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 - H

Old habits die hard

This expression means that people are often reluctant to change the way they do

something, especially if they have been doing it for a long time.

My grandfather refuses to use a mobile phone - old habits die hard!

Hair of the dog that bit you

This expression means that you use as a remedy a small amount of what made you ill,

for example a drink of alcohol when recovering from drinking too much.

Here, have a drop of this. It's a little hair of the dog that bit you!

By a hair's breadth

If you avoid or miss something by a hair's breadth, you only just manage to escape

from a danger.

A slate fell off the roof and missed the child by a hair's breadth.

Get in someone's hair

If you are getting in somebody's hair, you are annoying them so much that they can't

get on with what they're doing.

I'd finish the report more quickly if my colleague wasn't getting in my hair all

the time!

Not a hair out of place

To say that someone does not have a hair out of place means that their appearance

is perfect.

Angela is always impeccably dressed - never a hair out of place!

Let one's hair down.

If you suggest that someone should let their hair down, you are telling them

to relax and enjoy themselves.

Come on! We' re not in the office now. You can let your hair down!

Split hairs

If you split hairs, you pay too much attention to differences that are very small

or not important.

If we start splitting hairs, we'll never reach an agreement!

Hairy at the heel

A person who is hairy at the heel is thought to be untrustworthy or even dangerous.

Rumour has it that the owner of the club is a bit hairy at the heel.

Hale and hearty

Someone, especially an old person, who is hale and hearty is in excellent health

My grandmother is still hale and hearty at the age of ninety.

Half the battle

This expression refers to a significant part of the effort or work needed to achieve

something.

We've already obtained a loan for the project - that's half the battle.

Half an eye

If you have or keep half an eye on something, you watch something without

giving it your full attention.

She kept half en eye on the tv screen while she was preparing dinner.

Hammer (something) home

If you hammer home a point or an argument, you repeat it often to make sure that

it is fully understood.

The policeman hammered home the dangers of drinking and driving.

Hammer and tongs

If people are going at it hammer and tongs, they are arguing fiercely, with a lot of

energy and noise.

Our neighbours are going at it hammer and tongs again. They're constantly arguing!

Hand in hand

If two or more things go hand in hand, they are associated or often happen

at the same time.

In big cities poverty and violence often go hand in hand.

Hand it to someone

If you hand it to someone, you admit, perhaps unwillingly, that they deserve credit

or praise for their achievements.

You've got to hand it to Julie. She may be a snob, but her presentations are

always excellent.

Hand something to somebody on a platter/plate

If someone gets something easily, without having to make an effort to obtain it,

it is handed to them on a platter.

He was appointed sales director in his father's company. The job was handed to him

on a platter.

Hand in hand

If two or more things go hand in hand, they are associated or often happen at the

same time.

In big cities poverty and violence often go hand in hand.

Hand in glove

Two or more people who are in collusion, or work in close association, are said

to be hand in glove.

After the match, it was discovered that he was hand in glove with the referee.

One hand washes the other... (... and together they wash the face.)

This expression means that when people cooperate and work well together, there is

a better chance of achieving results.

Give someone a hard time

If you give someone a hard time, you annoy them or make things difficult for them.

Susan says the pupils in her new school are giving her a hard time.

With a heavy hand

Dealing with or treating people with a heavy hand means acting with discipline and

severity, with little or no sensitivity.

He ran the juvenile delinquent centre with a heavy hand.

All hands on deck

When there is a need for all hands on deck, everyone must help, especially when

there's a lot of work to be done in a short amount of time.

As the opening day approached, it was all hands on deck to have everything ready

in time.

In safe hands

If something is in safe (or good) hands, it is being looked after by a reliable person

or organization, and is therefore at no risk.

I'll look after Jamie while you go shopping. Don't worry - he'll be in safe hands.

Wash your hands of something

If you wash your hands of a problem or situation, you refuse to deal with it any

longer.

You can't just wash your hands of David's behaviour. He's your son!

Have one's hands tied

If a person has their hands tied, something, such as an agreement or a rule, is

preventing them from doing what they would like to do.

As much use as a handbrake on a canoe

This expression refers to something which is completely useless or serves no purpose.

With no electricity, a refrigerator would be as much use as a handbrake on a canoe.

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.

Handle with kid gloves

If you handle someone with kid gloves, you treat them very carefully or tactfully,

either because they are very important or because they are easily upset.

He is so determined to obtain her agreement that he is handling her with kid gloves.

