Idiom alphabetical list

English idioms & idiomatic expressions

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

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Alphabetical list of idioms - I

Break the ice

A person who breaks the ice is someone who does or says something to make people

relax in an uncomfortable situation.

Jack has a stock of jokes that always help to break the ice.

Icing on the cake

If something is referred to as icing on the cake, it is an extra benefit that makes a good

situation even better.

Good news! I get the job ... and the icing on the cake is that I get a company car too.

Idiot box

Some people consider television to lack educational value and refer to it as the idiot box.

He spends all his free time in front of the idiot box.

If it ain't broke don't fix it

This expression means that if a system or method works well, you shouldn't change it.

We're not changing our alarm system. As the saying goes, if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!

This expression means that if you feel that there is too much pressure, you can leave.

Amid the growing tension the organizer declared:

"If you can't stand the heat, get out of the kitchen!"

Ignorance is bliss

This expression means that if you don't know about a problem or unpleasant fact, you

won't worry about it.

I didn't know our neighbour was an escaped prisoner until the police arrived - ignorance

is bliss!

Ill-gotten gains

Money, profit or benefits that are made in a dishonest or illegal manner are called

ill-gotten gains.

He won money by cheating and is now enjoying his ill-gotten gains.

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.

In a class of one's own

If someone is in a class of their own, they are unequalled and considered better than

anyone else of their kind.

"As a singer, Maria Callas was in a class of her own."

In dire straits

If a person or organization is in dire straits, they are in a very difficult situation.

The loss of major contracts has put the company in dire straits.

In keeping with

If something is in keeping with for example a style or tradition, it is suitable or

appropriate in a particular situation.

We exchange presents at Christmas in keeping with tradition.

In the heat of the moment

If you say or do something in the heat of the moment, you say or do it without

pausing to think, at a time when you are experiencing unusually strong emotions

such as anger, excitement, etc.

I was so angry that in the heat of the moment I said things that I regretted later.

In inverted commas

When describing something, if you use a word which you say is in inverted commas,

you indicate that the word is not quite true or appropriate.

We were served a "meal", in inverted commas, but we were too hungry to complain.

In raptures

If you are in raptures about something, you are delighted or very enthusiastic.

Julie is in raptures about her new apartment.

In retrospect

This expression is used to refer to a past situation or event, particularly if your

present opinion is different from the one you had at the time.

In retrospect, we were not aware of the effects on the environment.

In the interim

Something that happens in the interim takes place during a period of time between

two events.

I won't have the apartment until next month. In the interim I'm staying at a local hotel.

In the long run

This term refers to something that will have effect over or after a long period of time.

I've decided to study Chinese, which is going to be difficult, but it'll be worth it in

the long run because it'll help me get a better job.

In the lurch

If you leave someone in the lurch, you leave them in a difficult or embarrassing

situation.

When Paul missed the last bus, he was left in the lurch.

In the middle of nowhere

If a place is in the middle of nowhere, it is in a remote area, far from towns, villages

or houses.

The campsite was in the middle of nowhere so I couldn't send you a postcard.

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.

In trouble with the law

If someone is in trouble with the law, they are being questioned by the police in

connection with something illegal or criminal.

The suspect has often been in trouble with the law.

In two shakes of a lamb's tail

To do something in two shakes of a lamb's tail means to do it very quickly or in

a moment.

It'll be ready in two shakes (of a lamb's tail).

In vino veritas

This expression, which in Latin means "in wine there is truth", is a way of saying that

wine makes people less inhibited and leads them to speak more freely and reveal their

true feelings..

After a few drinks he told the whole story - in vino veritas!

In words of one syllable

If you explain something in words of one syllable, you use very simple language.

Not so fast! Tell me in words of one syllable.

Ins and Outs

The ins and outs of a situation means all the details or facts.

I know he was involved in a car accident, but I don't know the ins and outs of

his injuries.

Industrial-strength

This is a humorous way of referring to something which is very strong, powerful or

concentrated.

I've got an industrial-strength headache this morning!

Infomania

If you are constantly checking and responding to email and text messages, you may

be the victim of a new addiction called infomania.

The abuse of technology has led to a state of infomania; employees are addicted to

checking email and text messages during meetings.

Add insult to injury

To add insult to injury means to make a bad situation worse by upsetting or harming

someone you have already harmed in some other way.

Not only did he steal money from his best friend, he added insult to injury by asking

to borrow his car.

Iron fist/hand in a velvet glove

This expression is used to describe someone who, behind an appearance of gentleness,

is inflexible and determined.

To impose the necessary reforms, the leader used persuasion followed by force -

an iron fist in a velvet glove.

Irons in the fire

If you have a few, or many, irons in the fire, you are involved in a number of projects

at the same time.

The travel agency is not his only venture - he's got more than one iron in the fire.

Itchy feet

A person who has itchy feet is someone who finds it difficult to stay in one place

and likes travelling and discovering new places.

Andrew's got itchy feet again. He says he's going to teach in China for a few years.

Itching (or itchy) palm

Someone who has an itching palm is greedy for money, for example tips or commission

(as if putting money in the palm of their hand would ease the itch).

He's said to have an itching palm - he does nothing without payment!

It's anyone's call

This expression is used when the result of a game, contest or election is difficult

to predict.

Who do you think will win?" "It's anyone's call.

It's a small world!

This expression is used by someone who is surprised to meet familiar people, events

or situations in unexpected places.

Wow! It's a small world. I never expected to meet a neighbour on a transatlantic

flight!

It's no use crying over spilt milk

This expression means that it is useless to complain or have regrets about something

that is done and cannot be changed.

Sometimes I regret not accepting the offer, but it's no use crying over spilt milk.

Be an item

To say that two people are an item means that they are involved in a romantic

relationship.

So Sally and Harry are an item, are they?

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