on their

face.

Not only was he rude but he had a face like a bulldog chewing a wasp!

Face like a wet weekend

If someone has a face like a wet weekend, they are wearing a sad expression and look

miserable.

What's wrong with Pete? He's got a face like a wet weekend.

Face like thunder

If someone has a face like thunder, they look very angry.

When Dad is really angry, he has a face like thunder!

Face only a mother could love

This is a humoristic way of saying that someone is ugly or not attractive.

The poor guy has a face only a mother could love.

Face that would stop a clock.

Someone who has a face that would stop a clock has a shockingly unattractive

face.

You'll recognize him - he's very tall, with a face that would stop a clock!

Face value

If you take something at its face value, you assume that it is genuinely what it

appears to be.

The car seems to be in good condition, but don't take it at its face value; get a

mechanic to check it out.

Have a poker face.

If you have a poker face, you show no emotion at all.

In spite of the repeated details of the events, the criminal kept a poker face.

Keep a straight face

If you keep a straight face, you look serious although you really want to laugh.

Our teacher was dressed so strangely that it was hard to keep a straight face.

Fair hearing

When accused of wrongdoing, if someone gets a fair hearing, they get an opportunity

to present evidence or give their side of the story, usually in court.

I can guarantee that you will get a fair hearing.

Fair-weather friend

Someone who acts as a friend when times are good, and is not there when you

are in trouble, is called a fair-weather friend.

I thought I could count on Bill, but I've discovered he's just a fair-weather friend.

Fait accompli

This French term refers to something that has been done and cannot be changed.

He used his savings to buy a motorbike and then presented his parents with a

fait accompli.

Fall at the first hurdle

If you fall at the first hurdle, you fail to overcome the first difficulty encountered.

Scott fell at the first hurdle. He didn't study enough and failed his first exam.

Fall between two stools

If something falls between two stools, it is neither totally one thing nor another,

and is therefore unsatisfactory.

The book didn't sell because it fell between two stools; it appealed neither to

historians nor to the general public.

Fall by the wayside

If something falls by the wayside, people fail to finish it or stop trying to do it.

Local residents protested so strongly that plans for a new motorway fell by the

wayside.

Fall from grace

To say that someone has fallen from grace means that they have done something

wrong, immoral or unacceptable, and as a result have lost their good reputation.

The Finance Minister fell from grace as a result of a sex scandal.

Fall into one's lap

If something good falls into your lap, it happens to you without any effort on your

part.

She's not making much effort to find work. Does she think a job will fall into

her lap?

Fall into place

When different elements fall into place, they fit well together or become organized

so that progress can be achieved in a satisfactory manner.

The preparatory work was difficult but gradually everything fell into place and

the project was finished on time.

Fall off the back of a lorry

If you buy goods that have fallen off the back of a lorry, they are stolen goods.

Judging by the price of that camera, it must have fallen off the back of a lorry!

Fall on deaf ears

If something such as a suggestion or a request falls on deaf ears, it is ignored.

I told him not to take risks but my advice fell on deaf ears.

Fall on your scord

If you fall on your sword, you take responsibility for, or accept the consequences

of an unsuccessful or wrong action.

The organizer of the referendum resigned when the poor results were announced.

It was said that he 'fell on his sword'.

Fall over backwards

If you fall over backwards to accomplish something, you do everything you

possibly can to please and impress.

Sally's mother fell over backwards to make her wedding reception a memorable

event.

False move

In a dangerous or risky situation, if you make a false move, you do something which

may have unpleasant consequences.

He is under close surveillance. If he makes one false move he'll be arrested.

Under false pretences

If you obtain something under false pretences, you deceive others by lying about your

identity, qualifications, financial or social position, in order to obtain what you want.

She obtained the interview under false pretences.

Take a fancy

If you take a fancy to someone or something, you develop a fondness or begin to

like them.

I think John has taken a fancy to the new intern!

Far be it from me (to do something)

This expression means that the speaker does not feel in a position to say or do

something. (Usually said before giving advice or expressing an opinion).

Far be it from me to chose your friends, but I think you should avoid that man.

Farm something out

If something such as work is farmed out, it is sent out to be done by others.

We farmed out the packaging to another company.

Fast and furious

If an activity is fast and furious, it is done quickly and with a lot of energy.

Eager to win the race, the competitors came fast and furious around the bend.

Fast talker

A person who speaks quickly and easily but cannot always be trusted is called

a fast talker.

The salesman was a fast talker and persuaded the old lady to buy a new washing

machine.

