Idio 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 - L

Labour of love

A labour of love is work that you do for your own pleasure or satisfaction, and not

for reward or payment

He spends all his spare time repairing old sports cars - a real labour of love!

A lame duck

A person or organization that is in difficulty and unable to manage without help is called

a lame duck.

Some banks have become lame ducks recently.

A lame excuse

A lame excuse is an explanation which is weak and unconvincing.

If you're scared to do it, just say so. Don't invent some lame excuse.

In the land of the living

This is a humorous way of saying that someone is still alive.

Hi there! It's good to see you're still in the land of the living!

Land/fall on your feet

If you land on your feet, you make a quick recovery after a difficulty such as a business

failure, an illness, a loss, etc.

Don't worry about Bob. He always lands on his feet!

Lash out

If you lash out at somebody, you attack them, usually verbally.

On the ninth hole, Pete suddenly lashed out at Scott and accused him of cheating.

Last but not least

When introducing a number of people, this expression is used to assure the audience

that the last person mentioned is no less important than those previously named.

And now, last but not least, here is the final candidate.

Last thing on one's mind

If you say that something is the last thing on your mind, you mean that it is not an

important matter at all, especially when you have more serious problems to consider.

I'm so busy that food is the last thing on my mind.

Last resort

If you say that you would do something as a last resort, it is the last thing you would

do if you were desperate and all other courses of action had failed.

I still haven't found a hotel for tonight; I can always sleep in the car as a last resort!

That's the last straw!

To say "that's the last straw!" expresses exasperation at the last in a series of

unpleasant events which makes the situation intolerable.

After a harassing day of negotiating, the traffic jam was the last straw!

The last word

Something described as the last word is the most recent or most fashionable in its

category.

Steve's new computer is the last word in technology.

Laugh all the way to the bank

A person who makes a lot of money easily, especially through someone else's stupidity,

is said to laugh all the way to the bank.

If we don't succeed in renewing the contract, our competitors will be laughing all the

way to the bank.

Laugh something off

When you laugh about something that has upset or hurt you, in order to make it

seem less important, or to try to show that you do not care, you laugh it off.

She overheard her colleague's critical remark, but she laughed it off.

Laugh up one's sleeve

If you laugh up your sleeve, you are secretly amused at another person's problems

or difficulties.

Tom felt that his explanation was confusing and that his colleague was laughing up

his sleeve.

Laughing stock

This expression refers to a person or group that everyone laughs at because they

do something stupid or ridiculous.

If you wear that to school you'll be the laughing stock of the class!

A law unto themselves

If someone is a law unto themselves, they do things their own way and ignore what is

generally considered as acceptable.

They're against discipline and allow their children complete freedom - they're a law

unto themselves.

Lay down the law

Someone who lays down the law tells people very forcefully and firmly what to do.

The volunteers helped in a disorganized way. They needed someone to lay down the law.

Lead to a dead end

If a plan or a project leads to a dead end, it develops no further because it has no

future.

In spite of the scientists' efforts, the research lead to a dead end.

Lead somebody up the garden path

If someone leads you up the garden path, they deceive you by making you believe

something which is not true.

I still haven't got a promotion. I think my boss is leading me up the garden path!

In/by leaps and bounds

If you do something in/by leaps and bounds, you make rapid or spectacular progress

or growth.

The number of subscribers to the review has grown in leaps and bounds.

Learn the hard way

If you learn the hard way, you learn through your own experience, good and bad,

rather than from the advice or guidance of others.

His refusal to accept any help meant that he had to learn the hard way.

Learning curve

This expression refers to the length of time needed to learn something new.

The new system has a long learning curve so we'll have to give the staff time to get

used to it.

Leave the door open

When you leave the door open, you behave in such a way as to allow the possibility

of further action.

Both parties left the door open for further negotiations.

Leave 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.

Leave no stone unturned

If you try everything possible in order to achieve something or to find something, you

leave no stone unturned.

