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 - M

mad as a hatter

To say that someone is as mad as a hatter means that they are very strange or

insane.

The old lady next door is as mad as a hatter. She says the strangest things!

made of money

A person who is made of money is very rich and can buy whatever they want.

Hey! I can't afford that much! I'm not made of money!

make or break

Circumstances or events that will make or break someone or something will

cause either total success or total ruin.

This assignment will make or break his career.

make an ass of oneself

If you behave so stupidly that you appear ridiculous, you make an ass of yourself.

Tom made an ass of himself by singing a love song outside Julie's door!

make a big thing of something

If you attach a lot of importance to something, or make it a special occasion, you

make a big thing of it.

It's Jack's birthday but he doesn't want to make a big thing of it, so please don't

mention it.

make a comeback

When someone makes a comeback, they succeed in returning to their former

successful career.

After devoting several years to her children, she made a comeback on Broadway.

make the cut

If you make the cut, you reach a required standard or succeed in passing from

one round of a competition to another.

After intensive training, Sarah made the cut and joined the team.

make a go of (something)

When you make a go of something, you succeed in your enterprise or produce

good results.

He opened a restaurant and worked hard to make a go of it.

make a killing

If you say that someone has made a killing you mean that they have had great

financial success

He made a killing on the stock market.

you can't make an omelette without breaking eggs

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

causing some unpleasant effects.

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

without breaking eggs.

make cold calls

If you make cold calls, you telephone potential customers from a list of people

you do not know.

In my first job I had to make cold calls using the telephone directory.

make ends meet

If you find it difficult to make ends meet, you find it difficult to pay for your

everyday needs because you have very little money.

Anne's salary is so low she finds it hard to make ends meet.

make one's flesh (or skin) 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.

make one's hackles rise

If someone makes your hackles rise, they make you angry.

Her constant criticism really makes my hackles rise!

make one's hair stand on end

If you are absolutely terrified of something, it makes your hair stand on end.

Just the thought of getting on a plane makes my hair stand on end.

make headway

If you make headway, you make progress in what you are trying to achieve.

Investigators have made little headway in their search for the causes of the

catastrophe.

make inroads

If someone or something makes inroads, for example in a new fieldor area, they

advance successfully or make progress.

Foreign cars have made inroads into the European market.

make light of something

If you make light of something, you behave as though it is less serious than it

really is.

He won several awards for his work but made light of it when the subject was

mentioned.

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.

make mincemeat (of)

If you make mincemeat of someone or something, you completely and utterly defeat

or destroy them.

A good lawyer would make mincemeat of your rival's accusations.

make a mint

If someone makes a mint, they make a large amount of money.

They made a mint selling hamburgers outside the football stadium.

make a monkey (out) of someone

If you humiliate someone by making them appear ridiculous or foolish,

you make a monkey of that person.

That's enough teasing. Don't make a monkey out of him!

make your mouth water

Food can make your mouth water when it looks and smells extremely good.

That delicious smell from the kitchen is making my mouth water.

make no bones about something

If you make no bones about something, you don't hesitate to say something

in a frank and open way.

I made no bones about it. I told him his offer was unacceptable.

make nothing of something

If you make nothing of something, you attach no importance to it.

It took him an hour to walk to the station but he made nothing of it.

make a pig of yourself

If you make a pig of yourself, you eat and drink too much.

Watch what you eat - don't make a pig of yourself!

make a pig's ear (of something)

If you make a pig's ear of something, you do a task or a chore very badly or make

a complete mess of it.

Jack offered to paint the kitchen but he made a pig's ear of it.

make a point of doing something

If you make a point of doing something, make an effort to do something that you

think is the right thing to do.

The singer made a point of thanking the musicians and the technicians.

make the right noises

If you make the right noises, you behave as if you support or agree with something

by making suitable or conventional remarks.

Jack seems to approve of the idea; he certainly made all the right noises.

make sense of something

If you make sense of something, you manage to understand something that appears

complicated or incomprehensible.

I couldn't make sense of the instructions.

make short work of something

If you make short work of something, you do or finish something quickly.

The players were so hungry after the match that they made short work of the food

provided.

make it snappy!

If someone tells you to make it snappy, they are asking you very sharply to hurry up

or to be quick about something.