Fast track something

If you decide to fast track something, such as a task or project, you give it high

priority so that the objective is reached as quickly as possible.

In view of the number of homeless, it was decided to fast track the construction

of low-cost housing.

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.

The fat hits the fire/the fat's in the fire

When trouble breaks out or a situation deteriorates as a result of something said

or done , it is said that the fat hits the fire.

The situation was already tense, but the fat hit the fire when Larry was accused

of cheating.

To a fault

To say that somebody has a good quality to a fault means that they have a lot,

or even too much, of that quality.

My aunt is generous to a fault, ready to help anyone to claims to be in need.

Feet of clay

If someone who is admired is found to have a hidden weakness, fault or defect of

character, they are said to have feet of clay.

No one is perfect. Many successful people have feet of clay.

Feast one's eyes on something

If you feast your eyes on something, you are delighted and gratified by what you

see.

As he drove along the coast, he feasted his eyes on the beautiful scenery.

Knock somebody down with a feather

To say you could have knocked me down with a feather emphasizes the fact that

you were extremely surprised .

When I heard the name of the winner, you could have knocked me down with a

feather!

A feather in one's cap

To describe someone's achievement as a feather in their cap means that it is

something they can be proud of.

The overwhelming victory of the team was a "feather in the cap" for the new

manager.

Feed the kitty

If you feed the kitty, you contribute to a collection of money called a "kitty" in

order to help a good cause.

Come on - every little helps. You can afford to feed the kitty for a good cause!

Feel on top of the world

If you feel on top of the world, you feel wonderful or ecstatic about something.

I've been feeling on top of the world since I got the results - I'm qualified!

Feel the pinch

When someone feels the pinch, they begin to suffer from a lack of money.

With the drop in tourism, hotels and restaurants are beginning to feel the pinch.

Think on one's feet

A person who thinks on their feet is capable of making good decisions without

previous thinking or planning.

Good lawyers need to be able to think on their feet when pleading a case.

On the fence

When faced with a choice, a person who is on the fence has not yet reached

a decision.

The candidates have such similar ideas that many electors are still on the fence.

Fender bender

This expression refers to a minor car accident in which there is little damage and

no injuries.

It's hard to believe that a small fender bender can cause a major traffic jam!

Fever pitch

If a situation or feeling reaches fever pitch, it becomes very intense and exciting.

Reaction to the affair has reached fever pitch all over the country.

Few and far between

Items, places or events which are few and far between are rarely found or do not

happen very often.

Restaurants in this part of the country are few and far between

Play second fiddle to someone

If you play second fiddle to somebody, you accept to be second in importance

to that person, or have a lower position.

John resented having to play second fiddle to the sales manager when the

company was restructured.

Fiddling while Rome burns

If you say that somebody is fiddling while Rome burns, you mean that they are

doing unimportant things while there are serious problems to be dealt with

His visit to the trade fair was 'fiddling while Rome burns' according to the strikers.

Field day

A field day refers to a day, period or time of great excitement and activity.

Journalists will have a field day with the latest political scandal.

Fifth wheel

This expression refers to a person who finds themselves in a situation where their

presence is unnecessary and as a result they feel useless.

Everyone seemed to have a specific role except me. I felt like a fifth wheel.

Fight/argue like cat and dog

Two people who fight or argue like cat and dog frequently have violent arguments,

even though they are fond of each other.

They fight like cat and dog but they're still together after 30 years.

(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'" he said.

Fight a losing battle

If someone is fighting a losing battle, they are trying to do something even when

there is little chance of succeeding.

The headmaster is fighting a losing battle trying to ban mobile phones at school.

Fight an uphill battle

A person faced with an uphill battle has to struggle against very unfavourable

circumstances.

After the terrible accident, his recovery was an uphill battle all the way.

Fight shy of something

If you fight shy of something, such as a task, a problem or a duty, you want to

avoid doing it or you are unwilling to confront it.

He had money problems for years but fought shy of asking his children for help.

A figment of one's imagination

To refer to something as a figment of one's imagination means that an appearance,

event or incident is not considered to be real but is only imaginary.

Other people saw the car, so it's not a figment of Tom's imagination!

With a fine-tooth comb

To go over something with a fine-tooth comb means to examine it closely and

thoroughly so as not to miss any details.

The police are examining the scene of the accident with a fine-tooth comb.

Five-finger discount

If somebody gets a five-finger discount, they take something without paying. In

other words, they steal.