Get the hang of something

When you get the hang of an activity, you now know how to do it correctly.

The apprentice found the task difficult at first but he soon got the hang of it.

Hang in there

This expression is used to encourage someone to persevere and not give up in spite

of the difficult circumstances.

I know the atmosphere is very tense, but just hang in there and eventually things

will calm down.

Hang on for dear life

If you hang on for dear life, you grip something firmly so as not to fall.

Andy took his mother on the back of his motorbike where she hung on for dear life!

Hang on by one's fingernails

When you hang on by your fingernails, you succeed in continuing to do something in

a very difficult situation.

The restaurant is losing more and more customers; the owner is just hanging on by

his fingernails.

Hang (someone) out to dry

When you abandon someone who is in difficulty, without giving any assistance

or support, you hang them out to dry.

You'll get no help from Jack. He'll hang you out to dry if your plan fails.

Hang up one's boots

When a sports player hangs up their boots, they stop playing and retire.

This expression is often used to refer to retirement in general.

Dad says he's going to hang up his boots at the end of the year.

Happy camper

To refer to someone as a 'happy camper' means that they are generally content

or satisfied with what is happening in their lives and have no cause for complaint.

With his new job and his new car, Andy is one happy camper!

Happy as a flea in a doghouse

If someone is (as) happy as a flea in a doghouse, they are very happy and contented.

Since she moved to a smaller apartment, my mother is (as) happy as a flea in a doghouse.

Happy-go-lucky

If you are a happy-go-lucky person, you are cheerful and carefree all the time.

He's a happy-go-lucky sort of guy - always in good humour.

(As) happy as Larry

If you are as happy as Larry, you are very happy indeed.

My dad's as happy as Larry at the week-end when we all arrive home.

Hard and fast

Something which is hard and fast cannot be changed.

Unfortunately there are no hard and fast rules related to English spelling.

Hard as nails

A person who is hard (or 'tough') as nails is unsentimental and shows no sympathy.

Don't expect any sympathy from him. He's as hard as hail

Hard of hearing

If you are hard of hearing, you can't hear very well.

You'll have to speak louder to Mr. Jones. He's a bit hard of hearing.

Hard to come by

Something that is hard to come by is rare or difficult to find.

Experienced carpenters are hard to come by these days.

Hard to swallow

When something is difficult to accept or believe, it is hard to swallow.

She invented an excuse that the teacher found hard to swallow.

Give someone a hard time

If you give someone a hard time, you annoy them or make things difficult for them.

Susan says the pupils in her new school are giving her a hard time.

Hard up

If you are hard up, you have very little money.

We were so hard up we had to sleep in the car.

Run with the hare and hunt with the hounds

This expression refers to someone who wants to stay on friendly terms with both

sides in a quarrel

Bob always wants to keep everyone happy, but I'm afraid he can't run with the hare

and hunt with the hounds this time - the issue is too important.

Harp on (about) something

If you harp on (about) something, you tire others by continuously and tediously

talking about it.

My parents are always harping on about my school results.

Keep something under one's hat

To keep something under one's hat means to keep a secret.

My boss has promised me a promotion, but it's not official yet, so keep it under

your hat.

Take one's hat off to somebody

You say this to express admiration for something someone has done.

I take my hat off to the chef. The meal was wonderful.

Talk through one's hat

To say that someone is talking through their hat means that you think that what

they are saying is silly, absurd or totally incorrect.

Mr. Smith was talking through his hat when he said he was a tennis champion.

Talk through one's hat

To say that someone is talking through their hat means that you think that what

they are saying is silly, absurd or totally incorrect.

Mr. Smith was talking through his hat when he said he was a tennis champion.

Bury the hatchet

The expression bury the hatchet is used when people who have had a disagreement

decide to forget their quarrel and become friends again.

I don't get on well with my mother-in-law, but to keep my wife happy, I decided to

bury the hatchet.

Haul someone over the coals

If you haul someone over the coals, you reprimand them harshly because they have

done something wrong or incorrectly.

He was hauled over the coals for the poor quality of his presentation.

Have something on the brain

If you have something on the brain, you think or talk about it constantly.

Stop talking about golf. You've got golf on the brain!

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.

Have kittens

To say you're going to have kittens is a dramatic way of expressing worry, anxiety

or fear.

His mother nearly had kittens when Alex announced that he wanted to be a trapeze artist.