The management left no stone unturned in their efforts to find a solution to the crisis.

Leave well alone

If you leave well alone, you decide not to interfere with or change something that is

acceptable or adequate.

It would be hard to get a better deal. Let's just leave well alone.

Led by the nose

Someone who is led by the nose is dominated or controlled by a person or group

who makes them do exactly what they want.

Jack has always been led by the nose by his mother.

The left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing

This expression means that communication within a group or organization is so bad

that people don't know what the others are doing.

Left hanging (in the air/in midair)

If a problem or issue is left hanging in the air, no decision has been taken so it remains

without a solution.

No solution was proposed during the meeting so the question was left hanging in the air.

Left to your own devices

If you leave someone to their own devices, you let them look after themselves, without

any help.

When left to their own devices, many children watch TV and eat junk food.

Not have a leg to stand on

To say that someone doesn't have a leg to stand on means that they can't prove what

they say.

Three people testified against him. He didn't have a leg to stand on.

Pull somebody's leg

If you pull somebody's leg, you tease them by telling them something that is not true.

Of course I'm not going to buy a sports car. I was just pulling your leg!

Lend oneself (to something)

If you lend yourself to something, you approve of it or become associated with it.

No decent father would lend himself to violent behaviour.

Less is more

This expression, used particularly in architecture and design, conveys the idea that

things that are simple in style and smaller in size are better.

Simplicity is fashionable today. Less is more.

Lesser of two evils

If you choose the lesser of two evils, you opt for the less unpleasant of two poor options.

I didn't want to go. Choosing the train instead of driving was the lesser of two evils;

at least I could relax on the way.

Let bygones be bygones

If you let bygones be bygones, you decide to forget about past disagreements.

When Charlie's son was born, he decided to let bygones be bygones and contacted his

parents.

Let me bounce this off you.

You say this when you present an idea or plan to someone in order to test their

reaction or obtain feedback.

I think I've found a way of making money. Let me bounce this off you.

Let the cat out of the bag

If you let the cat out of the bag, you reveal a secret, often not intentionally.

When the child told her grandmother about the plans for her birthday,

she let the cat out of the bag. It was supposed to be a secret!

Let sleeping dogs lie

If you tell somebody to let sleeping dogs lie, you are asking them not to interfere

with a situation because they could cause problems.

Look - they've settled their differences. It's time to let sleeping dogs lie.

Let off steam

A person who lets off steam releases surplus energy or strong feelings either through

intense physical activity or by talking in an unrestrained manner.

Let's bring the kids to the playground so they can let off steam.

To the letter

If you follow instructions or directions to the letter, you do exactly as is told or written.

Although she followed the instructions to the letter, she couldn't get the DVD player

to work.

On the level

If you say that somebody is on the level, you are referring to a truthful and honest

person.

Tell me straight : Is he on the level on not?

A licence to print money

This expression refers to an officially authorized activity which enables people

to make a lot of money without much effort.

The contract to supply computers to schools was a licence to print money.

A lick and a promise

If you give something a lick and a promise, you make a quick and careless attempt to

clean something, with the intention of doing it more thoroughly later.

She gave the kitchen a lick and a promise before she ran to catch the bus.

Lick into shape

If you make an effort to put someone or something into satisfactory condition or

appearance, you lick them into shape.

I've got to lick this place into shape before my in-laws come to visit us.

Lick one's wounds

When a person licks their wounds, they try to recover their confidence or spirits

after a defeat, failure or disappointment.

Poor Harry is licking his wounds after being dropped off the team.

Keep the lid on something

If you keep the lid on something, you hide it or control it to prevent people from

finding out about it.

The company tried to keep a lid on the negotiations but word got out to the Press.

Lie in

If you lie in, you stay in bed after the normal time for getting up.

Great! Tomorrow I'm not on duty so I can lie in.