Fetch me a bandage and make it snappy!

make someone see reason

If you make someone see reason, you persuade them to stop acting foolishly and

behave more sensibly.

He wanted to drop out of medical school in his fourth year. His uncle managed to

make him see reason.

make a song and dance about something

If someone complains in an annoying way or becomes unnecessarily excited about

something unimportant, they make a song and dance about it.

OK. You don't like carrots! There's no need to make a song and dance about it!

make up for lost time

If you make up for lost time, you increase your efforts or work harder to complete

something or meet a deadline.

Progress has stopped because of bad weather, but we are determined to make up

for lost time.

make yourself scarce

If you make yourself scarce, you leave a place in order to avoid an embarrassing

situation.

When Mark and Sally started to argue, I decided to make myself scarce.

find/meet your match

If you find or meet your match, you encounter someone who is equal to you in skills

or abilities.

Barry is an excellent tennis player, but he met his match in William.

someone means business

If someone means business, they are serious about what they announce.

The boss says that in future any missing material will be reported to the police,

and he looks as though he means business.

a taste of one's own medicine

If you give someone a taste of their own medicine, you treat them in the same

unpleasant way that they have treated you.

People who always arrive late should be given a taste of their own medicine.

meet someone half-way

If you meet someone half way, you accept to make a compromise and give them

part of what they are trying to obtain.

We can't agree to all your conditions but we could perhaps agree to meet half-way

meet your maker

This expression is used to say (often humorously) that someone has died.

Poor old Mr. Potter has gone to meet his maker.

meet-and-greet

This term refers to a reception (often informal) where a public figure or important

person can introduce themselves and talk to the guests.

The new mayor is going to schedule a meet-and-greet reception for the residents.

megaphone diplomacy

If the media, through press releases, interviews and announcements, is instrumental

in facilitating dialogue between two or more countries, this is referred to as

megaphone diplomacy.

memory lane

If you take a trip (stroll or walk) down memory lane, you remember pleasant things

that happened in the past.

Every Christmas is a trip down memory for the family when our parents take out

the photograph albums.

on the mend

Someone who is on the mend is getting better after an illness.

My grandmother has not been very well this last while but she's on the mend now.

method in one's madness

This expression means that someone's behaviour is not as irrational as it seems.

He's efficient despite his strange way of working, so there's method in his madness!

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.

middle of the road (MOR)

This expression refers to anything moderate, unadventurous or inoffensive, that avoids

extremes and appeals to the majority of people.

"He's a successful middle-of-the-road entertainer. My mother wouldn't miss a show!"

smack dab in the middle

If something is smack dab in the middle, it's right in the centre.

I couldn't hide the stain on my shirt. It was smack dabble in the middle.

burn the midnight oil

A person who burns the midnight oil stays up very late at night in order to finish

a piece of work.

Tony is working hard for his exams. He's been burning the midnight oil all week.

might is right

This saying expresses the belief that being the most powerful person or country

gives you the right to do whatever you want.

There are still many leaders today who believe that might is right.

milk of human kindness

Someone who has, or is full of, the milk of human kindness, is naturally kind and

compassionate to others.

She's a wonderful person - full of the milk of human kindness.

(not) mince one's words

Someone who does not mince their words expresses their ideas, opinions or thoughts

very clearly, even if they offend others by doing so.

"Come on John. Tell us what you really think - and don't mince your words."

look/feel like a million dollars

If you look/feel like a million dollars, you look/feel extremely good.

With a tan and a new hairstyle, she looked like a million dollars.

a millstone around your neck

Something described as a millstone around your neck refers to a problem or

responsibility that becomes a burden and a source of worry.

The money he borrowed became a millstone around his neck

mind over matter

The mental power to influence one's body and overcome physical difficulties is said

to be a question of mind over matter.

He knew he could not be cured, but he managed to live until the baby was born -

a case of mind over matter.

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.

cross your mind

If an idea or thought crosses your mind, you suddenly think of it.

It has just crossed my mind that the shops are closed today.

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?

mind your P's and Q's

If you tell someone to mind their P's and Q's, you are advising them to be careful

about how they behave and what they say.

Politeness is very important to my grandparents, so mind your P's and Q's when we

go to visit them.

mind your own business

Telling someone to mind their own business is a way of saying that they are too

interested in what other people are doing, or that they are interfering in something

that does not concern them.