Have one's head in the clouds

If you have your head in the clouds, you are so absorbed by your thoughts that you

are not paying attention to what is happening around you.

He's doesn't listen to the teacher - he's got his head in the clouds all the time!

Have a lump in your throat

If you have a lump in your throat, you have a tight feeling in your throat because of

a strong emotion such as sadness or gratitude.

The speech was so touching that I had a lump in my throat.

Have the makings of something

A person who has the makings of something has qualities and potential that could be

developed.

The teacher says Sarah has the makings of an excellent journalist.

Have a mind of your own

If you have a mind of your own, you are capable of forming an opinion and making

decisions without being influenced by others.

That boy doesn't need any advice; he's got a mind of his own.

Have the nerve to do something

If you do something rude, impudent or inappropriate, without any embarrassment

or shyness, it is said that you have the nerve to do it.

She had the nerve to attend the ceremony wearing jeans!

Have a stab at something

If you have a stab at something, you try something that you never had a chance to

do before.

I had a stab at surfing once but I decided not to renew the experience!

Have sticky fingers

Someone who has sticky fingers has a tendency to steal.

Items have been disappearing from the stock recently. Do any of the employees

have sticky fingers?

Not have a stitch on

Someone who does not have a stitch on is wearing no clothes and is therefore

completely naked.

When the doorbell rang, he didn't have a stitch on!

Have a whale of a time

When people have a whale of a time, they enjoy themselves very much.

We had a whale of a time at the party last night.

Have you gone out of your mind?

If you ask someone if they've gone out of their mind, you think they are crazy,

foolish or insane.

You're going to ask for a 100% increase in salary? Have you gone out of your mind?

Make hay while the sun shines

This expression is used an encouragement to take advantage of a good situation

which may not last.

Successful sportsmen are advised to make hay while the sun shines.

Bury one's head in the sand

If you bury your head in the sand, you refuse to face the unpleasant reality by

pretending that it doesn't exist.

It's no good burying your head in the sand. We've got a problem on our hands.

Old head on young shoulders

This expression is used to refer to a child or young person who thinks and expresses

themselves like an older more-experienced person.

When she heard Emily warning her little brother to stay out of trouble, her mum

thought : "That's an old head on young shoulders".

Head over heels in love

When a person falls passionately in love with another, they are said to be head over

heels in love.

Tony's only interest at the moment is Maria. He's head over heels in love with her!

Have one's head screwed on

Someone who has their head screwed on is a sensible and realistic person.

Don't worry about him.. He's adventurous but he's got his head screwed on.

Have a swelled/swollen head

Someone who has a swelled (or swollen) head has become proud or conceited,

usually because of recent success.

Larry's promotion has given him a swelled/swollen head!

In over your head

If you are in over your head, you are involved in something that is too difficult for

you to handle.

I accepted to organize the festival, but I quickly realized that I was in over my head.

Want someone's head on a platter

If someone makes you so angry that you want them to be punished, you want

their head on a platter.

He was so angry when he read the article about his family that he wanted the

journalist's head on a platter.

Wet the baby's head

This expression means to have to drink to celebrate the birth of a baby.

When his first child was born, Tom invited his colleagues to a local bar to wet the

baby's head.

Be head and shoulders above

To say that a person or thing is head and shoulders above the others means that

they are much better that the rest of their kind.

The award-winner was head and shoulders above the others.

Cannot make head or tail of something

If you can't make head or tail of something, you can't understand it at all.

Julie's message was so confusing, I couldn't make head or tail of it!

Like a headless chicken

If a person rushes about like a headless chicken, they act in a disorderly way,

without thinking or analyzing the situation carefully.

As soon as the store opened, my mother started running around like a headless

chicken, eager to find bargains.

Hear a pin drop

To say that you could hear a pin drop means that it is so silent you could hear the

slightest noise.

People were listening so intently, you could hear a pin drop.

Heard it through the grapevine

If you hear of something through the grapevine, you learn about it informally, for

example through friends, colleagues or acquaintances.

"How did you hear that?" "Oh, through the grapevine as usual!"

A heart of stone

Someone who has a heart of stone is a cold person who shows others no understanding,

sympathy or pity.

She's not the person to go to if you've got problems - she's got a heart of stone!

Heart of the matter

The most important part or aspect of a situation is called the heart of the matter.

We need to get to the heart of the matter - what was the cause of the accident?

Have one's heart in one's mouth

A person who has their heart in their mouth feels extremely anxious or nervous

faced with a dangerous or unpleasant situation.