Lie through your teeth

If you lie through your teeth, you lie openly and brazenly, knowing that what you are

saying is completely false.

I saw him breaking the window. If he denies it, he's lying through his teeth.

Life is just a bowl of cherries!

This expression means that life is pleasant and uncomplicated.

Now that he's retired, my grandfather often says "life is just a bowl of cherries".

Risk life and limb

If you risk life and limb, you are in danger of death or serious injury.

The roads are icy today; you'll risk life and limb if you go by car.

The life of Riley

If you live the life of Riley, you have a comfortable and enjoyable life, without having

to work too hard.

He married a millionaire's daughter, and since then he's been living the life of Riley.

The life and soul of the party

The life and soul of the party is the most lively and amusing person present at an event.

I'm so glad we invited Caroline. She was the life and soul of the party!

Light bulb moment

A light bulb moment is when you have a sudden moment of inspiration, comprehension

or realization.

Harry had a light-bulb moment when he finally realized what was blocking the

mechanism.

Light at the end of the tunnel

If you see light at the end of the tunnel, you see signs of hope for the future after a

long period of difficulty.

Sales dropped heavily last year but we're beginning to see light at the end of the tunnel.

Make light work of something

If a person makes light work of something, they do it very easily or with little effort.

After the party, the boys made light work of the cleaning up. The house was spotless

when they left.

Light years ahead

If someone or something is light years ahead, they are far ahead in terms of development

or progress.

We've got to invest more in research - our competitors are light years ahead!

Make light work of something

If a person makes light work of something, they do it very easily or with little effort.

After the party, the boys made light work of the cleaning up. The house was spotless

when they left.

The lights are on, but no one is home

A humorous way of referring to a person who is lacking intellect and/or sanity, or to

someone who is simply preoccupied and not paying attention.

Forget about Andy today - the lights are on but no one is home!

Like the back of one's hand

If you know something like the back of your hand, you are very familiar with it and

know it in detail.

Of course I won't get lost. I know London like the back of my hand!

Like a bat out of hell

If something moves like a bat out of hell, it moves very quickly.

He grabbed the envelope and ran like a bat out of hell.

Like bringing a knife to a gunfight

To say that an action was like bringing a knife to a gunfight means that there was

a total lack of preparation.

Asking an inexperienced lawyer to defend such a difficult case was like bringing a

knife to a gunfight.

(Sound) like a broken record.

Someone who says the same thing again and again is said to sound like a broken

record.

Dad! Stop telling me to be careful when I drive. You sound like a broken record!

Like a cat on hot bricks

A person who is like a cat on hot bricks is very nervous or restless.

The week before the results were published, she was like a cat on hot bricks.

Like the cat that ate the canary

If, after an achievement or success, a person appears very self-satisfied or pleased

with themselves, you can say that they look like the cat that ate the canary.

When the boss complimented him on his work, Steve looked like the cat that ate

the canary.

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!

Like a scalded cat

If someone or something moves like a scalded cat, they move very fast, usually because

they are frightened or shocked.

As soon as he saw the policeman, he ran off like a scalded cat.

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.

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.

Like clockwork

To say that someone or something goes, runs or behaves like clockwork means that

everything happens exactly as expected.

Meals are always served on time. In their home everything runs like clockwork.

Like death warmed up

If you look like death warmed up, you look very ill or tired.

My boss told me to go home. He said I looked like death warmed up.

Like a deer/rabbit caught in the headlights

When you are so surprised that you are momentarily confused and unable to react

quickly, you are like a deer (or a rabbit) caught in the headlights.

Surprised by the journalist's question, he was like a deer caught in the headlights.

Like greased lightning

If something moves like greased lightning, it moves extremely fast.

As soon the owner appeared, the boy ran like greased lightning.

Like it or lump it

If you tell someone to like it or lump it, you mean that they will have to accept

something even if they don't like it, because the situation is not going to change.