Don't tell me what to do - just mind your own business!

in two minds

If you are in two minds about something, you have difficulty deciding what to do.

I'm in two minds about whether or not to accept the offer.

in one's mind's eye

If you can visualise something, or see an image of it in your mind, you see it in your

mind's eye.

I can see the village in my mind's eye but I can't remember the name.

in mint condition

Something that is in mint condition is in such perfect condition that it looks new or

as good as new.

The car is 10 years old but according to Tom it's in mint condition.

miss the boat

If you miss the boat, you fail to take advantage of an opportunity because you don't

act quickly enough.

I managed to get my order through before the end

miss the point

If you miss the point, you fail to understand the essential part of shat has been said.

Sam missed the point. It's not the job that's a problem, it's the amount of work it

involves for one person.

not miss a trick

If a person never misses a trick, they are very aware or alert.

The old lady next door will know if Bill is there or not - she never misses a trick!

mix business and pleasure

When people mix business with pleasure, they combine work and leisure or social

activities.

Seminars or training sessions that include leisure activities are a good way of mixing

business and pleasure.

mixed blessing

Something pleasant which also has disadvantages is called a mixed blessing.

He inherited an 18th century mansion, but the maintenance costs make it a mixed

blessing.

mixed feelings

When you have mixed feelings about something, you react to it with conflicting

emotions; you are happy and unhappy at the same time.

I had mixed feelings about leaving the company. I was excited about my new job

but sad to be leaving my colleagues.

moment of truth

A critical or decisive time when you face the reality of a situation, and find out if

your efforts have succeeded, is called the moment of truth.

The moment of truth has arrived - I'm going to serve my first soufflé!

money burns a hole in somebody's pocket

To say that money burns a hole in somebody's pocket means that they are eager

to spend it quickly or extravagantly.

As soon as she's paid she goes shopping. Money burns a hole in her pocket!

money to burn

People who have money to burn have so much money that they can spend it on

anything they want.

A leather jacket is no problem for Sarah. She's got money to burn!

money for jam

A very easy way of earning money is called money for jam.

All you've got to do is hand out brochures. It's money for jam!

money for old rope

This expression refers to money earned from a task that requires very little effort.

Getting paid for watering the garden is money for old rope!

see the colour of somebody's money

If you want to see the colour of somebody's money, you want to make sure that

the person in question has enough money to pay you before you accept to do

something.

I want to see the colour of his money before shipping the goods.

money doesn't grow on trees

To say that money doesn't grow on trees means that it is not plentiful or easily

obtained.

Be careful how you spend your money David. It doesn't grow on trees you know!

money laundering

When people launder money, they manage to conceal the source of illegally-

obtained money so that it is believed to be legitimate.

Certain countries have been accused of facilitating money laundering.

money spinner

If an activity is a money spinner, it is a very successful way of making money.

Washing cars was quite a money spinner when I was a student.

money talks

Money talks means that people with a lot of money have power and influence.

The owner is a millionaire and he's influential - money talks!

more money than sense

If you have more money than sense, you have a lot of money which you waste by

spending it in a foolish manner.

He celebrated the birth of the baby by buying a sports car. He's got more money

than sense!

put money where your mouth is

If you put money where your mouth is, you give financial support to activities and

causes that you believe are right.

rake in the money

If you rake in the money, you make money in large quantities.

Bob's business is so successful, he's raking in the money.

throw money at something

If you throw money at something, you try to solve a problem by spending money

on it, without using any other methods.

The refugee problem cannot be solved just by throwing money at it.

monkey business

An activity which is organized in a deceitful or dishonest way is called monkey

business.

The results announced seem suspicious - I think there's some monkey business

going on!

a month of Sundays

This expression is an amusing way of referring to a very long period of time.

I haven't been to the theatre in a month of Sundays.

over the moon

If you are over the moon about something, you are very happy about it.

When she heard the results of the exam, Caroline was over the moon.

reach for the moon

If you reach for the moon, you are very ambitious and try to achieve something,

even if it's difficult

Jenny is talented and ambitious; she always tends to reach for the moon.

do a moonlight flit

If you do a moonlight flit, you leave a place quickly and in secret, usually to avoid

paying debts.