Emma had her heart in her mouth when she saw her 2 year-old son standing in front

of the open window.

Have one's heart in the right place

A person who has their heart in the right place has kind feelings and good intentions,

even if the results are not too good.

The old lady's cake wasn't wonderful but she's got her heart in the right place.

Have one's heart set on something

Someone who has their heart set on something wants it very much.

From an early age Tiger had his heart set on becoming a professional golfer.

Your heart misses (or skips) a beat

If your heart misses (or skips) a beat, you have a sudden emotional reaction caused

by surprise, joy or fright.

My heart skipped a beat when it was announced that I had won first prize.

Your heart sinks

If your heart sinks, you feel very unhappy and despondent

My heart sank when I saw the amount of work waiting for me.

Wear your heart on your sleeve

If you wear your heart on your sleeve, you allow others to see your emotions or feelings.

You could see she was hurt - she wears her heart on her sleeve.

To your heart's content

If you do something to your heart's content, you do it as much and for as long as

you want.

When my parents are away, I can watch television to my heart's content!

The heat is on

To say that the heat is on means that you are under a lot of pressure to get

something done, usually within a time limit.

The project must be ready for next Friday, so the heat is on.

Turn on/up the heat

If you turn on/up the heat on a person or organization, you put pressure on them

in order to obtain what you want.

If the goods are not delivered this week, we'll have to turn on the heat.

The heavens open

When the heavens open, it suddenly starts to rain heavily.

As soon as the race started, the heavens opened and the runners were soaked.

With a heavy hand

Dealing with or treating people with a heavy hand means acting with discipline and

severity, with little or no sensitivity.

He ran the juvenile delinquent centre with a heavy hand.

Hedge one's bets

If you hedge your bets, you choose two or more courses of action in order to reduce

the risk of loss or error.

The company hedged its bets by developing a second line of products.

All hell broke loose

To say that all hell broke loose means that there was a sudden angry, noisy reaction

to something.

All hell broke loose when it was announced that the plant was going to close down.

Come hell or high water

To say that you will do do something come hell or high water means that you will

do it in spite of difficulties involved.

Come hell or high water, I've got to be on time for the interview.

(Go to) hell in a handcart

If someone or something is going to hell in a handcart, it is in a bad state and

continues to deteriorate. .

This used to be a nice place to live but now the area is going to hell in a handcart.

Hell-bent on something

If you are hell-bent on doing something, you are recklessly determined to do it,

even if it's dangerous or stupid.

Although he is still weak, he's hell-bent on playing the match.

Help a lame dog over a stile

If you help a lame dog over stile, you help someone who is in difficulty or trouble.

You can trust him - he always helps a lame dog over a stile.

Hem and haw

When someone hems and haws, they are very evasive and avoid giving a clear answer.

Bobby hemmed and hawed when his parents asked him where he had spent the night.

Herd mentality

People with the herd mentality tend to do what everyone else does, no matter

how ridiculous or stupid.

One example of herd mentality is when people rush to get on the first bus when

there are several empty ones waiting.

Like herding cats

This expression refers to the difficulty of coordinating a situation which involves

people who all want to act independently.

Organizing an outing for a group of people from different countries is like herding

cats!

Here today, gone tomorrow

This expression is used to refer to something which appears and disappears

very quickly, or does not last very long.

"The shops in this area change very often - here today, gone tomorrow!"

Neither here nor there

Something which is neither here nor there is considered to have no effect on the

present situation.

OK he lives close to you - but that's neither here nor there. We're talking about

his results.

Hide one's light under a bushel

If you hide your light under a bushel, you are modest or do not reveal a talent,

quality or skill you possess.

So you play the saxophone in a club on Saturday nights - you really hide your light

under a bushel, don't you!

Hide/cover a multitude of sins

If something hides or covers a multitude of sins, it prevents people from seeing the

less pleasant reality.

Loose-fitting clothes can cover a multitude of sins!

Hidden agenda

If a person or organization has a hidden agenda, they have hidden interests or

ulterior motives.

I can guarantee that we have no hidden agenda. Our intentions have always been

clear.

High and dry

If you are left high and dry, you find yourself in a difficult situation without help

or resources

When her husband walked out on her, Amanda was left high and dry with two kids

to raise.

High and mighty

Someone who is high and mighty behaves in a haughty manner, as if they were

superior to others.