We're spending a week this summer with your grandparents - like it or lump it!

Like kicking dead whales down the beach.

Expression used (especially in computing) to refer to a particularly slow and difficult

process.

Getting him to adopt the new method is like kicking dead whales down the beach.

Like a moth to a flame

To say that a person is attracted to someone or something like a moth to a flame

means that the attraction is so strong they cannot resist.

He's drawn to the casino like a moth to a flame.

Like nailing jelly to the wall

To say that something is like nailing jelly to the wall, you mean that it is extremely

difficult to do, if not impossible.

Keeping track of his movements is like nailing jelly to the wall.

Like pulling teeth

Something that is like pulling teeth is extremely difficult to obtain, especially if trying

to extract information from someone.

Getting him to talk about his job was like pulling teeth!

Like a red flag/rag to a bull

To say that a statement or action is like a red flag to a bull means that it is sure to

make someone very angry or upset.

Don't mention Tom's promotion to Mike. It would be like a red flag to a bull!

Like taking candy from a baby

To say that something is like taking candy from a baby means that it is very easy to do.

Don't worry - you'll manage. It'll be like taking candy from a baby!

Like taking sand to the beach

Doing something that is unnecessary or of no use at all is said to be like taking sand

to the beach.

Bringing a cake to Judy's party is like taking sand to the beach; she always uses a

caterer.

Like talking to a brick wall

To say that a conversation with someone is like talking to a brick wall means that

communication is impossible because there is no reaction or response.

I tried to discuss the problem with him but it was like talking to a brick wall.

Like there's no tomorrow (also: as if there were no tomorrow)

If someone does something like there's no tomorrow, they do it fast and eagerly,

regardless of the future, as if this could be their last opportunity to do it.

I don't understand him; he's spending money like there's no tomorrow.

Like a thief in the night

Someone who acts like a thief in the night does something secretly or in an unexpected

manner.

He left the company like a thief in the night, without telling his colleagues or saying

goodbye.

Like a ton of bricks

If somebody comes down on you like a ton of bricks, they criticize you severely because

you have done something wrong.

If you don't follow his instructions carefully, he'll come down on you like a ton of bricks!

Like water off a duck's back

To say that something, such as criticism or advice, is like water off a duck's back means

that it has no effect at all.

He's warned of the dangers of smoking but it's like water off a duck's back.

Likely story

This expression is used to say that you do not believe what has just been said.

He said he'd found the money on the street - that's a likely story!

Line of least resistance

If you opt for the line of least resistance, you choose the easiest way of doing something.

To make sure the children would stay inside, he chose the line of least resistance and

rented a film.

Lion's share

The lion's share of something is the largest portion, or the best part.

He left very little money to his children; the lion's share was donated to charity.

Keep a stiff upper lip

If a person keeps a stiff upper lip, they contain their emotion and do not let other

people see their feelings.

When she heard the bad news, she kept a stiff upper lip.

Lip service

If you pay lip service to an idea or cause, you give verbal support or approval but fail

to actually do anything.

In spite of promising equal pay for women, the management is suspected of paying lip

service to the promotion of women's rights.

Lick/smack one's lips

To say that a person is licking or smacking their lips means that they are showing that

they are excited about something and are eager for it to happen.

They were smacking their lips at the idea of the money they were going to make.

My lips are sealed

If you say that your lips are sealed, you promise not to reveal a secret.

I promise I won't tell anyone. My lips are sealed!

Lipstick on a pig

This expression means that trying to 'dress up' something unappealing or ugly, in a vain

attempt to make it look better, is like putting lipstick on a pig.

Flowers will not not improve that ugly old bridge; every one agrees that it's lipstick on

a pig.

Live beyond one's means

If someone lives beyond their means, they spend more money than they earn or can

afford.

The cost of living was so much higher in New York that he was soon living beyond his

means.

Live in clover

Someone who lives in clover has enough money to lead a very comfortable life.