Just before the rent was due he did a moonlight flit.

a moot point

A subject which gives rise to argument or debate is called a moot point.

Whether Bach composed it himself or not is a moot point among musicians.

more by accident than (by) design

Something which happens more by accident than (by) design is done without

deliberate intention.

I became an interpreter more by accident than design; nobody else could speak

the language of the refugees.

more fun than a barrel of monkeys

If something is very amusing or enjoyable, you can say it is more fun than a barrel

of monkeys.

more heat than light

If a discussion or debate generates more heat than light, it causes anger or intense

reaction but doesn't clarify anything.

The meeting that was held to discuss the problem generated more heat than light.

more than meets the eye

When something (or someone) is more complicated, difficult or interesting that it

appears, it is said that there is more than meets the eye.

He said he simply sold his shares, but I think there's more to it than meets the eye.

more money than sense

If you have more money than sense, you have a lot of money which you waste by

spending it in a foolish manner.

He celebrated the birth of the baby by buying a sports car. He's got more money

than sense!

more power to your elbow!

This is said to express praise or encouragement to someone for doing something.

"I've left my job and I'm going to work free-lance from now on."

"Well, more power to your elbow!

make a mountain out of a molehill

If someone makes a mountain out of a molehill, they make a small, unimportant

problem seem much more serious than it is.

Stop making mountains out of molehills! It's not a major problem.

a mouse potato

This term refers to a person who spends a lot of time in front of the computer.

My son and his friends are all mouse potatoes - constantly glued to the computer!

all mouth and no trousers

This is said of someone who talks a lot about doing something but never actually

does it.

He keeps saying he's going to resign and travel around the world, but he's all mouth

and no trousers!

move heaven and earth

To say that you will move heaven and earth means that you are prepared to do

everything that is possible in order to obtain or achieve something.

I promise I will move heaven and earth to get a work permit for you.

move the goalposts

During a course of action, if someone moves the goalposts, they change the rules

or conditions.

We've decided on a sales campaign. Let's hope the boss doesn't move the goalposts

halfway through!

move in the same circles

When people move in the same circles, they socialize with others who have a similar

background, interests or lifestyle.

I've never met the owner of the castle personally. We don't move in the same circles!

move up in the world

A person who moves up in the world becomes more important in society or more

successful in their career.

Rachel Jones has moved up in the world since we were kids.

movers and shakers

The term movers and shakers refers to people in power who take an active part in

making things happen.

Movers and shakers are assembling in Brussels for the summit.

much obliged

Some people use this expression to say that they are very thankful or grateful.

"It's raining Mr. Brown. Take my umbrella." " "Much obliged."

much of a muchness

This expression means 'very similar' or 'almost alike'

It's difficult to choose between the two hotels - they're much of a muchness really.

muddy the waters

If you muddy the waters, you make something less clear by giving confusing

information

I had difficulty understanding, but Alan's explanation just muddied the waters!

Mum's the word

To say "Mum's the word" means that the subject or plan is a secret and must not

be revealed.

We're organizing a surprise event on New Year's Eve so "Mum's the word" - OK?

murder something

If you say that you could murder something, such as food or drink, you mean that

you want it very much.

I'm so hot and thirsty I could murder a cold drink.

to be murder

To say that something is murder means that it is very difficult or uncomfortable.

The journey home through the storm was absolute murder.

get away with murder

To say that someone gets away with murder means that you think they can do

something unacceptable without being punished or criticized.

Some parents let their children get away with murder.

murphy's law

Referring to Murphy's law expresses a sentiment of bad luck and the idea that if

anything can go wrong, it will.

We've tried to prepare for every possible incident, but remember Murphy's law ...

face the music

If you have to face the music, you have to accept the unpleasant consequences

of your actions.

He was caught stealing. Now he has to face the music!

music to your ears

To say that something is music to your ears, means that the information you receive

makes you feel very happy.

His compliments were music to my ears.

mutton dressed as lamb

This expression refers to a middle-aged or older woman trying to look younger than

her age by dressing in clothes designed for younger people.

The style doesn't suit her at all - it has a 'mutton dressed as lamb' effect.

my way or the highway!

If you say to someone "it's my way or the highway" you are telling that person that

either they accept what you tell them to do or they leave the project.

You don't have much choice when someone says "It's my way or the highway."

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