"Don't you get all high and mighty!" said my grandmother to my cousin. "Everyone

helps with the housework in this house."

Live high off the hog

Someone who lives high off the hog has a lot of money and a very comfortable

lifestyle.

Now he's wealthy and living high off the hog.

Get on your high horse

If you get on your high horse, you start behaving in a haughty manner, as though

you should be treated with more respect.

He got on his high horse when he was asked to show his membership card.

Highways and byways

If you travel the highways and byways, you take large and small roads to visit every

part of a country.

He travelled the highways and byways looking for traces of his ancestors.

Up to the hilt

Something which is done to the hilt is done completely, fully or to the maximum

degree.

He was involved in the conspiracy to the hilt.

Himalayan blunder

If you stupidly make a very serious mistake or error, you commit a Himalayan blunder.

Apparently he lost his job because of a Himalayan blunder.

Hit the airwaves

When someone hits the airwaves, they go on radio and TV to be interviewed or to

promote something.

The hospital was embarrassed when the patient hit the airways with his side of the story.

Hit the ground running

If someone hits the ground running, they are ready to start work immediately on

a new activity.

He intends to hit the ground running when he starts his new job.

Hit the hay

When you hit the hay, you go to bed.

The boys were so exhausted that they hit the hay as soon as they reached the campsite.

Hit the nail on the head

When you hit the nail on the head, you are absolutely right about something

or have guessed the exact nature of a problem or situation.

You hit the nail on the head when you said Mark had money problems.

He's lost his job!

Hit the road

When you hit the road, you begin a journey.

It's getting late and we've got a long way to go. Let's hit the road.

Hit the sack

To hit the sack (also hit the hay) means to go to bed.

OK guys. I'm going to hit the sack.

Hitch one's wagon to a star

Someone who hitches their wagon to a star has great ambitions and is very

determined to reach their goal.

At an early age she decided to hitch her wagon to a star and become rich and famous.

Hive of activity (also: a beehive)

A place where there are lots of things happening, and everyone is very busy, is

called a hive of activity

When I went to offer my help, the kitchen was already a hive of activity.

Go the whole hog

When you go the whole hog, you do something thoroughly or completely.

They put up a few decorations for Christmas, then they decided to go the whole

hog and buy a tree and all the trimmings.

Hold your breath

If someone is holding their breath, they are waiting excitedly or anxiously for

something to happen.

I went for second interview today - now I'm holding my breath!

Hold the field

If something holds the field, it has not been replaced and remains valid or is still

in use.

The founder's management principles still hold the field today.

Hold the fort

When you hold the fort, you look after a place or a business in the absence

of the person who is normally in charge.

Julie, could you hold the fort please while I go to the post office?

Hold your horses

If you tell someone to hold their horses, you think they are doing something too

fast and should slow down and not rush into further action.

Hold your horses! Don't rush into this without giving it careful thought.

Hold one's own

If you can hold your own, you are well able to defend yourself when under attack.

We should ask Jane to represent us; she can hold her own in any argument.

Hold the reins

The person who holds the reins is someone who is in complete control of a company,

firm or organization.

He's been holding the reins for over 20 years and intends to continue for as long as

possible.

Hold your tongue

If you hold your tongue, you stay silent and say nothing.

The party was supposed to be a surprise but unfortunately the little boy couldn't

hold his tongue.

Hold water

If an explanation or argument does not hold water, it does not stand up to critical

examination and can be shown to be unfounded.

The reasons given for the government's new measures just do not hold water.

Holier-than-thou

This expression is used to describe the attitude of people who considers themselves

to be more virtuous or morally superior to others.

I can't stand the holier-then-thou attitude of some candidates.

Hollow victory

A victory obtained in unsatisfactory conditions, which as a result seems worthless or

without significance for the winner, is called a hollow victory.

Won in the absence of the major ski champions, his gold medal was a hollow victory.

On the home stretch

To say that you're on the home stretch means that you are approaching the end of

something such as a task, a race or a journey.

Don't give up - we're on the the home stretch now.

Home truths

If you tell somebody some home truths, you tell them some unpleasant facts about

themselves which are often difficult to accept.

David needs to be told a few home truths, whether he likes it or not!

The honeymoon is over

To say that the honeymoon is over means that the initial period of friendship and

cooperation between people, groups or organizations has ended.

He was elected only six months ago but the honeymoon is already over.

Honour among thieves

This expression means that even criminals have a sense of loyalty and they

respect a certain code of behaviour.