I dream of making an enormous amount of money and living the rest of my life

in clover!

Live from hand to mouth

If you live from hand to mouth, you don't have enough money to save. Whatever you

earn is spent on food and other essentials.

Most families in that poor area live from hand to mouth.

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.

Live in an ivory tower

A person who lives in an ivory tower has a lifestyle which preserves them from the

problems and difficulties experienced by others.

You're completely out of touch - it's time to come out of your ivory tower and see

what's going on!

Live a lie

If you spend your life hiding something important about yourself, or inventing

something which is not true, you live a lie.

To hide his humble origins, he told his wife he had no family and spent his life living

a lie.

Live out of a suitcase

Someone who lives out of a suitcase travels a lot, moving from place to place, and is

therefore restricted to the contents of their suitcase.

Sarah's new job involves so much travelling that she lives out of a suitcase most of the

time.

Live to fight another day

This expression means that even though you have had a negative experience, you

will have another chance in the future to try again.

He was defeated in the final match but he lived to fight another day.

Live to tell the tale

Someone who lives to tell the tale survives a terrible experience.

Only two members of the expedition lived to tell the tale.

Live up to one's/its reputation

If someone or something lives up to its reputation, it's as good, or as bad, as people say.

The guesthouse lived up to its reputation; the owners were as friendly and hospitable

as we had been told.

Live wire

Someone who is highly vivacious, energetic and full of enthusiasm is a live wire.

Things have brightened up since Charlie arrived. He's a real live wire.

Living on borrowed time

This expression refers to a period of time after an illness or accident which could have

caused death.

After heart surgery, some patients say they're living on borrowed time.

Lo and behold!

This term is used to express surprise, especially at a sudden or unexpected appearance.

I was watering the flowers, when lo and behold, there was the watch I'd lost!

A load (or weight) off your mind

If something takes a load or weight off somebody's mind, it brings great relief because

a problem has been solved.

When the company closed down, finding a new job took a load off Tom's mind.

Loan shark

A loan shark is an unauthorised person who lends money at extremely high interest rates

to people who are unable to obtain a loan from the bank.

The young immigrant was beaten because he was late paying back money to a loan shark.

Lock horns

If you lock horns with somebody, you argue or fight with them about something.

If there is another incident like that in the building, the occupants will be locking horns!

Lock, stock and barrel

This expression means 'everything'.

Julie found apartment empty. David had taken everything - lock, stock and barrel!

At loggerheads

If you are at loggerheads with a person or organization, you disagree very strongly with

them.

Management and trade unions are at loggerheads over the decision to close down the

plant.

Not by a long chalk/a long shot

This expression means 'not at all' and is used to emphasise a statement, especially a

negative one

The matter hasn't been settled yet, not by a long chalk!

Long in the tooth

A person who is long in the tooth is a bit too old to do something.

She's a bit long in the tooth for a cabaret dancer isn't she?

(Have come) a long way

When someone has come a long way, they have made a lot of progress or have

become successful.

Tony has come a long way since he opened his first little restaurant.

By the look of things

This expression is used to express an opinion based on what you actually see.

I glanced into the kitchen, and by the look of things dinner will be late.

Look the part

If you look the part, your appearance makes you ideally suited for a particular job

or role.

It was a mistake to chose a pretty young girl to play the witch. She didn't look the part

at all.

Look a picture

If someone or something looks a picture, they look very pretty.

The little girl looked a picture in her new dress.

Look the picture of health

To look the picture of health means to look completely or extremely healthy.

Nice to see you again Mr. Brown. I must say you look the picture of health.

Look a sight

If a person looks a sight, their appearance is awful, unsuitable or very untidy.

She looks a sight in that dress!

Look before you leap

This is something you say when advising someone to think carefully about the possible

problems before doing something.

Don't decide too quickly. Look before you leap!