"How could he afford that watch?" "Who knows - perhaps with a five-finger

discount!"

Have a finger in every pie

If someone has a finger in every pie, they are involved in many activities

For information about the town development project, you should talk to John

Brown.

He has a finger in every pie.

Keep your finger on the pulse

If you keep your finger on the pulse, you are constantly aware of the most recent

events or developments.

A successful investor keeps his finger on the pulse of international business.

Put one's finger on something

If you put your finger on something, for example the cause of, or the solution to a

problem, you are able to identify or understand it.

The atmosphere at the meeting was strange, but Marie couldn't put a finger on the

cause of it.

All thumbs/all fingers and thumbs

If you are all fingers and thumbs, you are awkward and clumsy and do things

incorrectly.

Would you mind wrapping this for me? I'm all fingers and thumbs!

Let something slip through your fingers

If you let something slip through your fingers, such as a good opportunity, you fail

to obtain or keep it.

He should have accepted the job when it was offered. He let the opportunity slip

through his fingers.

Work your fingers to the bone

A person who works their fingers to the bone is extremely hardworking.

He deserves his success; he worked his fingers to the bone when he started the

business.

Fire away

If you tell someone to fire away, you encourage them to begin to talk or ask

questions.

If you've got any questions, just fire away!

In the firing line

Someone who is in the firing line is in a position to be criticized because of their

responsibilities or the position they hold.

The managing director of the bank is in the firing line since the fraud was

discovered.

First and foremost

This expression is used to state what you consider to be more important than

anything else.

First and foremost I want to thank our hosts for their wonderful reception.

Fine tuning

Small changes to something to improve it or make it work better are called fine

tuning.

We are still fine tuning our new website and appreciate your patience.

Have other fish to fry

If you have other fish to fry, or have more important things to do.

I don't think he'll attend the office party; he's got other fish to fry.

Big fish in a small pond

This term is used to refer to an important or highly-ranked person in a small group

or organization.

He could get a job with a big company but he enjoys being a big fish in a small pond.

There are (plenty of) other fish in the sea

To say this means that that there are many other people just as good as the one

somebody failed to get.

The candidate we chose refused the job? Never mind - there are other fish in the sea!

Like a fish out of water

If you feel like a fish out of water, you feel uncomfortable in unfamiliar surroundings.

As a non-golfer, I felt like a fish out of water at the clubhouse.

Fish in troubled waters

If you fish in troubled waters, you try to gain advantages for yourself from a disturbed

state of affairs.

Between the declaration of independence and the first elections, some people were

accused of fishing in troubled waters.

On a fishing expedition

If someone is on a fishing expedition, they are trying to obtain information in any

way possible.

The lunch invitation was clearly a fishing expedition to obtain information about

his private life.

Fishing for compliments

When someone is obviously waiting for you to say something nice, they are fishing for

compliments.

I know why she invited us to visit her hew house - she's just fishing for compliments.

As fit as a fiddle

A person who is as fit as a fiddle is in an excellent state of health or physical

condition.

My grandfather is nearly ninety but he's as fit as a fiddle.

Fit like a glove

If something fits you like a glove, it fits you perfectly.

I was lucky! The first skirt I tried on fitted me like a glove!

Fit the bill

If someone or something fits the bill, they are exactly right for for a particular

situation.

They wanted a quiet place for the week-end and the country inn just fitted the bill.

Fit for purpose

Something that is suitable for a particular function and is fully operational is said

to be fit for purpose.

The mayor promised that the new leisure centre would be fit for purpose.

In fits and starts

If you do something in fits and starts, you do it in an irregular manner, often stopping

and starting again.

You'll never make regular progress in English if you work in fits and starts.

Five o'clock shadow

This expression refers to a patch of stubble on the face of a man who hasn't shaved

for at least a day.

He looked tired and had a five o'clock shadow.

Fixed in your ways

People who are fixed in their ways do not want to change their normal way of doing

things.

My grandparents are very fixed in their ways.

Flag of convenience

If a ship, boat or yacht sails under a flag of convenience, it is registered in a foreign

country in order to avoid regulations and taxes and reduce operating costs.

Get/take flak

If you get or take flak, you receive severe criticism for something you have done.

He got a lot of flak for the way he handled the situation.

A flash in the pan

If you refer to somebody's success as a flash in the pan, your mean that it is not

likely to be repeated

The manager hoped that the team's unexpected success was not a flash in the pan.

A flea in one's ear

After an attempt at something, if you are sent away with a flea in your ear, you are

angrily reprimanded or humiliated.