The bank robber refused to reveal the names of his accomplices which shows that

there is honour among thieves.

Get off the hook

If you do something wrong and manage to get off the hook, you avoid punishment

or blame.

Barry was questioned by the police but his lawyer managed to get him off the hook.

Hook, line and sinker

If you fall for a story or an explanation hook, line and sinker, you completely

believe it.

I didn't think he'd believe my story, but he fell for it hook, line and sinker.

By hook or by crook

If you say that you will do something by hook or by crook, you mean that you will

succeed in doing it in whatever way is necessary, whether it is honest or not.

I'll get my revenge, by hook or by crook!

Couldn't give a hoot!

To say that you don't or couldn't give a hoot, means that you don't care at all about

something.

She wears eccentric clothes but she's couldn't give a hoot about what others think.

A hop, skip and a jump

To say that a thing or place is only a hop, skip and a jump away from another means

that they are very close to each other.

The school's just a hop, skip and a jump from our new house.

Hope against hope

If you hope against hope, you continue to hope even when the situation looks bad

The whole building was destroyed by fire. John's parents are hoping against hope

that he escaped in time.

Horns of a dilemma

If you are on the horns of a dilemma, you are faced with a choice between two

equally unpleasant options.

I'm on the horns of a dilemma : I have to choose between a boring job with a good

salary or a more interesting job with a lower salary.

Horse of a different colour

To describe a person or a problem as a horse of a different colour means either that

the person does things differently from others or that the nature of the problem

is a entirely different.

I expected to negotiate with the sales manager but the chairman turned up -

now he's a horse of a different colour!

Horse sense

Someone who has horse sense is a practical thinker who has the ability to make sensible

decisions.

Don't worry. Charlie has good horse sense. He'll do the right thing.

A dark horse

If you refer to a person as a dark horse, you mean that they are secretive, or that

little is known about them.

I can't say I know my neighbour. He's a bit of a dark horse.

Beat (or flog) a dead horse

To say that someone is beating a dead horse, you mean that they are wasting time

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

Mark is beating a dead horse trying to get his money reimbursed. The company has

gone bankrupt!

Eat a horse

To say that you could eat a horse means that you are very hungry.

Let's get something to eat. I'm starving. I could eat a horse!

Get on your high horse

If you get on your high horse, you start behaving in a haughty manner,

as though you should be treated with more respect.

He got on his high horse when he was asked to show his membership card.

Straight from the horse's mouth

If you learn something straight from the horse's mouth, you hear about it directly

from a person closely connected with the source of the information.

"How do you know Jack has resigned?" "I got it straight from the horse's mouth -

he told me himself!"

Horses for courses

This expression means that as horses race better on a course that suits them, it is

important to match people with suitable jobs or tasks. A person suited to one activity

may not be suited to another.

"His experience in sales doesn't necessarily make him ideal for the job. Horses for

courses, as the saying goes."

Hot off the press

If a news article, for example, is hot off the press, it has just been published and

contains the most recent information on the subject.

I just got it hot off the press; another bank has gone bankrupt!

Get hot under the collar

If you get hot under the collar, you feel annoyed, indignant or embarrassed.

If anyone criticizes his proposals, Joe immediately gets hot under the collar.

Hot potato

To refer to a subject as a hot potato means that it is a very sensitive and controversial

matter which is difficult to deal with.

The new Prime Minister hasn't been confronted with any hot potatoes yet.

Get on like a house on fire

Two people who get on like a house on fire have similar interests and quickly become

good friends.

As soon as Sarah met her brother's girlfriend, they got on like a house on fire.

On the house

Something which is on the house is offered free of charge, usually in a bar or restaurant.

The new owner offered us a drink on the house.

Household name/word

When the name of someone or something becomes very familiar because it is so

often used, it is called a household name or word.

The product was so successful that its name became a household word in no time.

How the other half lives

This expression refers to the way of life of another social group, particularly

people who are much richer or poorer than oneself.

He prefers not to know how the other half lives.

Hue and cry

If there is a hue and cry about something, there is loud opposition to it.

There will no doubt be a great hue and cry when the reorganization is announced.

Hunky-dory

Using the expression 'hunky dory' is an informal way of saying that everything is

satisfactory and there are no problems.

"Need any help?" "Everything's hunky dory, thanks."

Hustle and bustle

This expression is used to refer to busy energetic activity in an atmosphere of

general excitement.

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