Look on the bright side

If you look on the bright side, you view a mostly unpleasant situation in a positive and

optimistic way and see the favourable aspects.

OK. You know nobody, But look on the bright side - you'll make lots of new friends!

Look daggers at someone

Someone who looks daggers at another looks at them very angrily.

David looked daggers at Paul when he invited his new girlfriend to dance.

Look down one's nose

If someone looks down their nose at a person or thing, they consider that person or

thing as inferior.

Intellectuals often look down their noses at amusement parks and such.

Look like the cat that ate the canary

If, after an achievement or success, a person appears very self-satisfied or pleased with

themselves, you can say that they look like that cat that ate the canary.

When the boss complimented him on his work, Steve looked like the cat that ate the

canary.

(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.

Look out for number one

If you take care of yourself first and look after your own interests rather than those

of other people, you look out for number one.

Andy's father told him that looking out for number one should be his first priority.

Loose cannon

Someone who is referred to as a loose cannon is a member of a group who cannot be

completely trusted because of unpredictable and irresponsible behaviour which can

cause trouble or danger.

Keep an eye on Jamie. He tends to turn into a loose cannon when he has a few drinks.

Be at a loose end

A person who is at a loose end has some spare time, and feels quite bored by having

nothing in particular to do.

When the meeting was cancelled at the last minute, Julie unexpectedly found herself

at a loose end.

Lose one's marbles

If someone loses their marbles, they become mentally confused, or no longer behave

sensibly or rationally.

The old man is acting very strangely. He seems to have lost his marbles.

Lose the plot

If a situation becomes so confusing that you are unable to understand what is happening

or what you are supposed to do, you lose the plot.

His instructions were so long and confusing that I just lost the plot!

Lose your shirt

If you lose your shirt, you lose all your money or possessions, especially as a result of

speculation or gambling.

He lost his shirt when the bank went bankrupt.

Lose the thread

If you lose the thread of something such as a conversation or a story, you are unable

to follow it.

There were so many interruptions during the film that I completely lost the thread.

Lose track of time

When you give all your attention to something, and become so engrossed in it that

you don't realize what time it is, you lose track of time.

When I start surfing on the web, I lose all track of time.

Lose one's touch

If you lose your touch, you no longer have the ability to do something.

I used to be good at organizing trips but I've lost my touch!

Lose your train of thought

If you forget what you were saying, for example after a disturbance or interruption,

you lose your train of thought.

Where was I? I'm afraid I've lost my train of thought!

At a loss

If a person is at a loss, they don't know what to say or do in a particular situation.

Teachers are at a loss to know how to deal with the increase in violence in schools.

A lost ball in high weeds

Someone who is totally confused, and doesn't know what they are doing or how to

do it, is a lost ball in high weeds.

The new intern is a lost ball in high weeds - he has no idea how to begin the task

he's been given.

Love me, love my dog.

This expression means that if someone loves you, they must love

everything about you, including everyone and everything that you

love.

No love lost

To say that there is no love lost between two people means that they do not like

each other at all.

There is no love lost between the Conservative Party and the Liberal Party.

(Not for) love or money

If you say that you cannot or will not do something for love or money, you mean that

you cannot or will not do it under any circumstances.

I would not try bungee jumping for love or money!

At a low ebb

A person or organization at a low ebb is not as strong or successful as usual.

The recent political crisis has left the country is at a low ebb.

Low-hanging fruit

To refer to something as low-hanging fruit means that it is a target that can be

easily reached, or a goal that can be accomplished with a minimum of effort.

Teenagers are low-hanging fruit for fashionable mobile devices.

The luck of the draw

To refer to something that happens as the luck of the draw means that it is the result

of pure chance, with no possibility of choice.

The samples distributed varied in size and value; it was the luck of the draw!

The lull before the storm

This expression refers to a period of unnatural calm before a difficult time or violent

activity.

The sales start on January 1st. The quiet period before that is just the lull before the

storm.

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.

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