When he tried to put the blame on Pete, he was sent away with a flea in his ear.

Make your flesh crawl

Something that makes your flesh crawl fills you with disgust or makes you feel very

nervous.

Just talking about snakes makes my flesh crawl.

There are no flies on him!

To say that there are no flies on someone means that they understand quickly and

cannot be tricked or deceived easily.

It's better to tell him all the facts. There are no flies on him.

A flight of fancy

To refer to an idea or plan as a flight of fancy means that it is very imaginative but

not at all practical or sensible.

He often comes up with good ideas but his latest proposal is just a flight of fancy!

Fling oneself into something

If you fling yourself into an activity, you do it with a lot of energy and enthusiasm.

Ever since she flung herself into the anti-pollution campaign, she rarely has a free

moment!

Flog a dead horse

To say that someone is flogging a dead horse means that they are wasting time

and effort trying to do or achieve something that is not possible.

Mark is flogging a dead horse trying to get his money reimbursed.

The company has gone bankrupt!

Fly-by-night

A 'fly-by-night' person, business or venture is considered untrustworthy because

they operate briefly and disappear overnight.

I bought it in one of those fly-by-night stores and now I can't exchange it. The place

has closed down.

A fly in the ointment

The expression a fly in the ointment refers to someone or something that prevents

a situation from being completely satisfactory.

Tony's poor English was a fly in the ointment when he applied for the job.

A fly on the wall

This expression is used to describe a person who watches a situation without being

noticed.

I'd like to be a fly on the wall when the management discusses my project.

Fly by the seat of your pants

If you fly by the seat of your pants, you do something without knowledge or

experience, using only your instinct and hoping that you will succeed.

Without any formal training, he decided to fly by the seat of his pants and try his

luck in New York.

Fly off the handle

A person who flies off the handle becomes suddenly very angry.

Dad flew off the handle when I told him I had damaged his new car.

Fly in the face of

If an action or statement flies in the face of something, it is completely opposite

to what is usual or expected.

His style of teaching flies in the face of the school's established methods.

On the fly

If you do something on the fly, you do it quickly, without thinking much about it,

while doing something else.

I'm so busy I usually have lunch on the fly.

It will never fly

To say that something will never fly means that it will not be successful.

He's got incredible ideas, but none that will ever fly!

With flying colours

To achieve something with flying colours means to do it very successfully.

My daughter passed the entrance exam with flying colours. I'm so proud of her!

(Get off to) a flying start

If something gets off to the flying start, it is immediately successful.

Sales of the book got off to a flying start and exceeded our expectations.

Foam at the mouth

Someone who foams at the mouth is extremely angry about something.

The director was foaming at the mouth when he saw a picture of his children in the

newspaper.

Follow in someone's footsteps

If you follow in someone's footsteps ( for example a parent), you lead a similar life

or do the same job.

Lily followed in her mother's footsteps and became a teacher.

Follow one's nose

If you follow your nose, you go straight ahead (also: you follow your instinct in life).

The station is at the end of the road - just follow your nose.

Follow suit

If you follow suit, you do the same as somebody else has just done.

The first robber held up his hands. The other two followed suit.

On a fool's errand

If you go on a fool's errand, you try to do something which is useless, unnecessary

or has no chance of success.

I realized it was a fool's errand to look for a bank in such an isolated region.

Fool's paradise

If someone is living in a fool's paradise, they are in a state of contentment that will

not last because their happiness is based on illusion or false hope.

Lisa is living in a fool's paradise if she thinks her boss is going to marry her.

A foot in the door

If you say that someone has a foot in the door, you mean that they have a small but

successful start in something and will possibly do well in the future.

With today's unemployment, it's difficult to get a foot in the door in any profession.

My foot!

This expression is used to show that you do not believe something that has just

been said.

He said he had a summer home? My foot! I doubt if he owns a tent!

One foot in the grave

A person who is either very old or very ill and close to death is said to have one foot

in the grave.

It's no use talking to the owner. The poor man has got one foot in the grave.

Get (or start) off on the right/wrong foot

This expression means to start a relationship well or badly.

I was looking forward to working with Julie but we seem to have started off on the

wrong foot.

Put one's foot in one's mouth

If you put your foot in your mouth, you do or say something that offends, upsets

or embarrasses someone else.

She really put her foot in her mouth when she mentioned the housewarming party -

Andy hadn't been invited!

Get a foothold

If you get a foothold somewhere, you secure a position for yourself in a business,

profession or organisation.

