Iňlis Idioms

“Have a chip on your shoulder”

To be resentful and easily offended because you feel unfairly treated.

“Be out of the woods”

To be free from the main danger or difficulty, especially after a crisis.

“Go against the grain”

To be contrary to someone’s usual beliefs, preferences, or habits.

“Be on the back foot”

To be at a disadvantage and forced to react rather than take the initiative.

“Take something in your stride”

To deal calmly with a difficulty without letting it upset you.

“Put a brave face on it”

To appear cheerful or confident despite feeling upset or afraid.

“The writing is on the wall”

There are clear signs that something bad is going to happen.

“Get the wrong end of the stick”

To misunderstand what someone means.

“Have your work cut out”

To face a task that will require a lot of effort.

“Let the dust settle”

To wait until confusion or strong feelings have calmed before acting.

“Keep your head above water”

To manage to survive or cope, especially with financial or work difficulties.

“Put someone on the spot”

To make someone answer a difficult question or decide before they are ready.

“Be a fly on the wall”

To watch or hear a situation without being noticed.

“Take the wind out of someone’s sails”

To make someone feel less confident or enthusiastic.

“Read someone like a book”

To understand someone’s thoughts or feelings very easily.

“Put your foot in your mouth”

To say something embarrassing or tactless by accident.

“Play your cards right”

To act wisely and use your opportunities well to succeed.

“Go to the ends of the earth”

To make every possible effort to help someone or achieve something.

“Have a soft spot for someone”

To feel particular affection for someone or something.

“Sweep something under the rug”

To hide or ignore a problem instead of dealing with it.

“Have an ace up your sleeve”

To have a secret advantage or plan that you can use when needed.

“Be snowed under”

To have more work than you can easily manage.

“Go off on a tangent”

To start talking or thinking about a subject unrelated to the main topic.

“Get your wires crossed”

To misunderstand each other or confuse information.