The contract got the firm a foothold in the local administration.

Footloose and fancy-free

A person who is footloose and fancy-free has few responsibilities or commitments of

any kind and feels free to do as they please.

John will never get married. He says he prefers to be footloose and fancy-free.

For the birds

If you think something is for the birds, you consider it to be uninteresting, useless,

or not to be taken seriously.

As far as I'm concerned, his theory is for the birds.

(Out of) force of habit

When something is done out of force of habit, it has become automatic through

frequent repetition.

Why do I always park here? It's force of habit I suppose.

Force someone's hand

If you force someone's hand, you make them do something unwillingly or sooner than

planned.

The interviewer forced his hand and made him reveal his relocation plans.

Forewarned is forearmed

This expression means that if you know something is going to happen, you can be

prepared for it.

The Chairman is going to attend the meeting tomorrow. Your presentation better

be good. Forewarned is forearmed.!

Forty winks

If you have forty winks, you have a short sleep or rest, generally during the day.

Dad likes to have forty winks after a game of golf.

On all fours

If you are on all fours, you are down on your hands and knees.

When I arrived, he was on all fours playing with his grandchildren.

Fraught with danger

An activity or situation that is fraught with danger is full of risks or serious difficulties.

His journey across the mountains was fraught with danger.

Free as a bird

If someone is free as a bird, they are completely free to do as they please.

My dad's very happy - he's free as a bird since he retired.

A free-for-all

This term refers to an uncontrolled situation such as a discussion, argument or fight

where everyone present can do or say what they like.

It started as a serious debate but turned into a free-for-all.

Have a free hand

If you have a free hand, you have permission to make your own decisions, especially

in a job.

My boss has given me a free hand in the choice of agent.

There's no such thing as a free lunch.

This expression means that nothing is free. If somebody helps you, they always expect

some form of payment.

If you accept his offer, he'll be forever asking you for a favour.

There's no such thing as a free lunch!

A free ride

Someone who gets a free ride benefits from a collective activity without participating

in it.

Only those who share the work can share the benefits - nobody gets a free ride!

Of one's own free will

If you do something of your own free will, you do it voluntarily, without any pressure

from others.

He decided to tell the truth, and he did it of his own free will.

Freeze somebody out

If you deliberately isolate someone, or prevent them from participating in a social or

business activity by treating them unfairly or harshly, you freeze them out.

Pablo was treated unfairly. He was frozen out of the project by the rest of the team.

French leave

If you leave an official or social event without notifying the person who invited you,

you take French leave.

Is Bill coming back for the closing speech or has he taken French leave?

(As) fresh as a daisy

Someone who is as fresh as a daisy is lively and attractive, in a clean and fresh way.

I met Molly the other day. She looked as fresh as a daisy!"

A Freudian slip

This refers to a mistake made by a speaker which is considered to reveal their true

thoughts or feelings.

So you got the job - I'm so sad - sorry, I mean glad!"

Have a frog in one's throat

A person who has a frog in their throat has difficulty in speaking clearly, because

they have a cough or a sore throat.

Teaching was difficult today. I had a frog in my throat all morning.

Front runner

In a contest, race or election, the front runner is the person who seems most likely

to succeed or win.

Who are the front runners in the coming elections?

Out of the frying pan and into the fire

This expression means to go from one difficult situation to another, usually even

worse.

The flight was delayed because of snow. When the plane eventually took off, it had to

turn back because of engine trouble - out of the frying pan into the fire!

Full of hot air

A person who full of hot air is full of nonsense and talks a lot without saying anything

worthwhile.

Don't listen to Tony. He's full of hot air!

Full of the joys of spring

If you are full of the joys of spring, you are happy, enthusiastic and full of energy.

Barbara is full of the joys of spring at the moment! Has she got a new boyfriend?

Full of piss and vinegar

People who are full of piss and vinegar are very lively, boisterous or full of youthful

vitality.

I had to look after a group of kids full of piss and vinegar.

Full as a tick

If someone is as full as a tick, they have eaten or drunk too much.

The little boy ate biscuits and drank lemonade until he was as full as a tick.

Funny business

An activity which is conducted in a deceitful, dishonest or unethical manner is called

funny business.

I've got suspicions about that association. I think they're up to some funny business.

Fur coat and no knickers

A person who tries to appear distinguished but has no real class is referred to as

"fur coat and no knickers".

Don't let her impress you. She's what we call 'fur coat and no knickers'!

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